In the Bible, there are Hebrew phrases which do not make sense translated literally.
The King James Bible tends to take these terms and word by word render them into English, and their full meaning does not come through.
Co
nsider this telling example:
"Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." (Philippians 2: 12)
"Fear and trembling" gives the impression of panic or terror, the fear of punishment.
Yet the next verse confirms that God our Father is living through us and providing both the will and ability to do the very things which He wants us to do (Philippians 2:12)
To eliminate any doubt, consider previous passages in the Bible:
"Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." (Mark 5: 33)
The woman healed of a twelve-year plague was shaking with shock, awe, and great joy!
Now, to the above passage -- "Therefore he shall lift up the head."
What does this mean?
We find this phrase in the last chapter of the Hebrew Bible:
"And it came to pass in the seven and thirtieth year of the captivity of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the seven and twentieth day of the month, that Evilmerodach king of Babylon in the year that he began to reign did lift up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah out of prison;" (2 Kings 25: 27)
After the King of Babylon took over Jerusalem, destroyed the Temple, and led the Israelites captive into Babylon, he was moved to restore the last king of Israel to a place of honor at his table:
"And he spake kindly to him, and set his throne above the throne of the kings thatwere with him in Babylon; 29And changed his prison garments: and he did eat bread continually before him all the days of his life. 30And his allowance was a continual allowance given him of the king, a daily rate for every day, all the days of his life." (2 KIngs 25: 28-30)
In this account, we have a beautiful picture of what our Lord Jesus does for all of us.
Because of the sin of Adam, we all became dead in sin (Romans 5: 15-17).
Because of Jesus, we are taken from dead in our trespasses, to alive and seated in heavenly places with Him (Ephesians 2: 4-6)
Where is Jesus seated? Far above every other name:
"The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved." (Psalm 47: 8)
and
"The LORD reigneth; let the people tremble: he sitteth between the cherubims; let the earth be moved." (Psalm 99: 1)
and
"Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:" (Philippians 2: 9)
We are seated in Christ, at our Father's right hand.
Jesus has lifted our head, He has restored our glory, so that we can declare:
"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4: 17)
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