THE IN

THE RESTORATION OF ISRAEL IN

COVENANT PERSPECTIVE

( An Exegetical and Revelation-Historical Study on the Prophecies

of the Promise )

by

JUNG GEOJv HAJv

A Thesis submitted in Fulfilment of the Requirements for !he degree of

THEOLOGIAE DOCTOR

in the Faculty

of

Theology at the

POTCHEFSTROOM UJVIVERSITY

for

CHRISTIA}{ HIGHER EDUCA TIO.N

Promoter: Prof. Dr.

J.

L. Helberg

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

It was possible to acccomplish this work only because

of the gracious guidance and

loving support

of the Lord in various wt.rys.

My thanks goes to Pro]. ].

L.

Helberg in the first place who as

rrry

promoter has

assisted me in

rrry

study. As a kind and gracious scholar, he sowed the seeds and

supplied guidance for the work in the course of several years. The assistance

of Pro].

F.

N. Lion-Cachet is also noted with deep appreciation.

I am deeply indebted to the Reformed Church in South Africa (especially the congre­

gation

of Potchefstroom North), which has provided in all the needs of my family

while we were living in Potchefstroom. Gratitude is also expressed to Drs ]. M. de

Wet, G. E. Y. Schulze, and A. G. JV. Vorster who have always kindly provided

medical care for my family whenever it was necessar

..

y. i\{y

deep thanks must be ex­

pressed to Dr.

L.

C. Minnaar, who helped me in

rrry

study of Afrikaans.

I wish to express

rrry

thanks to Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Edu­

cation. The university has granted me afull scholarship and much more. My thanks

also go to the librarians and the assistants in the computer center, for their assistance.

Pro]. A. L. Combrink is also heartily thanked for her work in editing the language

Staying in Potchefstroom has been ofgreat benefit to me because

of

the prayer meetings

with Korean, Brazilian, and Afrikaner friends. A1ay God continue his work in our

spiritual lives.

I also extend my thanks to James Pakala, a librarian at the Biblical Theological

Seminary in Haifield of Penn., U.S.A. where

I

earned my master's degree in theology.

He was kind enough to do the difficult work

of

finding and shipping numerous books

and articles overseas.

I

wish to express appreciation to Dr

J.

R.

Vannoy, under whom

I

completed my study for

rrry

master's degree,for his kind wishes and the work he gave

to

rrry

study.

Finally my warm gratitude goes to

17!Y

wife Youngja who has been my right hand and

has helped me on the computer.

I

am very grateful to my mother and mother-in-law,

in Korea, that their prayers have never ceased for my family and for my work.

May God use this work to extend his kingdom on earth.

Potchefstroom

OPSOMMING

DIE HERSTEL VAN ISRAEL IN VERBONDSPERSPEKTIEF

'n Eksegetiese en openharingshistoriese studie van die profesiel

van helofte

Die Joodse volk is deur die eeue gefgnoreer en het ontsaglike lyding deurgemaak as gevolg van Christene se gehrek aan hegrip van sekere dele van die ~'Vhel wat oor die herstel van Israel handel. Die meerderheidstandpunt in die kerk was nog altyd dat die sin van die hestaan van Israel met die verwerping van Christus verlore gegaan het. Hoewel daar gedurende die afgelope paar dekades toenemende kommer was oor die helangrikheid van die posisie van Israel soos gesien deur die Christelike gelo,!!, is die situasie nog steeds onbevredigend met betrekking tot die verklaring van die belqftes van die prqfete.

Die doel van hierdie studie is om ' n beter begrip van die prqfesieif wat oor die hastel van Israel handel, te bevorder. Die studie sal vasstel aan wie die beloftes van herstel gemaak is - aan Israel of aan die kerk ­ en hoedanig die verwagting oor die volk Israel is.

Die proefskrif bestaan uit ses dele.

Deel I is aan die formulering van die hermeneutiese beginsels gew.'V. Die histories-kritiese metode neem die Bybel as die gefnspireerde Woord van God nie ("'1.stig genoeg op nie. Hoewel die opkoms van die nuwere kritiek, soos hyvoorbeeld die kanonieke benadering, die strukturalistiese benadering en resepsie-estetika die aandag op die finale vorm van die kanon en die belangrikheid daarvan vir die geloof gevestig het, sal 'n eie beginpunt eerder wees om die historiese en kanonieke betekenis van die stukke wat vir hierdie onderwerp ter sake is, in oifnskou le neem.

Die onderhawige eksegetiese metode wat afwyk van die tipologiese metode of'n vergeesteliking van die Ou­ Yestamentiese profesieif, wat daartoe let dat die ontwikkeling van die openbaringsgeskiedenis by ,n sekere

punt ophou, is die metode wat berus op "letterlike betekenis sover as moontlik" en "die perspektief op die openbaringsgeskiedenis". Ook die verbondstema in die oordeel- en verlossingsvoorspellings word in hierdie hooj'stuk ondersoek.

Deel Il word aan die verlossingspassasies in Jeremia gewy. Die kontinufteit en diskontinurteit van die Ou en die Nuwe verbond word ook as 'n uitloper van hierdie studie ondersoek. Die meeste elemente van die Ou Verbond word ook in die Nuwe aangetreJ, maar hulle word radikaal tot nuwe dimensies gew..vsig. Afgesien van die }.[uwe Verbondspassasie (Jeremia 31:31-40) is die gedeeltes in Jeremia 24:1-7; 32:36-44; 33: 1-26 ook noukeurig bestudeer. Die herstel het verskillende aspekte: die terugkeer uit die ballingskappe, vrugbaarheid, vergifnis van sonde, vernuwing van die hart, gehoorsaamheid aan die wet, die herstel van die Dawidiese dinastie, die Levitiese gestag, ensovoorts.

Deel III het as onderwerp die gedeeltes in Esegiel wat oor die verbond en herstet handel, soos 11:14-21; 20:33-44; 36; 37; 39:1-29. Die verbond word in die gedeeltes 34:23-37; 37:15-28 gemeld, en die verbondsj'ormule word ook in ander passasies aangetref. Hierdie j'eit beu~vs dat die verbond die basiese agtergrond van Esegiel se boodskappe van herstel is. In hierdie gedeeltes is die "land-belriftes" (soos die terugkeer uit die ballingskappe en die vrugbaarheid) oorheersend. Die herlewing van die volk as geheel word in hooj'stuk 37 in j'orse treHe geteken. Die heitigdom is vir Esegiifl ook baie belangrik. AUe elemente van die herstet wat in Jeremia aangetref word, verskyn ook in Esegiet.

Deet IV het ten doel om die prrifesiel van die genoemde proj'ete te toels deur le kvk rif hulle in die gemeenskap wat uit die Babiloniese baUingskap teruggekeer het. vervul is. Daar is bevind dat die na-ballingskapse prrifete al die elemente van die beloj'te van die herstel van Israel weer bevestig het, insluitende die belrifle dat die mense na hul eie land teruggebring sal word. Die proj'ete Doorsien steeds die herstel binne ' n eskatologiese raamwerk.

Deel V klassifiseer die belopes onder verskillende hooj'punte 5005 hulle In die vooraj'gaande horifstukke

bespreek is.

Deel VI word aan 'n toets van die geldigheid van die beloj'tes in die Nuwe Testament geu:y. Veral Romeine 9-11 word deeglik onder die loep geneem. Die resultaat van die studie dui aan dat Israel van die kerk

onderskei moet word (dit wiL se, die kerk bestaan uit IsraeL en die geLowiges uit die heidene) en dat daar steeds hoop en toekomsverwagting vir Israel is.

Uiteindelik is die hoop in Israel se toekoms vir die pnifete en die aposteLs op God se uitverkiesing van Israel as ~Y volk gebaseer, en hierdie feit beteken dat dit onmoontLik is dat 11] huLle nou saL verwerp. Die historiese uniekheid van Israel, wat die verbondsvolk van God is, het in die Loop van die openbaringsgeskiedenis bLy voortbestaan: in die t)'d van die baLLingskap, die ~yd na die ballingskap en die ~yd van die aposteLs. Die geLowiges uit die heidene deel deur Christus, die ware saad van Abraham, in al die selninge van Israel, terw.-yL die ware Israel (dit wiL se, die uitverkore een) dit van nature verk,-"y. Die herstel word in drie dimensies gesien: Die natuurlike (!J..vvoorbeeld die"land-belofte " ) , die politieke (b),voorbeeld die Dawidiese koningskap) en die geestelike en godsdienstige (!J.vvoorbeeLd die vergifnis van sonde en die heiligdom). AUe eLemente is dieseifde as die wat onder die Ou Verbond bestaan het (die kontinufteit). Dit moet egter in terme van die Nuwe Verbond wat die ou eLemente in nuwe dimensies verander (diskontinufteit) , verstaan word. Nogtans beteken die herstel van die verbondsvolk nie die herstel van die konink,-"yk van Israel van ouds nie. Dit sal in die :\1essiaanse konink~yk wanneer Christus weer kom, wlbring word. Die motivering vir die herstel is die eer van Jahweh se ]I.faam. Die herstel is nie net op die redding van die lIolk Israel gemik nie, maar op die redding uan die wereld, wat Israel en die nasies insluit. Die hentel uan Israel is tot diens uan Jahweh en ~v openbaringshistoriese pLan.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I INTRODUCTION 1

1 The formulation of the study

1

1. 1 The issue at stake and the problems

1

1.2 The delimitation of th is study . • . •

2

2 How to interpret the "doom" and "salvation" oracles in the Prophets 3 2. 1 The problem with modern criticism • . • . • . . • . • . . • .

3

2.2 Problems with "spiritualisation" or "typological" interpretation

7

2.3 The principle

of

literal interpretation • • • • • 10 2.4 Revelation-historical observation 11 3 The covenant theme in "doom" and "salvation" oracles in Jeremiah and

Ezekiel 13

PART II THE PROMISE OF RESTORATION IN JEREMIAH

17

1 I ntrod uction

17

1.1 The problem of the authenticity of the book

17

1.2 Themes in the book of Jeremiah 20 1 .2. 1 The judgment theme 20 1.2.2 A shift from "doom" to "salvation" 21 2 Jeremiah 24:1-7: Illustration using good figs 23

2.1 Structure of the text • . • • . • • • . 23 2.2 Exegetical and revelation-historical study of the text 24 2.2.1 The vision of the baskets of figs (vs 1-4) 24 2.2.2 Promises of restoration in the image of "good figs" (vs 5-7) 25 3 The New Covenant (Jr 31 :31-40) . • • . . . • . . 26 3.1 The larger context in the Book of Consolation . • • . . • • • . 26 3.2 Exegetical and revelation-historical study of the text (Jr 31 :31-34) 30 3.2.1 Eschatological formula (v 31a) . . . 30 3.2.2 To whom are the promises of the new covenant given? (v 31b) 33

3.2.3 Continuity or discontinuity with the old covenant? (v 32a)

34

3.2.4 The broken covenant (v 32b)

39

3.2.5 Inwardness (v 33b)

42

3.2.6 The Law (v 33b)

45

3.2.7 Bundesformel (v 33c)

56

3.2.8 Abrogating the traditional system (v 34a)

57

3.2.9 The knowledge of God (v 34b)

59

3.2.10 Forgiveness (v 34c)

.

61

4 The oath and the sealing of the covenant (Jr 31 :35-40)

63

4.1 Taking an oath by calling a witness (vs 35-37)

.

. . . .

63

4.2 The promise of rebuilding the city (vs 38-40)

64

5 The restoration of the land illustrated by the figure of Jeremiah's buying

a field (Jr 32:36-44)

69

5.1 The larger context, form and structure of the text

69

5.2 Exegetical and revelation-historical study of the text

70

5.2.1 Gathering, returning, and settling the people (v 37)

·70

5.2.2 The new covenant is reinstalled (vs 38-40)

70

5.2.3 Yahweh's initiative doing good for the people (vs 40b-41)

71

5.2.4 Restoring their fortunes (vs 42-44)

71

6 The restoration of the Davidic kingdom (Jr 33)

72

6.1 The structure of Jeremiah 33

72

6.2 Preliminary to the promises (vs 1-5)

72

6.3 The promise of the restoration

of

the city of Jerusalem (vs 6-13)

73

6.4 The promise of restoring the Davidic kingship (33: 14-26; 23: 1-8)

76

6.4.1

Introductory formula (33:14)

76

6.4.2 The righteous branch from the Davidic line (33:15-17; 23:5f)

77

6.4.3 Promise to the Levitic priests (33: 18)

79

6.5 The promise is sealed by calling on the testimony of nature

(33: 19-26)

81

7 Conclusion

82

PART

III

THE RESTORATION OF ISRAEL IN THE BOOK OF EZEKIEL

87

1 Introduction

87

1.1 Authorship and dating

87

1.2 The historical background and themes of the book

90

1.2. 1 The judgment theme

. . . .

91

1.2.2 The shift to the "salvation" theme

92

1.2.3 The motivation of salvation: "For Yahweh's name's sake"

93

2

Ezekiel

11:

14-21

94

2.1 Text and date

94

2.2

The main theme in the context

95

2.3 Quotations from the contemporary Jerusalemites' claim (vs 14-15)

96

2.4 Yahweh's answer to the Jerusalemites' claim (vs 16-21)

96

2.5 The revelation-historical study of words and phrases

98

2.5.1

The remnant

. . . .

98

2.5.2 The term" the land of Israel"

100

2.5.3 Transforming their hearts

101

3

Ezekiel 20:33-44

102

3.1 Context

102

3.2 The structure of the text

103

3.3 Exegetical and revelation-historical consideration of themes

104

3.3.1

A new exodus experience (vs 33-38)

. . . .

104

3.3.2 Establishing the true worship in Jerusalem (vs 39-44)

106

4

Ezekiel 34

. . . • . . .

106

4. 1

The structure of the text

106

4.2 Exegetical and revelation-historical studies of the units of the text

108

4.2.1

The indictments of Israel's leaders (vs 1-10)

108

4.2.2 Yahweh's intervention to rescue his flock (vs 11-16)

109

4.2.3 Judgment over the flock (vs 17-22)

110

4.2.4 Appointing the Good Shepherd (vs 23-24)

110

4.2.5 The land becoming a paradise (v 25-31)

116

5

Ezekiel 36

• . . .

121

5.1

Themes in the context

121

5.2 The structure

of the text

122

5.3 Exegetical and revelation-historical study of the text

123

5.3.1 Judgment on the enemies and salvation for Israel (vs 1-15)

123

5.3.2 Indictment of Israel within a historical retrospect (vs 16-21)

125

5.3.3 God vindicates his holiness to the nations in the action of re­

storing his people (vs 22-32)

127

5.3.4 Rebuilding settlements in the land (vs 33-38)

132

6 Ezekiel 37: 1-14

134

6.1 The structure of the text

134

6.2 A theme in context

134

6.3 Exegesis of the text

136

6.3.1

The metaphor of resurrection (vs 1-10)

136

6.3.2 The interpretation of the metaphor (vs 11-14)

138

7 Ezekiel 37:15-28

139

7.1 The structure of the text

139

7.2 Themes in the context

140

7.3 Exegetical and revelation-historical study on the text

. . .

.

141

7.3.1 The first symbolic action: The promise of "unification" (vs

15-19)

141

7.3.2 The second symbolic action: The promise for the new kingdom

(vs 20-23)

142

7.3.3

A

complete picture of the united Messianic kingdom (vs 24-28) 143

8 Conclusion

147

PART IV

THE PROPHECIES OF THE RESTORATION OF ISRAEL IN THE

BOOKS OF HAGGAI AND ZECHARIAH

151

1

Introduction

151

1.1 The purpose and scheme of th is part

151

1.2 The historical background

151

1.3 Eschatological framework of the books

153

2 The prophecies of restoration in Haggai

159

2. 1

Introduction

159

2.2 Exegetical and revelation-historical study of themes

161

2.2.1 The covenant

161

2.2.2 The temple

161

2.2.3 The king

165

2.2.4 The universal kingdom of God

167

3

The prophecies of restoration in Zechariah

167

3.1

Introduction: Authorship and unity of the book

167

3.2 "rhe Visions of Zechariah (Zch 1:7-8:23)

169

3.2.1 The characteristics of visionary prophecies

. . .

.

169

3.2.2 The restoration of Jerusalem, the land, and the people

171

3.2.2.1 Anger with the nations and jealousy of Jerusalem: The first

and second visions (1 :7-17, 18-21)

171

3.2.2.2 Measuring Jerusalem: The third vision (2:1-13)

174

3.2.3 The restoration of the temple

177

3.2.3.1 The gold lampstand and two olive trees: The fifth vision

(4:1-10)

177

3.2.3.2 A promise that Joshua will build the temple: The eighth vi­

sion

(6: 12d-15)

180

3.2.4

rhe prediction of the Priestly-Kingly Messiah

181

3.2.4.1 A clean garment for Joshua, the high priest: The fourth

vision (3:1-10)

181

3.2.4.2 The symbol of a crown for Joshua in the eighth vision

(6:1-15)

187

3.3 Zechariah's apocalyptic (Zch 9-14)

190

3.3.1 Characteristics of apocalyptic

190

3.3.2 The coming of the humble King to Zion (9: 1-17)

193

3.3.3 The promise of bringing the people back to their own country

(10:1-12)

. . . • . .

197

3.3.4 The final war and deliverance (Zch 12-14)

199

3.3.4.1

The nations' marching against Jerusalem (12:1-9)

200

3.3.4.2 Mourning and awakening under persecution (12:10-13:9)

202

3.3.4.3 War and final salvation on "the day of the Lord" (14:1-21)

205

4 Conclusion

209

PART V SUMMARY (ANALYSIS OF PROMISES)

214

1

Introduction

. .

.

.

214

2

Covenant

214

3

The promise of the land

216

4

The restoration of the people and the nation

. .

.

.

220

5

The promise of the Messiah

223

6

The restoration of Jerusalem

224

7

The restoration of the temple

225

8

Cleansing sins

227

9

Renewed heart

228

10

Oracles about the nations

228

11

The law in the new era

230

12

Yahweh's own initiative

230

13

Conclusion

. .

. . .

.

.

.

.

. .

232

PART

VI

THE RESTORATION OF ISRAEL IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

236

1

Introduction

236

2

Particularity and universality in the preaching of the Gospel

237

2.1

In the Gospels and Acts

237

2.2

In the Pauline Letters

241

3

The name Israel

₂₄₆

3. 1

I n the synoptic Gospels 246

3.2

In the Gospel of John

₂₄₉

3.3

In the Book of Acts and the Pauline Letters

250

4

The restoration of Israel in Romans

9-11

252

4.1

An Introduction

252

4.1.1

The problems with interpretations 252

4.1.2

The relationship of Romans

9-11

to the rest of the

Book

253

4.2

Paul's personal relationship with his own nation (Rm

9:

1-3)

256

4.3

What privileges does Israel have?

(9:4-5)

258

4.4

Have the promises lapsed? (Rm

9:1-29)

262

4.4.1 Who is Israel? (vs 6-29)

. . .

262

4.4.2 Abraham's offspring (GI 3:29; Rm 4: 16)

265

4.4.3 Illustrations of the chosen sons (Rm 9:7-18)

269

4.4.4 From the potter's lesson (vs 19-29)

270

4.5 Israel's rejection and the Gentiles' acceptance as the people of God

(Rm 9:24-10:21)

. . . • . . • . • . . .

273

4.6 Has God rejected his people? (Rm 11: 1-24)

275

4.6.1

Introductory remarks

275

4.6.2 Illustrations (vs 1-10)

276

4.6.3 "Riches for the world" (vs 11-15)

278

4.6.4 Their fullness (v 12)

. . .

280

4.6.5 The miraculous character of the restoration of Israel (v 15)

281

4.6.6 The images of "the dough of the first fruits" and "holy root"

(v 16)

. . .

282

4.6.7 The metaphor of the olive tree (vs 17-24)

284

4.7

Paul's summary of Romans 9-11 (Rm 11:25ff)

. . .

288

4.7.1 The taking up of this section into the rest of Romans 9-11.

288

4.7.2 The mysteries of God's plan of salvation

290

4.7.3 The hardening of Israel

. . . . .

291

4.7.4 The incoming of the fullness of the Gentiles

292

4.8 "AND SO ALL ISRAEL WILL BE SAVED" (Rm 11 :26a)

293

4.8.1 The meaning of "and so"

. . . .

294

4.8.2 The first theory: The spiritual Israel, the church

296

4.8.2.1

Evidence from Galatians 6:16

. . . .

297

4.8.2.2 The relationship of Galatians 6: 16 to Romans 11: 26a

300

4.8.3 The second theory: The remnant

. . . .

301

4.8.4 The third theory: The totality of the people

305

4.8.5 The final suggestion: The nation of Israel as a whole

306

4.9 Paul's confirmation from Scripture (Rm 11:26b-27)

309

5 The new covenant in the New Testament

312

5.1

Luke 22:20 (cf. Mk 14:24; Mt 26:28)

312

5.2 Hebrews 8:1-10:18

313

6 Conclusion

.

.

.

. . .

.

. .

. .

. . . .

.

. .

.

. .

.

• • . 315

PART VII THE CONCLUSION

. 318

Our duty as Christians towards Israel

324

Fields for further study

• • • . . .

325

ABBREVIATIONS

327

TRANSLITERATIONS OF HEBREW

. . .

. . .

.

.

. . .

.

.

332

BIBLIORGRAPHY

• • • • . • • • • • • • • • • • • . • • • • • • • • 333