"THOU HAST PERFECTED PRAISE"
“THOU HAST PERFECTED PRAISE”
Matthew 20:29 - 34; Matthew 21:8 - 16
JT What is in mind is to show that when there is a given feature of the truth introduced, it is to be carried through; when a certain note is struck, every exercised ear will discern it and take it on and carry it through. The two blind men say: “Lord, Son of David”. They were blind, but had heard that Jesus was passing by, and they address Him by a title that fitted at the moment; this would indicate that they were the subjects of the work of God.
This thought is taken up by the crowds in chapter 21:9, only they add the word “Hosanna”, a term of praise, but which in itself implies urgency in an appeal for salvation; it means ‘Save, I beseech thee’. Christ is recognised as able to save now. From whatever we need in this town to be saved, He is ready to save us.
Then the children in the temple take up the same expression: “Hosanna to the Son of David” (verse 15). This brought out opposition; it was too much for the enemy that it should be carried forward; and so the Lord defends the children. “The chief priests and the scribes ... were indignant”, and the Lord says to them: “Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise?”. The children had taken up the feature of the truth, and made it part of the service of God, as we may say. From the religious standpoint, the two blind men were most unlikely persons to introduce this great new feature of the truth. And the chief priests and scribes regarded it as most unsuitable that children should take up this feature in the temple; it was being made by them a part of the divine service. The book of Psalms represents the service of God, David was evidently the compiler of them, and the author of many. He was the author of the one the Lord quoted — Psalm 8:2: “Out of [p. 400] the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou established praise because of thine adversaries, to still the enemy and the avenger”. This is very remarkable, because the true David was now here, and He quotes this psalm to support what the children were saying. The words “perfected praise” should be particularly stressed. A new feature of the truth introduced by such unlikely persons as the blind men, and then asserted in the service of God in the temple, implied the complete setting aside of the current religious system. God was taking new persons into His service.
Ques Do you not think that the blind men and the children were in accord with what we find at the beginning of Matthew’s gospel, the genealogy of the Son of David?
JT This is one of the chief points in the whole gospel: “generation of Jesus Christ, Son of David, Son of Abraham”. The first chapter of Matthew shows that Christ’s claim to be Messiah was legal — a clear line, down from Abraham to Christ. Now after His service and testimony in Galilee, He is approaching His capital as Son of David. Instead of the official class in Jerusalem coming out to acclaim Him as such, these two blind men acclaim Him or recognise Him.
Rem It is those touched by divine compassion who can give a response — “Jesus, moved with compassion”.
JT Quite so, but the remarkable thing is that they address Him as “Lord, Son of David” before He expresses His compassion. They were not told that the Son of David was passing by; it was simply that they had heard that “Jesus was passing by”, and they address Him as “Lord, Son of David”. They represent the work of God. As the facts are mentioned, it is clear that they had light in their souls in regard of the Person who was there. Paul goes so far as to say that “no one can say, Lord Jesus,
[p. 401] unless in the power of the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:3). That would mean that the person who says it would say it with full intelligence and feeling, and that really implies in principle what we have here in these two blind men. Thus in the recent recovery of the truth, that is during the last hundred years, persons that the religious leaders of the day would regard as unsuitable brought out the truth; and others even less likely have been enabled of God to introduce it in the service of God.
Ques Do the blind men go further than the crowds and the children, adding “Lord”?
JT I think that is correct.
Ques Does what is mentioned in 1 Corinthians 1:27 - 31 enter into this?
JT Yes. The blind men say “Lord”, which is the recognition of His authority. The crowds preface the words “Son of David” with the word “Hosanna” and so do the children, which would mean that the Son of David has actually become a Saviour, a present Saviour; that is, He is ready to save now — the salvation of God has come. The crowds further say: “Blessed be he who comes in the name of the Lord” — which is a quotation from Psalm 118. The Lord told the Jews that they should not see Him again until they should say this. Then the children take up that note in the temple where the service of God was carried on, and the true David says that they were perfecting praise. We should all regard this as most opportune at the present time, for the Lord is operating to perfect the praise of God. On the cross He said: “Thou art holy, thou that dwellest amid the praises of Israel” (Psalm 22:3). In verse 22 of that same psalm the Lord as risen says: “In the midst of the congregation will I praise thee”. So we have a beautiful connection in the Lord’s quoting from this book of Psalms in chapter 21, for He Himself is the sweet Psalmist of Israel.
[p. 402] Ques There would have been a great deal of noise with the buying and selling and money-changing. Would you say that in the public position of christianity there is much noise, but no worship at all?
JT None at all; and the chief priests and scribes are not complaining about the money-changers and those who sold doves, but they complain about the children praising the Lord Jesus — a striking comment on current conditions: the leaders close their eyes to what is wrong, but complain against what is right.
Ques Could it be said that this note should be specially heard amongst the saints at a moment when the Lord presents Himself as “the root and offspring of David”?
JT Yes. The Spirit and the bride say, “Come”. What a cheer it must be to the heart of Christ as He hears the word “Come” from the Spirit and the bride!
Ques I would like to ask if there is a parallel between this setting and the movements of the ark in the book of Joshua? I was thinking particularly of Jesus coming in from beyond Jordan, the neighbourhood of Jericho, and the work of God in Rahab.
JT We have a wonderful group of circumstances here, corresponding as you say, with the ark crossing the Jordan. The ark is said to be the power and the glory of God (Psalm 78:61); both ideas were realised infinitely in Christ. “Hosanna”, meaning ‘save now’, implies that this was discerned.
Ques Would the work of God in Rahab correspond a little with the work of God in the two blind men?
JT Very strikingly, I should say. Rahab represented the sovereign work of God, for she could not have had any direct link with Moses and Aaron. Nor is it at all likely that these two blind men had any links with those who could teach them about Christ, so that their calling Him “Lord” and recognising Him as “Son of David” is very striking. All this shows how God takes up persons that would be regarded as utterly disqualified by the religious leaders of the day.
Ques Do we have the same thought when Peter addresses the priests, that is those who serve God, as having been called “out of darkness to his wonderful light”?
JT I think it corresponds fully.
Ques Is this thought included in Simeon’s prophecy which is referred to in Acts 28:28? “Be it known to you therefore, that this salvation of God has been sent to the nations; they also will hear it”.
JT Quite so; a very good connection, I should say. We ought to pay a little attention to the colt spoken of in the beginning of chapter 21, as linking on the blind men and the crowds with the children. It is the young element introduced. The disciples put their garments upon the ass and the colt. The mother of the colt is spoken of here; that is the thought of the old brethren working with the young brethren. They work together; they carry Jesus into His capital, that is they carry the testimony to finality. As David and Solomon sat on the throne together, the testimony is carried triumphantly to finality.
Ques It says in 1 Chronicles 24:31, “the chief fathers just as the youngest of their brethren”; is there a correspondence?
JT Very striking. The order of the divine service is wonderfully amplified after David and Solomon are on the throne together, and the young men are especially brought into evidence. The age at which the Levites begin is reduced, by the last words of David, to twenty instead of twenty-five and thirty (1 Chronicles 23:27). This is to bring in the young brothers and sisters as active in the testimony.
[p. 404] Ques Do we see a touching reference when Paul, when writing to the Corinthians, says, See that Timothy “may be with you without fear; for he works the work of the Lord, even as I” (1 Corinthians 16:10)?
JT That passage strikingly supports what we are saying.
Rem “And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers” (Malachi 4:6).
JT Happy relations exist between the old brothers and the young.
Rem In 1 Chronicles 25:8 we have “the small as well as the great, the teacher with the scholar”.
Rem The apostle says to Timothy: “Let no one despise thy youth”.
JT Yes; you will notice that it is for the young brothers to see to it that no one despises their youth, which would mean that a young brother would not be characterised by lightness, but would put on the characteristics of an old brother as far as possible.
Ques Have you any thought why the garments of the disciples covered the ass and the colt, whereas the garments of the crowd were strewed in the way?
JT They “brought the ass and the colt and put their garments upon them, and he sat on them”. That would mean that what is characteristic of disciples who have learned from Christ, is that they are ready to impart all that they know to a new convert. Christ here is said to have sat on them; He Himself did it. It is said in Luke that “they” — that is the disciples — “put Jesus on it”. But Matthew would show that the ass and the colt being thus clothed with the garments of the disciples, are accepted by the Lord for His use. Then as regards the crowd it says they “strewed their own garments on the way”. This, I think, would mean great humility in the crowd, and indicates that in these [p. 405] circumstances the Spirit of Christ is prevalent. The crowd would mean the ordinary persons; but they are brought into the power of the current which is there. And others are affected too: they “kept cutting down branches from the trees and strewing them on the way”. So that the current of interest in favour of Christ is powerful for the moment. It is very beautiful when you see a current of divine power operative, and all are brought into it. Then the suitable complement to that is in verse 9: “the crowds who went before him and who followed cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; blessed be he who comes in the name of the Lord”. Those “who went before him and who followed” — that would show that the current was powerful and actuating all — those behind and before. So that where there is such a condition in any degree amongst the brethren, Scripture will find its place and will be brought forward to honour Christ. As already said, they add a word from Psalm 118.
Ques You have just said, ‘Such a condition’; would you explain?
JT Well, we will say at the Bible reading at Beauvoisin, the Spirit of God is operating in the meeting, and fresh thoughts will be introduced, the Scriptures will confirm them, and Christ will be honoured. All this comes out in the chapter which occupies our attention.
Ques Does this include the prophetic side of the truth?
JT Particularly so.
Ques Do you think every new position taken up among the saints should be supported by some scripture?
JT It will be so. Here the Spirit of God in enumerating the events tells us that “all this came to pass, that that might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying, Say to the daughter of [p. 406] Zion, Behold thy King cometh to thee, meek, and mounted upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass”. That is to say, there will be a sense that what is current is according to Scripture. But then what the people say here shows a further thought. Verse 4 is a quotation from Zechariah, but the end of verse 9 is a quotation from Psalm 118, as if the current, the power of the Spirit, being present, fresh scriptures are introduced.
Ques Would you have conditions for that in Acts 1, and a remarkable use of Scripture? Peter quotes a verse from one Psalm, another from another Psalm — and all the brethren are in agreement.
JT That usually characterises a spiritual meeting where they study the Scriptures. The Spirit of God is present and has liberty; there is a remarkable opening up of the truth. The Spirit of God teaches us Himself. In John 16:13 the Lord says the Spirit “shall guide you into all the truth”. That would include Bible readings where the Spirit has place; one brother says one thing, another brother says another thing, and so on; the brethren are brought into the matter, but the Holy Spirit through all guides us into the truth.
Ques What would be the difference between a reading and a meeting for prophetic ministry?
JT The reading of the Scriptures may take on the character of prophetic ministry. The Spirit being present may cause the word to have a prophetic force. But 1 Corinthians 14:23 introduces instruction for a meeting in which prophecy has the leading part; the persons who speak are even regarded as prophets.
Rem But all are not prophets: “Are all prophets? Are all teachers?” (1 Corinthians 12:29).
JT This particular meeting we are alluding to has persons known as prophets specially in mind;
so that it says, “Let two or three prophets speak, and let the others judge” (1 Corinthians 14:29).
Ques What does “the others” mean?
JT I think the word would allude to the other prophets present, but by extension, of course, it would include all that are present.
Rem Where the word is truly prophetic, it could be said: “This is of Jehovah; it is wonderful in our eyes” (Psalm 118:23).
Rem It is a question of a special meeting; it cannot be a question of likening any other meeting to that one.
JT It has its own character. What we call a reading, such as the present, is alluded to in Acts 20. Paul’s first speaking took the form of an address, a discourse; but after Eutychus was resuscitated, what was said took the form of a conversation: “having gone up, and having broken the bread, and eaten, and having long spoken [or conversed] until daybreak ...”
Ques Is the meeting for prophetic ministry in a weekly setting?
JT That would be a matter for the brethren to decide as to what they are equal to. Generally, brethren who have taken up this matter of prophetic ministry have a regular meeting.
Ques The one who prophesies must edify the assembly, and should know the moment when to give place to another who has had a revelation. How can it be known that another has had a revelation?
JT That is accounted for by the organism designated as ‘the body’ in chapter 12. If we are together in intelligent affection for one another, we shall be very sensitive as to what anyone may have. I hope the brethren will not overlook what has been remarked about the youthful element amongst us, that is, the colt associated with the ass, carrying [p. 408] the Lord, carrying the testimony to finality; that implies energy which young people have, and also freshness. Then the children continue the service, and the Lord says that they are perfecting praise. It is very remarkable that the priests do not interfere until the children come in.
Ques “And Samuel ministered before Jehovah, a boy girded with a linen ephod” (1 Samuel 2:18). Would you say a word on that?
JT A very good suggestion. What should be noted is the linen ephod; it alludes to sobriety. So that in 2 Timothy 2:22 the apostle says: “flee also youthful lusts”. He exhorts him to “be a model of the believers, in word, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12).
Ques The colt is called “the foal of an ass”; does not this suggest that the young brethren should keep very close to the older brethren and depend on their teaching, so to speak?
JT I think that is an element in the teaching of the passage.
Ques Do you not think that the scribes and Pharisees have been really supplanted by these children?
JT That is the position. The prominence given to garments and branches of the trees as brought into the service is very remarkable.
Ques What difference is there between the two?
JT The clothing would point to characteristic experience in the persons who own the clothes. The branches from the trees suggest the freshness of life; they are not withered branches. They “kept cutting” them, it says. There is this suggestion about the branches in that they are not to be used again for the purpose; they are cut down. A fresh occasion of this kind requires fresh branches cut down. After Samson had slain a thousand men with a fresh jawbone of an ass, he threw it away. That is, you [p. 409] will not use that address again. I think the Lord helps us as to freshness. He has got such resources; He will keep on giving you.
Rem There is always the idea of a river in Scripture.
JT Referring to the river in Ezekiel 47, the prophet is made to experience the varied or graded depths of it, until he says it was “waters to swim in” — that would be in our experience through exercise. But then he says: “it was a river that I could not pass through”, and moreover “a river that could not be passed through”, meaning that I arrive at infinitude. Then he is brought back to it again, and he says there “were very many trees”; and it goes on to say, “it shall bring forth new fruit every month” — continued freshness.
Rem In the thought of the branches, we see that which is fresh. And when it is a question of ourselves securing freshness, we have to follow the man with the pitcher of water.
Ques Does this allusion to Ezekiel lead us to ministry?
JT You are brought back to a subject you had before, and you find new features in it.
Rem Herod slays all the young children at the beginning of this gospel; he does not want ‘freshness’.
JT He was ready to sacrifice the children in order to destroy Christ.
Rem Moses says to Pharaoh: “We will go with our young and with our old” (Exodus 10:9); he mentions the young first.