“Israel is My son, My firstborn.”
(Ex 4:22, NKJV)
In the previous teaching we discussed a typological application of Jesus’ conversation with Nathanael after they had first met. We clearly saw that Jesus’ making reference to the fig tree indelibly made Nathanael see the deeper dimensions of what his personal calling entails. In sharp contrast with his earlier scepticism, he then says, “Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” This realization of who Jesus truly is, the True Fig Tree of God who brings forth good fruit, and whom God uses as an offering of first fruits (Jer 24), is made in terms of Israel. Herein obviously lies the link to Jesus’ fulfilment of the Feast of First Fruits, which points to Jesus as the first fruit which had risen from the dead (1 Cor 15:20).
On account of this revelation Jesus says to Nathanael – “You will see greater things than these.” (John 1:50). And then Jesus unfolds a wondrous mystery when He explains this further – “Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafer you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the son of Man.”
Perhaps one of the most important overlooked spects of Israel is that they are not only presented as the chosen nation (Deut 10:15), or the people of God (Ex 19:5), a kingdom of priests and a holy nation (Ex 19:6), children of God (Deut 14:1), but as a son (take note of the use of the singular term here, also see Hos 11:1). When Jesus then in John 1:51 first and foremost presents Himself as “the Son of Man”, it is an important name which the Jews were familiar with. This term, which has its origins in the prophetic reference in Dan 7:13, which speaks about the coming Messiah, is specifically used by Jesus when He speaks to Nathanael. With this as background Jesus’ statement is a clear equalising reference of both Israel and Jesus as Son.
The Jews must have immediately recognized the depth of this reference, as the name of Israel had first been used with the Old Testament correlation of this event which Jesus is describing – Jacob, who at Bethel, had slept with a rock under his head, and dreamt that there is a ladder between heaven and earth, with the angels of God ascending and descending from it (Gen 28:12). After he made his covenant with God, Jacob wrestles with the Man till the sun comes up. With this initiation Jacob and his descendants are renamed Israel, the princes of God (Gen 32:24-28). This happens at the Jabbok, which in Hebrew means pouring out, emptying, to spread out as a fruitful vine. After this life-changing encounter Israel names the place Peniel, which, accourding to Strongs means face of God. And in the New Covenant we know that the face of the Invisible God is indeed Jesus – “who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation” (Col 1:15)! When Israel was first given their name the promise that they, as a nation, would have to pour out, empty themselves for the Branch to grow and replace Israel – “Thus says the Lord of hosts, saying, ‘Behold the Man whose name is the BRANCH! From His place He shall branch out, and He shall build the temple of the Lord.'” (Zech 6:12). Jesus becomes the Son of man, as Israel had chosen to no longer be a son (Matt 23:37-38). “And the branch that You made strong for Yourself. It is burned with fire, it is cut down.” (Ps 15b-16). Jesus becomes the true Fig tree (Zech 3:10). Jesus becomes the only ladder that links heaven and earth.
- Sela: Study Hos 2:12; 9:10; Joel 1:7 & 12; Hab 3:17; Hag 2:19.
- Read: Gen 16-18
- Examine how this has been fulfilled: Gen 16 (tip: Gal 4:24)
- For a deeper understanding: Read Rabbi MN Kertzer’s What is a Jew? and see how the Jews forgot who they were.
