I have read the Bible dozens of times in my adult life on a daily basis as well as many hours in my own research regarding the how God uses symbolism in scripture and how to use it to distill often very precise prophecy. But in all that time of reading I had never seen anything that refers to something called Elijah’s Cup. Of course, many times I had read the accounts of Elijah and his successor, Elisha, as well as the Elijah role John the Baptist plays in prophecy.
Many years into my symbolism studies I came across a part of the Passover meal, something called Elijah’s Cup, a fifth cup that was added to the Seder meal. It is a cup that is not drunk, but is present. At that point in the meal, the door to celebrants house is opened as an invitation to the prophet to enter. I can’t say that I have studied the origins or what that cup is meant to represent in Judaism, but I do have a thought as to what it may be.
In one summary that I have read, this Elijah to come would answer questions the rabbis would have about the law. That certainly seems reasonable. But what is the big question that remains unresolved in Judaism? The identity and role of the Messiah. I’m not sure how they miss the gospel in Isaiah 53 or the crucifixion scene in Psalm 22, but they do. Granted, they are not part of the law, they are called the prophets.
In Mark 9:11-13 it’s written, “And they asked him, “Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”
Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected? But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him.” It’s clear that Jesus is referring to a future Elijah here because as great as John the Baptist was, he did not restore all things. He, like all prophets, points to Jesus. But if Jesus is saying that it is the Elijah to come who restores all things, what exactly will he be doing to accomplish such a feat? (If you haven’t already done so, I would recommend going back to the “Following the sun/goat through the Bible series, which deals with the symbolism around this person.)
There are hints in both the New and Old Testaments and in both places they revolve around buildings. In the New Testament the body of Christ is compared to a building, with Jesus being the foundation. In the Law in the book of Exodus, a tabernacle is also built with very specific instructions on the materials to be used and their dimensions. Exodus 25-29 is perhaps the most densely packed symbolism that a mind can conceive of. Sitting by itself, it has all of drama of a shopping list and that is the way the church treats it. But connected to other symbols and given biblical meaning, the entire section takes on new life.
In Exodus 26:1 it’s written, ““Make the tabernacle with ten curtains of finely twisted linen and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, with cherubim woven into them by a skilled worker.” In the book of Revelation 19:8 fine linen symbolizes the righteous acts of God’s holy people. Certainly seems to make sense, but what of the colors blue, scarlet and purple? And why are cherubim (angels) woven in?
In Numbers 15:37-39 it is written, “The LORD said to Moses, “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘Throughout the generations to come you are to make tassels on the corners of your garments, with a blue cord on each tassel. You will have these tassels to look at and so you will remember all the commands of the LORD, that you may obey them and not prostitute yourselves by chasing after the lusts of your own hearts and eyes.” The blue represents spiritual Israel, the law and the prophets.
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