Simeon's Pronouncements

 •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 7
 
When Simeon blesses God (Luke 2:28-3228Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, 29Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: 30For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, 31Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; 32A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. (Luke 2:28‑32)), he declares the sum of God's counsels regarding the Gentiles and Israel alike. The Child is God's "Salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel." That's what He would have been if that nation had received Him—and that is what He will be when they do receive Him.
Simeon, also, expresses his own joy that he derives from the presence of the Child in his arms—a joy which banishes any fear of death: "Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word: for mine eyes have seen Thy Salvation." The presence of the Savior is everything to his soul.
Then, when Simeon blesses the parents (vv. 34, 35), he shows what the presentation of the Child to man will produce from man.
,:. Its effect would be the "fall and rising again of many in Israel." Some would stumble at the lowly, humble One in their midst, while others would be raised up by God. Also, "the thoughts of many hearts" would be revealed by His presence. He would be a touchstone, bringing out what was in the hearts of many. And so He was—and is. There is nothing like Christ to draw out and expose what is in man's heart—whether regenerate or unregenerate man. (See John 1:9; 3:19-219That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. (John 1:9)
19And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. (John 3:19‑21).)
He would be "for a sign which shall be spoken against." That He was spoken against is abundantly plain. I take it that He was "a sign" in the sense of Isa. 7:1414Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14). (See, also, Luke 1:34, 3534Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? 35And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. (Luke 1:34‑35).) He was a sign of the goodness of God, who would deliver His people, despite their failure and sin, if they would only repent and turn again to their God. (See Isa. 7-8.)
D. Graham