It had been revealed to [Simeon] by the Holy Spirit
that he would not see death
before he saw the Lord’s Messiah.
that he would not see death
before he saw the Lord’s Messiah.
Luke 2:26
The prophets of Israel had been silent for 400 years. The promise of Yahweh that he would send a deliverer who would make all things right was getting harder and harder to hope for.
"How long, O Lord?"
And while it must have been personally encouraging to Simeon to know that it was all going to finally come to pass in his lifetime, I do wonder about a few things:
- What was Simeon's age when he was told by the Holy Spirit that he would live to see the Messiah? How long had he been waiting since he was given this news?
- How was Simeon told? Was there writing on the wall? Was it a strong feeling or thought that just wouldn't go away?
- Did Simeon tell other people about his special standing as the countdown clock to the Messiah?
- And if he did, what was their reaction to this news? Was he a revered elder, looked up to by everyone...or was he the crazy old man who hears voices in his head, avoided and whispered about by young and old alike?
* * * * * * *
Truth is...I am probably asking these kinds of questions because I'm not sure I'm all that good at differentiating between the Holy Spirit and my personal convictions, opinions, and wishes. That's also why it's important not just for me to be in the Scriptures, but for the Scriptures to be in me...fueling my ability to recognize the voice of God when I hear it.
