Exile
In a videotaped lecture which the Port & Theology group watched last night, Richard Hays drew attention to the way Matthew frames the opening genealogy of his Gospel: Abraham -> Babylonian Exile -> Jesus, called Christ. I’d never noticed that before. It’s important because it sets the scene for what Jesus is going to do – bring the faithful remnant back from exile, fulfill the promise to Abraham (“and in your offspring all the nations of the earth shall be blessed”). To me this vindicates a lot of what NT Wright (and Aaron) have said on the topic. This exile and return is stuff is really key to understanding Jesus’ work, it’s not an artificial framework imposed on the text, it’s right there.
3 responses to “Exile”
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Ameneth
The exile occurred from Eden, that is the exile from which our Lord and King will bring us back. That is the key to understanding the work of God and Jesus, imho.
God having already installed a new Lord and King over creation is the heart of the return, IMHO. Adam’s exile is undone; he is replaced. All else is consequential detail (which we work for and await). That’s why the gospel is, “Jesus is King!”