ken castor

Generational Transference in the Bible: The Prophets

              Generational transference of ministry leadership is evident in the examples and writings of the Prophets.  For instance, in Isaiah, the image of the Suffering Servant involves the fulfillment of freedom and salvation for a never-ending succession of generations.[1] Jeremiah reprimands a particular generation that failed to accept the transference of faith and ministry from their forefathers.[2]   The prophet Joel suggested that as one generation learns the stories of God’s actions from their elders, they then have the responsibility to tell the next generation.[3]   In this way, Elijah and Elisha exhibited a successful transference of ministry leadership.  God had told Elijah to intentionally anoint Elisha as his successor.^[4]  Reciprocally, the younger Elisha intentionally agreed to partner with Elijah as “his attendant.”^[5] Elisha showed loyalty and trust towards Elijah.^[6]  Finally, when the day of succession took place, Elijah simply gave Elisha his cloak, as a symbol that his leadership authority had been transferred to this next generation leader.  During the symbolic moment, Elijah earnestly and respectfully asked for the recognized permission to continue in the way of ministry that Elijah had so faithfully walked.^[7]

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[1] Isaiah 53:10-12; 54:1-3

[2] Jeremiah 2:31

[3] Joel 1:3

^[4] 1 Kings 19:16

^[5] 1 Kings 19:19-21

^[6] 2 Kings 2:1-6

^[7] 2 Kings 2:9-10

conversion: the heart circumcised

        The whole of the Bible reveals God’s initiative of conversion and salvation.  From the Flood to Abraham to David to Nehemiah to Zacchaeus to Paul, it is clear that God has always been the business of turning people around and starting them anew both on a corporate and individual scale.
        In the Old Testament, the emphasis of conversion is especially evident in some texts like Deuteronomy, Jeremiah and Ezekiel.  These books each underscore the idea of people wandering in darkness and needing salvation.  Each of these three books use vivid metaphors to describe the process by which a person passed from the Kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of God.  Some metaphors refer to God’s gathering of a scattered people, God’s caring for a downtrodden people (Lv 19:34; Ho 2:23),  and God’s unfailing love for a repentant people (Jl 2:13; Mi 7:18).   But the repetitive metaphor that perhaps most resonates with the familiar New Testament pictures of conversion and salvation is the metaphor of a new heart.  Echoing in Jesus’ words to Nicodemus, God in the Old Testament yearns for people to be recreated with a heart that reflects his own love so that they can see his Kingdom and know that God is the LORD.  For that reason, God repeatedly urges humanity, specifically through Israel, to turn from their sin and allow him to rework their hearts. 

circumcision
        The creation of a new heart is sometimes painted in the lovely term "circumcision."  Yikes!  In the language of circumcision, the human heart is reshaped through a sacrificial process whereby we are rid of those things that hinder our love for God.  In other words, as the metaphor suggests, the unholy is cut off, pruned so to speak, so that the heart can flourish in righteousness.  For instance, Deuteronomy 10:16 instructs the Israelites to “circumcise” their hearts in response to God’s love for them.  Later on, in Deuteronomy 30:6, the Israelites are assured directly that God himself would perform the circumcision on their hearts so that they would be able to love God with all their heart and with all their soul.  Jeremiah 4:4 urges the Israelites to let God circumcise their hearts, admonishing them to comply… or face God’s wrath.  The New Testament agrees, saying that a circumcised heart cannot be accomplished through human means, but only is instead brought about through the regenerative change initiated by the Spirit (Ro 2:29). 

NEAR

     Where can we go to get away from God?  Even if I hide myself in the deep freezer (not a good idea, by the way), he will be near.  Even if I go past Pluto, he will be near.  Even if I crawl through the Parksville sewers, or climb into the highest cave on Mount Arrowsmith, God is near.  He is present in the nastiest of places, and he is there in the most beautiful.  He is as close to me in the brightness of the desert as he is in the darkness of the rainforest.

     His nearness makes my heart pound.  It's like how I feel about Kathy.  When she is near to me, I feel like I'm going to vomit butterflies!  When I know she is going to be near me soon, I am breathless with pounding anticipation.  The Lord's nearness should do that to all of us in the depth of our souls.  So why do I pretend so often that God isn't close by?  Or why do I sometimes convince myself that God is far off somewhere?

     Well, God is far off somewhere.  He is distant.  But he is also very very close.  He is far off and near by.

     Philippians 4:5 says simply, the Lord is near.  He is close by in both space and time.  I love God's question to us in Jeremiah 23:23-24.  God says, "Am I a God who is only in one place?  Can anyone hide from me?  Am I not everywhere in all the heavens and earth?"  He is here.  Beside me.  Right now.  He was also right beside me as I wrote this blog.  He will be beside me still even when you log off your computer.  He was and is and is to come... everywhere, anywhere, over here, under there.  Underwear?

     And when he comes near... watch out.  Make sure that you're ready for him.  His nearness will bring you either heart pounding joy or soul stopping fear.  If you live a life that doesn't want God near to you... sorry, but that won't end up too good.  Because God is everywhere.  Where can you go to get away from God?  No where.  So don't try to figure out where no is.