Time Set by Father

According to Paul, the Son and Spirit come at the fullness of time, when the son (Israel) has reached majority.

Has Israel reached majority? It might seem not. But, following up on the previous post, we can view the exile and restoration as the climax of Israel’s maturation. Israel failed in many ways to live up to her status as mature sons, but Yahweh had organized everything to push them in the right direction:

Deprived of a king, Israel no longer can trust in chariots and horses. They are forced to trust the Lord who holds the king’s heart in His hands. That’s maturity!

Deprived of a military, Israel is forced to learn how to act out of weakness, forced to learn the power of weakness. That’s maturity!

Deprived of a temple (at least, without one as glorious as Solomon’s), Israel learns that they themselves are the temple of the living God. That’s maturity!

Promised a future king and future glory, Israel becomes Jensonian and live toward the future, to live in hope. That’s maturity!

Deprived of all empirical support for their existence as a people, Israel is forced to walk by faith. That’s maturity!