The Simeon Factor: Looking for the Consolation of Israel / August 2003

The ministry of Yeshua of Nazareth began at the age of 30. However, there are many important aspects of Yeshua that began at His birth. The Gospel of Luke details these very early days of Yeshua's life. Many of the details obviously came from Mary the mother of Yeshua, with Luke recording them in his Gospel. In particular, the details of Yeshua's first appearance in the temple are provided with the apparent meeting of a man named Simeon and a woman named Anna. Many astonishing things had already happened to Mary with the visit by the angel Gabriel, the conception of Yeshua, her betrothal/marriage to Joseph, and finally the birth of Yeshua in Bethlehem. So when the Bible records that her meeting with Simeon was amazing to her, it is worth taking further notice as to why. Secondly, we ourselves are awaiting the Messiah's return. What is the proper stance for anticipating the coming of the Lord while we live out our lives here in this present age? How fanatical should we be or not be in preparing for Him to come? Simeon and Anna set a very interesting example for us to follow.

The reason Mary and Joseph were taking Yeshua to the temple was for the Torah requirements called the Redemption of the First Born and the Days of Purification. When the children of Israel were delivered from Egypt, the final judgment was the death of the first born. Therefore, the Lord commanded through Moses that all first born male children belong to the Lord and require redemption for the price of five silver coins. This redemption
ritual was commanded to occur after the circumcision.

For all the first-born are Mine; on the day that I struck down all the first-born in the land of Egypt, I sanctified to Myself all the first-born in Israel, from man to beast. They shall be Mine; I am the Lord.

Numbers 3:13

And as to their redemption price, from a month old you shall redeem them, by your valuation, five shekels in silver, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, which is twenty gerahs.

Numbers 18:16

Mary was also present in the temple to complete her purification period of forty plus days following the birth.

And on the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. Then she shall remain in the blood of her purification for thirty-three days; she shall not touch any consecrated thing, nor enter the sanctuary, until the days of her purification are completed.

Leviticus 12:3-4

As I explained earlier, Luke is faithful to record this detail as the reason why Mary and Joseph were in the temple with Yeshua.

And when eight days were completed before His circumcision, His name was then called Yeshua, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. And when the days for their purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every first-born male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice according to what was said in the Law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”

Luke 2:21-24

Therefore, this is the stage for the meeting of a certain man named Simeon and the woman named Anna. But prepare yourself before you read on. You will soon discover that Mary's amazement is something that few understand even today. The meeting in the temple that day goes beyond devout people looking for the birth of the Messiah. It's not about them and their day. It's really about you and me in our day. Like a note in a bottle cast into the sea for others to find on another day, the words of Simeon carry great meaning for us in our day. What did he say that amazed Mary? What is intended for us at the end of the ages? The answers come from the prophet Isaiah, but I call it the Simeon Factor.

Listen closely to Luke as he recorded all that Mary shared.

And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; and this man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel; and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. And he came in the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Yeshua, to carry out for Him the custom of the Law, then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, “Now Lord, Thou dost let Thy bond-servant depart in peace, according to Thy word; for my eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light of revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel.” And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him.

Luke 2:25-33

By all earthly appearances this was a chance meeting at the temple in Jerusalem. But as the text says, the Holy Spirit was at work here. The Holy Spirit was upon Simeon, the Holy Spirit had prepared Simeon to see the Messiah, and he was led by the Holy Spirit that day as he entered the temple. For those of you who have walked with the Lord and have been led by the Spirit, you know how simple and clear the Lord can do these things. All that is left for you to do is give Him full attribution for what happens. This is obviously what Mary reported, but was this amazing to her and Joseph? No. This is a common thing to spiritual people.

The Scripture says that Simeon was a righteous and devout man. This would not have surprised them either. Remember, they're in the temple in Jerusalem filled with righteous and devout people.

The Scripture says that Simeon believed that he would not see death before seeing the Messiah. This is a bit more intriguing; let's consider that for a moment. We all are anticipating the return of the Messiah. The doctrine of the second coming is pretty well understood to all of us. But, suppose a man were to sincerely say to you that God had revealed that the Messiah would return in his lifetime. How would you receive the man? Would you believe him, get excited about the coming of the Lord, or share this testimony with others? I doubt it. Instead, wouldn't you more likely try to be understanding of the man, actually feel a little concerned for him, and wonder if he had “all of his marbles” to live daily?

I can safely speculate that there were many in Simeon's day who probably thought that his religious zeal had overtaken his rational mind. But they also probably decided not to try and correct him in his unrealistic hope and desire.

Now consider Mary and Joseph's point of view. They walk in and this religious man, whom everyone leaves alone in his irrational behavior, conveniently announces that he has finally found the Messiah. How would you respond to that if it were your child? I can reasonably say for both of us that we would most likely accept his comments of how beautiful the baby was, but drop the Messiah prediction stuff. Besides, wasn't he always going to pick on some kid eventually and say that he finally saw the Messiah before he died? Is this what really amazed Mary and Joseph?

While all this seems explainable as overheated religious rhetoric to others, there is one more item recorded about Simeon that sets him apart from just another religious fanatic overreaching in his faith.

Simeon was “looking for the consolation of Israel.” Most people would never ask the question. What does that mean? Most would quickly summarize that he was looking for the Messiah, and they would be partially right and yet miss it completely. The expression “looking for the consolation of Israel” is not some casual phrase that filled the page for Luke. It is stunning and profound. It is the subject of the prophets of Israel. It is the note in the bottle for you and me. As I will try to show you, the combination of Simeon's words and his testimony of “looking for the consolation of Israel” is why Mary and Joseph were truly amazed.

But before we dive into the answer, there is a double blessing here. Let us read further of something that happened at the same moments that they were amazed. There was a woman involved here as well.

And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in years, having lived with a husband seven years after her marriage, and then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. And she never left the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers. And at that very moment she came up and began giving thanks to God, and continued to speak of Him to all those who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

Luke 2:36-38

“And at that very moment she came up…” Simeon was joined by the woman named Anna, a prophetess.

When it comes to religious fanatics, Simeon doesn't even come close to this lady. Anna was once married. She probably got married like most young ladies in her day; some were married as early as 12 to 15. She was married seven years and then lost her husband. Apparently she had no means of support, so she went to the temple and worshiped the Lord from then on. Scripture says that she was 84 years of age as a widow. Was she a total of 84 years or was she a widow of 84 years after the death of her husband? If she was a total of 84 years of age, we can subtract her age at marriage and her seven years of marriage. If she married at the earliest possible age of 12 and then was married 7 years, she had been in the temple for more than 60 years. But if all the years total together (12 + 7 + 84), then she was more than a 103 years of age. For many people in her day, the temple was a scene of the altar, priests, and a woman known as Anna. Anna had been there longer than most of the priests. I can safely speculate that she had many friends who probably brought her food and water and visited her regularly as they came to worship.

Therefore, her appearance at the same time as Simeon met Mary and Joseph is understandable; however, there is something else said about her that most skip over. It's like the statement of Simeon who was “looking for the consolation of Israel.” But it says of Anna and those with her that they were “looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.”

Most people will never ask the question. It is generally glossed over as another religious phrase. What exactly does “looking for the redemption of Jerusalem” mean? If you say it is something to do with the Messiah, you will be partially right and yet miss it completely. The expression “looking for the redemption of Jerusalem” is just like the expression “looking for the consolation of Israel.” They are about the same subject. It's the note in the bottle for you and me. It is part of the reason that Mary and Joseph were amazed; they knew what those expressions meant.

Now let's examine the exact words of Simeon at the very moment that Anna approached and hear what he said that amazed Mary and Joseph.

Then he took Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said, “Now Lord, Thou dost let Thy bond-servant depart in peace, according to Thy word; for my eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light of revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Thy people Israel.” And His father and mother were amazed at the things which were being said about Him.

Luke 2:28-33

The Holy Spirit had told him that he would not die before seeing the Messiah. Simeon spoke to this exactly by announcing the name of the Child! The name of the Child??? Yes, Simeon would have spoken these words in Hebrew not English as we read in the Scriptures. He actually said, “For my eyes have seen Thy Yeshua.” Yeshua is the Hebrew word for salvation. But even more than just looking for the person of the Messiah, he was announcing the Kingdom of God “A light of revelation to the Gentiles (nations) and the glory of Thy people Israel.”

When Simeon and Anna associated those two expressions with Yeshua by actually speaking His name, it was more that a confirmation that He was the Messiah. They were actually announcing the very Kingdom of God. This is consistent with the ministry of John the Baptist some 30 years later that proclaimed, “Repent! The Kingdom is at hand!”

Simon then went on to speak prophetically. Pay close attention because this is the note in the bottle for you and me.

And Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed — and a sword will pierce even your own soul— to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

Luke 2:34-35

Simeon spoke of three things: the great destiny of Israel, to Mary personally, and to all of us. To fully understand the note in the bottle, we need to find where else in Scripture is the subject of “looking for the consolation of Israel and the redemption of Jerusalem.” As you are about to discover, they weren't referring to just the Messiah's first coming – they were looking for the kingdom and when the Messiah would come in our day.

Let's define a couple of words first. What does consolation mean? What does redemption mean?

Consolation means to be consoled or comforted. A consolation prize is given to someone to “comfort” them instead of winning first prize. Redemption means that one has been purchased out of slavery. An exchange has taken place and the item has been returned to its original or proper place. I remember the days when we used to redeem soda pop bottles. By gathering them up and returning them to the store, we could exchange them for money. We redeemed the bottles.

The prophet Isaiah is the beloved prophet of Israel. His prophesies from chapter 40 to 66 are the teaching text for “the Haftorah's of Consolation.” Haftorah means that which comes “after the Torah.” Virtually every New Testament doctrine quotes from Isaiah. In fact, it is the most quoted part of Scripture in the New Testament. Let's examine how and when Isaiah speaks of the “consolation of Israel and the redemption of Jerusalem.” He will also give us the very name of the Messiah – Yeshua (Salvation). This was the very thinking of Simeon and Anna on that day and why Simeon spoke His name.

“Comfort, O comfort My people,” says your God. “Speak kindly to Jerusalem; and call out to her, that her warfare has ended, that her iniquity has been removed, that she has received of the Lord's hand double for all her sins.”

Isaiah 40:1-2

Isaiah's message of comforting (consoling) God's people (Israel) is in parallel with speaking kindly to Jerusalem. The Messiah is to bring an end to warfare and all iniquity with His final judgment. This is the great message of the Messiah's Kingdom and the hope of us all.

Get yourself up on a high mountain, O Zion, bearer of good news, lift up your voice mightily, O Jerusalem, bearer of good news; lift it up, do not fear. Say to the cities of Judah, “Here is your God!” Behold, the Lord God will come with might, with His arm ruling for Him. Behold, His reward is with Him, and His recompense before Him. Like a shepherd He will tend His flock, in His arm He will gather the lambs, and carry them in His bosom; He will gently lead the nursing ewes.

Isaiah 40:9-11

The good news (Gospel) of the Messiah began first in the cities of Judah and has spread throughout the world. However, this specific prophecy speaks of His coming with might, with His arm ruling for Him, His reward is with Him, and His recompense is before Him. This is the picture of the second coming, not the first coming. The gathering of His flock is also about His second coming when all Israel will be gathered, when the two houses are restored, when the greater exodus occurs, and when we are gathered even from the grave (resurrection and rapture).

What follows in Isaiah's prophecy, therefore, is primarily about the Messiah's second coming. Yes, Isaiah 53 is clearly about His rejection and death, but the bulk of the prophet's message is about the kingdom to come. There are many passages that support this point, but I will only point out a few.

Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness, who seek the Lord: Look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the quarry from which you were dug. “Look to Abraham your father, and to Sarah who gave birth to you in pain; when he was one I called him, then I blessed him and multiplied him.” Indeed, the Lord will comfort Zion; He will comfort all her waste places. And her wilderness He will make like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and sound of a melody.

Isaiah 51:1-3

Simeon and Anna are those who sought the Lord. They laid claim to their heritage from Abraham and the fathers. The reference of Anna's father being Phanuel is particularly noteworthy. Phanuel is the same as Peniel which means the “face of God.” This was the name given by Jacob for the place when he wrestled with God (the Messiah). Jews are taught by Torah teachers that Jerusalem is the original earthly site for the tree of life in the original Garden of Eden. Their expectation is specific and clear. They are anticipating that the Messiah will restore the Garden of Eden and replant the tree of life in Jerusalem. This is why Messianic believers pay particular note to Yeshua being arrested in a garden, crucified in a garden, and being buried in a garden. He came to restore the garden!

Awake, awake, clothe yourself in your strength, O Zion; clothe yourself in your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city. For the uncircumcised and the unclean will no more come into you. Shake yourself from the dust, rise up, O captive Jerusalem; loose yourself from the chains around your neck, O captive daughter of Zion. For thus says the Lord, “You were sold for nothing and you will be redeemed without money.”

Isaiah 52:1-3

Isaiah is now moving from comforting to redemption. First, it was comfort the people (Israel), now the subject is redeeming Jerusalem. The redemption of Jerusalem not only means that Jerusalem is purchased from slavery but it also means that the enemies of Jerusalem are vanquished.

How lovely on the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who announces peace and brings good news of happiness, who announces salvation, and says to Zion, “Your God reigns!” Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices, they shout joyfully together; for they will see with their own eyes when the Lord restores Zion. Break forth, shout joyfully together, you waste places of Jerusalem; for the Lord has comforted His people, He has redeemed Jerusalem. The Lord has bared His holy arm In the sight of all the nations, that all the ends of the earth may see the salvation of our God.

Isaiah 52:7-10

Do you remember the earlier message of the good news (Gospel) given in Isaiah 40:9? Now, the message is given with the name of the Messiah – who announces salvation! The Hebrew name for the Messiah is in this passage. Yeshua means salvation. The Good News is about the coming of the Messiah. Therefore, the expression in verse nine says it all. “….for the Lord has comforted His people, He has redeemed Jerusalem.” There it is! There is the testimony of Simeon and Anna. They were looking for the consolation of Israel and the redemption of Jerusalem. These are things to be seen by all the nations. They were looking for salvation (Yeshua)!

The testimony of Simeon and Anna is right from the words of Isaiah. However, the people who will actually see the words happen are you and me. We are the generation that will see the coming of the Lord (His return on the clouds of Heaven with power and great glory).

Before we go any further, we need to ask some questions about ourselves and the return of the Messiah. What is the appropriate response by our faith concerning the coming of the Messiah? How enthusiastic or fanatical should we be in anticipating the return of the Lord? Simeon appeared to be a religious fanatic in his day. He went around telling people that the Holy Spirit told him he would not see death before seeing the Messiah. Anna was even more so than Simeon. What would you think of a woman today who never went home from church night or day. Instead, she just lived at the church for 60 plus years because of her devout faith and waiting for the Messiah. Would she qualify as a religious fanatic? How would you feel about a brother in the Lord saying that He would not die until the Messiah returned? Are we to replicate their behavior and testimony? What should our testimony be?

Before you give your wise answer. Consider these continuing Scriptures about looking for the consolation of Israel and the redemption of Jerusalem.

For Zion's sake I will not keep silent, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not keep quiet, until her righteousness goes forth like brightness, and her salvation like a torch that is burning. And the nations will see your righteousness, and all kings your glory; and you will be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord will designate.

Isaiah 62:1-2

What do these words mean to us? How do we implement this call to action and do so wisely and appropriately before the Lord and others?

I think the answer is found in the testimony of Simeon and Anna. Other should say of us that we are “looking for the consolation of Israel and the redemption of Jerusalem.” We should be known for being led of the Spirit and being faithful. We should be open with our testimony and encouraging others to be ready for His coming. We should be watchmen just as Isaiah says further!

The term “watchman” is used by many who are serious about waiting for the Lord. There are many ministries and individual brethren who commit energy and time to anticipating the Lord. According to these verses, the Lord is their motivation and purpose for watching.

On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have appointed watchmen; all day and all night they will never keep silent. You who remind the Lord, take no rest for yourselves; and give Him no rest until He establishes and makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth.

Isaiah 62:6-7

The return of Messiah may appear as foolish to the world, but to those of us who are looking for God's kingdom, it is our hope and desire. Simeon and Anna were on target and ready for the Messiah to come into the temple that day. A host of other religious people, and even the religious leaders of their day, ignored them and were oblivious to who was in their midst. The same will happen in our day. Do not be surprised when others do not share your anticipation; they are looking for thier reward here on earth and the affirmation of men. We are looking for the reward brought by the Messiah and His approval. Let them think you have lost your marbles like Simeon and Anna. Their names are recorded in Scripture. The Lord only sees you as waiting faithfully.

The note in the bottle is about the coming of the Messiah and His kingdom. The people who get to read the note are those who were at the right place at the right time. It is their destiny to get the note. Simeon's message was prophetic and intended for you and me. Listen to it again.

“Behold, this Child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign to be opposed — and a sword will pierce even your own soul— to the end that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.”

Luk 2:34-35

The hearts of all men are about to be revealed at the end of the age, even those who have lived before us. Today, some are hoping for the rapture of the church. They are anticipating things spoken of by religious men. Others are not even attuned to spiritual things. Life is one football season or television series after another. But there are still others who are looking for the consolation of Israel and the redemption of Jerusalem. They know the name of the Messiah and about His promise to return. This latter group looks crazy to the world but they are looking for the kingdom of the Messiah. They also will be the ones lifting their heads to see their redemption while others are bowed low waiting for judgment.

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