CONSOLATION OF ISRAEL

 

By the time Jesus was born, the Jewish nation was knee deep in apostasy and their religion had evolved into 613 rabbinical interpretations of the Mosaic Law, and tradition of the elders, that the nation was expected to observe. They ‘turned the truth of heaven into a system that led them to hell’ (“The Mosaic Law and Conflict Resolution, ww.eajournals.org; Bruce R. McConkie, “The Mortal Messiah Book 1, p 238).

“Among the righteous and devout Israelites were some who, in spite of traditionalism, rabbinism, and priestly corruption, still lived in righteous expectation of inspired confidence, awaiting patiently ‘the consolation of Israel’ (Luke 2:25;38; Mark 15:43)” (James Talmage, “Jesus the Christ” p 96).

One of these righteous people was Simeon to whom had been revealed by the Holy Ghost that he should not see death before he had seen 'the Lord's Christ' (Luke 2:26). Simeon waited a long time and was well stricken in age when the Spirit led him to the temple the day that Mary and Joseph were there with the Christ child to offer sacrifice for his birth as was the Mosaic law of the day (Luke 2:22-24).

Simeon took the Christ child into his arms and pronounced Him to be the awaited Messiah, the glory of Israel and the light to the Gentiles (Luke 2:32). He was the consolation of salvation in a spiritually lost nation. And then he told Mary of the anguish that she would be called to endure because of Him akin to ‘a sword piercing her soul’ (v35).

Another privileged godly Israelite of great age was also at the temple, a prophetess called Anna, who devoted herself exclusively to temple service, and she too being inspired of God, recognised ‘the consolation of Israel’ she longed for and testified of Him to all about her (Luke 2:36-38).

I have many times imagined what it would have been like for these devout Jews who lived in a spiritually barren society to see the Christ child and know that salvation has finally come to Israel.

One thing worthy of notice. The consolation that came to these two good people happened in the temple. It reminds me of Elder Vaugn J. Featherstone’s prophecy of April 1987 at the re-dedication of the Manti Temple:

“Before the Saviour comes the world will darken. There will come a period of time where even the elect will lose hope if they do not come to the temples. The world will be so filled with evil that the righteous will only feel secure within these walls.

“In a day of desolating sickness, scorched earth, barren wastes, sickening plagues, disease, destruction, and death….we will abide in places of refuge from the storm, we will mount up as on eagles’ wings; we will be lifted out of an insane and evil world. We will be as fair as the sun and clear as the moon.”

And all because of the most significant birth in the history of this earth.

- CATHRYNE ALLEN 

(Art: Anna Greets the Christ Child by Lester Yocum)