Feasts in Mary’s Song
or Receiving the Implanted Word
Mary’s song, like most songs in the Bible, seemed to me to contain mostly extraneous material. My modern mind couldn’t relate her words to the version of Christianity I was familiar with. I guess that’s because it was a version bereft of much understanding of the Old Testament.
Mary’s song seems to follow the matrix pattern. As such, it is a new Creation, and a new Tabernacle, (John 1:14, “dwelt” is literally “tabernacled”). It is the liturgical response of the bride to the promise of Covenant succession – the Covenant succession. This new generation was also regeneration.
And Mary said:
“My soul glorifies the Lord
and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
The first step concerns a call to service (Genesis). Mary received that from Gabriel and this statement begins her response.
for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
The second concerns the humbling of the new servant (Exodus). The prophets fall on their faces before God and are then exalted and given a new job to do, a new word. In Mary’s case, it was the Word incarnate.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name.
His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.
The third step is the exaltation of the servant, and their “Levitical” instructions. Step 3 is Moses receiving the Law on Sinai. It is the spies returning with a huge haul of grapes from the Promised Land – a promise of a future inheritance. It is Christ ascending out of the waters of the Jordan to be blessed by the Father. It is Christ ascending and opening the New Covenant scroll. Here, it is his conception. It is the mystery of all those Old Testament miraculous conceptions finally opened. Like Moses, Mary “receive[d] with meekness the implanted Word, which is able to save your souls.” As Israel, Mary submitted to the word and became an engraved tablet of flesh, now crying out in song as a living stone. [1]
He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
Step 4, Day 4, is about rulers, governing lights in the firmament (Pentecost). As “Numbers” it is also the testing of God’s people. The stars of Judah were about to fall (Matthew 24:29) and be replaced with a Covenant people who would truly “shine like stars” (Daniel 12:3) and rule from the true Holy Place. [2] The carcasses of the unfaithful Jews would fall in the wilderness, like those of their ancestors (Hebrews 3:17).
He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
Step 5 concerns abundance and plunder, and a new army called from the Valley of Dry Bones (Trumpets/Deuteronomy). Those in Judah who were hungry for righteousness would be filled (Matthew 5:6; Revelation 7:16) but the rich would weep and howl (James 5:1). [3]
He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
We are up to the Day of Covering (Atonement). It is Adam anointed as mediator for the race on Day 6. It is the High Priest representing Israel before God. Remember, this always involves two goats under Adam’s faithful judgment. There is always a true bride and a harlot. The sins are always expelled to Azal. Just as a sword would pierce Mary’s soul, the Word-sword that Jesus would bring would cut the Old Covenant people in two to make something new (Luke 2:35; Matthew 10:34; Revelation 1:16).
to Abraham and his descendants forever,
even as he said to our fathers.”
The final step concerns Covenant succession. This one speaks for itself. The betrothal promise of Day 3 is consummated on Day 7. [4] The grapes are finally wine. The blood of circumcision is fulfilled at last and presented to the Father (Revelation 5). The Messianic line ceases to be blood and becomes Spirit. [5]
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[1] See Crying Stones.
[2] See Big Government, Jesus’ New Broom and In the Air.
[3] See Fools’ Gold.
[4] See Marriage as a Promise of Wine.
[5] Dispensationalists just don’t get this. To coin Jordan’s phrase once again, “The blood goes up and the Spirit comes down.” See Esau’s Ladder.
