BIBLE IN TEN

Matthew 1:16

Tuesday, 23 July 2024
 
And Jacob begot Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus who is called Christ. Matthew 1:16
 
“And Jacob begot Joseph, the husband of Mary, from whom birthed Jesus, being called the Christ” (CG).
 
The previous verse ended with, “and Matthan begot Jacob.” The genealogy of Jesus now continues with, “And Jacob begot Joseph.”
 
The name Joseph has a dual meaning. It is derived from yasaph, to add. However, it is also connected to asaph, to take away or remove. Both were on the mind of Rachel when she bore Joseph –
 
“Then God remembered Rachel, and God listened to her and opened her womb. 23 And she conceived and bore a son, and said, ‘God has taken away [asaph] my reproach.’ 24 So she called his name Joseph, and said, ‘The Lord shall add [yasaph] to me another son.’” Genesis 30:22-24
 
Thus, the name means Increaser, or He Shall Add. But it has a secondary intended meaning of Remover, or He Shall Take Away. This Joseph recorded in Matthew is begotten of Jacob, his natural father. Joseph is the husband of Mary. It is through Joseph, the father, that the right to the kingly line of David is established.
 
Both Matthew and Luke acknowledge that Jesus is the Christ. However, the genealogy of Luke does not read the same as Matthew. Rather, it says, “Now Jesus Himself began His ministry at about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, the son of Heli...” (Luke 3:23).
 
This seems to throw a monkey wrench into Jesus’ lineage. However, Luke 1 & 2, establish that Joseph is not the natural father of Jesus. Rather, Jesus was begotten of God as indicated in Luke 1 –
 
“And the angel answered and said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.’” Luke 1:35
 
Both Matthew’s and Luke’s genealogies were compiled before the destruction of the temple. Therefore, what was recorded was verifiable at that time. With this in mind, Bengel provides a list of assertions to be considered the details of the explanations for these assertions are quite extensive but are necessary to obtain a right understanding of what is going on in the two genealogies.
 
Only the key points will be included. Any removal of content is without providing ellipses, and so for a more thorough understanding of Bengel’s comments, such as verse references and citations, refer to his commentary –
 
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Messias or Christ is the Son of David.
 
This is admitted by all.
 
Even in their genealogies both Matthew and Luke teach that Jesus is the Christ.
 
This is clear from Matthew 1:16, and Luke 3:22.
 
III. At the time when Matthew and Luke wrote the descent of Jesus from David had been placed beyond doubt.
 
Both Matthew and Luke wrote before the destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem, when the full genealogy of the house of David, preserved in the public records, was easily accessible to all: and our Lord’s adversaries did not ever make any objection, when Jesus was so frequently hailed as the Son of David.
 
The genealogy in St Matthew from Abraham, and that in St Luke from the creation of man, to Joseph the husband of Mary, is deduced, not through mothers but fathers, and those natural fathers.
 
This is evident in the case of all those ancestors, whose names St Matthew and St Luke repeat from the Old Testament. Wherefore it is not said, whether Ruth had been the wife of Mahlon or Chilion; but Obed is simply said to be the son of his real father Boaz by Ruth [though his legal father was Mahlon.] From Abraham to David the same ancestors are evidently mentioned by both Matthew and Luke; so that there can be no doubt but that both Evangelists intend not mothers but fathers, and those, fathers by nature, from David to Joseph. Thus, in the books of Kings and Chronicles, as often soever as the mother of a king is mentioned alone, it is a sign that he whom her son is said to have immediately succeeded was his natural father.
 
The genealogy in Matthew from Solomon, and that in Luke from Nathan, is brought down to Joseph, not with the same, but with a different view[respectu, relation, regard.]
 
This is clear from the preceding section.
 
Jesus Christ was the Son of Mary, but not of her husband Joseph.
 
This is evident from Matthew 1:16.
 
VII. It was necessary that the genealogy of Mary should be drawn out.
 
Without the genealogy of Mary, the descent of Jesus from David could not be proved, as follows from what has just been said.
 
VIII. Joseph was for some time reputed to be the father of the Lord Jesus.
 
The mystery of the Redeemer’s birth from a virgin was not made known at once, but by degrees; and, in the meanwhile, the honourable title of marriage was required as a veil for that mystery. Jesus, therefore, was believed to be the Son of Joseph, for instance, after His baptism, by Philip (John 1:45); in the time of His public preaching, by the inhabitants of Nazareth (Luke 4:22; Matthew 13:55), and only a year before His Passion by the Jews (John 6:42). Many still clung to this opinion even after our Lord’s Ascension, and up to the time, therefore, when, a few years subsequently to that event, St Matthew wrote his gospel.
 
It was therefore necessary that the genealogy of Joseph also should in the meanwhile exist.
 
It was necessary that all those who believed Jesus to be the Son of Joseph, should be convinced that Joseph was descended from David. Otherwise they could not have acknowledged Jesus to be the Son of David, and consequently could not acknowledge Him to be the Christ. When therefore the angel first appeared to Joseph, and commanded him to take unto him his wife, he called him (Matthew 1:20) the Song of Solomon of David: because, forsooth, the Son of Mary would for a time have to bear that name as if derived from Joseph. In like manner, not only was Jesus in truth the first-born (Luke 2:7; Luke 2:23) of His mother, but it behoved also that He should be reputed to be the first-born of Joseph: those, therefore, who are called the brethren of Jesus, were His first cousins, not His half-brothers. It is needless to attempt, as some have done, to prove the consanguinity of Joseph and Mary from their marriage: for even if David be their nearest common ancestor, St Matthew’s object is attained. St Matthew then has traced the genealogy of Joseph, but still so as to do no violence to truth: for he does not say that Jesus is the Son of Joseph, but he does say that He was the Son of Mary; and in this very sixteenth verse he intimates, that this genealogy of Joseph, which had its use for a time, would afterwards become obsolete. Mary’s descent from David was equally well known at that time, as appears from St Luke.
 
Either Matthew gives the genealogy of Mary, and Luke that of Joseph; or Matthew that of Joseph, and Luke that of Mary.
 
This clearly follows from the preceding sections.
 
The genealogy in Matthew is that of Joseph; in Luke, that of Mary.
 
St Matthew traces the line of descent from Abraham to Jacob: he expressly states that Jacob begat Joseph, and expressly calls Joseph the husband of Mary. Joseph therefore is regarded throughout this genealogy as the descendant of those who are enumerated, not on Mary’s account, but on his own. Matthew, indeed, expressly contradistinguishes Joseph from Mary as the son of Jacob; but in St Luke, by a less strict mode of expression, Heli (Luke 3:23) is simply placed after Joseph. Since, then, Joseph is described in Matthew as actually the son of Jacob, St Luke cannot mean to represent him as actually the son of Heli. The only alternative which remains, therefore, is to conclude that he is the son of Heli, not in his own person, but by virtue of another, and that other his wife. Mary, then, is the daughter of Heli. The Jewish writers mention a certain מרים בת עלי, Mary, the daughter of Heli, whom they describe as suffering extreme torments in the infernal regions. St Luke does not, however, name Mary in his genealogy; for it would have sounded ill, especially to Jewish ears, had he written “Jesus was the Son of Mary, the daughter of Heli, the son of Matthat,” etc.—on which account he names the husband of Mary, but that in such a manner that all may be able to understand (from the whole of his first and second chapters), that the name of Mary’s husband stands for that of Mary herself.
 
XII. That in St Luke is the primary, that in St Matthew the secondary genealogy.
 
When a genealogy is traced through female as well as male ancestors, any descent may be deduced in many ways from one root; whereas a pedigree, traced simply from father to son, must of necessity consist only of a single line. In the genealogy, however, of Jesus Christ, Mary, His mother, is reckoned with His male ancestors, by a claim of incomparable precedence. In an ordinary pedigree ancestors are far more important than ancestresses. Mary, however, enters this genealogy with a peculiar and unrivalled claim, above that of every ancestor whatever of the whole human race; for whatever Jesus derived from the stock of man—of Abraham, or of David—that He derived entirely from His mother. This is the One Seed of Woman without Man. Other children owe their birth partly to their father, partly to their mother. The genealogy of Mary, therefore, which is given in St Luke, is the primary one. Nor can that of Joseph, in St Matthew, be considered otherwise than secondary, and merely employed for the time, until all should become fully convinced, that Jesus was the Son of Mary, but not of Joseph. St Matthew mentions Jechoniah, although he is passed by in the primary genealogy.
 
XIII. Whatever difficulty yet remains regarding this whole matter, so far from weakening, should even confirm our faith.
 
The stock of David had, in the time of Jesus of Nazareth, dwindled down to so small a number (see Revelation 22:16), that on this ground also the appellation “Song of Solomon of David” was used by Antonomasia[21] for “The Messiah.” And that family consisted so exclusively of Jesus and His relatives, that any one who knew Him to belong to it could not fail, even without the light of faith, to acknowledge Him as the Messiah, since the period foretold by the prophets for His manifestation had already arrived, and none of our Lord’s relations could be compared with Himself. Our Lord’s descent, therefore, from the race of David, as well as His birth at Bethlehem, were less publicly known; nay, rather He was in some degree veiled, as it were, by the name of Nazarene, that faith might not lose its price. And thus men, having been first induced on other grounds to believe that Jesus was the Messiah, concluded, on the same grounds, that He must be the Son of David. The necessary public documents, however, were in existence, whence it came to pass, that the chief priests, though employing every means against our Lord, never questioned His descent from David. Nay, even the Romans received much information concerning the Davidical descent of Jesus. Of old the facility with which His descent could be traced, showed Jesus to be the Son of David: now the very difficulty of so doing (caused as it is by the destruction of Jerusalem, and all the public records which it contained), affords a proof, against the Jews at least, that the Messiah must long since have come. Should they acknowledge any other as the Messiah, they must ascertain his descent from David in precisely the same manner that we do that of Jesus of Nazareth. As light, however, advanced, the aspect of the question has not a little changed. Jesus was called, on various occasions, “The Son of David,” by the multitude, by the blind men, by the woman of Canaan: but He never declared to His disciples that He was the Son of David, and they, in their professions of faith, called Him, not “The Son of David,” but “The Son of God;” He invited, also, those who called Him the Son of David, to advance further. In the first instance our Lord’s descent from David was rather a ground of faith, afterwards it became rather an obstacle to faith. No difficulty can now be a hinderance to them that believe.—See 2 Corinthians 5:16. Jesus is the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
 
XIV. Matthew and Luke combine ulterior objects and advantages with the genealogy.
 
If the Evangelists had merely wished to show that Mary and also Joseph were descended from David, it would have been sufficient for their purpose, had they, taking the genealogies as they exist in the Old Testament for granted, commenced at the point where these conclude, namely, with Zorobabel, or at any rate with David himself, and traced the line through Nathan or Solomon down to Jesus Christ. St Matthew, however, begins further off, viz. with Abraham, and descends through David and Solomon. St Luke, on the other hand, ascends to Nathan and David, and thence beyond Abraham to the first origin of the human race. Each of them, therefore, must have had at the same time a further object in view.
 
St Luke, as is evident at first sight, makes a full recapitulation and summary of the lineage of the whole human race, and exhibits with that lineage the Saviour’s consanguinity to all Gentiles, as well as Jews: St Matthew, writing to the Hebrews, begins with Abraham, thus reminding them of the promise which had been made to that Patriarch. Again, St Luke simply enumerates the whole series, through more than seventy steps, without addition or comment: whereas St Matthew, besides several remarkable observations which he introduces in particular cases concerning the wives and brothers of those whom he mentions, and the Babylonian Captivity, divides the whole series into three periods; and, as we shall presently consider, enumerates in each of these periods fourteen generations. And hence, also, we perceive the convenience of the descent in Matthew, and the ascent in Luke: for in this manner the former was enabled more conveniently to introduce those observations and divisions; the latter, to avoid the stricter word ἐγέννησε, begat, and take advantage of the formula ὡς ἐνομίζετο, as was supposed, and in an exquisite manner to conclude the whole series with God.—ὁ λεγόμενος Χριστός, who is called Christ) St Matthew is dealing with the Jewish reader, who is to be convinced that Jesus is the Christ, by such means as His genealogy. And accordingly he here and there [throughout his Gospel] expresses and establishes what the other Evangelists take for granted. The force of the name Christ recalls especially the promise given to David concerning the Kingdom of the Messiah: and the force of the name Jesus recalls especially the promise given to Abraham concerning the Blessing.
 
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As for Joseph, he is next called “the husband of Mary.”
 
This is fully established in the gospel records. The name Mary, from the Hebrew Miriam, may mean Obstinacy (Stubbornness), Beloved, Myrrh, or something else, depending on the root word. Matthew next says, “from whom birthed Jesus.”
 
The name Jesus is from the Hebrew name Yeshua. It means Salvation. Mary is the human mother of Jesus and, as Bengel rightly notes, Jesus’ humanity comes wholly from her. He is the Seed of the Woman. His father is God and as His mother is human, and as all things reproduce after their own kind as indicated in Genesis 1, then Jesus is the God/Man.
 
As sin travels to offspring from the human father, then Jesus is the fulfillment of the sign of circumcision. He is the One to “cut” the transfer of sin from father to child because He is the sinless Son of God. Thus, Matthew next says, “being called the Christ.”
 
The verb is a present participle. He is and always will be the Christ, meaning “the Anointed One.” The word has the same meaning as the Hebrew word Messiah. God Anointed Jesus to be the Savior of the world, a role He fulfilled in His earthly ministry.
 
Life application: All hail the name of Jesus.
 
Lord God, You have done great things for us. Thank You for coming in the Person of Jesus Christ to restore us to Yourself. All praise, glory, and honor belong to You. Amen.

Matthew 1:15

Monday, 22 July 2024
 
Eliud begot Eleazar, Eleazar begot Matthan, and Matthan begot Jacob. Matthew 1:15
 
“And Eliud begot Eleazar, and Eleazar begot Matthan, and Matthan begot Jacob” (CG).
 
The previous verse ended with, “and Achim begot Eliud.” The genealogy of Jesus continues next with, “And Eliud begot Eleazar.”
 
Eleazar means God Has Helped or Whom God Helps, coming from el, God, and azar, to help. Next it says, “and Eleazar begot Matthan.”
 
Matthan means Gift, coming from the verb nathan, to give. You may know someone named Nathan. Now you can explain his name to him and get him interested in reading the Bible. The genealogy now comes to the final name before the coming of Christ Jesus, saying, “and Matthan begot Jacob.”
 
The name Jacob comes from the Hebrew name Yaaqov. That is derived from aqev, the heel or hind part, which is derived from the verb aqav, to follow at the heel. Thus, the name means Heel Catcher. This, in turn, signifies Supplanter because when one grabs another’s heel, he will trip him up and take his place. The name also means Who Closely Follows After, He Who Sets Down His Heel, and so forth. It is a rich name with a variety of meanings.
 
Life application: There is a lot of coded information in this genealogy of Christ. A study by Dr. Ivan Panin recorded in the book Numerics in Scripture by Mark Vedder concerning this genealogy gives incredible mathematical patterns that seem impossible to be random. In fact, a definite wisdom and intelligence was used to make them.
 
Is this the work of Matthew, or did Matthew simply copy these things down under the inspiration of the Spirit. The chances weigh heavily towards the latter. If Matthew had intentionally made this list with these patterns in mind, it would certainly have been recorded somewhere. However, it wasn’t until the 1800s that Dr. Panin discovered these patterns.
 
Take time to search the internet on his work.  You can also obtain a copy of the book by Mark Vedder online. It is a fascinating and incredible study that will leave you satisfied that you are on the right track when you are following Jesus. It is just one more of countless subtle proofs that God’s hand is clearly resting upon His sacred word.
 
Lord God, even with all of the proofs and evidences imaginable concerning the reliability of Your word, we still have to accept, by faith, that Jesus actually died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day. We did not witness it, and so we must have faith that it is so. And we do. Nothing else makes sense in this tiring world without Jesus. But with Him, all is fresh, alive, and new. Thank You for Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Matthew 1:14

Sunday, 21 July 2024
 
Azor begot Zadok, Zadok begot Achim, and Achim begot Eliud. Matthew 1:14
 
“And Azor begot Zadok, and Zadok begot Achim, and Achim begot Eliud” (CG).
 
The previous verse ended with, “and Eliakim begot Azor.” The genealogy of Jesus continues next with, “And Azor begot Zadok.”
 
Zadok means Righteous or Just, coming from the word tsadeq, to be just. After him, it says, “and Zadok begot Achim.”
 
Achim means Raised Up or Established, either coming from the Hebrew qum, to arise or stand, or kun, to establish. After him, the list continues with, “and Achim begot Eliud.”
 
Eliud means My God is Majestic or My God is Praise, coming from el, God, and either hod, majesty, or yada, to praise. The “i” is possessive and thus “My God.” These three men were honored to be in the line of David leading to Jesus, other than that, nothing is known of them from a historical perspective.
 
Life application: Sometimes, it is hard to discern exactly what root a name is derived from. This is true in the Hebrew Bible, and so how much more difficult is it when a name is transliterated from Hebrew into Greek. Assumptions must be made as to which root the name is derived from.
 
There are times when an analysis is surely correct, but unless it is absolutely certain, it is good to consider a variety of possibilities. Such studies can lead one into a marvelous tapestry of gleaning information about the Hebrew language, so don’t hesitate to try one.
 
The study of the Bible involves the study of many other things, such as the original languages of Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, also numbers, names, types of gemstones, metallurgy, and on and on. There are almost an endless number of avenues in which to study the Bible, so don’t get bogged down or in a rut in your daily reading!
 
Instead, look for new and exciting things to consider. What about trees? One can do an extensive study on the trees in the Bible, gleaning incredible insights into why God selected certain trees. Their wood, their sap, their leaves, and their fruit all can give us insights into what God is conveying to us.
 
Be ready to dive in! Pick a topic and go for it. You will be blessed each time you do.
 
Lord God, Your word is so deep, rich, and magnificent that we can study it all our lives and still find more that we can learn. There seems to be no end to the marvelous tapestry contained within the words, lines, and pages of Your precious word. Help us to study it and revel in it all the days of our lives. Amen.

Matthew 1:13

Saturday, 20 July 2024
 
Zerubbabel begot Abiud, Abiud begot Eliakim, and Eliakim begot Azor. Matthew 1:13
 
“And Zerubbabel begot Abiud, and Abiud begot Eliakim, and Eliakim begot Azor” (CG).
 
The previous verse ended with, “and Shealtiel begot Zerubbabel.” Matthew’s genealogy leading to Israel’s Messiah now continues with, “And Zerubbabel begot Abiud.”
 
This listing does not match that of 2 Chronicles 3, which says –
 
“The sons of Pedaiah were Zerubbabel and Shimei. The sons of Zerubbabel were Meshullam, Hananiah, Shelomith their sister, 20 and Hashubah, Ohel, Berechiah, Hasadiah, and Jushab-Hesed—five in all.” 2 Chronicles 3:19. 20
 
From this list, it is believed by some that Abiud is the same as Hananiah in that genealogy. John Gill thinks he is the same as Mushullam. Either way, the reason for the variance in names is that someone “...might have two names; nor is this unlikely, since it was usual, especially about the time of the Babylonish captivity, for men to have more names than one, as may be observed in Daniel and others, Daniel 1:7 where they went by one, and in Judea by another” Gill.
 
The list continues with “and Abiud begot Eliakim, and Eliakim begot Azor.”
 
Neither name is listed in 2 Chronicles. None of the names from this point on are recorded in Old Testament Scripture because of the dating of 2 Chronicles which ends prior to the intertestamental period.
 
Of this record, Bengel says –
 
“Hiller explains in his Syntagmata, pp. 361, sqq., where he shows, that the Jews acknowledged the genealogy in the said passage of Chronicles to be that of the Messiah: nor, indeed, was it necessary that any other genealogy should have been carried further down there than that of the Messiah. There can, therefore, be no doubt but that the passage in question was particularly well known to the Jews; and there was, consequently, the less need that St Matthew should repeat it in extenso. In this generation, then, concludes the scripture of the Old Testament. The remainder of the genealogy was supplied by St Matthew from trustworthy documents of a later date, and, no doubt, of a public character.”
 
Life application: The genealogical records in the Old Testament were meticulously maintained, but they didn’t account for differences in names at the time when two names were used. They simply listed a name and continued on. As such a lot of research is often needed to know who is being referred to. At times, speculation must be made.
 
An example of one person with two names is found in the sons of Saul –
 
Ner begot Kish, Kish begot Saul, and Saul begot Jonathan, Malchishua, Abinadab, and Esh-Baal.” 1 Chronicles 9:39
 
The son named Esh-Baal is the same as Ishbosheth recorded in 2 Samuel 2:8. Likewise, the son of Jonathan, Mephibosheth of 2 Samuel 4:4 is called Merib-baal in 1 Chronicles 8:34. These things can be deduced from the surrounding text within the narratives at times, but the point is that people being given two names is not unusual, nor is it something that is always noted.
 
As noted above, Daniel and the three men noted with him in Daniel 1:7 were given new names when they were exiled to Babylon. If their names were recorded, normally only one would be maintained in a particular genealogy. This makes things both difficult and, at times, completely unsure. However, in the Bible, there is enough information for us to be certain that Jesus is the Messiah. Even with a difficult genealogy to consider, innumerable other clues point both to the timing of His coming and the role He would fulfill.
 
Let us be confident that we have a sound and reliable record of what God intends for us, even if we do not have all the answers to various genealogical difficulties at this time.
 
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your word which gives us great insights into what You have done and continue to do in the stream of history to bring us back to Yourself. Above all, thank You for Jesus who is so prominently on display in the pages of the Bible. We have every assurance that we are following You properly when we choose to follow Jesus. Amen.

Matthew 1:12

Friday, 19 July 2024
 
And after they were brought to Babylon, Jeconiah begot Shealtiel, and Shealtiel begot Zerubbabel. Matthew 1:12
 
“And after the Babylon deportation, Jeconiah begot Shealtiel, and Shealtiel begot Zerubbabel” (CG).
 
The previous verse noted that Josiah begot Jeconiah and his brothers upon the Babylon deportation. Matthew now continues the narrative, saying, “And after the Babylon deportation, Jeconiah begot Shealtiel.”
 
The name Shealtiel means I Have Asked God, I Have Asked of God, or something similar. These words appear to cause a problem with the words of Jeremiah 22 –
 
“As I live,” says the Lord, “though Coniah the son of Jehoiakim, king of Judah, were the signet on My right hand, yet I would pluck you off; 25 and I will give you into the hand of those who seek your life, and into the hand of those whose face you fear—the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and the hand of the Chaldeans. 26 So I will cast you out, and your mother who bore you, into another country where you were not born; and there you shall die. 27 But to the land to which they desire to return, there they shall not return.
28 Is this man Coniah a despised, broken idol—A vessel in which is no pleasure?Why are they cast out, he and his descendants,And cast into a land which they do not know?29 O earth, earth, earth,Hear the word of the Lord!30 Thus says the Lord:‘Write this man down as childless,A man who shall not prosper in his days;For none of his descendants shall prosper,Sitting on the throne of David,And ruling anymore in Judah.’” Jeremiah 22:24-30
 
In those words, Jeconiah (there called Coniah) is told that he would lose his right to the throne of David. This is seen in the terminology where he is equated to a signet ring, the sign of royal authority. From there, it then says, “Write this man down as childless.”
 
As it says this, the question then arises as to how can it now say in Matthew that Jeconiah begot Shealtiel? The answer is in the verse itself. Saying that none of his descendants (literally: man) shall prosper presupposes that he has descendants. However, those coming from him would not sit on the throne of David. The signet had been removed and none of his sons would rule in Judah.
 
This is confirmed by 1 Chronicles 3:17, 18 where the sons of Jeconiah are named. However, upon his removal 2 Kings 24 says, “Then the king of Babylon made Mattaniah, Jehoiachin’s uncle, king in his place, and changed his name to Zedekiah.” With this understood, Matthew continues with the words, “and Shealtiel begot Zerubbabel.”
 
Zerubbabel means Seed of Babylon (from zara, seed) or Pressed Out of Babylon (from zur, to press). It is Zerubbabel who returned to Judah after the Babylonian exile as first noted in Ezra 3:2, where it says –
 
“Then Jeshua the son of Jozadak and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and his brethren, arose and built the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings on it, as it is written in the Law of Moses the man of God.”
 
Of Zerubbabel, the book of Haggai says –
 
“‘In that day,’ says the Lord of hosts, ‘I will take you, Zerubbabel My servant, the son of Shealtiel,’ says the Lord, ‘and will make you like a signet ring; for I have chosen you,’ says the Lord of hosts.” Haggai 2:23
 
Zerubbabel being like a signet then signifies the reestablishment of the line leading to the Messiah, the King of Israel. Even though he himself did not reign as king, the royal line is maintained through him from David until the coming of Jesus.
 
Life application: It is good to read various translations of the Bible. This can help get us “unfixed” from what may be mistranslated in some translations at any given point in the Bible. For example, as seen above, the NKJV Jeremiah 22:30 says –
 
Thus says the LORD: ‘Write this man down as childless, A man who shall not prosper in his days; For none of his descendants shall prosper, Sitting on the throne of David, And ruling anymore in Judah.’”
 
If that was correct, then there would be a problem because Zerubbabel descended from Coniah (Jeconiah). However, a literal translation of the verse says –
 
“Thus said Yehovah, ‘Write the man [ish], the this, childless. Man [gever] not prospers in his days. For not prospers from his seed man [ish], sitting upon throne David and ruling again in Judah.’”
 
The literal translation opens the possibility for a later generation to reassume the signet, continuing on until the time of Jesus. When doing a thorough study of genealogies or technical issues, it is especially important to check things out. If you are not well versed in how to check the original languages, once you have found a possible disparity, then you can go to someone who may be able to identify which translation is correct.
 
Be sure to not get captivated by a single translation. They are man’s rendering of God’s word. Translators will hopefully do their best to be accurate, but translational mistakes, even in good translations, can be as common as stones in a riverbed.
 
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your wonderful word. It tells us of Jesus. Help us to be responsible as we read, contemplate, and study it. May we handle it carefully and attentively all our days. To Your glory. Amen.

Matthew 1:11

Thursday, 18 July 2024
 
Josiah begot Jeconiah and his brothers about the time they were carried away to Babylon. Matthew 1:11
 
“And Josiah begot Jeconiah and his brothers upon the Babylon deportation” (CG).
 
The previous verse ended with the words, “and Amon begot Josiah.” The listing now continues with, “And Josiah begot Jeconiah.”
 
The record now skips once again. In 2 Kings 23, while referring to Josiah, it says –
 
“Then his servants moved his body in a chariot from Megiddo, brought him to Jerusalem, and buried him in his own tomb. And the people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah, anointed him, and made him king in his father’s place.31 Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he became king, and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah. 32 And he did evil in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his fathers had done. 33 Now Pharaoh Necho put him in prison at Riblah in the land of Hamath, that he might not reign in Jerusalem; and he imposed on the land a tribute of one hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold. 34 Then Pharaoh Necho made Eliakim the son of Josiah king in place of his father Josiah, and changed his name to Jehoiakim. And Pharaoh took Jehoahaz and went to Egypt, and he died there.” 2 Kings 23:30-34
 
After that, in 2 Kings 24, it then reads –
 
“Now the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? 6 So Jehoiakim rested with his fathers. Then Jehoiachin his son reigned in his place.” 2 Kings 24:5, 6
 
It is this person, Jehoiachin, also known as Jeconiah, that was carried to Babylon as is recorded in 2 Kings 24:8-12. Jeconiah is also known elsewhere as Coniah. His name, when recorded as Jehoiachin, means Yah Establishes. With that noted, Matthew next says, “and his brothers.”
 
A great fuss is made about this because nothing is said of him having brothers. But this dismisses two points. The first is that just because no brothers are recorded, it would be an argument from silence to say he had none. But more, the term “brothers” is used throughout Scripture to indicate many things that extend well beyond actual brothers, even to speaking of all of the people of a tribe or the nation of Israel.
 
Understanding this, there was an exile. At that time, Jeconiah was a part of it, along with others within the land. These things occurred, according to Matthew “upon the Babylon deportation.”
 
Like the noting of David, the king in verse 6, this is now the second key in Matthew’s chronology of the genealogy of Jesus. As it says in verse 17 –
 
“So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, from David until the captivity in Babylon are fourteen generations, and from the captivity in Babylon until the Christ are fourteen generations.”
 
Matthew is forming a narrative based on key events to reveal necessary information for us to contemplate.
 
Life application: The result of Israel’s continued disobedience, culminating in the wickedness of Manasseh, was for the nation to receive the promised punishment of Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28. For example –
 
“I will bring the land to desolation, and your enemies who dwell in it shall be astonished at it.33 I will scatter you among the nations and draw out a sword after you; your land shall be desolate and your cities waste.34 Then the land shall enjoy its sabbaths as long as it lies desolate and you are in your enemies’ land; then the land shall rest and enjoy its sabbaths.35 As long as it lies desolate it shall rest—for the time it did not rest on your sabbaths when you dwelt in it.” Leviticus 26:32-35
 
Israel failed to pay heed and the people were sent into exile after much famine, sword, and plague. Likewise, the world has the warning that it too will be judged for its wickedness. The book of Revelation is written. Nothing will change what is coming. Thus, like Israel’s woes, the calamities that lie ahead are a global self-inflicted wound.
 
What man needs, first and foremost, is reconciliation with God. Without that, there is no hope for the human soul. But once one comes to Him through His offering of Jesus, reconciliation is made. This doesn’t mean an easy walk without troubles will be the result. But it does mean that when this walk is over, He promises us an eternity of life in His presence.
 
Be sure to accept the gospel and receive God’s restoration for your soul. After that, be sure to tell others about it as well. Bad times lay ahead for humanity. Do what you can now to help people avoid what is coming.
 
Lord God Almighty, despite our walking away from You and living lives in a manner which is at enmity with You, You were willing to send Jesus to bring us back to Yourself. What manner of love is this! Thank You for making the first move in our reconciliation. Now, all You ask us to do is believe. Soften our hearts, O God. Help us to reach out in faith and be saved! Amen.
 

Matthew 1:10

Wednesday, 17 July 2024
 
Hezekiah b egot Manasseh, Manasseh begot Amon, and Amon begot Josiah. Matthew 1:10
 
“And Hezekiah begot Manasseh, and Manasseh begot Amon, and Amon begot Josiah” (CG).
 
The previous verse ended with “and Ahaz begot Hezekiah.” The record now continues with, “And Hezekiah begot Manasseh.”
 
Manasseh is first mentioned in 2 Kings 9:21. However, the detailed record of his reign begins in 2 Kings 21 –
 
“Manasseh was twelve years old when he became king, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Hephzibah. 2 And he did evil in the sight of the Lord, according to the abominations of the nations whom the Lord had cast out before the children of Israel.” 2 Kings 21:1, 2
 
So wicked was this king that the record goes on to say –
 
“Because Manasseh king of Judah has done these abominations (he has acted more wickedly than all the Amorites who were before him, and has also made Judah sin with his idols), 12 therefore thus says the Lord God of Israel: ‘Behold, I am bringing such calamity upon Jerusalem and Judah, that whoever hears of it, both his ears will tingle. 13 And I will stretch over Jerusalem the measuring line of Samaria and the plummet of the house of Ahab; I will wipe Jerusalem as one wipes a dish, wiping it and turning it upside down. 14 So I will forsake the remnant of My inheritance and deliver them into the hand of their enemies; and they shall become victims of plunder to all their enemies, 15 because they have done evil in My sight, and have provoked Me to anger since the day their fathers came out of Egypt, even to this day.’” 2 Kings 21:11-15
 
Manasseh was not unlike a couple of recent Democrat presidents of the United States. The record of the things he did is strikingly similar to many actions of these wicked men. Manasseh means He Shall Forget and also From a Debt. Matthew next records “and Manasseh begot Amon.”
 
Amon is first mentioned in 2 Kings 21:18. The details of his reign go on to say –
 
“Amon was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned two years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Meshullemeth the daughter of Haruz of Jotbah. 20 And he did evil in the sight of the Lord, as his father Manasseh had done. 21 So he walked in all the ways that his father had walked; and he served the idols that his father had served, and worshiped them. 22 He forsook the Lord God of his fathers, and did not walk in the way of the Lord.” 2 Kings 21:19-22
 
He was eventually killed by the servants in his own house. Another bad king bites the dust. His name means A Nourisher, A Nurse, Master Workman, or maybe even Mother(land). Some Greek texts call him Amos. Matthew next records, “and Amon begot Josiah.”
 
Josiah is first mentioned in 2 Kings 21:24. However, the details of his righteous rule begin in 2 Kings 22 –
 
“Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jedidah the daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath. 2 And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in all the ways of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.” 2 Kings 22:1, 2
 
The note that he did right, like David, is striking. So exceptional were the actions of Josiah, that he is normally remembered today as Good King Josiah. He was one of the good guys.  He restored right worship to the nation. Good job Josiah! His name means something like Yah Heals, Fire Made by Yehovah, or something along those lines.
 
Life application: Manasseh was one bad dude. He is remembered almost exclusively as a terrible person. He was eventually carried away to Babylon. However, while a prison in Babylon, this is recorded in 2 Chronicles –
 
“And the Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they would not listen. 11 Therefore the Lord brought upon them the captains of the army of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh with hooks, bound him with bronze fetters, and carried him off to Babylon. 12 Now when he was in affliction, he implored the Lord his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, 13 and prayed to Him; and He received his entreaty, heard his supplication, and brought him back to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the Lord was God.” 2 Chronicles 33:10-13
 
Despite all of his wickedness, when he turned back to the Lord in his heart, the Lord restored him to his people, his land, and his position of authority. The record of his life ends well with good deeds and burial in his own house.
 
The Lord is unimpressed with your bank account, your position at work, or the estate you may dwell in. These things do not define a person.
 
The Lord is not impressed with the position of President of the United States, and just because someone is in that position, it does not mean he is either godly or deserving of any notice by the Lord at all. The only thing the Lord is evaluating is the intent of the heart.
 
Wicked presidents will someday be chucked into the Lake of Fire. However, because of the nature of the Lord God, if those people change their minds about Him, turn to Him, and receive Jesus as their Savior by believing in His gospel, they will be saved. God doesn’t want anyone to perish. This is true of King Manasseh, and it is true of wicked men who fill the office of president, prime minister, chancellor, etc.
 
The Lord is gracious and forgiving. Pray for your leaders concerning salvation. If they humble themselves, God will heal them. In turn, they may have an effect on healing the land in which you live.
 
Lord God, may we be careful to pray for the turning of our wicked leaders. Though it may be a long shot, it can happen. King Manasseh humbled himself before You, and those who lead us, no matter how despicable, may be willing to do so too. So, Lord, soften our hearts enough to pray for their salvation. May it be so. Amen.
 

Matthew 1:9

Tuesday, 16 July 2024
 
Uzziah begot Jotham, Jotham begot Ahaz, and Ahaz begot Hezekiah. Matthew 1:9
 
“And Uzziah begot Jotham, and Jotham begot Ahaz, and Ahaz begot Hezekiah” (CG).
 
The previous verse finished with the words, “and Joram begot Uzziah.” The ongoing genealogy continues with, “And Uzziah begot Jotham.”
 
The first note of Jotham replacing his father is noted in 2 Kings 15:7. However, the main commentary on his time as king is recorded later in 2 Kings 15 –
 
“In the second year of Pekah the son of Remaliah, king of Israel, Jotham the son of Uzziah, king of Judah, began to reign. 33 He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jerusha the daughter of Zadok. 34 And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord; he did according to all that his father Uzziah had done. 35 However the high places were not removed; the people still sacrificed and burned incense on the high places. He built the Upper Gate of the house of the Lord.” 2 Kings 15:32-35
 
The name Jotham means Yehovah is Upright. He was a good king according to the overall record of his reign. Next Matthew records, “and Jotham begot Ahaz.”
 
In Judah’s record, there are good kings and there are bad kings. In this case, the guy was a dud. He is first noted in 2 Kings 15:38. However, the main record of his time as king begins in 2 Kings 16. There it says –
 
“Ahaz was twenty years old when he became king, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem; and he did not do what was right in the sight of the Lord his God, as his father David had done. 3 But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel; indeed he made his son pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the nations whom the Lord had cast out from before the children of Israel. 4 And he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places, on the hills, and under every green tree.” 2 Kings 16:2-4
 
The record of King Ahaz continues through all of 2 Kings 16. He is also mentioned in Isaiah’s famous prophecy concerning the coming Messiah highlighted in Isaiah 7:14. His name means He Has Grasped or Possessor. As noted, he is remembered as a bad king. With that, Matthew continues with “and Ahaz begot Hezekiah.”
 
Hezekiah is first mentioned in 2 Kings 16:20. The record of Hezekiah’s reign begins in detail in 2 Kings 18, and it continues through 2 Kings 20. Of him, the record says –
 
“Now it came to pass in the third year of Hoshea the son of Elah, king of Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz, king of Judah, began to reign. 2 He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Abi the daughter of Zechariah. 3 And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father David had done.” 2 Kings 18:1-3
 
As such, he is considered a good king of Israel. It was during his reign that the northern tribes of Israel were taken into exile. His name means Yah Strengthens.
 
Life application: In these three kings we have two generally considered good and one whose record defines him as bad. These people made their choices in life, just as each one of us must do. A large portion of our responsibilities extends beyond our immediate selves as well.
 
If we have children, it is our responsibility to instruct them in the ways of the Lord. If we fail to do that, the chances of them turning out to be losers will be much greater than if we are careful to do so. And yet, there are bad children that come from good parents and good children that come from failed parents.
 
Even good parents who instruct their children may be a bit overbearing in how they do so. One cannot beat Jesus into a child. Rather, parents need to live out their lives loving Jesus, directing their children to Him, but not forcing Him upon them. As with any normal relationship, people tend to turn against being forced to do things.
 
There is no set answer in how to raise children because each is an individual who will eventually make his or her own decisions, but the more attention we give in raising them in a proper and godly manner, the better the chances are that they will eventually also follow the Lord.
 
Time is short and children grow up fast. Don’t delay doing what you should be doing, and be sure to continue doing it all your days. Little eyes are watching. Little minds need to be filled. Do your best while you have the time. Tell the next generation about the goodness of the Lord. This early and often instruction will at least set the next generation on the right path.
 
Lord God, help us as we raise the next generation of children. The world is getting more and more opposed to the message of Jesus. Perversion is everywhere. The odds are stacked against our children, and we need to be alert and responsible in how we raise them. Help us in this, please. Give us wisdom and strength to bring them to a right understanding of our precious Lord. Amen.
 

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.