THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD
[p. 261] THE FAITHFULNESS OF GOD
(Summary of Reading)
The faithfulness of God is an important feature of the truth. It has reference to His engagements. This chapter brings it out in a striking way as having reference to His covenant made with men in creation. It also comes out in Abraham. God made a covenant with him also. Romans 9 - Romans 11 teaches us how God’s faithfulness is seen in that connection. His name Jehovah signifies His faithfulness with Israel. Taking His new name in Exodus, God intended to convey to His people that He was about to fulfil His promise. His new name Jehovah signified that He was faithful.
Then He made a covenant with David, which finds its fulfilment in Matthew, and it enters into the aim of the gospel. Christ is said to be “made of the seed of David according to the flesh; but declared to be the Son of God with power”, Romans 1:3,4, so that the power, love and faithfulness of God enter into the gospel. Romans opens up these features but the chapter we read has reference to God’s covenant with regard to creation. We have the expression in the epistle of Peter, “God ... a faithful Creator”. 1 Peter 4:19. This works out in this chapter in a striking way; hence we have the rainbow, not so much for its variety of colour, as in the one predominating colour suggested in the emerald — green. This signifies that God’s things are never old. A covenant made a thousand years ago is as fresh as if it were made today.
The new covenant referred to in Hebrews has in mind what is fresh; for the old one has grown aged, it says. Many of God’s people have gone back to the old covenant, the one that had grown old, overlooking the new which retains its freshness. It is indeed an everlasting covenant, for Christ was brought again [p. 262] from the dead in the power of the everlasting covenant. Some things are old which do not look old, but the first covenant is old and looks old. The new covenant has made the old look old. All the freshness of the old is developed in the new — the love of God shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given to us. We understand the emerald rainbow round about the throne to indicate power to fulfil the covenant. The first evidence of life is the green, as on the third day of creation; Genesis 1:11.
As born again we begin to show the green. The Lord refers to Himself as the green tree; Judaism had become the dry tree. Nominal Christianity is the dry tree. We may have the outward forms of Christianity and yet be as barren as a desert; nominal Christianity yields nothing for God. By the Spirit we yield the green for God. The rainbow speaks of the engagement of God not to destroy the world with a flood, which was based on the sweet savour of the burnt offering (Genesis 8: 21), as it says, “Jehovah smelled the sweet odour”. As seeing this, the believer pursues his way in assurance and restfulness, like Noah when he saw the bow. We are assured in the light of God’s faithfulness, so “Be ye stedfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord”. 1 Corinthians 15:58.
We have the faithfulness of God in both the epistles to the Corinthians. In the first epistle it is connected with the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord; 1 Corinthians 1:1 - 9: in the second epistle the faithfulness of God is seen in that every promise in Christ is “Yea, and ... amen”.
The twenty-four elders round the throne are a further evidence of God’s faithfulness, for in them all believers in two dispensations are seen there secured for God. The experience acquired in service on earth is now seen round the throne, so in making good His engagements to us He secures what is for [p. 263] Himself; hence in the elders God has secured a feature in His government in the future. This shows the importance of learning now, so that we may be available for God in His government by-and-by. The elders represent the result of experience They have golden crowns, and are clothed in white, showing purity and dignity associated with God’s government. The living creatures refer to the green, they afford pleasure to God in that they are living now. Psalm 89 speaks of the faithfulness of God to all generations, and earlier in the Psalms we are told that His faithfulness reaches to the clouds. His faithfulness is in the congregation of the saints, and we reckon on it in our meetings, and in all that appertains to the assembly. This is assured by the prominence given to it in 1 and 2 Corinthians.
At the present time we are in the position of learning by experience how to govern, so that we may take the place of elders, and we are to learn what life is, so as to execute our service in the energy of that life. Referring to this chapter, that energy is seen in four ways: first, the lion. In Romans, in recovery God intends strength. In Romans 8:10 we have, “The Spirit is life because of righteousness”. The idea there is power and in chapter 12 we are enjoined to present our bodies a living sacrifice. In this way the lion is seen, for the righteous is as bold as a lion. The epistle to the Romans renders us righteous as God is righteous. The young men are said to be strong, and the word abides in them so that they over come.
Secondly, the calf. The calf refers to steadiness of walk in the Christian, as the ox that treads out the corn, patient in burden-bearing; life is to be in energy, and is accompanied by patient service and burden-bearing. God would develop in our life carefulness and patience in service. One step after another is the principle; you take care. It involves [p. 264] the divided hoof, you choose your company. (See Psalm 1)
Thirdly, one of the living creatures has the face of a man. This refers to intelligence. These are the features in which life manifests itself. Luke brings out the man. It works out in this way in compassion and intelligence; hence at the end the Lord opens their understanding, so that they might understand the Scriptures. This intelligence is to mark the saints of God. Gifts would run with this, so that the saints might arrive at “the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, at the full-grown man, at the measure of the stature of the fulness of the Christ”. Ephesians 4:13. So the Lord would develop ability for His people to serve, and in every locality life would take the form leading to self-edifying in love. Stephen ably represents this feature of the living creatures. In the council they saw his face as the face of an angel; there is heavenly intelligence there — the council representing the best that man can produce. In the councils of this world you do not find what answers to the face of a man, there is nothing that answers to Christ, whereas among the people of God you have the face of a man according to God. The beauty of the Lord in the way of intelligence is to be seen in our countenances; the face looks up; God sees all this; He brings this about. We are then available for God in his government.
The fourth creature is the flying eagle, signifying the rapidity with which the mind of God is carried out. We are not to be indolent; whatever the hand finds to do, we are to do with our might. In Mark we have the word ‘straightway’, used so frequently, that is, things are to be done at once. We are often neglectful. God in faithfulness secures this feature. Mary comes early in the morning to the sepulchre; there is to be no slothfulness with us.
Each of these living creatures has six wings, and “[p. 265] round and within they are full of eyes”, Revelation 4:8, that is, they have a power which is more than human. They cry, “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, who was, and who is, and who is to come!” Revelation 4:8. Creation is secured for God. There is the righteousness of His ways and the holiness of his dwelling. They worship in the green, as I may so say there is living freshness in it. What God was when He made the covenant with Noah He is now. He does not change, as it is said of the Lord: “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever”. Hebrews 13:8. The living creatures give praise, and the twenty-four elders do homage. The elders are in intelligent sympathy with God, those watching what is going on in the service; and as God reaches His desired end in His saints they take notice of it, and give a reason for their worship. (See verse 11.) God in reaching His thought secures this for Himself; they say: “For thy will they were and they have been created”. Revelation 4: 11. How simple it all is for young people, as it says, “Remember now thy creator in the days of thy youth”. Ecclesiastes 12:1. If God secures us in redemption, it is that we are to be in abiding freshness for His will. This is reached as we dwell upon His faithfulness in love to all that He has promised.