The Seventy Return With Joy

Winter, c. 32 AD

The Seventy Return With Joy

The seventy disciples sent out by Jesus have returned from their mission across the Galilean countryside. They are ecstatic, reporting that even the demons are subject to them in His name. Jesus, however, cautions them not to rejoice in their power over spirits, but rather that their names are recorded in heaven.

In this moment, the Master rejoiced in the Holy Spirit, thanking the Father for hiding these things from the wise and intelligent and revealing them to "infants." The expansion of the Kingdom is moving beyond the Twelve, signaling a global harvest that will eventually reach the ends of the earth.

"The seventy returned with joy, saying, 'Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.'"
— Luke 10:17

Timeline Box: The mission of the seventy occurred during the second year of ministry.

Post-Exilic Era, 520 BC

The Word Of Yahweh Comes To Zechariah

In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to the prophet Zechariah. He calls the returned exiles to return to Yahweh so that He may return to them. This spiritual awakening is the necessary precursor to the physical rebuilding of the Temple walls.

"Return to Me,' declares Yahweh of hosts, 'that I may return to you,'"
— Zechariah 1:3

Timeline Box: Zechariah's early prophecies were instrumental in the reconstruction era.

Judges Era, c. 1100 BC

The Tribes Assemble Against Benjamin At Mizpah

The outrage at Gibeah has united the tribes of Israel as one man. 400,000 swordsmen have gathered at Mizpah to demand justice. The civil war that is about to erupt serves as a grim reminder of the chaos that ensues when there is no king in Israel and every man does what is right in his own eyes.

"Then all the sons of Israel went out, and the congregation assembled as one man... to Yahweh at Mizpah."
— Judges 20:1

Timeline Box: Traditionally associated with the end of the month of Shevat.

Editorial: Joy In Submission

Power is a dangerous thing if not tethered to identity. The disciples rejoiced in their power; the tribes in Judges relied on their own strength. But Zechariah and Jesus remind us that true strength is found in returning to the Lord and rejoicing that we belong to Him. Our names in His book are worth more than any victory on earth.

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