Chp.42 - Justin Spins The Error Of Jewish Tradition
“Moreover, the prescription that twelve bells8 be attached to the [robe] of the high priest, which hung down to the feet, was a symbol of the twelve apostles, who depend on the power of Christ, the eternal Priest; and through their voice it is that all the earth has been filled with the glory and grace of God and of His Christ." Justin Martyr. (1885). Dialogue of Justin with Trypho, a Jew. In A. Roberts, J. Donaldson, & A. C. Coxe (Eds.), The Apostolic Fathers with Justin Martyr and Irenaeus (Vol. 1, p. 215). Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Company.
Justin hammered the nail on the head on the previous point, but here he trips up and falls into the temptation of giving place for exchanging one error for another. At this point, in my personal studies, I am not aware of a Hebrew practice of twelve bells upon the robes of the priests, and I find no where the Scripture teaching that it is "directly" related to the apostles. This most likely was a Jewish "contemporary" tradition in exchange for a new tradition, named Christian, that doesn't accord with the teaching of the apostles. However, the teaching that flows from Justin's bell prop, which he uses as a spring board to magnify the apostles' doctrine, is true and acceptable to Christ. But let us not follow any tradition that is not of the mouth of God. Justin is not speaking as an infallible source, but he is pointing to what is the true nature of truth. Wherefore David also says: ‘Their sound has gone forth into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.’9 Justin Martyr. (1885). Dialogue of Justin with Trypho, a Jew. In A. Roberts, J. Donaldson, & A. C. Coxe (Eds.), The Apostolic Fathers with Justin Martyr and Irenaeus (Vol. 1, p. 215). Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Company.
Justin applies Psalm 19:4 to make his case, yet this verse has nothing to do with bells or apostles. This "sound" is speaking of the night sky and the sound of the stars. Ask the SETI institute how the sound of the stars reach the earth, but don't let them tell you how the stars came into existence, because these stars are the handiwork of God. 18 (19) The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims the work of his hands. 2 Day to day δutters speech, and night to night proclaims knowledge. 3 There are no speeches or words, ζin which their voices are not heard. 4 θTheir voice is gone out into all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world. Brenton, L. C. L. (1870). The Septuagint Version of the Old Testament: English Translation (Ps 18:title–4). London: Samuel Bagster and Sons. So, what are these stars commanded by God to tell us? The Hebrew word translated "voice" from the Septuagint and "line" from the NKJV is qaw-wa. It can be translated multiple ways, but because of context, it most likely means the line or cord of a stringed instrument. It is to say, that David, who practiced the melodies of the harp, understood the boundaries (or measuring line) that God has put in place. Looking into the heavens, in search for answers from the Creator, David found, that, as a mere man, the stars give knowledge and speech, which show us the limitations of or flesh and blood nature, and that God's authority extends beyond all the boundaries of men.
In other words, the stars are the measuring line for men. If man is going rise above the stars of the night, he must go through the saving means that God has appointed. He must go through the tabernacle of the sun. This is to say, that in order to be sustained within the heat that the sun generates, which demonstrates the power and supremacy of God, man has to be hidden in the safety of the Christ, who tabernacled among men. This is not a reference to the apostles but to the Son of God. The context is a bridegroom coming forth from the chamber of the stars. Therefore, it is possible that Justin is using the stars as an illustration of how Christ is in the chamber of the heart of the apostles, and how they bring forth the message concerning the Christ. But that is unlikely David's intention, here. However, the Holy Spirit in Justin takes the liberty to use a common understanding, to proclaim the Christ, and exalt the supremacy of the Word of God and the Lord Jesus Christ. All Justin is aiming to do is bring Trypho, and us, under the authority of the Word of God. And because David was a king, this may also refer to the lineage of the king, whose "line" will usher forth the Savior to come. David is making a spiritual comparison of himself and of his offspring with the stars, who will line up like the stars to bring forth the bridegroom. The stars make a refection of David's limitations, and to teach that he is not the Christ, and that if he should ever rise above these limitations, he must submit to the sovereignty and divine authority of the Lord, who has made the heavens and the earth and all who live in it.
Psalm 8:title–1 (NKJV) To the Chief Musician. On the Instrument of Gath. A Psalm of David. 1 O Lord, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth, Who have set Your glory above the heavens! Psalm 24:1–5 (NKJV) 1 The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein. 2 For He has founded it upon the seas, And established it upon the waters. 3 Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully. 5 He shall receive blessing from the Lord, And righteousness from the God of his salvation. And Isaiah speaks as if he were personating the apostles, when they say to Christ that they believe not in their own report, but in the power of Him who sent them. And so he says: ‘Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? We have preached before Him as if [He were] a child, as if a root in a dry ground.’10 (And what follows in order of the prophecy already quoted.11) But when the passage speaks as from the lips of many, ‘We have preached before Him,’ and adds, ‘as if a child,’ it signifies that the wicked shall become subject to Him, and shall obey His command, and that all shall become as one child. Such a thing as you may witness in the body: although the members are enumerated as many, all are called one, and are a body. For, indeed, a commonwealth and a church,12 though many individuals in number, are in fact as one, called and addressed by one appellation. Justin Martyr. (1885). Dialogue of Justin with Trypho, a Jew. In A. Roberts, J. Donaldson, & A. C. Coxe (Eds.), The Apostolic Fathers with Justin Martyr and Irenaeus (Vol. 1, pp. 215–216). Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Company. Justin confesses that he is getting side tracked in his conversation and is on the verge of a rabbit trail of knowledge, but he brings these things up to show Trypho how the church is one new man, called out of this world into the realm above the stars, outside of this universe, into the very presence of God and seated with him in heavenly places.
Ephesians 2:1–10 (NKJV) 1 And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. But since what I have now enumerated appears to me to be sufficient, I revert again to the order of the discourse.1 Justin Martyr. (1885). Dialogue of Justin with Trypho, a Jew. In A. Roberts, J. Donaldson, & A. C. Coxe (Eds.), The Apostolic Fathers with Justin Martyr and Irenaeus (Vol. 1, p. 216). Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Company.
