Superior Word Daily Devotional On the Book of Matthew

[PrisonerOfHope]

The Book of Matthew; and Introduction

Tuesday, July 2nd, 2024


The Book of Matthew; an Introduction


The book of Matthew is comprised of 28 chapters of 1071 verses (as in the NKJV). Therefore, a daily evaluation of Matthew, one verse per day, will take approximately 2.93 years to complete, adding in the introduction to the book will take a few more days.



Explanation of the Title:

The name, Matthew, is a transliteration of the Greek name Matthaios first found in Matthew 9:9. According to Abarim, the name is derived from the Hebrew word matath, gift, that comes from the verb nathan, to give. That is then suffixed with the divine name of the Lord, Yehovah, to read something like Mattaiah. Thus, the name would mean Gift of Yehovah.



Author:

It is almost unanimously agreed upon that the book of Matthew was written by the Apostle Matthew (Levi), a Levite tax collector who was called by Jesus in Matthew 9:9 –



“As Jesus passed on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, ‘Follow Me.’ So he arose and followed Him.”



Luke takes the same account and uses the name Levi –



“After these things He went out and saw a tax collector named Levi, sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, ‘Follow Me.’ 28 So he left all, rose up, and followed Him.” Luke 5:27, 28 (Also see Mark 2:14).



In Matthew 10:2-4, the names of the twelve apostles are provided. In Matthew 10:3, Matthew the tax collector is named in that list.



The literary style of the book is just what one would expect of a Jewish man who was a tax collector. His records are detailed, and he carefully records the words of several of Jesus’ parables that deal with money, as would be expected of an accountant.



Further, being a tax collector, it is probable that Matthew was familiar with writing either very quickly or very briefly (such as in shorthand) so that he could sit and write out the things he heard as Jesus had spoken them. This in no way diminishes the doctrine known as inspiration of Scripture where the Holy Spirit guides the process of providing us with the word of God.



Rather, it explains why the Holy Spirit would have used Matthew to make a word for word record of things like the Sermon on the Mount and the Olivet Discourse. Luke, on the other hand, was a chronicler of events that had taken place. The Holy Spirit used these men’s abilities to obtain the necessary information and to guide them in how it would then be presented.



Dating:

It is debated when Matthew penned his gospel narrative, but it is believed to be somewhere from the early 40’s to late 50’s. As almost all believers at this time were Jews, it would help explain why his words deal so heavily with events from a Jewish point of view.



Internal Structure:

There are innumerable patterns running through Matthew, and what is recorded there reveals a wisdom that goes beyond a careful human planner of such a book. Rather, these patterns demonstrate a higher wisdom that guided the hand of Matthew, inspiring him to put in place these amazing patterns, many of which have only been uncovered in recent years.



Main Themes/Purpose:

An overall theme and purpose is that it is a written record of the life and events of Jesus Christ, demonstrating that He is mankind’s promised One who would restore all things as first seen in Genesis 3:15. He is Israel’s promised Messiah and the King of the Jews.



Matthew carefully records specific Old Testament fulfillments in his narrative, demonstrating these things. His introductory chapter carefully weaves together Jesus’ genealogy from Abraham to the coming of Jesus, hinging it upon the coming of King David and the Babylonian captivity of the people. Matthew’s words also carefully detail how Old Testament prophecies were fulfilled in the Person and work of Jesus Christ.



Another main purpose of the book, that becomes more evidently apparent when placed side by side with the other two synoptic gospels (Mark and Luke), is that these three gospels are a written record of Jesus’ ministry fulfilling the Law of Moses in order to bring it to an end through the initiation of a new covenant with the House of Israel and the House of Judah, an event that was prophesied in Jeremiah 31:31-34.



Therefore, it is important to understand the context of what is recorded in Matthew. It provides the life and words of Jesus as spoken to Israel under the law of Moses. Understanding this context removes many of what would otherwise seem contradictory statements between the synoptic gospels and the epistles.



The words of these synoptic gospels, then, must be carefully considered in this proper context. When they are applied to New Covenant believers, as sadly is often the case, it brings an incorrect theology to the mind of saved believers, as if Jesus is speaking to them about things they must do. Only with the introduction of the New Covenant do the words of Scripture truly begin to convey things intended for the church.



Jesus has done the work! Jesus has fulfilled everything necessary to reconcile us to God! And Jesus now offers His people grace and entrance into God’s promised rest.



Life application: With this all too brief initial summary of the book of Matthew presented, and with more introductory comments to come, it is hoped that you will be blessed by this in-depth study of the book of Matthew. It is a book that must be considered carefully. The intended context must be maintained. Jesus is dealing with Israel under the law and in anticipation of the coming New Covenant.



By maintaining this context, things will be properly understood. It is certain that if this is not done, many major theological errors will be introduced into one’s walk with the Lord. The church age is the dispensation of grace. It came about because of Christ’s finished work.



If Matthew is taken in its proper light, it is an invaluable tool for understanding what God is doing in the redemptive narrative of human history. If it is taken incorrectly, failed doctrine, and possibly even heretical ideas, will arise within the church.



Let us consider the Book of Matthew in its proper light. In doing so, these errors in thinking and theology will be avoided.



Heavenly Father, how we thank You for Your precious word. Help us to consider it carefully, handle it with respect, and be filled with joy as we search out its treasures. May we find Your proper purpose and intent for us in it, and may we apply what we learn to our lives. Yes, may it be so to Your glory. Amen.

[PrisonerOfHope]

Matthew Introduction IIa

Wednesday, July 3rd, 2024


The Book of Matthew; an Introduction – Part IIa


As noted in the first introductory segment, this segment will reveal some of the patterns of Matthew, and how the book fits into the overall structure of how the Bible is laid out. Due to its length, it will be divided into a two-day study.



Main Purposes:

There are several purposes concerning the need for the Book of Matthew, as well as its placement in the Bible.



1) A Depiction of Jesus Christ Given to Assure Believers That He Is The One Promised to Come and Restore All Things for the People of God



2) A Carefully Detailed Record of the Life and Ministry of Jesus Christ: Matthew records the genealogy of Jesus, proving that He possessed the right to the throne of David and is the fulfillment of the messianic prophecies in the Old Testament.



He records the things Jesus did, the words He spoke, and the miracles He accomplished. Matthew’s gospel provides a beautiful panorama of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. With a knowledge of the Old Testament, one can pick up this gospel narrative and make the obvious connection to the things prophesied and the things then fulfilled.



3) Intricate Patterns That Reveal the Wisdom of God Through Inspiration of the Text: Each of the first 28 books of the Old Testament has a link to the corresponding chapter in Matthew, forming a notable structure within Matthew. These will be placed here in the introduction for easy reference in the future. Based on these patterns, there is every reason to assume that the chapter and verse numbers, though added centuries later, are divinely inspired.



——————–

*God speaking to Abraham in Genesis (1st book) 22:18 says –



“In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.”



Matthew 1:1 links to this –



“The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham.”



Here, the first sentence of Matthew is establishing the direct lineage of the Christ, Jesus. It is interesting to note that no other person in history can fulfill this prophecy because the records of Jewish genealogy were destroyed with the 2nd Temple in AD 70.



Secondly, Matthew 1:17 says –



“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.”



Interestingly, it is the 17th Chapter of Genesis where God reveals to Abraham that he would receive the covenant and that kings would come from him.



Notice the parallel – (1)17 and 1:17



Another Genesis/Matthew link is to be found here in Matthew 1:20, 21 –



“But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins.’”



The parallel in Genesis is this –



“Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more.” Genesis 37:5



Notice that both Josephs received dreams from God.



——————-

*Exodus (2nd book) 4:22, 23 says –



“Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the LORD: “Israel is My son, My firstborn. 23 So I say to you, let My son go that he may serve Me. But if you refuse to let him go, indeed I will kill your son, your firstborn.””’



Matthew 2:15, provides the link –



“and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, ‘Out of Egypt I called My Son.’”



Another impressive pattern from Exodus is the attempted murder of Moses by Pharoah and Jesus by Herod, both of which involved and order to exterminate the male children –



“When you help the Hebrew women in childbirth and observe them on the delivery stool, if it is a boy, kill him; but if it is a girl, let her live.” Exodus 1:16



“When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi.” Matthew 2:16



Notice that both of these events occur in the 16th verse (2)1:16 and 2:16.



——————–

*Leviticus (3rd book) 11:22 reads –



“These you may eat: the locust after its kind, the destroying locust after its kind, the cricket after its kind, and the grasshopper after its kind.”



In Matthew 3:4 is this link –



“Now John himself was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey.”



———————

*Numbers (4th book) begins with, “Now the LORD spoke to Moses in the Wilderness of Sinai…”



In fact, the Hebrew name for Numbers is Bamidbar which means “In the Wilderness.” The book details the forty years of wandering in the desert.



See how Matthew 4 begins –



“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness…”



Notice the numerical pattern (4)1 and 4:1. Israel’s forty years are in accord with the biblical pattern of a day for a year which corresponds to Jesus’ forty days there.



Remember that the purpose of the 40 years of wandering is outlined in Deuteronomy 8 –



“And you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not. 3 So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord.” Deuteronomy 8:2, 3



Jesus used exactly this verse in Matthew 4:4 to refute the devil after His wandering in the wilderness –



“But He answered and said, ‘It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”



Another parallel between the two is in Numbers 23. Here it shows us where Balaam was tempted three times to curse the Israelites as they camped east of the Promised Land at the end of 40 years in the wilderness.



Matthew 4 matches this beautifully in the three temptations of Jesus by Satan at the end of His 40 days of fasting in the Judean wilderness which is east of Jerusalem.



———————-

*Deuteronomy (5th book) 28 starts with Israel’s expected blessings from God for obedience. In fact, from Deuteronomy 3-12, the word “bless” in one form or another is mentioned nine times.



Matthew 5 starts with the Beatitudes spoken by the Lord Jesus. In fact, a form of the word “bless” is mentioned nine times from 3-11.



———————

*Joshua (6th book) 7:21 says –



“When I saw among the spoils a beautiful Babylonian garment, two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them. And there they are, hidden in the earth in the midst of my tent, with the silver under it.”



Matthew 6:21 states –



“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”



Notice the parallel in the number – (6)7:21 and 6:21.



———————–

*Judges is the 7th book.



Matthew 7:1 states, “Judge not, that you be not judged.”



————————

*Ruth (8th book) 1:14 says –



“At this they wept again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law good-by, but Ruth clung to her” (NIV).



Matthew 8:14 says –



“When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever” (NIV).



It may seem insignificant, but it is a pattern – (8)1:14 and Matthew 8:14 both speak of mother-in-law. This term is used only 16 times in the entire bible and 9 of these are in the book of Ruth while 5 are in the synoptic Gospels.



Life application: As you can already see, there are patterns hidden within the text of Matthew that correspond exactingly to other books of the Bible. These patterns will continue to be presented in the next few days.



Such patterns can be found in other Books of the Bible, such as Luke, which is filled with them. If one considers that the order of the books of the Old Testament do not match the same order as that used by the Jewish people, that the chapter divisions did not exist until the 1200s, and that the verse numbers did not exist until the 1500s, it is either the biggest fluke in history that these patterns exist, or it is absolutely certain that God superintended over the process of inspiring what was recorded, how it is laid out, and how it continued to be laid out even a millennia and a half later.



Further, these patterns continue to be discovered even today. If you struggle with whether the word of God is really the word of God, consider these things. The guiding hand of God has been involved in the process of inspiration all along as He has slowly revealed His word to His people in a chronologically methodical way so that man can have every assurance that he is putting his eggs in the right basket when he trusts in Jesus because he trusts in the reliability of the word of God.



Lord God, how wonderful it is to read and study Your word. The amount of wisdom and knowledge that is derived from it is beyond our ability to even imagine. Thank You for your sure and precious word that tells us about our great and exalted Savior, Jesus. Amen.

[PrisonerOfHope]

Matthew Introduction IIb

Thursday, July 4th, 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:



————————

*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.



———————-

*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.



———————-

*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



———————–

*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 divided kingdom 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.



————————-

*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.’”



————————-

*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!



———————

*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.



———————–

*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.”



———————–

*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.

[PrisonerOfHope]

Matthew Introduction IIc

Friday, July 5th, 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:



———————–

*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.”



———————-

*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!



———————-

*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.



———————-

*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



———————-

*Song of Songs (22nd book) 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.’”



———————–

*Isaiah (23rd book) 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. Unlike Isaiah, Jesus is exalted, not lowly. 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 chronological 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, Israel’s punishment brought about the Gentile-led church. To understand this, and to see what God has been doing, watch the sermon series from the book of Judges that 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.

[PrisonerOfHope]

Matthew Introduction IId

Saturday, July 6th, 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 clings

To 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 connection – (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) 17 –



“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 desert

A 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.

[PrisonerOfHope]

Matthew Introduction, Part III

Sunday, July 7th, 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 –



a. 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



b. 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



c. Tent of Japheth (dwelling in, meaning between, tents of Shem)



Romans-Philemon – to Gentile-led church



d. Tent of Shem



Hebrews, James, 1 & 2 Peter to Jews (Shem)



e. Mixture



John (mixture)



Jude (mixture, final letter of warning)



f. 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 term 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!

[PrisonerOfHope]

Daily Bible Verse, Matthew 1:1

Monday, July 8th, 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.

[PrisonerOfHope]

Daily Bible Verse, Matthew 1:2

Tuesday, July 9th, 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 descendants 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.

[PrisonerOfHope]

Daily Bible Verse. Matthew 1:3

Wednesday, July 10th, 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 servants

He 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.

[PrisonerOfHope]

Daily Bible Verse, Matthew 1:4

Thursday, July 11th, 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.



The only other place Salmon is mentioned is 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.

[PrisonerOfHope]

Daily Bible Verse, Matthew 1:5

Friday, July 12th, 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, Boaz 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.

[PrisonerOfHope]

Daily Bible Verse, Matthew 1:6

Saturday, July 13th, 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



Jedidiah was thus Solomon’s other name. 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.

[PrisonerOfHope]

Daily Bible Verse, Matthew 1:7

Sunday, July 14th, 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.

[PrisonerOfHope]

Daily Bible Verse, Matthew 1:8

Monday, July 15th, 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.

[PrisonerOfHope]

Daily Bible Verse, Matthew 1:9

Tuesday, July 16th, 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.

[PrisonerOfHope]

Daily Bible Verse, Matthew 1:10

Wednesday, July 17th, 2024




Hezekiah begot 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 prisoner 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.

[PrisonerOfHope]

Daily Bible Verse, Matthew 1:11

Thursday, July 18th, 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.

[PrisonerOfHope]

Daily Bible Verse, Matthew 1:12

Friday, July 19th, 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.

[PrisonerOfHope]

Daily Bible Verse, Matthew 1:13

Saturday, July 20th, 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 1 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.” 1 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 1 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.

[PrisonerOfHope]

Daily Bible Verse, Matthew 1:14

Sunday, July 21st, 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.

[PrisonerOfHope]

Daily Bible Verse, Matthew 1:15

Monday, July 22nd, 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.



Are these patterns 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.

[PrisonerOfHope]

Daily Bible Verse, Matthew 1:16

Tuesday, July 23rd, 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 –



———————————————



I. Messias or Christ is the Son of David.



This is admitted by all.



II. 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.



IV. 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.



V. 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.



VI. 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.



IX. 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.



X. 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.



XI. 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.



———————————————



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.

[PrisonerOfHope]

Daily Bible Verse, Matthew 1:17

Wednesday, July 24th, 2024


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 1:17


“Therefore, all the generations from Abraham until David, generations fourteen. And from David until the Babylon deportation, generations fourteen. And from the Babylon deportation until the Christ, generations fourteen” (CG).



The previous verse noted the birth of Jesus, who is called Christ. With that noted, Matthew now sums up his genealogical listing, beginning with, “Therefore, all the generations from Abraham until David, generations fourteen.”



The listings of generations, as noted purposefully omit some names. Matthew is setting forth a memory technique by listing the three triads in set intervals of fourteen generations each. These triads set forth the proposition that Jesus is the great Son of David, prophesied in 2 Samuel 7, a passage known to be messianic in nature –



“When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be his Father, and he shall be My son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men and with the blows of the sons of men. 15 But My mercy shall not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16 And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever.” 2 Samuel 7:12-16



The listing begins with Abraham, the father of the Hebrew people. The genealogies to David are fourteen, upon which the listing pivots. The name of David in Hebrew is דוד (DVD/daleth vav daleth). The letter daleth represents the number 4. The letter vav represents the number 6. Thus, it equates to 4+6+4 = 14.



This is the key upon which Matthew is setting forth his listing. The list then continues, saying, “And from David until the Babylon deportation, generations fourteen.”



Jeconiah (aka Coniah) was the king deported to Babylon. Of him, the Lord, through Jeremiah, said –



“‘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.’” Jeremiah 22:24, 25



David’s kingly line in Judah was cut in Coniah, represented by the plucking off of the signet. And yet, the line remained in Babylon. From there, Matthew next says, “And from the Babylon deportation until the Christ, generations fourteen.”



No king reigned from the time of the Babylonian exile. However, the line of the signet in Judah was restored in Zerubbabel, a returnee from Babylon –



“‘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



It is this anticipation of the restored kingly line of David that was anticipated in the coming of the Messiah. Matthew is indicating that the promised eternal kingdom is fulfilled in Jesus the Christ. Of the number fourteen, E.W. Bullinger says –



“FOURTEEN being a multiple of seven, partakes of its significance; and, being double that number, implies a double measure of spiritual perfection. The number two with which it is combined (2×7) may, however, bring its own significance into its meaning, as in Matthew 1, where the genealogy of Jesus Christ is divided up and given in sets of 14 (2×7) generations, two being the number associated with incarnation.”



As there are three triads, Bullinger notes that “three points us to what is real, essential, perfect, substantial, complete, and Divine.”



We are being given numerical hints of the perfection of what God has done in Christ through the manner in which the Holy Spirit inspired Matthew to complete this genealogical listing.



Interestingly, the total number of generations is forty-two. It is defined by Bullinger, saying that it “is a number connected with Antichrist. An important part of his career is to last for 42 months (Rev 11:2, 13:5), and thus this number is fixed upon him. … Being a multiple of seven, it might be supposed that it would be connected with spiritual perfection. But it is the product of six times seven. Six, therefore, being the number of Man, and man’s opposition to God, forty-two becomes significant of the working out of man’s opposition to God.”



Jesus is shown to be the Christ in the two genealogies submitted by Matthew and Luke. However, there cannot be an antichrist if there is no Christ. Thus, at the coming of Christ, there also came the spirit of antichrist. The four uses of the term in Scripture come from the hand of John –



“Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour.” 1 John 2:18



“Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist who denies the Father and the Son.” 1 John 2:22



“By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.” 1 John 4:2, 3



“For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.” 2 John 1:7



John specifically reveals that the incarnation of God in Christ is the central point upon which the spirit of the antichrist is revealed. Thus, to deny the deity of Jesus Christ is the spirit of antichrist. To deny Jesus is God incarnate is to then deny the Father. This is why Paul says –



“…that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9



The point of the forty-two named generations, then, is that they stand as a witness to what God has done in the incarnation of Christ. To deny what they proclaim reveals the spirit of the antichrist.



To proclaim Jesus is Lord is to proclaim that He is Yehovah incarnate. When one proclaims this, he has overcome the spirit of the antichrist. Jesus alone is the dividing line for who can be saved. Upon which side will you stand?



Life application: Jesus Christ is the defining figure in all of human history. Adam was created, and from him all people descend. However, in his fall, all men fell because all sinned in Adam. Death is the wages of sin and so all die. However, Jesus came to restore life. As all die in Adam, all in Christ live. This is carefully explained by Paul in the book of Romans.



John shows us that those who deny the incarnation of God in Christ have no connection to God the Father. The only way to overcome this spirit of the antichrist is to accept that God alone, through the incarnation of Christ, has done everything necessary for man to be saved.



Who is Jesus to you? What does grace mean to you? How do you perceive your relationship with the Law of Moses? If you are trying to merit God’s favor through law observance, you cannot be pleasing to God. This is because if Jesus is God, then He has done everything necessary to satisfy what He promised He would satisfy in the coming of the Messiah.



How can you do more than God to reconcile yourself to Him? You cannot. Therefore, law observance, after the coming of Christ, is the spirit of the antichrist, denying the Father/Son relationship. Think it through, put away your self-righteousness. Yield yourself to God’s grace through accepting that He has done it all through Jesus.



Lord God Almighty, Thank You for the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ! Amen.

[PrisonerOfHope]

Daily Bible Verse, Matthew 1:18

Thursday, July 25th, 2024


Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. Matthew 1:18


“And the birth of Jesus Christ was thus: For his mother Mary, having been betrothed to Joseph, rather before they came together, she was found – from Holy Spirit – having in womb” (CG).



The previous verse explained the number of generations from Abraham to David, from David to the Babylonian exile, and from the Babylonian exile to the coming of Christ. Now, it says, “And the birth of Jesus Christ was thus.”



Matthew immediately begins with an explanation of how Christ Jesus was conceived. He has just carefully detailed the line of Jesus, demonstrating that with all certainty He descended from Abraham and then David in a legal manner. This established His right to the Davidic throne. However, there is more to be considered, and so Matthew next says, “For his mother Mary…”



Mary is a human being. As all things produce after their own kind, she will have a human child. This is the pattern set in Genesis 1. It has remained without exception since creation. Mary’s life was a typical one in regard to marriage at that time, as Matthew next notes with the words, “having been betrothed to Joseph.”



Marriages were often arranged in Israel. For example, in Judges 14, Samson saw a girl he wanted to marry, and he told his parents. They accompanied him to her home and Samson then spoke to the girl, liked her, and a marriage was agreed upon. Something like this was probably the case with Joseph and Mary.



She was now his in a legal sense, which was protected by the Law of Moses. However, in the case of Mary, it next says, “rather before they came together.”



Though most translations skip the word é, which is translated as or, rather, than, etc., it is an important thought. It is a conjunction used disjunctively, distinguishing things or thoughts which either mutually exclude each other or where one will take the place of the other.



In this case, Matthew is noting that Mary is betrothed, and so she is the legally espoused wife of Joseph, but rather, something else is brought into the relationship before they actually united in marriage: this but now this. The thing that occurs is that “she was found – from Holy Spirit – having in womb.”



Said plainly, Mary was pregnant. Joseph has a legal right to Mary, but he has not yet consummated the marriage, and yet she is pregnant. In the normal course of events, a man must lie with a woman in order for her to conceive.



Should this have been the case, it would be considered adultery. In the Law of Moses, he had a right to have her stoned. At his discretion, he could divorce her and be done with the matter. But Matthew clearly stated that the child in her womb was “from Holy Spirit.”



The words bear no article in the Greek. This is the same as Luke 1:35. It was understood that the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Yehovah, this is seen, for example, in Psalm 51:11 and Isaiah 63:10, 11. In Daniel, the term “Spirit of Holy God” is used several times.



In other words, the Spirit Yehovah has generated a Child in the womb of Mary. As all things reproduce after their own kind, this means that this Child is, in fact, Yehovah, the God of Israel.



Life application: What is recorded in Matthew is unmistakable in its meaning. Jesus Christ bears the right to the Davidic throne because of the genealogy of Josep and that Of Mary. Joseph had the right of marriage to Mary through their betrothal. Mary is a human. Before Joseph’s marriage to Mary was consummated, she was found to be pregnant by Yehovah’s Holy Spirit.



Thus, this God/Man, Jesus Christ, is being clearly represented as having the right to the Davidic throne. This is what Matthew’s commentary is unmistakably revealing to us. With this set forth, the ongoing narrative will use this thought to continue through its pages. The Lord God has united with humanity and has come to redeem His people. Praise God for what He has done!



Lord God, what Your word tells us is simply astonishing. We stand in awe of Your workings in the stream of time and human existence as You fulfill every promise that You have made to Your people. Thank You for allowing us the honor of seeing it laid out in Your word and having it realized in our lives through faith in Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory to You, O God. Amen.

[PrisonerOfHope]

Daily Bible Verse, Matthew 1:19

Friday, July 26th, 2024


Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. Matthew 1:19


“And Joseph, her husband, being righteous and not willing to expose her to disgrace, intended to send her away secretly” (CG).



In the previous verse, it noted that Mary was betrothed to Joseph but that before they came together, she was pregnant. Matthew noted that the Child was from the Holy Spirit, but Joseph was obviously unaware of this or didn’t believe it. Therefore, Matthew now continues with, “And Joseph, her husband, being righteous.”



This is the first of many comparative verses in the New Testament that must be considered in the proper context. Paul, using the same Greek adjective, dikaios, says –



“As it is written:

‘There is none righteous, no, not one.’” Romans 3:10



Matthew, under inspiration of the Holy Spirit, calls Joseph righteous. And yet, Paul, under inspiration of the Holy Spirit says that there is none righteous. Thus, one can deduce that because God is not fickle, that Matthew is speaking in a comparative sense in relation to other humans and within the standards set forth for them in a particular context. However, Paul speaks of the defect of sin in man and compares him to the ultimate standard, which is God.



Of Joseph and his being righteous, Matthew next says, “and not willing to expose her to disgrace.”



This is an explanation of his righteousness. He understood the fallen nature of humanity, including Mary, and he did not want her to be publicly exposed as a harlot. Rather, he was willing for her to save face by taking her shame of infidelity upon himself. With the child reckoned as his, he could find another reason for divorcing her. As it next says, he “intended to send her away secretly.”



It cannot be that Mary told Him that she was pregnant with the Holy Spirit, that he believed it to be true, and that he then wanted to keep the perception of a blight off of the mother of the Messiah. It is not until the coming verse that he will know the truth of that matter.



Rather, he is simply a tender man with a righteous disposition who wanted to protect Mary from the harm of the actions he believed she had been a part of (See Deuteronomy 22:13-27). As such, at some point, he would seek a petition for divorce for some particular reason (see Deuteronomy 24:1).



Joseph’s actions, however, bring about a sort of dilemma. If the punishment for Mary’s actions was to be stoned (Deuteronomy 22) as required in the law, and yet he determined to put her away secretly, then how could he be deemed as a righteous man? The answer follows the same logic as Jesus displayed in John 8. The law clearly demanded that the woman caught in the act of adultery was to be stoned, and yet, this did not happen.



Joseph knew that he had failed to uphold the law in his own life, and yet, the law allowed for the atonement of sin. If Mary had failed, and yet the law could provide a covering for her actions (as was certainly the case with David and Bathsheba – see 2 Samuel 12:13), then Joseph chose to follow that course of action and have Mary spared. Thus, his righteousness is demonstrated in his actions.



Life application: As noted, the comparative example given in this verse must take into account the context of what is being said and done. For example, Jesus said –



“Why do you call Me good [agathos]? No one is good [agathos] but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” Matthew 19:17



And yet, Jesus says elsewhere –



“A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out [agathos]of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.” Matthew 12:35



As in the example above, one must consider the context of what is being said. Jesus was making a point about going around calling people good. The thought of goodness implies a standard. Therefore, a standard must be considered when making an evaluation and stating a claim about being good.



A great example of this is Joseph of Arimathea who is called a good [agathos] and just [dikaios] man in Luke 23:50. The same word for good is used to describe him as is the same word concerning being righteous used by Paul in Romans 3:10. Just as in English, there are different contexts in what we are referring to when making statements. Considering the context will help us to understand what is being conveyed.



Too often, Christians get legalistic or self-abasing when the term “good” is used based on Jesus’ words of Matthew 19:17. But if the context implies that a person is good, such nonsense can and should be avoided. Getting caught up in semantics can be harmful to rightly considering the overall concept of what the Bible is telling us. So, consider the context when evaluating what is said, and you will do well.



Lord God, may we use wisdom when considering Your word so that we will properly apply the context in what is being said. In this way, we will not make errors in our thinking. We desire to properly consider Your intent, so help us to do so. We pray this to Your glory. Amen.