Two or Three Witnesses
Posted 03-23-2024 at 08:07 AM by Heavenese
In Luke's Gospel, when it came time for Joseph and Mary to have baby Jesus presented to Yahweh in Jerusalem as is the custom of the Law, the family were met by two people. A man and a woman came to greet them. The first was a man named Simeon. When we look at the Hebrew behind his name, it means "To hear" or "To be heard". The greatest prayer in Judaism is The Shema, Shema Yisrael, Hear/Listen Israel. If there was one word in the Hebrew language that could sum up the laws of Moses, it would be "Hear/Listen". So this man, Simeon, we are told God promised him he would not die until he saw the Messiah with his own eyes. Simeon is a picture of the Law. In Luke 2:25 it says he was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel. The Law was given as God's covenant with Israel, to make them a holy and righteous nation. Yet as we know, no one could keep the whole Law. If you break one of the commandments, you've broken the whole thing. So Simeon, a picture of the Law, is looking for Israel's solace. When he saw and held Jesus in his arms, this is what he stated..........
“Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, You now dismiss Your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel.”
If we remember, Yahweh allowed Moses to see the Promised Land from Mt. Nebo. So again this confirms how Simeon is a picture of the Law. This is a picture of the Law, passing the baton over to God's salvation, Jesus/Yehoshua. (Just as Moses couldn't lead Israel into the Promised Land, but transmitted that duty to Joshua/Yehoshua) Simeon is one witness to God's salvation in Jesus.
After this, a woman named Anna approached the family. Her name in Hebrew means "Favor/Grace". We are told she is of the tribe of Asher. (Asher means "Happy/Blessed") There is at least one Rabbinical tradition concerning the daughters of the tribe of Asher, that they were so beautiful, priests and princes sought their hand in marriage. So Anna, a devout woman who was always at the temple fasting and praying, came up to the family and gave thanks to God. Afterward, she continued to speak of Jesus to all those who were at the temple. She represents those who trust in Jesus, and share to everyone the good news of God's salvation. She is witness number two.
By two or three witnesses, a thing may be established. Both were devout before Yahweh, both with age and wisdom, confirming what the Lord has shown them. One represented God's covenant with Israel, and the other represented God's new covenant. A new covenant not meant just for Israel, but the whole world!
“Sovereign Lord, as You have promised, You now dismiss Your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen Your salvation, which You have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to Your people Israel.”
If we remember, Yahweh allowed Moses to see the Promised Land from Mt. Nebo. So again this confirms how Simeon is a picture of the Law. This is a picture of the Law, passing the baton over to God's salvation, Jesus/Yehoshua. (Just as Moses couldn't lead Israel into the Promised Land, but transmitted that duty to Joshua/Yehoshua) Simeon is one witness to God's salvation in Jesus.
After this, a woman named Anna approached the family. Her name in Hebrew means "Favor/Grace". We are told she is of the tribe of Asher. (Asher means "Happy/Blessed") There is at least one Rabbinical tradition concerning the daughters of the tribe of Asher, that they were so beautiful, priests and princes sought their hand in marriage. So Anna, a devout woman who was always at the temple fasting and praying, came up to the family and gave thanks to God. Afterward, she continued to speak of Jesus to all those who were at the temple. She represents those who trust in Jesus, and share to everyone the good news of God's salvation. She is witness number two.
By two or three witnesses, a thing may be established. Both were devout before Yahweh, both with age and wisdom, confirming what the Lord has shown them. One represented God's covenant with Israel, and the other represented God's new covenant. A new covenant not meant just for Israel, but the whole world!
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