Isaiah
24:23
23 Then the moon [labanah] shall be confounded [chapher], and the sun [chammah] ashamed [buwsh], when the LORD [Yahovah] of
hosts [tsaba'] shall reign [malak] in mount [har] Zion [Tsiyown], and in Jerusalem [Yaruwshalaim], and before his ancients [zaqen] gloriously [kabowd]. KJV-Interlinear
23 Then the moon will be confounded and
the sun ashamed, for the LORD of hosts reigns on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, and
his glory will be before his elders. ESV
To be an elder
one must commit himself/herself to a lifetime of learning Bible doctrine, which
is more than simply reading verses, but requires in depth instruction, learning
and the study of truth.
A fitting
contrast and conclusion for this chapter.
Whereas man sees himself as the sun and moon and even stars, in all
their glory, projecting himself in that same glory, but in fact man is without
glory of his own, and on his own will end up in total destruction.
And then there
is God who uses a mountain, and a rather small mountain at that, and a city, to
represent the vastness of His essence and truth, which by the way are more vast
than the universe and heaven combined.
And God will
endure, while unbelieving and arrogant man will not.
The sun and moon
are often used as symbols to describe the attitudes of rulers and celebrities
and others that see themselves as more than they really are.
They will be confounded,
embarrassed, exposed for what they really are, namely nothing.
Gods mountain,
called Zion, represents the dwelling of God, which is truth or the vast content
of Bible doctrine.
Zion or doctrine,
resides in the city of Jerusalem, called the City of Peace. Doctrine resident in the city produces peace
and that represents doctrine resident inside of the soul of the believer,
likewise producing peace.
The believer,
who studies and learns and understands and comprehends Bible doctrine, is
therefore a resident of Jerusalem or peace, dwelling inside of Gods peace due
to the Bible doctrine within them.
The elders are
the true wise ones, so designated by anyone who has learned doctrine and has
therefore advanced to spiritual maturity.
Bible doctrine
has withstood the test of time since before time.
Bible doctrine
resident in the souls of believers since the beginning of humanity, has produced
many that are wise, and therefore many that are elders. Those who are knowledgeable of truth.
To be an elder,
one must learn bible doctrine.
To be an elder
one must commit himself to a lifetime of learning Bible doctrine, which is more
than simply reading verses, but requires in depth instruction, learning and
study of truth.
To be an elder
one must commit himself to the daily use and therefore production within ones
life.
To be an elder
one must advance to spiritual maturity and to the completion of ones self, as
God has defined being complete.
