Study 38. Luke 17:22-18:8. 13/10/23

 10. a. What did Jesus say to do when people claim that the Son of Man has returned (17:22-25)?

 Do not believe and follow them.

b. What reasons did He give?

In conrast to the hidden appearance of the Kingdom begun at Jesus' first coming (17:20), the true second coming will be clear to everyone. 

"But first" speaks of the necessity of sequence in God's plan. Suffering always precedes glory. 

 

 "you will desire to see the days of the Son of Man" probably means that believers will long for the time when the messianic kingdom is inaugurated, but Jesus will not yet have returned.  A less likely interpretation is that the disciples will long for the time when Jesus was physically with them. 

 

11. How will the days of the Son  of Man be like the days of Noah and Lot (17:26-35)?

People will be engaged in the ordinary activities of life (no sinful activities are mentioned here). They were self-centred, in contrast to Noah and Lot, who though not perfect, still set their hearts differently from their society/culture (2 Pet 2:7). They also ignored the testimony of Noah and Lot and did not heed the warnings they had.

Judgment will be unexpected and it will be sudden when it comes.

 

There must be no hesitation in turning our backs on the world when Jesus comes. The true affections of our heart will be revealed. We cannot long for the things of earth. Lot's wife looked back longingly - torn between the comforts of her old life and the seeming uncertainty of salvation.

 Jesus seems to be citing a proverb setting out the truth that it is the dead body that attracts the vultures (rather than eagles; the Greek word could mean either, but eagles do not eat carrion nor congregate in flocks). Where the spiritually dead are found, there inevitably will there be judgment (Morris). Also, it may simply mean that Christ's return will be visible and predictable.

12. The point of this parable grows out of a contrast between the judge and God.

This parable, and the one following, is about prayer. This is one way we wait for Jesus' coming. We are not to 'lose heart' but to keep asking God in prayer in our requests.

a. Why does the judge finally give justice to the widow (18:4-5)?

 The judge does not 'fear God or respect man'. He worked only for his own preferences and according to His own principles. The widow had no resources or advocate. Right was on her side - she asked for justice. The widow 'kept bothering; him and 'beat him down' (the Greek is 'bruised'). His comfort and convenience being affected, the judge complied.

b. How is God different from this judge (18:2, 6-8)?

He is to be feared. He is the ultimate Judge. 

He is righteous, the judge was not

He has His elect. The judge had no relationship to the widow

He will not delay over the prayers of His elect, unlike the judge who needed to be 'beaten down'. Justice will be given speedily.

(He is motivated by His own nature, like the judge)

The implication is that perceived delayed prayer means that God's timing is perfect and undelayed, but that our expectations may not be met. Yet prayer changes things.

 

"Will he delay long over them? The meaning will then be that the elect will be vindicated very soon. But the Greek is difficult and it may be understood as av, ‘though he bear long with them’. In this case the thought is that God delays the vindication, probably for a gracious purpose in strengthening his own as they endure hardship. Some scholars think that them means the oppressors, as Moffatt, ‘Will he be tolerant to their opponents?’ More plausible is the view that the words render a Semitic expression meaning ‘He postpones his wrath’, i.e. God’s delay in vindicating the elect is in order to give people the opportunity to repent. Either way the delay is seen as part of God’s gracious purpose, but whether this is the purpose of strengthening the elect or of giving opportunity to the wicked to repent we cannot be sure." (Morris)

c. How can disciples show "faith" (18:8) in God's character while they await Jesus' return (18:1, 7)?

"will he find faith on earth?" does not mean that there will be no belivers on earth. But He is saying that the characteristic of the world’s people at that time will not be faith. There is a challenge in the question.

 Faith (trust) is shown by persevering prayer. We trust that prayer is significant even though there seems to be no answer.

 

We sent off our Myanmar collection and celebrated my birthday :)