PATTERN OF SOUND WORDS

Tag: Epiphany

  • Notes and Useful Applications for Isaiah 60:1–6 from Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877)

    The following is my translation of the notes and useful applications for the Old Testament Reading of the Epiphany of Our Lord, Isaiah 60:1–6, as they are found in Das Weimarische Bibelwerk (1877). Square brackets indicate my own notes and additions. For the useful applications, I recommend the reader see this very helpful article by Dr. Benjamin T. G. Mayes.

    I. The introduction and content. (v. 1)

    II. Explanation in what great multitude and how hastily the Gentiles will shall come to the knowledge of the true God (v. 2–16)

    Annotated Text

    1. Arise * (hereby the Lord encourages the almost-despairing Jewish Church through the prophet, that she should look around herself freshly and joyfully at the time of Christ, according to the great benefits that Christ brings to her with His coming), become light; * for † your Light1 (the saving knowledge of God in Christ) comes,2 and the glory of the Lord (of Christ who is little known and esteemed) rises over you (My people).

    * Isaiah 52:1

    1 * “let yourself be enlightened, receive this Light” (see Isaiah 59:21)

    † Isaiah 9:2 (John 1:5, 9ff.)

    2 * “to you especially and first of all” (see Micah 5:3; Acts 13:46)

    2. For behold, * darkness (blindness) covers the earth, and gloom covers the people (that they do not know God and His will); but The Lord (Christ) rises over you, and His glory shines over you.

    * Exodus 10:23

    3. And the Gentiles will walk in your * Light (they will be enlightened through the Word of the Gospel) and the kings (will also walk) in the splendor (of the Gospel), which rises over you.

    * Matthew 4:16 (Revelation 21:24)

    4. * Lift up your eyes and see all around: These (Gentiles) all come together to you. Your sons will come from afar, and your daughters † will be reared at your side (through faith in Christ many Gentiles will become your sons and daughters, not according to the flesh, but rather according to the promise [cf. Galatians 3:29], which is far more glorious than fleshly preference).

    * Isaiah 49:18ff.

    † Isaiah 66:12

    5. Then will you see your light and break forth1 (from joy), and your heart will marvel2 and spread out (Luther: “as the streams of water flow and spread out”), when * the multitude by the sea converts to you (the Gentiles who dwell by the sea and on the islands), and the power of the Gentiles comes to you.

    1 Hebrew: “Then you will see it with your eyes when you spread yourself out as a river”

    2 Hebrew: “You will indeed be startled (over it), but nevertheless you will also rejoice from the heart”

    * Matthew 8:11 (Acts 11:18)

    6. Then the multitude of camels shall cover you (The Gentiles, who ride upon camels will come to you to learn the knowledge of God in Christ), the runners (the small camels which are called ‘runners’ on account of their fast running) of Midian and Ephah (the inhabitants of whose lands come from Midian, whom Abraham conceived by Ketura, Genesis 25:2–4). They will all come from * Sheba (from Arabia), (receive Christ, and to Him) bring gold and incense (promote the Church of Christ with their riches and also offer up the spiritual incense of prayer to Christ), and they will proclaim the praise of the Lord.

    * Matthew 2:11 (Psalm 72:10)

    Useful Applications

    I. CORRECTION: That we ought to rejoice heartily of Christ, who is the great Light of the world (v. 1). II. DOCTRINE: That the calling of the Gentiles to the Kingdom of Christ is a very great, joyful, and comforting work of God. (v. 3–5)

  • Martin Chemnitz’s Homily Summary for the Second Sunday after the Epiphany

    Martin Chemnitz’s Homily Summary for the Second Sunday after the Epiphany

    The following is a translation of Martin Chemnitz’s homily summary found at the end of his postil for the Second Sunday after the Epiphany (Postilla, Volume II, pg. 296) I have added Scriptural references in brackets for easy of use.

    “So now, this is the summary of the teaching which we ought to hold on to from this sermon:

    1. First, as far as the history is concerned, [we ought to know] how it goes one after another, how after the Lord Christ entered His office (Ampt) at thirty years old, was baptized by John, and was publicly called (außgeruffen) by God His Heavenly Father form heaven that He was the Messiah, and that all the world should hold and recognize Him as such [Matthew 3:13–17]. Soon afterward, He was led by the Holy Spirit into the wilderness, whereafter forty days [Matthew 4:1–11], He returned to John and once more received from Him the testimony that He was the Lamb of God who would offer Himself for the sins of the entire world [John 1:29–42]. From this testimony, five of John’s hearers were moved to follow Jesus, with whom he went down to Galilee and was invited to a wedding at Cana, where He performed His very first miracle (Wünderwerck) and made water into wine [John 2:1–11]. Thereby, He wanted to prove that He was not only a great prophet, but rather was the only-begotten Son of God. This miracle He had performed before He came to Jerusalem the following Easter, that He might make an appearance through it and His teaching; and how, for the very first, He gave His mother so much to understand, that she ought not interfere in the least with His office (Ampt) and prescribe Him what He ought to do.
    2. Second, because the Lord did this His first miracle at a wedding (Hochzeit), the doctrine of the estate of marriage is to be dealt with in the congregation of God as a chief doctrine in this Gospel, and that we can first confront the heretics who bring in this devil’s doctrine (as Paul calls it in 1 Timothy 4[:1–5]), namely, that the estate of marriage is a fleshly estate which is forbidden to Christians. We have good reason [to believe] that the estate of marriage is a holy and God-pleasing estate, which God the Father instituted [Genesis 2:18–25], God the Son has confirmed [Matthew 19:1–6], and the Holy Spirit has spoken blessing over (Psalm 128). Then, how one ought to take hold of this estate in all the fear of God, live in it, and how married couples ought to behave toward one another [Ephesians 5:22–33], both in love and sorrow (in Lieb und Leid). Then, when the dear cross comes in, how one should grasp on [to the marriage estate] in patience, keep quiet for God, and take up prayer into his hands, and thereby seek help and comfort from God. However, when God tests us and does not help so quickly, when He allows the cross to become more difficult at first and it appears as if He does not want to help us at all, how we should then restrain ourselves and take a stand, fight with God in true faith and certain confidence in His Word and promise, and should not let ourselves be pulled away until He finally hears us.

    These are the two points which we ought to hold on to from this Gospel. May the beloved God inscribe this teaching in our hearts, that, by God’s grace, we may grasp it well, hold on to it, and use it in a Christian manner. Amen.”