This book is "simple gold," literally. Notes plus our interpolations.
http://www.amazon.com/Promise-Deliverance-Vol-III-Graaf/dp/0888150083/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1384221367&sr=8-1&keywords=de+graaf+promise+and+deliverance
Mr. (Rev.) De Graaf advises that as a result of sin, there is no revelation other than in, through, and by the Mediator of the Covenant, the Head-man and Redeemer, in whose hands all authority resides in heaven and earth. Mr. De Graaf never loses his wide sights here. As the LORD of revelation, “Scripture is a unity.” This is a crucial insight that governs Mr. De Graaf’s (and our) thinking.
He warns against “individualism” and “mysticism,” twin diseases--ongoing diseases-- of the human heart and consequences of depravity in misguided, wrong-headed and Satanically-smiling efforts to short-circuit and bypass canonical revelation. As for mysticism, we would point to Mr. (Rev. Dr. Prof.) Hodge's Systematic Theology, Vol. 1.
The translator, the Rev. Mr. Evan Runner, advises that Mr. De Graaf’s 4 volumes have been translated into Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Arabic, French, and varied languages of Africa, India, and Indonesia. This is welcomed by us.
MATTHEW: CHRIST’S COMING INTO THE WORLD
1. Given by God—Matthew 1, pages 25-30.
The New Testament is a book of the Covenant too. The term “covenant” is used more infrequently, but it is still covenantal due to the focus on the Head-man or Federal head of the covenant. All the light of the New Testament focuses on Him and His Self-revelation “confronts all of us.” We would add that “covenant” is bound up with deeper ideas, but we’ll press onwards. Also, we are mindful of Mr. (Rev. Dr. Prof.) Mark Thompson, the Australian Anglican, quipping that he didn’t see the “covenant” as widely or as deeply formative of the New Testament as the Reformed did; that’s not very solid; it's ill-advised notwithstanding his credible doctorate; on that principle, one might dismiss Trinitarianism in the NT as well.
The genealogy of Joseph focuses on the patriarchal, Davidic line, recognized in Israel. Jesus was of the “Davidic” line on both sides, by the adoptive-father and biological mother. As to flesh and blood, He was born of the Virgin Mary, “one of us,” yet without sin. Conceived by the Holy Spirit, He was without ancestry as the Ancient of Days. The light is on Joseph’s lineage.
Main idea: The Savior is given by God as the Son of Abraham and Son of David, conceived by the Holy Spirit and by Divine command and providences.
In volumes 1 and 2 of “Promise and Deliverance,” the Old Covenant pointed to the Redeemer to come, blessings to the nations through Israel, and a Davidide/Davidic Son on the throne. However, the Davidic promise of a Son on the throne forever had lost its splendor and had been darkened by Royal, corporate, national and individual sins. The nation had gone into a 70-year exile. Israel possessed the everlasting Abrahamic and Davidic promises, but the nation served foreign tyrants for centuries.
Joseph is given "revelation." He must accept the pregnancy of Mary, not as a disgrace or instance of Mary fornicating, but as a divine miracle—the Incarnation. (Bye, bye liberals.) He is to accept his new Son. He is to name Him “Jesus,” Savior of His people from their sins—the Redeemer, the Atoner, the Savior. Joseph must—like all of us—accept Jesus. He undertook this as he took the Son in his earthly arms, led his family to Egypt and returned to Israel. Joseph, a son of David, was to accept Jesus by faith alone.
2. Epiphany—Matthew 2, pages 31-38
God “initiated” the call of the wise men (“magi”). The star was a providential and sovereignly revelatory event pointing to Christ. They travelled to Jerusalem to confirm the accuracies of their inquiry. “For we have seen his star in the east…” These were non-Israelites or pagans. They were outsiders. Their “reasoning was interrupted” by the “epiphany.” God runs the program. They arrive in Jerusalem. Herod convenes the Sanhedrin. The “Word of promise,” like the Old Testament itself as revelation, pointed to Bethlehem as Messiah’s birthplace. The "Word of God" came to the magi. There is the "external" and "internal" call. Their faith grew steadily. They pressed on with lively faith.
They arrive in Bethlehem. Indeed, this was an “epiphany,” but it also came with some “concealment” also. Rather than finding a King in a palace, something one might expect in classical experiences with Royalty, they find a child in “conditions of more than ordinary abasement,” to use our old catechetical language. Soon, the holy family would have to flee Bethlehem...further "concealment" in hours of "epiphany."
Main thought: Christ was hidden and revealed by God’s choice to certain people, but was further hidden by the bloodbath in Bethlehem and by a retreat to Egypt.
“Epiphany,” or “revelation” had been occurring with the magi, externally (star, Biblical witness in Jerusalem) and internally (pressing on with the mission by God's work). As such, they were guided by God alone. Their first disappointment was in Jerusalem, thinking this to be the scene of the Royal birth; further, they discovered that no one in Jerusalem knew the news. They meet with ignorance of the news. Again, God runs His program of revelation.
Rather, what they discovered was King Herod, the Edomite who said he was "more Greek than Jew" (according to Josephus); Herod was a sneaky, arbitrary, suspicious, and cruel king. Convening his Sanhedrin, the “Word of promise” was announced.
The Magi heard the “Word of promise,” the Word of God. But, Herod was opposed to the Messiah’s birth. Under false pretenses, he directs the Magi to report on their research so he can follow their lead and—come himself--to offer worship; he is a liar; his father is the Devil (Jn. 8.44); he has murderous plans inside his wicked inner man. Nonetheless, the Magi proceed by faith alone, driven on by God Himself; God had and was revealing His Son to pagans. “Faith was awakened” in these pagans.
They found the King of Israel and Savior-Redeemer in Bethlehem. They gave gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. This was an outer expression of “an inward grace of faith and joy.” After rendering respect, duty and worship, the fruits of faith, they are warned to leave, avoid Jerusalem and avoid Herod’s duplicities. Or, God was “hiding” or “concealing” His Son until later. Funny how that works! Still does too (cf. Matt. 11.25-30).
Further "concealment:" the bloodbath in Bethlehem. The holy family was warned to get out of Dodge City…er, Bethlehem. Herod is threatened by the Redemptive King of Israel and His Rule of peace and grace. He initiates, as a Devil, a bloodbath in Bethlehem. Weeping is heard from the mothers of Rachel, as it were, the mother of Joseph and Benjamin. Further talk about the Messiah of Bethlehem is silenced. Revelation will occur later by other means, but, for now, silence results from the bloodbath of children.
Further "concealment:" the departure of the Incarnate Son to Egypt with a return to Nazareth. It may well be that the holy family lived off the proceeds of the rich gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh; endowments are wonderful things. Or, perhaps Joseph obtained employment in Egypt per his skills.. But, Christ the King is an “outcast” even in His holy innocence; yet, this is the beginning of His identification with sinner-outcasts (us) in need of redemption. Christ is a fugitive from His own land. Christ is hated, then, like now. Anti-Christ ruled in his quarters, then, like now. Christ identifies Himself as the True Israel, going into Egypt only to Conquer the land in the Conquest. Herod dies. Further “epiphanic” or “revelatory” moments occur; father Joseph and family return to Israel, avoiding Archaelus who was shaped in his father’s mold. The holy family retires to Mary’s home town of Nazareth, the city of the “stem, shoot,” or, the city of the “Branch” of David (a term that is rich with Messianic associations from the Old Testament).
3. Head of His People—Matthew 3—4, pages 39-45
Mr. De Graff passes quickly over John the Baptist to handle the baptism, anointing, and temptation of Christ, the Headman and Second Adam. Christ functions as the Head of His people.
In the baptism, Christ identifies with His people by washing and the prophetic forecast of His death and resurrection.
In His anointing, the heavens are opened. He is officially recognized. Christ opens His ministry under the Spirit’s governance—preaching, suffering, and conquering sin and its consequences.
In the temptation, there are contrasts: desert v. Paradise, conflict v. land of peace, without food v. luxuriant gardens, divine judgment (vicarious identification) v. divine favor, sorrows and deprivation v. joys and abundance. In short, the Second Adam v. First Adam.
Revelation to wider body of people. Following the baptism, anointing and temptation, Jesus begins his ministry in Capernaum and the cities of Galilee. Rather than Jerusalem, He begins to preach in the poorest part of the country. He picks his early disciples Peter and Andrew to “become fishers of men.” The process of the Messianic work begins—justifying, gathering, growing, and building His followers.
