Most English translations of the Bible have the godless and profane asking who can "dwell" or "live" with the consuming fire who is the Lord. However, the verb they use is more usually translated "sojourn," which connotes a temporary stay in a particular location while traveling, or traveling as a way of life. In this instance, the idea seems to be traveling through life with the Lord as one's companion.
It's an odd and unexpected choice of verb, but it may be determined by the imagery found in Isaiah 33:20, part of the same passage. There, Zion/Jerusalem is described as a tent which has been staked in a permanent location. This is a picture of the Tabernacle, which was the precursor to the Temple later built on Mt. Zion in Jerusalem. During Israel's Exodus wanderings, the Tabernacle was carried around with them from place to place. Isaiah 33:20 implies, therefore, that the pilgrimage of God's people has come to an end.
This is rather strange, given that Isaiah did not prophesy during the Exodus, but in Jerusalem and well after Israel had been settled in the land for centuries. But all this makes sense within the context of Isaiah 33:13-24, which can be applied to both the Church's experience during the Messianic Age (i.e., today) and in eschatological glory. This life is a time of wandering and pilgrimage, for here we have no permanent home and simultaneously live and sojourn with our Lord (see Hebrews 11-12). And yet, we already have a city with foundations, heavenly Zion, which we will experience in fullness and perfection when our Lord returns in glory and establishes the new heavens and earth.
No comments:
Post a Comment