I only have a weak set of meditations on these words you propose; but perhaps they will touch on an issue that other’s can bring to fruitful use.
Throughout Israel’s history, other nations were jealous of her wealth.
When Israel herself became insolent toward God, and consumed by her own wealth and hoarding – she suffered violence from those outside her borders who became God’s “rod” to beat her with; cf. Isaiah 7:17-22; 10:5
God had said, though, that he wanted Israel to be a light to the Nations; to bring the Gentiles into the fold; and thus we see in Isaiah 9:1-4 that the Gentiles, too, were to be given not only physical wealth – but spiritual wealth as well. They had never been given the chance to be God’s people – and now they would be God’s people; those who were violent, and knew no other path in life.
John suffered violence at the Hand of Herod, the kingdom suffered violence from those who were supposedly within. Herod, took the Jewish faith by force; but those who were repenting at John’s baptism wielded a different kind of force; that of aligning themselves with God’s desire for Jerusalem to turn from her wickedness – and thereby stirring God’s pity.
It’s a reversal of fortune. Because of the wickedness of those born to be included in the kingdom, the Gentiles who were not born into a covenant became saved.
In the passage you cite from Matthew, there are two references to look for; the first is the prophet (s) that Jesus references; Perhaps Malachai 2:16-3:1
and the second is Isaiah 40:1-5.
Both of these are making interesting comments on violence, and marriage (covenant), at the points being quoted. In isaiah, it says “her warfare is accomplished; that her iniquity is pardoned because she has received from the Lord’s hand punishment doubled for all her sins.”
And, although the passage is very obscure – Malachai too is speaking about violence caused by an apparent divorce, and perhaps a foreign wife, in the verses immediately before. But it says, the man did so because he sought the seed of God (aka. children for God, the exponent of which is Jesus Christ.)
Jesus, too, recall is the product of many foreign marriages. Rahab the Harlot, Ruth the Moabitess, Davids stolen wife, Bathsheba. etc. Many of these, too, were married as a result of war.
I don’t have a strong exegesis of these things, but I do notice them; and I hope the Spirit willing, you will find something of value in them.
Shalom, Your brother in Christ, Jesus.
–Andrew.
