Hidden Wisdom

Addressing the believers in Corinth, Paul stated: “We (apostles and prophets) speak the wisdom of Elohim in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which Elohim ordained before the ages for our glory,  which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (1 Corinthians 2:7-8).  What didn’t the rulers of this age, or principalities and powers, know that caused them to regret having put Yeshua to death?  It is called a mystery and Elohim’s wisdom that has been hidden “before the ages,” but what is it?

There are a number of mysteries mentioned in the books of the New Covenant, such as “the mystery of the blindness of Israel” (Romans 11: 25); “the mystery of the kingdom” (Mark 4: 11); “the mystery of the gospel” (Ephesians 6:19), etc.  But the mystery that I would like to focus on is the one that the rulers of this age lamented over.  As we observed, this mystery is also synonymous with the “hidden wisdom of Elohim,” and has to do with the execution stake, and Yeshua’s sacrificial death on it.  This occasion dealt the principalities and powers a “judicial” blow, resulting in their utter defeat: “Having disarmed principalities and powers, He (Elohim) made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it” (the cross) (Colossians 2:15).  

At Yeshua’s death YHVH ‘arranged’ for a semblance, if you will, of a courtroom. He ‘invited’ all the spiritual powers of this evil age to come to the ‘Passover’.  Because they could not tempt Yeshua to participate with their nature of rebellion, disobedience, pride and self-righteousness, they wanted Him dead. He was a great threat to them, as He represented His Father’s kingdom in the midst of their sphere of influence. 

A further glimpse into this issue is found in another of Paul’s letters:   “And you… He (the Father) has reconciled in the body of His (Yeshua’s) flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight” (Colossians 1:21emphasis added).  Here the apostle explains that Man was reconciled to Elohim through the flesh body of Yeshua (see also Hebrews chapters 8-9; 12). What made this reconciliation possible? Again, the answer lies in the mystery of YHVH’s hidden wisdom.

Let us follow the succession of events: The spirit of Man became corrupted when Adam partook of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, and as a result sin and the power of sin became one with his spirit. “Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned” (Romans 5:12).  Hence all humanity was locked into the kingdom of darkness, becoming slaves to the laws of sin and death.  Satan had now total dominion over mankind, and there was no escape. However, unnoticed by him, this “hidden wisdom” was advancing YHVH’s ultimate plan. 

After committing sin, Adam was sentenced to death in accordance with Elohim’s word/law.  But how, when, and where would this death occur?  It would seem that the Creator should have completely wiped out any trace of humanity right there and then. But because of His nature of grace and His declared purpose for Man, He preserved the line of the firstborn who held the rights of dominion that had been given originally to Adam. 

Paul resolves the ‘death penalty’ by establishing a judicial fact: “For the love of Messiah compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all” (2 Corinthians 5:14-15).  This, believe it or not, is the mystery of Elohim’s wisdom that was hidden in Elohim even before the Fall, but was made manifest in the body of Yeshua on the cross. 

Satan’s demise and defeat took place when YHVH seized the corrupted spirit of all humanity and placed it into the flesh of His Son, as was evident when Yeshua cried out to His Father: “Elohi, Elohi, why have you forsaken me?” (Mark 15:34).  It was at this point in time that the defiled spirit of Adam was placed into Yeshua’s body.  Up until then, there was never a time in Yeshua’s life when the presence of His Father was not with and in Him. But things were different during those moments of His dying, bringing about a change in the course of history.  Adam’s sentence was carried out and he died when Yeshua died.  The good news, on the other hand, is that the Father has reconciled Man back into relationship with Himself by the legal requirements of a perfect, holy, sinless sacrifice.  “For He [the Father] made Him [Yeshua] who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of Elohim in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21) Halleluiah!!!!

“The mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His holy ones.  To them Elohim willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the nations: which is Messiah in you, the hope of glory.  Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Messiah Yeshua” (Colossians 1:26-28 emphases added).   “And to make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in Elohim who created all things through Yeshua the Messiah;  to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of Elohim might be made known by the holy ones,  to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Messiah Yeshua our Lord,  in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him” (Ephesians 3:9-12 emphases added).

Ephraim                     03/06/2011