Friday, May 02, 2003 :::
Amos 5.18: The fact that Israelites "longed" for the Yom YHWH (Day of the Lord) indicates that it was already a well-known eschatological concept in the 8th century BC, at least among [the schools of] the prophets. AND it was understood in the popular mind as a positive thing, presumably entailing the glories of the messianic kingdom.
Thomas Edward McComiskey, in his commentary on Amos, writes:
>>The unique contribution of Amos to the eschatology of the OT is his teaching about the Day of the Lord. He stressed that it is a time when the Lord will judge all sin, even in his own people. The gloomy portrayal of that day in the prophecy of Amos reflects the fact that Amos’s hearers were for the most part guilty of transgression. For them that day would hold no ray of light (5:18-20).
>>Another day is coming, however, when hope will shine with glorious promise (9:13-15). The Davidic promise will be realized in the restoration of David’s kingdom, and Jews and Gentiles will be united in the kingdom of David’s greater Son.<<
I disagree only with McComiskey's figure of speech, "Another day is coming…" In spite of Amos's phraseology shifting in 9.13 from "Day" to "days," both the judgment and the shining forth of the promised Davidic kingdom occur in the same Day.
::: posted by Roderick of TMin at 11:05 AM
God dwells above time and the Yom YHWH (Day of the Lord) is a reality above time. It is a 'coming' day (Mal. 4.5), but that does not preclude it breaking in upon us in history. It begins to make sense that the historical cataclysms of Israel were seen by the prophets as manifestations of the Yom YHWH, the present _and_ coming reality.
::: posted by Roderick of TMin at 9:03 AM
Wednesday, April 30, 2003 :::
The phrase “Yom YHWH” (Day of the Lord) is pregnant with eschatological significance in the prophets, but I suspect it meant more than “today” (NIV) even in early passages like Lev. 9.4 and 2 Ki. 2.3-5. We could translate Lev. 9.4 literally with, "...for the Day of YHWH will appear unto you," making the appearing of the Day of YHWH synonymous with the appearing of YHWH Himself. This is consistent with a Christian, i.e., Trinitarian, understanding of the prophetic declarations about the eschatological Day of YHWH. YHWH Himself will appear in “Yom YHWH”! In the Elijah narrative, we have literally, "...the Day [of] YHWH will take your master...". How interesting that this phrase is used to predict the departure of Elijah with its apocalyptic manifestations! (The chariots of fire imply the special divine presence; see 2Ki 6.17 and Isa 66.15).
::: posted by Roderick of TMin at 4:32 PM
