Psalm 24:7-8 NIV
“Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. [8] Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.”
Psalm 68:32-35 NIV
“Sing to God, you kingdoms of the earth, sing praise to the Lord, [33] to him who rides across the highest heavens, the ancient heavens, who thunders with mighty voice. [34] Proclaim the power of God, whose majesty is over Israel, whose power is in the heavens. [35] You, God, are awesome in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God!”
Isaiah 43:13 NIV
“Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?”
Isaiah 44:7-8 NIV
“Who then is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and lay out before me what has happened since I established my ancient people, and what is yet to come—yes, let them foretell what will come. [8] Do not tremble, do not be afraid. Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago? You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one.”
Isaiah 46:9-10 NIV
“Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. [10] I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’”
Isaiah 58:9-12 NIV
“Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. “If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, [10] and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. [11] The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. [12] Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.”
Isaiah 61:1-4 NIV
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, [2] to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, [3] and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor. [4] They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations.”
There is an interesting progression of flow when I consider these verses side by side. There is a recognition of God, of His ancient creation! We are ancient, but He is before all. He is the one who established man, and whose plans are in place, and who is the only God, the only Rock! It is interesting to me that He then invites His people into restoring and rebuilding the ancient ruins.
I am reminded of C.S.Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia. There is seen in these stories the ability to see ancient things restored, and the idea that there is something even deeper, some ancient truths. In the same way, I think we tend to be so forward thinking, believing that we are progressing always, but there is something to the ancient ways, some treasures if you will, that require rebuilding.
I am also reminded that we must always look at such things through the revelation of Jesus, for He is the perfect representation for the Father, He is “perfect theology”. We must not decide for ourselves what these ancient ruins are, for our perspective is not the same as the Lords! We would tend towards restoring the Law, building lists, enacting judgment, etc. We think anything that gives us some level of control and tracking is wonderful, and I just don’t think that truly resonates with the ways of the Lord.
I think we would be far better served to ask Him, “what ancient ways do You want rebuilt?”
When I think back to these verses they were generally written more than 700 years before Christ appeared, and yet the pattern and shadow of the revelation of Christ was in all. As John writes - John 1:1-5,14 NIV:
[1] “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. [2] He was with God in the beginning. [3] Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. [4] In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. [5] The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
[14] “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
I am also reminded of a bit more of John’s writings - Revelation 1:8,17-18 NIV:
[8] “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”
[17] “When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. [18] I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”
Yes, Lord, You are the first and the last, the Alpha and the Omega, the ever-living one! You are before all of us, and will remain after all of us, if that were to ever occur. Your ways established the earth, established Your people, and provided redemption and salvation for us all! You made a way where there was no way!
You restored the ancient ways, the ways of the garden, making a way for man to once again have relationship with You! This is our created purpose, our greatest treasure is You and relationship with You! The ancient ways, may very well be the culture of the Garden, through Jesus. One wonders if also there is a stewardship of creation that is included in these ancient ways? Oh Lord, clearly this is beyond our ability to understand and bring about, but we can do what You tell us to do! Help us to listen and obey! We want to encounter You, the Ancient of Days!
Amen!
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