Chapter # 1 Paragraph # 2 Study # 3
September 18, 2018
Moss Bluff, Louisiana
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Thesis: Mark fully intended his presentation of "The Beginning of the Gospel" to be rooted in the irrefutable apologetic of Isaiah.
Introduction: In our last study we considered Mark's blending of
Malachi 3:1 and
Isaiah 40:3. We argued that, at root, this was merely the normal use of language where the establishment of a type of meaning is critical for any further understanding.
This evening we are going to go further into Mark's use of this "type of meaning" so that we may understand that he is embedding his argument in Isaiah's apologetic.
- I. The Issue of "Type of Meaning".
- A. In Mark's use of Malachi 3:1, he deliberately did not "quote" the text.
- 1. Malachi's words as found in the Septuagint are
- idou ego exapostello ton aggelon mou, kai epiblepsetai hodon pro prosopou mou
- and Mark's words are
- idou apostello ton aggelon mou pro prosopou sou, hos kataskeuasei ten hodon sou.
- 2. There is nothing "illegitimate" about referring to a biblical statement in the form of paraphrase as long as there is no contradiction to the "type of meaning" involved [Note the minute differences in the leaves of the same kind of oak tree; those differences do not cause us to misunderstand the "type of meaning" of "oak tree"].
- B. What he did do is deepen our grasp of the "type of meaning" involved.
- 1. At issue is Malachi's reference to the earlier (minimum of 230 years earlier, maybe as much as 300) declaration of Isaiah that one of the major parts of the "type of meaning" involved is the revelation that there would be a "forerunner" who would precede the Christ in order to get the "situation" in shape for His arrival.
- a. This "type of meaning" had its roots in the historical practice of a "welcoming ruler" who was to receive a "worthy" guest into his kingdom by sending out "forerunners" to get the roadway in good shape for the ease of travel that signaled the "welcome" of the ruler.
- b. There are examples of this in Isaiah 35:8 and 62:10.
- c. Malachi 4:5-6 is a continuing aspect of Malachi's use of Isaiah's original prophecy.
- 2. The "deepening" involved is the later established fact that having a preparatory forerunner is an integral aspect of the coming of the Christ.
- a. He did not, and will not, come unless/until the preparatory work has been done.
- b. There is a similar reality to the fact that Jesus, when identified as The Coming One, is regularly associated with "clouds" (Luke 21:27 and Acts 1:9-11 are only two of several examples we can cite) [Note the interesting use of the recognition of the significance of a "cloud" in Luke 12:54].
- c. And this "deepening" inserted the reality of a "heavenly conversation" between two of the Persons of the Godhead as well as a more precise understanding of what it means to "prepare the road" (drawing from Malachi 2:13).
- II. Mark's Point.
- A. There is no question that Mark is deliberately pushing the thesis that The Gospel of Jesus Christ had its roots in Isaiah's "apologetic".
- 1. Isaiah 41:23. Declare the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that ye are gods...
- 2. Isaiah 44:7. And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for Me...and the things that are coming, and that shall come to pass, let them declare.
- 3. Isaiah 45:21. "... who hath showed this from ancient time? who hath declared it of old? have not I, Yahweh? and there is no God else besides me, a just God and a Saviour; there is none besides me.
- B. This makes his presentation "irrefutable".
- 1. This is not to say that it is "compelling", "unarguable", or "irresistible". Men have always brought their sophistry to the table, but God has made it plain that, in the day, they will be forced to acknowledge their sin.
- a. Romans 1:20..."without excuse...".
- b. Luke 19:22..."Out of your own mouth will I judge you...".
- c. Philippians 2:10..."that...every knee should bow...in heaven...on earth...under the earth...".
- d. Luke 16:31..."If they hear not...the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead".
- 2. But it is to say that the day will come when its status as irrefutable will shine forth as the sun.
