Circumlocutions
From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:17 NASB
Kingdom of heaven – Of course Matthew uses “kingdom of heaven.” As an orthodox Jew he would never say “kingdom of God.” If he were a contemporary, he might write “kingdom of G_d,” but he’s writing in the first century using a Hebrew circumlocution. He’s sensitive to his audience. We understand that, but it also means that his audience is primarily Jewish and primarily orthodox. Luke can use “kingdom of God” and not offend anyone. Matthew can’t. This helps us realize that Matthew’s story is thoroughly Jewish, and that helps us gain clarity about what Yeshua taught as recorded in Matthew.
So what is the “kingdom of heaven” and why should its imminent appearance be motivation for repentance? The questions are relevant. After all, two thousand years have passed since this proclamation and I for one haven’t noticed God’s kingdom taking charge of the earth. Yeshua must have had something in mind, but apparently it wasn’t the prophecy of Jeremiah 31. Maybe we can unpack this a little.
Let’s start with engiken (“is at hand”). The verb is engízō, “to bring near, to approach.” The Greek reflects the Hebrew qārab, “to come near, to draw near, to approach,” often used to describe the action of the priests. The sense of the word in Hebrew is about worship. Christian interpretation saw something else in the Greek. In Christian thought, engízō expresses “the characteristic aspect of the early Christian situation, being used of the eschatological fulfillment, of the great turning point in world history, of the coming of the kingdom of God directly into the present as the miracle of God.”[1] But I’m not so sure Yeshua had this Christian idea in mind. If he did, then his concept of the imminent kingdom must have been about his own death and resurrection, and, in fact, that’s the way Christianity has understood “is at hand.” But do you think an orthodox Jewish audience, hearing him in Hebrew, using a word that was primarily about cultic worship, would have recognized that he was speaking proleptically about his death? Wouldn’t it be more likely that they understood him to be saying, “Repent, for God’s kingdom is drawing near,” rather than, “Repent, for soon I will die and rise again ushering in a new eschaton.” Perhaps the idea of “kingdom” was adopted from Rome by Christians and converted into a place not of this earth. Perhaps Christian eschatology, which is decidedly different than the Jewish view, has so influenced the way we read this verse and others like it that we no longer hear what the audience would have heard. If Yeshua is speaking like a Jewish prophet, maybe what he’s saying is about worship, not heaven. Maybe what we need most of all is not an escape hatch but a devoted worship directed to the Creator. Maybe in urgency of this message is also a circumlocution for serious worship. What do you think?
Topical Index: at hand, engízō, kingdom, eschatology, heaven, Matthew 4:17
[1] H. Preisker, engízō, Vol. 2: Theological Dictionary of the New Testament. 1964- (G. Kittel, G. W. Bromiley & G. Friedrich, Ed.) (electronic ed.) (331). Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.
You might be right.
From what I have been reading it seems that during Yeshua’s ministry The Jews were factionalised and there was tension religiously & politically.
This fits the prophets message concerning worship, that the symbols without the substance is unacceptable to God.
My own tension is coming to terms with worship style of the church that I belong to.
The main service is a modern (loud) worship service. Easter Sunday was overwhelming. I left the auditorium and watched the first part of the service through the glass in the church foyer.
There’s no question about the authenticity and devotion of the congregation there is a genuine love for Jesus.
Is that enough?
I can’t determine if the worship is acceptable or not.
Maybe it just me.
I guess I’ll know if enter The Court Of Heaven and there’s rock and roll worship with jive-ing song leaders.
Chris, they say what people lack in substance, they attempt to make up for in style. It’s a ratio. I think I am with you on this one. I have noticed that in the Bible, whenever a person noticed that he or she was in the presence of the kingdom of God, they tended to fall on their faces and declare their unworthiness. I have wondered if no one is responding this way if, in fact, they are actually experiencing that Presence at all.
Perhaps these well meaning folks just love their own notion of the One Who proclaimed Himself “meek and lowly” and said that the servant was not above their Master. Wouldn’t that mean we are to be meeker and lowlier? Perhaps we might think about putting some shoes off our feet, too, while we were at it? I mean, for instance, since when was church about washing each others’ feet, even though we were commanded to “do this often in remembrance of Me”? I think people in a lot of churches gather eggs more often than washing each others’ feet in remembrance of, well, it wouldn’t be Him, I don’t think. If they really loved Him, wouldn’t they be doing what He commanded? That is what He said the sign of their love would be, anyway: not bunnies; not rock bands either. I have yet to find the chapter and verse for those.
I have real truble keeping off my knees when the spirit of the Lord arrives. That causes me no end of trubble. I was actually once called into the pastors office and accused of drawing attention to myself it was in the pastors mind a vanity. I did not last long at that church being told I might be more comfortable elswhere. It was very uncomfortable as most of my sojourns into Churchianity have been. But I go where I am told to go not where I am comfortable.
This side of the world to come that seems to be our lot. They did have a nice semi rock / acoustical band with a nearly nutritious sermon sandwich. That is the 300 year old Calvenist tradition of 3 songs a scripture a sermon another song an offering a quick prayer of just a few words and a by your leave?…..
I also love when the Spirit of the LORD arrives. My Father may do in and through me what He chooses. If you cannot be on your knees, or leaping with joy, then it is time to ask the LORD to lead you where you are free to worship. There is a place for you, Mark. We love His presence with us, and soon we will be in His presence forever, and no more need or lack of anything. Meanwhile, we serve Him and others by loving them and showing Jesus to others, in power, healing, love, kindness, miracles…..just as Jesus promised. And loving Abba Father with all our hearts. That’s all! ?❤️?
“There’s no question about the authenticity and devotion of the congregation there is a genuine love for Jesus.
Is that enough?”
That’s exactly my question in my own church body, Chris. I’m glad you brought it up. They are dear folk who love “Jesus”. Sometimes I think the Father gets short shrift though. ?
“I am giving you a new command: that you keep on loving each other. In the same way that I have loved you, you are also to keep on loving each other. Everyone will know that you are my talmidim by the fact that you have love for each other.”
My question has been, do God’s people really “know” each other. How many places have people who’ve been sitting next to each other for 10 or more years but they don’t even know much about each other, or would never even think about sharing personal information with each other? Does this show love for each other?
In order to become an authentic, loving community – don’t we need to be vulnerable and need each other?
My opinion here, of which (opinions) there are many… Since we haven’t heard the music sound in psalms and in their day, who can say how loud, how raucous it may have been to them? Music from the hymns in the last centuries were often saloon and pub tunes with new words. Also, the picture for rejoice in Greek, when Jesus was rejoicing over us ( don’t remember exact verse but can find if you’re interested) is that of leaping around, with hands and arms flailing about! I believe, as there has always seemed to be an emphasis by the Holy Spirit on a truth or teaching in different times in the body of Christ, that this particular day is about Worship, that The Father is teaching us about worship. Everything can be worship in our daily life. There seems to be a heavy anointing on the music expression of worship in the churches today. I would suggest, that instead of criticizing, and wanting the music worship to be the way we are personally used to, or wanting it to be, perhaps it would benefit us to ask the Holy Spirit to open our ears to hear, our eyes to see, and our hearts to know what the LORD is teaching us about worship, to pray the same for our worship leaders, to open our heart (our very center) to the LORD. Yes, falling on our faces before Him in silent adoration is true, but we don’t see many doing that during worship, or we’d either run or call 911. We also see in scripture laughing, loud cymbals, clapping, dancing, and yes, loud worship. So how should we worship in our meetings? I suggest that the body of Christ needs to listen to the Holy Spirit, sing to Jesus with our hearts open and loving Him, and willing to learn what He wants to hear. Not what other people want to hear, what our Father longs to hear.
If the rocks will cry out, then so will I.
And thank you for letting me comment. ❤️
Amen Shelley!!
“…there is a genuine love for Jesus.”
Chris, Yeshua said that those who truly loved him would obey his interpretation of the Torah. (Jn 14:23) The question is, are the lives of the people in your congregation committed to obedience to YHVH commands, or are they committed to great music and entertainment?
It’s easy to sing songs. Its hard to live like Yeshua and place oneself under the reign of YHVH (i.e. the Kingdom of Heaven.)
Thanks. My sentiments too.
So can anyone tell me what worship looks like in our time? I observe Shabbat alone with my family no synagogue no church. What is worship? The Jews worshipped by going to the Temple with sacrifices and the reading of Torah now they read Todah and sing songs the church sings songs and listens to a sermon. Are these all valid forms of worship? Does it matter where we go or what we do? These are my sincere questions. Any insights would be helpful and please, I know some of you are far more intelligent than I so please bring to a conversational level if you really have something to say that will help me.
Thanks
Cheryl
Interesting discussion…and one that resonates with me as well. No longer do we attend a rock-style fellowship/church/congregation – in the HRM… maybe it’s our age…maybe, well, maybe it’s just because it seems so much LIKE a rock concert. Just know it’s not for us. When I first started this walk about 30 years ago now, it was taught that the highest form of ‘worship’ was study of His word…. mmmm
Good morning Cheryl, these are all good questions and they should be asked. I’m not so sure any one definitive answer exists, as perhaps, what it “looks like” isn’t the issue but what it accomplishes. Here’s some thoughts you can roll around in your heart as you and yours seek pleasing obedience to Him. Moses sought God’s glory in order to “know” him, and His ways, And as far as I can tell, that remains the intent of worship. It’s not whether we listen to a sermon, read scripture or sing in unison, if we walk away and haven’t gained some understanding of knowing Him, we haven’t worshiped and are no different than those whom God spoke to saying, “I despise your sacrifices”…..etc. (the very sacrifices He had ordained) To know Him is to willingly walk in His ways and that is true worship. Here’s an example that we can all be challenged with. When God showed His goodness (His “order) to Moses the first “characteristic” He mentions is rachum, which is often translated merciful. But, it comes from a root which denotes to fondle, or to touch affectionately. Much as a mother with her child, or siblings that cuddle together. The question for us is whether we read this as a “characteristic” of God, or if we read it as, how do I regard others and is it in alignment with the One I claim to worship. In my day to day, do I first regard that “other” with affection and do I “touch” them accordingly? If I chose rachum, I’m worshiping because now I learning to know Him.
Amen Robert…I’m going to remember and share your words…”It’s not whether we listen to a sermon, read scripture or sing in unison, if we walk away and haven’t gained some understanding of knowing Him, we haven’t worshiped and are no different than those whom God spoke to saying, “I despise your sacrifices”…..etc.”
Cheryl, thank you for the questions. First, I like to simplify things. I try to follow Yeshua’s example, wherever I am, and whatever I’m doing, That pretty well takes care of loving God and loving neighbor. Skip has pointed out that the Hebrew for work and labor words in the Genesis Eden account have to do with the idea of worship. Whatever you do, do for the glory of God. That’s worship.
Do we have to go anywhere? Mark Randall in past comments has said that community is so important that sometimes followers of Yeshua might want to worship with groups even if all the doctrines and styles don’t match up with what we personally believe. Because of health concerns that restrict my opportunities for social gatherings, I maintain fellowship by telephone with quite a number of people.
I think you can relax a little and let joy be your guide. We can be creative about worship, whether it’s on the Sabbath, or whether it has to do with our everyday work.
Thank you all for your comments and I agree with all of them. The heart of worship is obviously the love we have for God. I think my struggle comes from not having a “group” or community that we spend time with on a regular basis. Now that idea or feeling that something is “missing” in our lives may very well come from a lifetime of church going three times a week. I remember the cumbersome obligation that it once was to feel that attendance was taken for every service and event that the church had and the enormous sense of being judged if we missed. We are free from that now. I need to remember that when I begin to think that a structured community is what I want again. We live with hearts and minds that seek to worship God in how we live and there is a freedom in that which I need reminding of from time to time. Thank you all for your support and words of encouragement.
Good morning Cheryl. One of the things that came to me is your statement “Jews worshiped at the temple”. While that is true, it’s not entirely true. The Temple was a long walk for most of Israel. They didn’t just get up in the morning and set out for the temple. Temple worship was at best a 3 times a year opportunity and often many didn’t even make it then. So how did they worship the rest of the year is the question? By imitating the character and behavior of God is my conclusion. Since God doesn’t stop acting the way He does I assume He hopes we will follow suite since our created vocation is to reflect His image back to Him before rest of creation. That is the beauty of having the Torah/truth so that we can have written instructions detailing how to bear His image according to the revelation of His Name (in mercy and patients), modeled to us by His Messiah Yeshua, in every instance of our daily life.
This is how the Word becomes flesh in our day and age which in turn atomatically brings the heavenly kingdom to earth.
Thy kingdom come and thy will be done (through this little pile of burning dust) on earth as it is in heaven!
We imitate Yeshua in our everyday mundane routines (like priests) as he models the Father before us.
To worship someone or something, means to become like it.
Do you think we have our words mixed up? When people in the bible worship God. They fell down on their faces & knees corporately or individually. Why? Do we forget the nuance of being small and vulnerable and perceived personally before the Presence that does this? So Immense Awesome and Magnificent and yet with us and we are …… and continue to be and are not annihilated as He moves . All my breath leaves me and yet I can still breathe. With all parts and places of my mind open and closed in knowing what I can’t establish in words. Knowing He is Great and I am small. Wonder!
What happened to the men sent to “get Jesus” in the Garden when I AM uttered His Presence? Did they not fall down? Every knee shall bow & every tongue confess…..
Could it be praise and thanksgiving perhaps are different as they are from us & to God and we just lump these words altogether in an ignorance? Notwithstanding the presence of the Ruarch at these times as well, but differently to worship as the bible shows it.
Shalom to All
FJ
Cheryl, My heart goes out to you for asking such a sincere question, and although I am a very old lady, 85 years in one week, I would like to try to sum up a few helpful things that may help with answering a tiny part of it. I have been with Skip’s group about from the beginning -say 15 years. During those years, with all his background for teaching Hebrew-Greek- some New Testament passages, he has brought us through many Changes of his own thoughts on many areas of worship, ministry, living Godly. He has been honest in his own failures & need to find More. I thank him for that so much! Worship comes in such a variety of ways; to me that is the Creator of the Universe showing us that we will never be perfect or understand all there is to know in this world!
Many that write here also have spent their entire lives studying and trying to understand HIS Ways. So many good translations of the Old Covenant and New Covenant. ( not all are equally good). In this world we live one day at a time. Do what we have within our reach, and be thankful for that, love each other and speak kindly to one another, encouraging them, only with a smile, or sentence. I am going to write a short verse to copy and put in an area you can see regularly, and add to it as you find verses that speak to you. I was a school teacher, & I used to put them in my desk drawer and I would see it as I opened the drawer. One favorite: Luke 24 verse 29: ” Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent.” A prayer: Heavenly Father, ” Abide with me from morn till eve. For without Thee I cannot live. Abide with me when night is nigh for without Thee I dare not die.” — Write your own favorites down to keep near you, and when you are so busy, glance at the verses and silently use them as a prayer. Your live will gradually be peaceful. Give Thanks to the Lord for that! Keep on & on, it works. I will pray for you. L.B.
” In this world we live one day at a time.” Thanks a lot for those words. I sure needed such a reminder.
Skip, Why could Luke say ‘Kingdom
Of God’ and not Matthew? I probably shoud know but don’t.
From your teachings and insights Skip, which always amaze me, this is my thoughts on what He meant:
The ultimate sacrifice that would reopen the door for redemption was about to take place. God had divorced Israel. By his own law he was not allowed to remarry her. But His death would allow remarriage. His remarriage would now be with the new Israel, all those that repented, returned to the Torah, Jews and Non-Jews world wide until He returns for his bride. The Kingdom of Heaven would begin again to fill with the remanent of all those who in their life Loved what He loved, thus loving Him. The Kingdom started to be rebuilt after His resurrection 2k years ago.
An alternative view would be that Yeshua was referring to the coming of the kingdom as Luke explained it in Luke 17. No visible sign but something to be experienced through brotherhood connection. Or as much later Paul referred to it as Peace, Joy and Righteousness in the Holy Spirit. Which was poured out on the day of Pentecost as in Acts 2 with very extreme examples of how the sovereignty of God was revealed to those present at the time.
Not a physical kingdom but one that begins in the heart or attitude of people. Try being angry when others are joyful. Try plotting revenge when those around you are demonstrating righteousness. Now this is not Greek nor gnostic it comes directly from the ten commandments.
The paradigm that God manifests His kingdom through alienation of people is not a paradigm as kingdom refers to sovereign control. Throughout the history this has happened, as did just prior to and shortly after the crucifixion… Think also of Noah, Babylon, Shaul becoming Paul and others in the bible…
Did the kingdom manifest at Pentecost most probably for some for others awaiting a miraculous day not claimed or promised by Yeshua, but only by others starting with the revelation of John then the other authors followed to stay aligned with the gospel of that century.
I personally believe the manifestation of God’s kingdom is a personal calling or experience. The impact thereof is not how others experience life today but what I reveal in how I experience the sovereignty of God in my life… For this to happen I must rid myself of sin and I must repent. Not God will intervene and save all under an umbrella revelation.
Did Yeshua proclaim more than this. That is difficult to say from the records in the four evangelistic books… It does not seem so if we read Acts and the core teachings of Paul…
Unless I’m missing something, every true worshipper of God
has a song in their heart put there by the Creator of all things.
Is it fast, slow, loud or gentle?
Yes!
I have been studying the Kingdom of Heaven for years and this is still one of the best articles I have found on the subject.
Linked removed
Thanks very much Craig excellent article!
Also Linked removed
I hope that i may be permitted on this chat – as i feel moved after reading (3) of Dr Moen’s very good articles and creating ‘food for thought.’ Isaiah 63 seems to embody the ‘imperfection’ that Jesus gave His life for. We all, no matter where we are at, are imperfect. We need a Shepherd. Good thing the ‘good Shepherd’ is coming! and, yes – i believe, too that God’s kingdom hasn’t taken charge of the earth YET. In fullness. We are all parts of a body. The hand, eyes, legs…and someday – God will put them all together and instead of fighting each other and criticizing – we will see the truth and be able to work together and be like a ‘tree planted by the riverside – which in season yields its fruit – green its leaves abide….’ I think there are 12 trees in Revelation for the ‘healing of nations.’ I always wondered if that was actually the FRUIT of the Holy Spirit (ie love, patience, kindness… and the others).