BIBLE IN TEN

Matthew 1:8

Monday, 15 July 2024
 
Asa begot Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat begot Joram, and Joram begot Uzziah. Matthew 1:8
 
“And Asa begot Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat begot Joram, and Joram begot Uzziah” (CG).
 
The previous verse finished with the words, “And Abijah begot Asa.” The ongoing genealogy continues with, “And Asa begot Jehoshaphat.”
 
The record of Jehoshaphat is first found in 1 Kings 15:24. However, the narrative at that time switches to the line of the king of Israel and Jehoshaphat is not mentioned again until 1 Kings 22. The summary of his life is found there saying –
 
“Jehoshaphat the son of Asa had become king over Judah in the fourth year of Ahab king of Israel. 42 Jehoshaphat was thirty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned twenty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi. 43 And he walked in all the ways of his father Asa. He did not turn aside from them, doing what was right in the eyes of the Lord. Nevertheless the high places were not taken away, for the people offered sacrifices and burned incense on the high places.” 1 Kings 22:41-43
 
The name Jehoshaphat means Yah has Judged or Yah Judges. He was a good king of Judah. Matthew next records, “and Jehoshaphat begot Joram.”
 
This king is called both Jehoram (2 Kings 8:16) and Joram (2 Kings 8:23). Of him, it says –
 
“He was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem. 18 And he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, just as the house of Ahab had done, for the daughter of Ahab was his wife; and he did evil in the sight of the Lord.” 2 Kings 8:17, 18
 
As such his record defines him as a bad king. His name means Yah is High or Yah is Exalted. With him out of the way, Matthew next skips three generations of kings: Ahaziah, Joash, and Amaziah. He also omits the reign of Athaliah, the wicked queen who usurped the throne upon the death of Ahaziah, her son. Athaliah was the daughter of Omri, King of Israel. He was a bad king.
 
Joash (aka Jehoash) was a good king during the time of his instruction under Jehoiada the priest. Eventually he was killed and Amaziah, his son, reigned. Amaziah was an ok king, “yet not like his father David” (2 Kings 14:3). Eventually, a conspiracy was formed against him and he was killed. That is when his son Azaiah (aka Uzziah) replaced him. This is where Matthew’s genealogy continues. As it says, “and Joram begot Uzziah.”
 
He is first noted in 2 Kings 14:21. Azariah means Yah Has Helped. Uzziah means something like Strength of Yah or Yah is My Strength. Azariah (Uzziah) was considered a good king over Israel, but he became prideful, attempted to offer incense to the Lord in the temple (a duty that belongs to the priest alone), and he was struck with leprosy till the day he died. He lived in an isolated house apart from the people and he was cut off from the house of the Lord.
 
Life application: There are various suggestions as to why Matthew skips generations in his genealogy. One is that the three generations were omitted to keep the record of generations totaling fourteen to maintain the pattern set forth in Matthew 1:17. This is obvious, but it does not explain why he chose that pattern or why he chose these three to be omitted.
 
There is the suggestion that the three omitted kings were descended from Jezebel and that this is then explained by the words of the second commandment –
 
“For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me, 6 but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.” Exodus 20:5, 6
 
That is reasonable, but it may not be the case as well. The word “begot” does not necessarily mean from one generation to the next. Jesus was begotten of all of the people named in His genealogy, being a product of each of them. Therefore, it is not necessary to include all the names.
 
Despite the difficulties in this genealogy, especially when compared to that of Luke’s found in Luke 3, there is no known ancient dispute against them by detractors of the Christian faith. They were considered reasonable and reliable from the very beginning. And more, there are possible explanations for all of the complexities found in them. Referring to the innumerable written commentaries available on them will provide reassurances that these records are acceptable as valid representations of the genealogy of Jesus Christ.
 
Lord God, Your word is big, it is often complicated, and it has mysteries that take careful consideration. And yet, for those who are willing to put in the effort of searching, comparing, and contemplating what is recorded in it, there are always answers that can be found to even the most difficult issues. Thank You for Your word which challenges us to seek You out more and more, no matter how much we already know. Amen.
 

Matthew 1:7

Sunday, 14 July 2024
 
Solomon begot Rehoboam, Rehoboam begot Abijah, and Abijah begot Asa. Matthew 1:7
 
“And Solomon begot Rehoboam, and Rehoboam begot Abijah, and Abijah begot Asa” (CG).
 
The previous verse finished with the words, “And David, the king, begot Solomon from the of Uriah.” Now, Jesus’ genealogy continues with, “And Solomon begot Rehoboam.”
 
The record of this son is first found in 1 Kings 11 –
 
“Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, all that he did, and his wisdom, are they not written in the book of the acts of Solomon? 42 And the period that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years. 43 Then Solomon rested with his fathers, and was buried in the City of David his father. And Rehoboam his son reigned in his place.” 1 Kings 11:41-43
 
However, a more detailed note is found in 1 Kings 14 –
 
“And Rehoboam the son of Solomon reigned in Judah. Rehoboam was forty-one years old when he became king. He reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the Lord had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, to put His name there. His mother’s name was Naamah, an Ammonitess. 22 Now Judah did evil in the sight of the Lord, and they provoked Him to jealousy with their sins which they committed, more than all that their fathers had done. 23 For they also built for themselves high places, sacred pillars, and wooden images on every high hill and under every green tree. 24 And there were also perverted persons in the land. They did according to all the abominations of the nations which the Lord had cast out before the children of Israel.” 1 Kings 14:21-24
 
Solomon married an Ammonitess. Well, Solomon married a lot of women, seven hundred, in fact. He also had three hundred concubines. But the son who reigned in his place was born of an Ammonitess. Like the Moabites from whom Ruth descended, the Ammonites descended from the incestuous union between Lot and his daughters –
 
“Thus both the daughters of Lot were with child by their father. 37 The firstborn bore a son and called his name Moab; he is the father of the Moabites to this day. 38 And the younger, she also bore a son and called his name Ben-Ammi; he is the father of the people of Ammon to this day.” Genesis 19:36-38
 
This then explains why the story of Lot and his daughters is included in Scripture. He and both of his daughters are ancestors of the Messiah. Rehoboam means something like The People Are Enlarged. Ammon means A People. Rehoboam was not a good king as far as the biblical record stands. It was during his reign that the kingdom was divided between Israel to the north and Judah to the south. Next, Matthew records “and Rehoboam begot Abijah.”
 
Abijah (also recorded as Abijam) is first recorded in 1 Kings 14:31. Immediately after that, it next records –
 
“In the eighteenth year of King Jeroboam the son of Nebat, Abijam became king over Judah. 2 He reigned three years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Maachah the granddaughter of Abishalom. 3 And he walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him; his heart was not loyal to the Lord his God, as was the heart of his father David.” 1 Kings 15:1-3
 
Thus, Abijah is also remembered as a bad king. Abijah means Yah is My Father. Abijam means Father of the Sea/West/Future. The Hebrew word yam carries each of these connotations. Next, Matthew records, “and Abijah begot Asa.”
 
Asa is first recorded in 1 Kings 15 –
 
“So Abijam rested with his fathers, and they buried him in the City of David. Then Asa his son reigned in his place.9 In the twentieth year of Jeroboam king of Israel, Asa became king over Judah. 10 And he reigned forty-one years in Jerusalem. His grandmother’s name was Maachah the granddaughter of Abishalom. 11 Asa did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, as did his father David. 12 And he banished the perverted persons from the land, and removed all the idols that his fathers had made. 13 Also he removed Maachah his grandmother from being queen mother, because she had made an obscene image of Asherah. And Asa cut down her obscene image and burned it by the Brook Kidron. 14 But the high places were not removed. Nevertheless Asa’s heart was loyal to the Lord all his days.” 1 Kings 15:8-14
 
Asa is remembered as a good king. His heart was rightly directed to the Lord. Asa means something like Physician or Healer.
 
Life application: In the Bible, the state of the land of Israel is constantly shown to be directed by the state of the king. When the king is recorded as a good guy, the state of Israel is also recorded as being acceptable before the Lord. When the king is a total loser, the state of Israel is one of apostasy from the Lord, wickedness, and perversion.
 
As can be seen in the history of Christian nations, the same is true. When the people are led by a moral person, morality improves. When the people are led by a conservative person, conservative values tend to flourish. When the people are led by a church-attending believer, the people tend to go to churches.
 
On the other hand, when a pervert or greedy person assumes control, the people’s attitude will follow suit. And more, the same is true in churches. When a pastor assumes the leadership and he starts to move away from the Bible, the church will do so as well. Some will leave for other churches, or there may be a move to eject the pastor. However, if he stays, the church will inevitably begin to decline.
 
We need to be careful and cautious when voting for or selecting our leaders, be it in the government or the church. When our decision turns out to be a bad one, things can only go downhill from there.
 
As citizens and as followers of Christ, we need to be attentive to how we make our choices. We cannot be found guiltless when we knowingly allow ungodly people to be our choice as a leader. Sometimes in government, the choice may be a difficult one, but we must eventually decide. When we do, it should be in line with the candidate who is most closely aligned with biblical values.
 
In churches, we are under no compulsion to act until a proper leader comes forth. It is never acceptable to accommodate simply to fill a position. The chosen leader must be a man of God who holds closely to Scripture, or no person should be chosen.
 
Lord God, help guide us in our selection of leaders in all positions we have the ability to vote for. Whether it is a local school board, the president of the nation, or a new pastor for our church, please help us to choose wisely, selecting only those who are the most qualified according to Your standards. May it be so, to Your glory. Amen.
 

Matthew 1:6

Saturday, 13 July 2024
 
and Jesse begot David the king.
David the king begot Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah. Matthew 1:6
 
“And Jesse begot David, the king. And David, the king, begot Solomon from the of Uriah” (CG).
 
The previous verse finished with the begetting of Jesse by Obed. The account continues now with, “And Jesse begot David.”
 
David is first recorded in Ruth 4:17 –
 
“‘There is a son born to Naomi. And they called his name Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David.”
 
He is mentioned again at the completion of the genealogy of Ruth 4 which also closes out the book of Ruth –
 
“Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David.” Ruth 4:22
 
David means Beloved. Of him, Matthew next notes he is “the king.”
 
Instead of saying And Jesse begot King David, the title is set apart with the use of an article. This emphasizes him as the one having been highlighted in Matthew 1:1. Matthew is focusing on David’s coming as the next great event in this chronology. Abraham and David were mentioned in verse 1. From there, Matthew noted the names of the males from Abraham to David with the two key intervening female names of Rahab and Ruth being included as well.
 
Including the title of David with the article, therefore, offsets him as a key figure on which the narrative is focusing. His life was used time and again as a type of Christ. He is also the king to whom the messianic promise was given. Matthew is using him to support the biblical narrative that ultimately is provided to lead to the knowledge that Jesus truly is the promised Messiah.
 
Now, with this link from Abraham to David set, Matthew immediately continues the list, saying, “And David, the king, begot Solomon.”
 
Some manuscripts do not include the repeated words “the king.” However, it appears that this is an additional effort by Matthew to highlight the importance of who King David is as the genealogy now continues with his own progeny. The kingly line is set, the promise of an eternal kingdom through David was made (2 Samuel 7), and that honorable line now proceeds from David to Solomon.
 
The name Solomon (Hebrew Shlomoh) is derived from the Hebrew shalem, to be complete, sound, etc. Thus, his name means Peace, Peaceful, Recompence, Fair Penalty, Completeness, or some other closely associated thought.
 
Solomon is first listed in a listing of David’s sons born in Jerusalem in 2 Samuel 5:14. Of him, it next says that he was born “from the of Uriah.”
 
At times, biblical Greek carries nuances that require inferences to be made. The text says ek tēs tou Ouriou, “from the [fem. sg.] the [masc. sg.] Uriah.” The meaning is “from the [wife of the man] Uriah.” The account of David sleeping with the wife of Uriah and then having him killed, along with the resulting consequences of his actions, is found in 2 Samuel 11 and 12. When the tragic account is complete, the next thing introduced into the narrative says –
 
“Then David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in to her and lay with her. So she bore a son, and he called his name Solomon. Now the Lord loved him, 25 and He sent word by the hand of Nathan the prophet: So he called his name Jedidiah, because of the Lord.” 2 Kings 12:24, 25
 
One can see the idea of recompense or fair penalty in how the events played out. Thus, the name Solomon was given to the child. Of this son, Solomon, we read the words of 1 Kings 1 –
 
“Then King David answered and said, ‘Call Bathsheba to me.’ So she came into the king’s presence and stood before the king. 29 And the king took an oath and said, ‘As the Lord lives, who has redeemed my life from every distress, 30 just as I swore to you by the Lord God of Israel, saying, “Assuredly Solomon your son shall be king after me, and he shall sit on my throne in my place,” so I certainly will do this day.’” 1 Kings 1:28-30
 
David had determined to place Solomon on the throne after him. However, there was an attempt to overthrow this decision by another of the king’s sons. In order to thwart that, David ordered that Solomon be crowned king while he was still alive. Therefore, it is from Solomon that the line continues in Matthew’s record.
 
Life application: Psalm 51 was written in response to David’s sin against the Lord in the matter of Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite. David poured out his heart to the Lord in repentance, and by penning it in a psalm, he did it in a manner that the whole world has been able to read and contemplate for millennia.
 
David did this at various times in his life. He would face tragedy, and he would stop and pen a psalm (e.g. psalm 3). In being relieved from a distressing situation, he would write a psalm (e.g. Psalm 4). David would place his heart on full display for the world to see and contemplate his relationship with God.
 
Although we do not need to write a psalm while being pursued by our enemies as David did (Psalm 57), we can learn from these psalms what pleases God in our interactions with Him. He has chosen these various writings, having placed them in His word, to show us that the words were acceptable to Him.
 
In reading and pondering them, we are reminded that God is worthy of praise in all situations, that He is with us at all times, and that His word is true and reliable as it points to the coming of Christ and the fulfillment of the messianic promises. And because it is reliable concerning the coming of Jesus, we can be certain that it is reliable in regard to the promises that are granted to us because of Jesus having come.
 
Let us read the word, hold fast to the promises God has made to us in Christ, not waffling or floundering in our convictions. Through stress, distress, and even calamity, we can hold fast to the sure promises that are granted to us because of the coming of Christ. Let us do so, to the glory of God who has made those sure promises.
 
O God, we are so grateful to You for Your word. It is a comfort to our souls, it is a treasure stored up, it is a light beaming forth, and it is a guide on our path of life. Your word, O God, is especially so wonderfully beautiful because it tells us of Jesus. Thank You that because of Your word, we have the absolute assurance of eternal life which comes through the completed work of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
 

Matthew 1:5

Friday, 12 July 2024
 
Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, Matthew 1:5
 
“And Salmon begot Boaz from Rahab, and Boaz begot Obed from Ruth, and Obed begot Jesse” (CG).
 
The previous verse ended Jesus’ ongoing genealogy with Salmon. That now continues with, “And Salmon begot Boaz.”
 
The narrative of Boaz is highlighted in the book of Ruth. He is first introduced in Ruth 2:1 –
 
“There was a relative of Naomi’s husband, a man of great wealth, of the family of Elimelech. His name was Boaz.”
 
He is one of the main figures of the book, having shown compassion on a foreigner who came and joined herself to the people of Israel. His name means In Strength or In Him is Strength (meaning the Lord). The foreigner who came to dwell in Israel was from the land of Moab and became his wife. With that noted, Matthew next records, the child was “from Rahab.”
 
Rahab means Wide or Spacious. She was a prostitute in the land of Canaan first recorded in Joshua 2 –
 
“Now Joshua the son of Nun sent out two men from Acacia Grove to spy secretly, saying, ‘Go, view the land, especially Jericho.’So they went, and came to the house of a harlot named Rahab, and lodged there. 2 And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, ‘Behold, men have come here tonight from the children of Israel to search out the country.’” Joshua 2:1, 2
 
Through her deeds of faith, Rahab and her family were spared when the city of Jericho was destroyed. Eventually, she had a child with Salmon, Boaz, as noted above. From there, Matthew next notes, “and Boaz begot Obed.”
 
The name Obed means Servant or, actively, Serving. As for the birth of Obed, the words of Matthew next say that he was “from Ruth.”
 
Ruth means either Companion or Looker such as in one you would look at because of her beauty. It depends on the root word used to determine the end result. Because it is uncertain, it is probably a play on both words, Companion and Looker.
 
Ruth was first married to an Israelite in the land of Moab. Her husband died along with others in the family, and soon only she, her sister-in-law, and her mother-in-law were left. The sister-in-law did not come to Israel, but the mother-in-law and Ruth returned together to begin life anew. Eventually Ruth was married to Boaz. It is from this union that Obed was born. The narrative of this is found in Ruth 4 –
 
“So Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife; and when he went in to her, the Lord gave her conception, and she bore a son. 14 Then the women said to Naomi, ‘Blessed be the Lord, who has not left you this day without a close relative; and may his name be famous in Israel! 15 And may he be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons, has borne him.’ 16 Then Naomi took the child and laid him on her bosom, and became a nurse to him. 17 Also the neighbor women gave him a name, saying, ‘There is a son born to Naomi.’ And they called his name Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David.” Ruth 4:13-17
 
Next, Matthew records, “and Obed begot Jesse.” The naming of Jesse is first found in the just-cited verse from Ruth 4:17. However, he actually is first noted as an active figure in the ongoing narrative in 1 Samuel 16:1 –
 
“Now the Lord said to Samuel, ‘How long will you mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go; I am sending you to Jesse the Bethlehemite. For I have provided Myself a king among his sons.’”
 
Jesse means My Husband, as well as Jehovah Exists. As such the name Jesse contains the profound notion that human marriage reflects divine revelation.
 
Life application: In one verse, two women are introduced into the genealogy of Jesus. One was a prostitute of the line of Canaan, the cursed son of Ham. The other was from Moab, the line descending from the incestuous union between Lot and his firstborn daughter as is recorded in Genesis 19.
 
Jesus’ genealogy is obviously lined with imperfect people, some of whom have what most anyone would consider very ignoble backgrounds. And yet, these people were brought into the covenant people of Israel and entered into the genealogy of Israel’s Messiah, the Christ of the nations, Jesus.
 
It may be that you feel your background, events of life, or current state make you ineligible to serve God in a suitable manner. But the record of the Bible tells us differently. We do not need to let the past direct our future.
 
Instead, we can break free from whatever bonds we think are binding us and we can become useful vessels, storing up treasures inside by the power of God’s wonderful workings in our lives. All it takes to begin this journey is to trust in Jesus, accepting by faith that He has done all that is necessary to restore us to God.
 
Through this faith, we will be saved. From there, it is up to us, as we trust in God who has saved us, to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to direct our lives and use us according to His wisdom. Whatever we do, it should be done in faith. And if it is, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, God will reward us for it.
 
Stand fast on allowing God’s presence in your life to direct you. He is there if you have called on Jesus.
 
Glorious God, use us according to Your wisdom to do the things that will bless others with the knowledge of Jesus, increase Your kingdom, and bring relief from the bonds of sin to those we encounter. Whatever way is according to Your desire, use us, O God. Amen.
 

Matthew 1:4

Thursday, 11 July 2024
 
Ram begot Amminadab, Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon. Matthew 1:4
 
“And Ram begot Amminadab, and Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon” (CG).
 
The previous verse finished with “and Hezron begot Ram.” Matthew next continues the genealogy with, “And Ram begot Amminadab.”
 
Amminadab is believed to mean either People of the Prince or My Kinsman is Noble. He is first mentioned in Exodus 6:23. He is mentioned quite a few times, but this is because of his more famous son. Thus, his name is provided in conjunction with that son, Nahshon. As such, Matthew next writes, “and Amminadab begot Nahshon.”
 
Nahshon is derived from a word meaning brass or snake. The vav-nun couple (the letters o and n) at the end of his name may be locative or personified. Thus, his name may mean Serpent, Serpent Guy, Bronze, Place of Bronze, or some other similar thought. And more, because bronze signifies judgment in Scripture, his name could be extended to Place of Judgment, etc.
 
Nahshon was the brother-in-law of Aaron. That is noted in Exodus 6 where Nahshon is first mentioned in Scripture –
 
“Aaron took to himself Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab, sister of Nahshon, as wife; and she bore him Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.” Exodus 6:23
 
He is next noted as the chosen leader of the tribe of Judah in Numbers 1:7. There is a Jewish legend that placed Nahshon as the first to enter the Red Sea when it parted at the exodus. This is most likely a fairy tale, putting the horse before the cart.
 
The tribe of Judah was selected to be the first tribe to march as Israel proceeded toward Canaan. As Nahshon was the leader of Judah, it might be assumed he was the first to march in his tribe. However, his appointment as leader came after, not before, passing through the Red Sea.
 
Typically, legends are like this and have no bearing on the reality presented in Scripture. Next, Matthew records, “and Nahshon begot Salmon.”
 
The name Salmon comes from a word meaning garment. Like his father, the vav-nun couple at the end of his name may make the name personified or locative. Thus, his name may mean Garment or actively Clothed, Place of Garment, Garment Guy, or something similar.
 
Salmon is only mentioned in Ruth 4:20, 21 in connection with the genealogy of David.
 
Life application: It is fine to look over extra-biblical writings, and Jewish commentaries may give insights into the culture and habits of the people throughout history. However, it is important to not accept those things as if they are inspired or somehow irrefutable.
 
Quite often, there are anti-Christian biases inserted directly into such commentaries. These are purposefully stated to lead people away from conclusions that support the notion that Jesus is the Messiah. Therefore, one should be grounded in the word before spending a lot of time in extra-biblical writings.
 
By knowing the word first, a lot of nonsense can be weeded out when reading other noncanonical literature. So be familiar with the word. The Lord spent millennia of human history compiling it so that we would have exactly what is needed to lead us to an understanding of who Jesus is and what God is doing through Him as His great plan of redemption is being worked out. Be sure to read and know your Bible!
 
Heavenly Father, may we be responsible and faithful Christians who are willing to carefully read, contemplate, and remember Your word. Help us to check things out when we come across writings that seem to conflict with it. In the end, we know we can trust Your word, but how can we do that if we don’t know it? Help us in this, O God. Amen.

Matthew 1:3

Wednesday, 10 July 2024
 
Judah begot Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez begot Hezron, and Hezron begot Ram. Matthew 1:3
 
“And Judah begot Perez and Zerah from Tamar, and Perez begot Hezron, and Hezron begot Ram” (CG).
 
It should be noted that the names in the Greek have different spellings. They are transliterated out of Hebrew and into Greek for a Greek audience. From there, the names are then translated into English. To save the trouble of remembering the names as they are recorded from both Hebrew and Greek, the same English spelling as is derived from the Old Testament will be used.
 
However, just to see the differences in transliteration, this verse reads as follows. First the CG standard translation and then a direct transliteration from the Greek:
 
* And Judah begot Perez and Zerah from Tamar, and Perez begot Hezron, and Hezron begot Ram.
* And Ioudas begot Phares and Zara from Thamar, and Phares begot Hesróm, and Hesróm begot Aram.
 
For clarity’s sake, there is a point where translations need to be standardized. And so, the method of translating names as they are from the Old Testament will be followed.
 
The previous verse ended with the record of the birth of “Judah and his brothers.” The listing now continues with “And Judah begot Perez and Zerah.”
 
The name Perez means Breach or Irruption. Zerah means Rising of Light or Dawning. The record of their birth is recorded in Genesis 38 –
 
“Now it came to pass, at the time for giving birth, that behold, twins were in her womb. 28 And so it was, when she was giving birth, that the one put out his hand; and the midwife took a scarlet thread and bound it on his hand, saying, ‘This one came out first.’ 29 Then it happened, as he drew back his hand, that his brother came out unexpectedly; and she said, ‘How did you break through? This breach be upon you!’ Therefore his name was called Perez. 30 Afterward his brother came out who had the scarlet thread on his hand. And his name was called Zerah.” Genesis 38:27-30
 
These two children were born to the union between Judah and his daughter-in-law, the narrative of which is found entirely in Genesis 38. From there, Matthew continues by noting these two were, “from Tamar.”
 
Tamar means Palm. It is a symbol of being upright, and so a secondary meaning of Righteous is not out of the question. That can be inferred from Judah’s proclamation found in Genesis 38 –
 
“So Judah acknowledged them and said, ‘She has been more righteous than I, because I did not give her to Shelah my son.’ And he never knew her again.” Genesis 38:26
 
Judah was making a pun based upon her name, Palm, and the upright nature of the palm that matched her righteousness in the matter he was speaking of. Tamar descended from Canaan, the son of Ham cursed by Noah –
 
“So Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his younger son had done to him. 25 Then he said:‘Cursed be Canaan;A servant of servantsHe shall be to his brethren.’” Genesis 9:24, 25
 
Next, Matthew continues the line leading to Christ, saying, “and Perez begot Hezron.” 
 
Hezron means something like Enclosure, Cluster, or Village. His inclusion in the genealogical record is first seen in the genealogy of David recorded in Ruth 4:18. He is also noted in 1 Chronicles 2:9. Next, Matthew records “and Hezron begot Ram.”
 
Ram means High or Exalted. He is first recorded in Ruth 4:19. He is also noted in 1 Chronicles 2:9.
 
Life application: It may seem surprising that Jesus descended from Canaan, a son cursed by Noah. And more, it may seem incredible that He descended from an incestuous union between Judah and the woman descended from Canaan. However, God is making it clear that even from what is seemingly the basest of people and conduct He can turn such things into something wonderful.
 
There are claims that certain races and groups of people are cursed and of no value. But this is not true. What makes people worth nothing isn’t who they descend from but how they treat themselves and the world around them.
 
A person may descend from a godly line, reject his heritage, and turn out to be a total loser. On the other hand, a person may descend from a prostitute or a murderer and turn to the Lord with all his heart and soul, being known by God as a man of faith.
 
We must evaluate our circumstances in life and decide if we will let the world around us overcome us or if we will rise above the things that are there to pull us down and degrade us as humans.
 
The choice is ours and so let us consider the right path, pursue the Lord God with all our hearts and souls, and be willing to put aside every weight that hinders us. Let us run the race directly into the arms of Jesus by living lives of faith and acting out our faith in good works that will receive great rewards on the day we come before Him.
 
Lord God, we are so grateful to You for Jesus. Because of Him, we are not limited to living out lives of vanity or hopelessness. Instead, we can overcome this world and be a part of the glory that lies ahead for those redeemed by His precious blood. Thank You, O God, for Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Matthew 1:2

Tuesday, 9 July 2024
 
Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers. Matthew 1:2
 
“Abraham begot Isaac, and Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers” (CG).
 
After the introductory verse explaining the two key links in Jesus’ genealogy, Matthew now sets forth to more fully detail the genealogy of Jesus, beginning with the first key link, Abraham. Therefore, he first notes, “Abraham begot Isaac.”
 
Isaac means Laughter. Abraham first bore Ishmael. It was approximately thirteen years later that he bore Isaac. However, Ishmael was not a son of promise, and his genealogy does not lead to Jesus. Therefore, referring to him now would make no sense. As for Isaac, Genesis 17 says –
 
Then God said to Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. 16 And I will bless her and also give you a son by her; then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples shall be from her.”
17 Then Abraham fell on his face and laughed, and said in his heart, “Shall a child be born to a man who is one hundred years old? And shall Sarah, who is ninety years old, bear a child?” 18 And Abraham said to God, “Oh, that Ishmael might live before You!”
19 Then God said: “No, Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his descendants after him. 20 And as for Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly. He shall beget twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation. 21 But My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this set time next year.” 22 Then He finished talking with him, and God went up from Abraham. Genesis 17:15-22
 
The events of Ishmael’s life that were necessary for us to understand him and his progeny are detailed in Scripture, but he has no genealogical bearing on the coming of Christ. Next, Matthew notes that “Isaac begot Jacob.”
 
The name Jacob comes from aqev, the heel. Thus, it has various meanings all dealing with the fact that he grabbed his brother’s heel as he was coming from the womb: Heel Grabber, He Who Follows After, Deceiver (because he trips up his opponent), etc.
 
As with Ishmael, another son was born first to Isaac, Esau. But like Isaac, a prophecy preceded the birth of Jacob –
 
Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah as wife, the daughter of Bethuel the Syrian of Padan Aram, the sister of Laban the Syrian. 21 Now Isaac pleaded with the Lord for his wife, because she was barren; and the Lord granted his plea, and Rebekah his wife conceived. 22 But the children struggled together within her; and she said, “If all is well, why am I like this?” So she went to inquire of the Lord.
23 And the Lord said to her:
“Two nations are in your womb,Two peoples shall be separated from your body;One people shall be stronger than the other,And the older shall serve the younger.”
24 So when her days were fulfilled for her to give birth, indeed there were twins in her womb. 25 And the first came out red. He was like a hairy garment all over; so they called his name Esau. 26 Afterward his brother came out, and his hand took hold of Esau’s heel; so his name was called Jacob. Isaac was sixty years old when she bore them. Genesis 25:20-26
 
As with Esau, the events of his life that were needed for us to understand him and his descendants are also recorded in Scripture, but it was Jacob who received the birthright and the blessing, and it is he who would be in the line of Christ Jesus. Next, Matthew notes, “and Jacob begot Judah.”
 
The genealogy turns to Judah, the fourth son of Jacob. Judah means Praise. The first three sons each did something to displease their father and they were passed over for the honor of being in the line of the Messiah. When pronouncing his blessings upon his sons, Jacob pronounced the messianic blessing upon Judah –
 
“Judah, you are he whom your brothers shall praise;Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies;Your father’s children shall bow down before you.9 Judah is a lion’s whelp;From the prey, my son, you have gone up.He bows down, he lies down as a lion;And as a lion, who shall rouse him?10 The scepter shall not depart from Judah,Nor a lawgiver from between his feet,Until Shiloh comes;And to Him shall be the obedience of the people.” Genesis 49:8-10
 
The words concerning Shiloh are almost unanimously held by scholars to refer to the coming of the Messiah, indicating that Judah would be the prominent tribe. The prophecy later given to David, who was of the tribe of Judah, concerning his rule and the eternal rule of one of his sons solidified the notion that the Messiah would come through Judah (2 Samuel 7:12-16).
 
Unlike the genealogy of Isaac and Jacob, however, Matthew also says of Judah, “and his brothers.”
 
This note is included to show that all of the sons of Jacob were to be included in the messianic blessing. Though not specifically stated, the calling of the tribes of Israel had a particular purpose. The knowledge of the Lord God did not last long after the flood. Eventually, there was little proper knowledge of Him or how to serve Him.
 
In order to ensure that He was properly understood, God called Israel, meaning Jacob’s descendants, out of Egypt and set up a form of worship under Moses that would retain a right understanding of Him and of the anticipation of the coming Messiah. The law, with its tabernacle, rites, and rituals, was given as a type and pattern of the greater work of the Messiah.
 
This set form of worship was maintained throughout Israel’s history until the coming of Jesus. Thus, the inclusion of the brothers of Judah is an acknowledgment of that.
 
Life application: God has been working out a plan of redemption since the first moments of man’s existence. This plan is carefully recorded in Scripture and sets forth types, shadows, and patterns of what He was going to do in the coming of Jesus.
 
Nothing in Scripture is superfluous, even if it is often difficult to understand. It is constantly discovered that passages that may seem obscure or irrelevant can actually have the most marvelous hidden meaning tucked away in them.
 
As you read the Bible, be sure to constantly ask yourself how what you are reading points to what God has done in and through Jesus. If you can’t figure it out, then ask Him about it. When something is meant to be revealed, He will reveal it. Even if you don’t get a resolution to your wondering, be certain that the words are there for a reason.
 
The study of the Bible is something that can fill your whole life with wonder. So be sure to read it and meditate upon it always. You will be rewarded for your effort. This is certain.
 
Lord God, give us a hunger for Your word. It is there to tell us about You, and we should want to know You more than anything else. You are our Creator, our Savior, our Redeemer, our Hope, and our Joy. May we never cease to search You out from this precious word You have given us that reveals You. To Your glory, we pray. Amen.
 

Matthew 1:1

Monday, 8 July 2024
 
The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham: Matthew 1:1
 
For this commentary, the main verse at the top of each commentary will be from the NKJV. However, at the beginning of the body of each commentary, a personal (literal) translation will be provided as well. This personal translation will be used for the analysis of the commentary.
 
“Scroll: Genealogy Jesus Christ, Son of David, Son of Abraham” (CG).
 
The book of Matthew begins with a genealogical record of the lineage of Jesus Christ. This is something that is found throughout the Old Testament as well. Genealogies were meticulously kept by the Hebrew scribes, ensuring that the people were recorded according to their family lines, whether in the nation of Israel or – at times – had a bearing on the nation (e.g., see Genesis 5:1, Genesis 25:12, Genesis 36:1, Genesis 46:8, etc.).
 
Genealogies were kept, thus ensuring those of the nation were eligible for inclusion in the society (Numbers 1:17-19, etc.), entitled to certain inheritances (Numbers 26:33, etc.), authorized for certain duties (Numbers 3:17, etc.), restricted from various rights or entitlements (Deuteronomy 23:2), etc.
 
In the case of Israel’s Messiah, certain requirements were necessary. He was to be of the seed of Abraham (Genesis 22:18), of Isaac (Genesis 17:19), of Jacob (Genesis 25:23), of Judah (Genesis 49:10), and of David (2 Samuel 7:12-16). Above all other reasons, the maintaining of the genealogical records from Adam until the coming of Christ were meticulously kept ensuring to us that the Messiah could be absolutely identified when He appeared.
 
So sure is this, that after His coming, the genealogical records of Israel were destroyed when the temple was burned in AD70. As this is so, the only source for the genealogies of the nation and the world are maintained in the pages of the Bible. And the full genealogical record of only one Jew remains to this day, Jesus Christ.
 
Understanding this, and because His genealogy is recorded in the pages of Scripture, He alone can be identified as Israel’s Messiah. No other person before or after can make the absolute claim, directly from Scripture, that Jesus can.
 
Indeed, apart from this genealogy, prophecies were uttered as recorded in Scripture identifying the timing of His coming, the things that He would do, and the events that would happen to Him. The fulfillment of those prophecies is carefully recorded in the pages of the New Testament to definitively identify this One individual as bearing the right to the claim of being Israel’s Messiah.
 
In Matthew’s genealogy, he begins with, “Scroll.” The Greek word is biblos, “Properly, the inner bark of the papyrus plant, i.e. (by implication) a sheet or scroll of writing – book” (Strong’s). Matthew was making a concerted effort of compiling the genealogy of Jesus in order to ensure that the record was permanently maintained.
 
Surely, this was inspired by the Holy Spirit to confirm that when all other Jewish records perished, there would be this and Luke’s written account to safeguard – for all subsequent generations – the truth that Jesus did, in fact, descend from those who were given the promises in past times.
 
Matthew, understanding intimately who Jesus is, then began his recorded scroll with the words, “Genealogy Jesus Christ.”
 
Matthew was faithfully making a record as so many before him had faithfully done. In this case, the focus is solely on one Person, Jesus (Hebrew: Yeshua, Greek: Iésous). The name means Salvation. As noted in Thayer’s Greek Lexicon – “Jesus יְהושֻׁעַ [Yehoshua] and according to a later form, יֵשׁוּעַ [Yeshua].” This later form was a common name at the time. However, Matthew continues with “Christ.”
 
The Greek word is christos. The word has the same meaning as the Hebrew word mashiakh, Messiah. Both mean Anointed One. The anointing referred to does not necessarily speak of the coming Messiah. For example, Cyrus, King of Persia, was called mashiakh in Isaiah 45:1. However, in Matthew’s account, he is specifically noting that Jesus is the true promised Messiah of Israel, the Christ of the world. To further establish this, he next records “Son of David.”
 
It is a reference, as will continue to be seen in this record, to David, King of Israel. His name means Beloved. Matthew is purposefully tying Jesus into the genealogy of King David to begin his narrative in order to establish that Jesus is fully entitled to the rights of the Davidic throne as promised in 2 Samuel 7, referenced above. From there, he next records “Son of Abraham.”
 
The meaning of Abraham is debated. In Genesis 17:5, it says –
 
“No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations.”
 
Though not all agree, his name is said to mean Father of a Multitude or something similar.
 
Again, Matthew returns to a specific figure from Israel’s past to ensure that the David who was first referred to is the same David who descended from Abraham. It is Abraham who received the promise given by God in Genesis 22:18, also referenced above.
 
With this overall genealogy set, Matthew will “fill in the blanks” between these three in a unique way, demonstrating a wisdom that was prompted by the superintending guidance of the Holy Spirit.
 
Life application: When the disciples were disheartened and thought that all was lost because of the crucifixion of Jesus their Lord, they were gathered together. At that time, just after hearing from two men who had seen the risen Lord, Luke records these words –
 
“Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, ‘Peace to you.’ 37 But they were terrified and frightened, and supposed they had seen a spirit. 38 And He said to them, ‘Why are you troubled? And why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have.’” Luke 24:36-39
 
“Why do doubts arise in your hearts?” The words speak to us today. Why should we wonder if God is there? Why should we worry that things are out of control? Why should we be dispirited, disheartened, or dismayed as the world spins into chaos around us? And why should we doubt whether God is in control?
 
One of the main reasons for the word of God is to ensure that we know that He has a plan, that it has been meticulously carried out since the very beginning, and that He will bring us safely to Himself because of what He has done.
 
The carefully recorded words of Matthew are a part of that book, and they should fill us with the most joyous hope that when we trust in Jesus, we have trusted in the fullness of God’s provision for making that restoration possible. We don’t need to wonder, worry, or wobble in our faith. We also do not need signs or wonders to ensure to us that God is there with us.
 
Rather, God has given us His word and He asks us to, by faith, accept that it is exactly what it is presented as. We are told by Paul that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Open your ears and listen. Open your hearts and receive. Open your minds and think! Jesus, Jesus, Jesus! He is God’s provision. He is the Messiah of Israel and the Christ of the nations.
 
Please pursue Him from His word each day and every day of your life. And please continue to join us as we analyze the book of Matthew for the next 2.94 years. We know you will be blessed as you do.
 
Lord God, help us to spend our time wisely. May we carefully and meticulously research Your word so that our step in faith is not one into a dark tunnel, but one that is directly into Your revealed light. Your word, O God, is a lamp to our feet and a light for our path. May we be willing to use it as such. And may doubts no longer arise in our hearts as we contemplate Your goodness in the coming of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Book of Matthew; an Introduction – Part III

Sunday, 7 July 2024
 
The Book of Matthew; an Introduction – Part III
 
With some of the interesting patterns found within the book of Matthew complete, we now return to finish the list of main purposes for the writing of the book.
 
4) The Pivotal Placement of Acts: The layout of the Bible forms innumerable patterns. One is seen in the order of how the books are placed, with Matthew beginning a key section of this layout –
 
Tent of Shem:
 
Genesis - Malachi (Law)
 
Synoptic Gospels according to the naming of Noah’s sons (OT Law Fulfillment)
* Matthew – Directed predominantly to Shem
* Mark – Directed predominantly to Ham
* Luke – Directed predominantly to Japheth
 
Mixture/Transition
 
John (mixture of OT Law and NT concepts/theology)
 
Acts – Transition / Jerusalem to Rome / Peter to Paul / Jew to Gentile / Shem to Japheth
 
Tent of Japheth (dwelling in, meaning between, tents of Shem)
 
Romans-Philemon – to Gentile-led church
 
Tent of Shem
 
Hebrews, James, 1 & 2 Peter to Jews (Shem)
 
Mixture
 
John (mixture)
 
Jude (mixture, final letter of warning)
 
Summary from John’s time until the end
 
Revelation - 1:1 - 4:1 (church – Japheth)
        4:2 - 19:21 (tribulation upon the whole world) 
        21 - (millennial reign and final battle – Shem)
        22 - (restoration of all things good for all of mankind)
 
* Matthew begins the section of Law Fulfillment where Jesus’ words and actions are directed specifically to the people of Israel who were serving under the law. During that entire period, no person was able to fulfill the law. According to Leviticus 18:5, the person who fulfilled the law would live. However, all continued to die.
 
Matthew’s gospel, beginning with Jesus’ genealogy, is provided to show that Jesus was the qualified Messiah, anticipated from ages past. The gospel narrative is then provided to show that Jesus is the capable Messiah who did, in fact, fulfill the law. In His fulfillment of it, the law was annulled, and a New Covenant was introduced.
 
5) Doctrinal Themes:
 
Historical – This reveals the actual life of Israel’s Messiah, from birth through to His atoning death and glorious resurrection.
Spiritual – This reveals the fulfillment of the law, God’s standard by which the man who did the things of the law would live.
Apostolic – This begins to reveal the united message of the synoptic gospels even though Matthew has a distinct audience (directed most specifically to the Jews and identifying Jesus as their Messiah/King).
Political – This gospel reveals the truth that Christianity stemmed from Judaism and is the fulfillment of it, thus it establishes faith in Jesus as a legitimate religion (Religio Licita) within the Roman empire.
Prophetic – This reveals the fulfillment of innumerable prophecies within the Jewish writings, some explicitly cited by Matthew.
 
6) A Very Brief Outline:
 
The Book of Matthew – Messiah as King
 
Book Superstructure/
The Son of David**
Book Structure/
Links***
Book Outline
Establishing Kingship - The Son of David
Link to Genesis
1.  The right to rule.
 
Link to Exodus
2.  The prophesied King.
 
Link to Leviticus
3.  The anointed King.
 
Link to Numbers
4.  The kingdom attained and announced.
 
Link to Deuteronomy
5.  The King’s surprising edicts.
 
Link to Joshua
6.  The King’s surprising edicts (2).
 
Link to Judges
7.  The King’s surprising edicts (3).
 
Link to Ruth
8.  The King’s authority confirmed through word and action.
 
Link to 1 Samuel
9.  Demonstrations of the King’s mercy.
 
Link to 2 Samuel
10.  Loyal subjects of the King.
 
Link to 1 Kings
11.  Exultation of loyal subjects; condemnation of the King’s foes.
Is this the Son of David?
Link to 2 Kings
12.  The questioned kingship.
 
Link to 1 Chronicles
13.  The kingdom parables
 
Link to 2 Chronicles
14.  Revalidations of kingdom authority.
Proclamation of Davidic Son-ship from outside Israel
Link to Ezra
15.  The King’s authority confirmed through word and action (2).
 
Link to Nehemiah
16.  The Messiah-King acknowledged and His mission identified.
 
Link to Esther
17.  Visual confirmations of divine Kingship.
 
Link to Job
18.  Kingdom compassion.
 
Link to Psalms
19.  The importance of earthly and kingdom familial relations.
Proclamation of Davidic Son-ship from within Israel
Link to Proverbs
20.  Prerogatives of kingship and requirements of His subjects.
 
Link to Ecclesiastes
21.  Prophetic fulfillments of the Messiah-King.
 
Link to Song of Solomon
22.  Testing of the King.
 
Link to Isaiah
23.  Woe to disobedient subjects.
 
Link to Jeremiah
24.  Olivet discourse; prophetic passages.
Book Superstructure
Book Structure
Book Outline
 
Link to Lamentations
25.  Olivet discourse; prophetic passages (2).
 
Link to Ezekiel
26.  Passover preparation – dual significance.
 
Link to Daniel
27.  Messiah-King – the Passover Lamb.
Prophetic fulfillment of the Eternal Davidic King
Link to Hosea
28.  The Risen King and His Great Commission.
 
** The chosen super-structure is evident from Matthew’s identifying Jesus with King David, the genealogy in particular sets the mood. In the first chapter, David is mentioned 6 times; 5 in the genealogy. The genealogy is divided into sections of 14 generations each    with David as the link. Interestingly, David is written d-v-d in Hebrew – of which the gematria value is 14.  d = 4 v = 6 d = 4, or a total of 14.
 
*** It is certain that chapter and verse divisions were not arbitrary but were divinely inspired. Matthew provides wonderful evidence of this fact (although we can be sure he didn’t realize it was happening). See attached previously supplied patterns as evidence of these things.  
 
Life application: In previous commentaries, the chronologically-snobberous teachings of those who dismiss dispensationalism have been addressed. Just because something new is introduced into biblical interpretation, it does not mean that what is presented is invalid. Suitable explanations for why dismissing dispensationalism is inappropriate were presented.
 
One of the doctrines that arises because of the dispensational model is that of the rapture. The doctrine is necessary because what happens to the church in Christ’s coming, if it has actually not replaced Israel, is not sufficiently addressed by earlier teachings within the church.
 
From a dispensational understanding of biblical writings, the coming of Christ in His return to save Israel cannot be the same as the coming of Christ to receive His church. This is because even if the church is a part of the commonwealth of Israel (Ephesians 2:12), it is not the nation of Israel. Paul never hints at such a notion.
 
Therefore, the writings of Paul in 1 Corinthians 15, 1 Thessalonians 4, and 2 Thessalonians 2 cannot be speaking of matters related to Israel. In dismissal of this, rapture deniers say that the term “rapture” is never mentioned by Paul. However, a doctrine does not need a specific word for it to be valid.
 
The doctrine of original sin is clearly taught in Scripture, even if no such term is ever used. Likewise, the teaching of the Trinity is accepted by all orthodox Christian teachers of Scripture, and yet the name is never used.
 
Matthew’s gospel is directed to Israel, under the law and demonstrating Christ’s fulfillment of the law. With that complete, the New Covenant was introduced. With Israel’s rejection of Christ, they were placed under the punishments of the Law of Moses, having remained under that law until a future date.
 
At that time, the Gentiles took the prominent role in the church while the number of Jews decreased to the point where there was but a remnant left at any time during the church age. When the dispensation of grace ends, the church must be removed in order to refocus the redemptive narrative on the nation of Israel.
 
Matthew’s gospel has introduced something new into the redemptive narrative, the coming of Jesus Christ. Only in understanding the history of the world from a dispensational viewpoint does the overall scenario of what God is doing make proper sense.
 
There will be a rapture of the church. After that, the world will be prepared for Jesus’ return to His long-wayward people to rule among them for a thousand years. Matthew clearly indicates that it is up to Israel’s decision to acknowledge Jesus for Him to physically return to the earth and accomplish this –
 
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! 38 See! Your house is left to you desolate; 39 for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’” Matthew 23:37-39
 
Jerusalem refers to the national leadership of Israel, not the church. The church has already said “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.” They have done so for two thousand years. However, a day lies ahead when Israel will do this as well.
 
Lord God, thank You for allowing us to see wonderful treasures in Your word. They give us every confidence that it truly is from You, and it is revealing Your heart and mind to us. Yes, Lord God, thank You for Your precious word. Amen!
 

The Book of Matthew; an Introduction – Part IId

Saturday, 6 July 2024
 
The Book of Matthew; an Introduction – Part IId
 
The list of books of the Bible that match the corresponding chapters of the Book of Matthew continues here:
 
---------------------
*Jeremiah (book 24) speaks more of false prophets than any other book in the Bible. Entire sections are dedicated to false prophets and false prophecies. False prophets are even singled out by name several times.  
 
Here is a Matthew 24 connection –
 
“At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people” Matthew 24:10, 11. 
 
*Another fantastic parallel is in Jeremiah 31. Here’s the book/chapter (24)31 –
 
“Hear the word of the LORD, O nations; proclaim it in distant coastlands: ‘He who scattered Israel will gather them and will watch over his flock like a shepherd.’” Jeremiah 31:10 (NIV)
 
Now Matthew 24:31 –
 
“And he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.”
 
Notice the numbers again (24)31 and 24:31
 
---------------------
*Lamentations (25th book) says –
 
“The tongue of the infant clingsTo the roof of its mouth for thirst;The young children ask for bread,But no one breaks it for them.” Lamentations 4:4
 
Matthew 25:44 says –
 
“Then they also will answer Him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to You?’”
 
Notice again, the immensely accurate verse distinction – (25)4:4 and 25:44!
 
--------------------------
*Ezekiel (26th book) 5:2 reads –
 
“When the days of your siege come to an end, burn a third of the hair with fire inside the city. Take a third and strike it with the sword all around the city. And scatter a third to the wind. For I will pursue them with drawn sword.”
 
Now Matthew 26:52 –
 
“‘Put your sword back in its place, Jesus said to him, for all who draw the sword will die by the sword.’”
 
Astonishingly enough is that fact that both books read about the “drawn sword” at the numbers (26)5:2 and 26:52, but also worthy of note is that the term “drawn sword” is mentioned more times in Ezekiel than any other book of the Bible, confirming that this is a valid link.
 
-----------------------
*Daniel (27th book)  –
 
“A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel's situation might not be changed” Daniel 6:17.
 
Now read Matthew 27:66 – 
 
“So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.”
 
Glorious!
 
*Again in Daniel, the 9th chapter –
 
“...in the first year of his reign I, Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years specified by the word of the Lord through Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.”
 
Now read Matthew 27:9 –
 
“Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled.”
 
Notice the intricacy: Jeremiah is quoted in Daniel (27)9 and Matthew 27:9.
 
-----------------------
*Hosea (28th book) 2:15 reads –
 
“There I will give her back her vineyards, and will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope.” (Achor means trouble.)
 
Matthew 28:2 says –
 
“And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it.”
 
If you look at the comparison, it fits very well. God said in Hosea that He would make the valley of trouble a door of hope, and the ending of all our trouble (in and from death) came as the stone was rolled away from the door of the tomb! As usual, notice the numbers (28)2 and 28:2!
 
*A second marvelous parallel is Hosea 6:3 –
 
“Let us acknowledge the Lord;    let us press on to acknowledge him.As surely as the sun rises,    he will appear;he will come to us like the winter rains,    like the spring rains that water the earth” (NIV).
 
Now read Matthew 28:6 –
 
“He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”
 
The parallel cannot be mistaken! Just as we were in search of God, He came to us, proving it when He arose and appeared in the morning. And once again, we have the astonishing numerical parallel: (28)6:3 and 28:6!
 
-----------------------
If you have enjoyed these patterns, we will provide one more fantastic numerical pattern that runs outside of the 28 chapters of Matthew but instead links to the 40th chapter of Isaiah and corresponds to Matthew, the 40th book of the Bible –
 
Isaiah 40:3 says –
 
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:‘Prepare the way of the Lord;Make straight in the desertA highway for our God.’”
 
Now Matthew 3:3 –
 
“For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying:‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness:“Prepare the way of the Lord;Make His paths straight.”’”
 
The interesting thing about this is that Matthew is the 40th book of the Bible. The parallel then is Isaiah 40:3. Matthew (40)3:3. 
 
Life application: The issue concerning the matter that the book, chapter, and verse divisions did not exist at the time Matthew penned his gospel was discussed in a previous introductory commentary.
 
It was then discussed that just because dispensationalism was not properly understood or taught until much later in the church age, it does not mean that it is not a valid teaching. The fallacy of Chronological Snobbery was then discussed, showing that it is not proper to assume something is incorrect simply because it is new.
 
But why would God allow the church to go through 1800 years of incorrect thinking if dispensationalism is correct? The answer is obvious when thought through. If the church knew that the return of Jesus for His church and the establishment of His earthly millennial kingdom was based on the return of the Jewish people to the land, it would have become the main passion and mission of the church to make that happen.
 
However, Israel had a time of punishment preset by God in order to fulfill their promised punishments according to the Law of Moses. That needed to be fulfilled. Also, the church’s main mission was specifically given by Jesus in Matthew 28 –
 
“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen.”
 
These words were the Lord’s post-resurrection command to the church. Those so directed didn’t quite get it the first time, and so they asked Him about future matters before He ascended. When they did, He reiterated His directive to them one final time –
 
“Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, ‘Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?’ 7 And He said to them, ‘It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.’” Acts 1:6-8
 
The disciples were looking forward to the kingdom age. The church, if it realized all that God was doing, would have been looking for the resurrection of the dead and the rapture so that they could be with the Lord. If it was understood that Jesus would return when Israel was in the land once again, that is all people in the church would be working towards.An entire planet of people needs to hear the gospel, but the church would be working on reestablishing one little people group into a teeny slice of land in the Middle East. Things would not have worked out well. If you want proof that this would be the case, look at today’s modern rapture-seeking crowd.
They literally spend all of their time reading about the rapture, watching videos about the rapture, calculating the timing of the rapture, scolding others about their mistaken priorities, and never spending a moment of the day doing what they should be doing – as commanded by the Lord Himself.
 
Don’t be like these people. Read the word! Study the word! Tell people the gospel! And then baptize and disciple those you tell. If you don’t do these things, you are being disobedient to the very words Jesus instructed you to do in the word that you fail to pick up and read!
 
Lord God, help people (including us!) to have properly directed priorities concerning our duties as instructed by You in Your word. May we be faithful and obedient followers and doers concerning what we have been instructed. To Your glory, we pray. Amen.

The Book of Matthew; an Introduction – Part IIc

Friday, 5 July 2024
 
The Book of Matthew; an Introduction – Part IIc
 
The list of books of the Bible that match the corresponding chapters of the Book of Matthew continues here:
 
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*Job (18th book) says –
 
“There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil. 2 And seven sons and three daughters were born to him. 3 Also, his possessions were seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred female donkeys, and a very large household, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the East.” Job 1:1-3.
 
Matthew 18:1-4 says –
 
“At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, ‘Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’2 Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, 3 and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.’”
 
Job was certainly unlike any other man of his time.  Read the following description by the Lord Himself –
 
“Then the LORD said to Satan, ‘Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?’” (Job 1:8).
 
However, even with such righteousness, Job faced difficulties that he did not understand.  In the course of these difficulties, Job questioned God's purposes.  Towards the end of the book, God challenges Job with hard questions to which we have Job's response –
 
Then Job answered the Lord and said:2 “I know that You can do everything,And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You.3 You asked, ‘Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?’Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand,Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.4 Listen, please, and let me speak;You said, ‘I will question you, and you shall answer Me.’5 “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear,But now my eye sees You.6 Therefore I abhor myself,And repent in dust and ashes.” Job 42:1-6.  
 
The link is obvious:  Job was considered righteous, but yet he - in the end - was humbled like a child before God's majesty.
 
*A second link to confirm this chapter link is that it states –
 
“...this man was the greatest of all the people of the East” (Job 1:3).
 
 Matthew 18:1 says –
 
“At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, ‘Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’”
 
Notice the book/chapter and chapter/verse parallel – (18)1 and 18:1.
 
A third parallel falls in Job 16:19 –
 
“Surely even now my witness is in heaven and my evidence is on high.”
 
Matthew 16:19 says –
 
“Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.”
 
Notice the numerical parallel – (16)19 and 16:19
 
*Job contains the three witnesses against Job; Matthew says that “by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.”
 
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*Psalms (19th book) says –
 
“But the LORD shall endure forever; He has prepared His throne for judgment.” Psalm 19:7
 
Matthew 19:28 says –
 
“So Jesus said to them, ‘Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.’”
 
What’s extra special here is that the parallel from Psalms occurs in the 19th chapter!
 
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*Proverbs (20th book) says –
 
“A man with an evil eye hastens after riches, And does not consider that poverty will come upon him.” Proverbs 28:22
 
And the parallel in Matthew 20 –
 
“Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things?  Or is your eye evil because I am good?” Matthew 20:15
 
In fact, an “evil eye” is extremely rare in Scripture. Both of these accounts are dealing with inappropriate use of riches. Something Matthew as a tax collector would be very familiar with.
 
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*Ecclesiastes (21st Book) says –
 
“The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem.” Ecclesiastes 1:1
 
Matthew 21 records the people of Israel hailing Christ Jesus as the fulfillment of this, He the greater Son of David –
 
“Then the multitudes who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: ‘Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ Hosanna in the highest!” Matthew 21:9
 
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*Song of Songs (book 22) concerns the wedding of the king, the son of David.  
 
Matthew 22:1, 2 –
 
“And Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables and said: 2 ‘The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son.’”
 
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*Isaiah (book 23) is filled with warnings of WOE to the people of Israel. Woe is mentioned 8 times through Isaiah 5.  
 
In Matthew 23 Jesus gives His famous discourse to the teachers of the law and Pharisees –
 
“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!” (23:13).
 
Note that Jesus says this to them 8 times, precisely matching Isaiah.  
 
It’s interesting to note that Isaiah points out all the faults of others in these chapters, but when he has his famous vision of the Lord at the beginning of chapter 6, he cries, “Woe to me.” He had seen the LORD Almighty and suddenly realized his own low state. On the contrary, Jesus finishes His 8 woes and that’s that. As the Incarnate Word of God, all was said and there was no need for more! 
 
*Another interesting point is what it says in Isaiah 1:23 –
 
“Your princes are rebellious,And companions of thieves;Everyone loves bribes,And follows after rewards.They do not defend the fatherless,Nor does the cause of the widow come before them.”
 
And Jesus says in Matthew 23:1, 2, 3 –
 
“Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to His disciples, 2 saying: ‘The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; for they say, and do not do.’”
 
Notice the comparison between the leaders of Isaiah’s time and Jesus’ time, as well as the astonishing numerical parallels (23)1:23 and 23:1,2,3!
 
Life application: The fact that the book, chapter, and verse divisions did not exist at the time of Matthew was discussed in a previous introductory commentary. It was then discussed that just because dispensationalism was not properly understood or taught until much later in the church age does not mean that it is not a valid teaching.
 
This is a fallacy known as chronological snobbery. Other names for this fallacy are historical elitism, temporal arrogance, time-based condescension, chronological superiority, and history-dismissing arrogance. The idea is that something taught at one time is superior to what was previously taught, or it is superior to what is later taught.
 
Those who are chronologically snobs towards dispensationalism essentially say, “Nobody ever taught that in the past, and it is therefore a false teaching.” One can see the arrogant, condescending, elitist attitude flowing out of such a claim.
In regard to dispensationalism, the problem with that rests in their misunderstanding of history itself. God promised to punish Israel for their disobedience. However, He clearly and unambiguously promised that they would be restored. He did this explicitly in Leviticus 26, and He alluded to it innumerable times after that.
 
However, this was done in order to bring in the Gentile-led church. To understand this, and to see what God has been doing, watch ing the sermon series from the book of Judges clearly reveals this is so. The story of the sacrifice of Jephthah’s daughter that is found in Judges 11 gives an exacting portrayal of what God is doing and why.
 
These marvelous patterns from Matthew provide their own sort of confirmation that God reveals certain things at certain times to ensure that we don’t just get stuck in the chronologically-snobberous attitude that we have everything figured out and that God’s plan fits our own little box and goes no further.
 
Be willing to put aside your presuppositions, and be willing to allow God to reveal to us those things that should be revealed at their own proper time.
 
Lord God, thank You for not having rejected Israel. Though the church thought this for so long, it also led to a lot of other bad theology. If You would break Your covenant with them, then how easy would it be for You to break the one that You made with us as well? But we can now see that salvation is eternal. The pattern for it rests in the saving of Your wayward people, Israel, for their own day of redemption. Hallelujah and Amen.

The Book of Matthew; an Introduction – Part IIb

Thursday, 4 July 2024
 
The Book of Matthew; an Introduction – Part IIb
 
The list of books of the Bible that match the corresponding chapters of the Book of Matthew continues here:
 
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*1 Samuel (9th book) contains the following –
 
“As soon as you come into the city, you will surely find him before he goes up to the high place to eat. For the people will not eat until he comes, because he must bless the sacrifice; afterward those who are invited will eat. Now therefore, go up, for about this time you will find him” 1 Samuel 9:13. 
 
Matthew 9:13 says –
 
“But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”  
 
*The fact that sacrifice is mentioned, in both paragraphs 9:13 shows a pattern by itself, but in a deeper parallel we see the following, again from 1 Samuel –
 
“So Samuel said:       ‘Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices,       As in obeying the voice of the LORD?       Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,       And to heed than the fat of rams.’” 1 Samuel 15:22
 
Saul was first shown the importance of sacrifice in 1 Samuel 9, but he failed to make the distinction between mere sacrifice and the more important aspect of following the Lord. Jesus had to again teach this lesson to Israel’s leaders in Matthew 9:13.
 
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*2 Samuel (10th book) says –
 
“Now therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised Me, and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife” 2 Samuel 12:10.  
 
Here's the parallel in Matthew –
 
“...and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household” Matthew 10:36.
 
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*1 Kings (11th book) mentions Elijah for the first time in the Bible, and although Elijah is mentioned many times in Matthew, he is first introduced in Matthew 11:14. “And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come.”
 
Interestingly, in 1 Kings 18:14, it says: “...Elijah is here.”
 
Notice both occur in the 14th verse.
 
*A second parallel in 1 Kings is this –
 
“And he said to them, ‘What advice do you give? How should we answer this people who have spoken to me, saying, “Lighten the yoke which your father put on us”’?” 1 Kings 12:9 
 
Now read Matthew 11:29 –
 
“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
 
Notice not just the “yoke” parallel from the 11th book and the 11th chapter, but notice the numbers without the word “Kings” – 11:29 and 11:29
 
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*2 Kings (12th book) describes the history of Israel as a divided kingdom, meaning Israel in the north and Judah in the south, each with its own kings and slowly divergent cultures. The chronology continues through the destruction of first the northern kingdom and culminates in the destruction and exile of the southern kingdom.  
 
Matthew 12:25 states the following –
 
“But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: ‘Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand.’”
 
*A second link is found in 2 Kings 1:2 –
 
“Now Ahaziah fell through the lattice of his upper room in Samaria, and was injured; so he sent messengers and said to them, ‘Go, inquire of Baal-Zebub, the god of Ekron, whether I shall recover from this injury.’”
 
Now read Matthew 12:24 –
 
“Now when the Pharisees heard it they said, ‘This fellow does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.’”
 
*A third link is found in 2 Kings 11:5 –
 
“Then he commanded them, saying, ‘This is what you shall do: One-third of you who come on duty on the Sabbath shall be keeping watch over the king’s house…’” 
 
In Matthew 12:5 we read –
 
“Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, and are blameless?” 
 
Notice the numerical pattern as both are in verse 5.
 
It’s interesting concerning the number of links in the books of Kings because Matthew’s book details Jesus as Israel’s King.
 
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*1 Chronicles (13th book) it says –
 
“Moreover, because I have set my affection on the house of my God, I have given to the house of my God , over and above all that I have prepared for the holy house, my own special treasure of gold and silver” 1 Chronicles 29:3.
 
Matthew 13:52 says –
 
“Then He said to them, ‘Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old.’”
 
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*2 Chronicles 16:10 (14th book) says –
 
“Then Asa was angry with the seer, and put him in prison, for he was enraged at him because of this. And Asa oppressed some of the people at that time.”
 
The parallel is what King Herod did in Matthew 14:10, “So he sent and had John beheaded in prison.”
 
Both occur in verse 10. Prophets of righteousness really had it tough. God bless them!
 
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*Ezra (15th book) 3:5 discusses freewill offerings given to the glory of God – 
 
“Afterwards they offered the regular burnt offering, and those for New Moons and for all the appointed feasts of the LORD that were consecrated, and those of everyone who willingly offered a freewill offering to the LORD.”
 
This is contrasted with the inappropriate gifts of the Pharisees in Matthew 15:5 –
 
“But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is a gift to God”’” Matthew 15:5.
 
Again, notice that the parallels are both contained in verse 5.
 
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*Nehemiah (16th book) is concerned primarily with the rebuilding of the walls and gates of Jerusalem after the exile. In fact, the entire 3rd chapter concerns the gate building. Nehemiah’s efforts were not overcome by the forces of evil.
 
Matthew 16:18 says –
 
“And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”
 
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*Esther (17th book) teaches us the importance of fasting to seek God’s face and His favor, saying –
 
“Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!” Esther 4:16
 
Matthew 17:20, 21 says –
 
“So Jesus said to them, ‘Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you. 21 However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.’”
 
Life application: As noted in the previous life application, the book divisions, chapter divisions, and verse divisions in the Christian Bible did not exist at the time of Matthew. And yet, most honest Christian evaluators of the Bible would agree that these patterns are real and that they seem to point to more than just random chance.And yet, many of those same people will dismiss various doctrines that supposedly arose later in the church age. For example, dispensationalism is called everything from poor theology to outright heresy by some. Those scholars believe the church has replaced Israel and that the modern state of Israel is an aberration.
 
They then attack those who originally proposed the doctrine of dispensationalism, saying that it is a new and aberrant teaching that only came into existence around the 1800s. But if dispensationalism is true, it doesn’t matter when it was “discovered,” just as the dating of the discovery of these patterns in Matthew is irrelevant.
 
But two points should be considered. The first is that many of those who dismiss dispensationalism because it is new teach doctrines that are only one or two hundred years older, such as Calvinism. In the span of the church age this is like the difference between children that are one and two years old. Thus, their thinking is biased, skewed, and flawed.
 
Second, however, is that Paul taught the dispensational model in Romans 9-11. It is clearly revealed elsewhere explicitly, and it is typologically seen again and again in the Old Testament. A review of the sermons by the Superior Word from Genesis, Joshua, and Judges in particular clearly and unambiguously portray the dispensational model.
 
Don’t be swayed by people who have not thought through the entire panorama of what God is doing in and through chronological history. God has not rejected Israel! The church has not replaced Israel! And, finally, the modern state of Israel, even if it is not right with God at this time, is placed back in the land of Israel for the fulfillment of God’s purposes, just as the dispensational model reveals.
 
Lord God, though we are unfaithful, You are always faithful. You will never reject those with whom You have covenanted. And what a blessing it is to know this. Since the day we met Jesus, we have continued to err and stray. But He remains faithful to us every step of the way. Super-duper and Hooray! Praise God for Jesus, our faithful Lord. Amen.