Simeon’s Prophecy (1) - All The LORD is near Daily Devotionals for 2024

[Simeon] came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: "Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel."
Luke 2:27-32

Simeon's Prophecy (1)
Forty days after the birth of Jesus, Joseph and Mary brought Him to the temple in accordance with the law. In Exodus 13, after the Passover in Egypt, God had ordained that every firstborn male child was His and was to be presented to Him. He had later commanded in Leviticus 12 that every woman bearing a male child had to be purified forty days after the birth of the child.

At the temple they were approached by aged Simeon, a man "just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him." The Spirit had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Messiah. This man, who had long been waiting for the fulfillment of God's promise, was led by the Spirit into the temple just as the parents were bringing in Jesus. Simeon took the Child out of their arms and blessed God. He recognized in this Child the One who would fulfill all the prophecies made for Israel's blessing and glory, and not only for Israel, but He would also be a light to the Gentiles.

Being under the yoke of Roman oppression, most Jews at this time did not think kindly of Gentiles. Contrary to their thoughts and expectations, God had a much greater purpose in sending His Son into the world than just to be Israel's Deliverer. He included all of us, Jews and Gentiles alike, in His purpose of grace. May we thankfully acknowledge this as we praise His holy name!

Eugene P. Vedder, Jr.