Studies in Matthew
Matthew 1:1-16
The reason Matthew begins with a study of the Genealogy is to establish the credentials of the promised King of Israel.
The Genealogy of the King of Israel Matt. 1:1‑16 Unlike a man made religion which would tend to gloss over the failings of its founders, The Bible portrays its saints quite vividly as sinners. The genealogy of the Messiah bares this out.
V 1 Abraham ‑ He was not a perfect man but one who sought to know and follow God. There are many recorded failings of Abraham. Gen. 12:4 & 10‑20 16:1‑6 Gen. 20:1‑7. But Abraham was described as God's friend in Is. 41:8. What made Abraham a Friend of God? Gen. 15 & John 8:56
Discussion of Messiah Ben Joseph (the favorite son of Jacob) and Messiah Ben David. Talmudic references to two apparently different types of Messiahs described in the Tna kh pronounced Tenach. The first Messiah figure described is Messiah ben Joseph, who like Joseph seems to be betrayed by his brothers. Messiah ben Joseph then winds up being the savior of Egypt and then when his brothers return to Egypt for bread, Joseph becomes their deliverer. Messiah ben Joseph is discerned in the writings of Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22 and others as well. The second is Messiah be David who clearly is the one all Israel expected and is still expecting. This Messiah is the coming King who will, like King David defeat Israel's foe and become the greatest King of Israel and rule from Jerusalem over all the nations. This is seen in many of the the prophecies most clearly in Zechariah 12-14. It is interesting to see both prophecies meet in Zech. 12:10 where Israel mourns over the One that they pierced.
An Hebrew acronym for Torah which is the five books of Moses Gen. ‑ Deut., Neviim ‑ Which is Hebrew for the prophets, and Ketubim ‑ Which is Hebrew for the Writings ie. Psalms, Chronicles etc. The Tenach is a Hebrew word for identifying the Jewish Scriptures (O.T.) Isaac ‑ Isaac like Abraham had is failings but he too was pleasing to the Lord. Gen. 26 & Gen. 27 But like Abraham, Isaac was a man of faith ‑ Gen. 22
Jacob ‑ in the rich tradition of human frailty Jacob was very much like men of our day. Yet in spite of his many shortfalls he was beloved of the Lord. Jacob was one who believed that the Lord helps those who help themselves, consider Gen 27. But whom the Lord loves He disciplines consider Gen 29. Jacob becomes a transformed man when he finally comes to the end of his own resources Gen. 32.
Judah & Tamar V. 3 - The birthright came to Judah instead of Reuben the first born because of his sin with Bilhah, Rachel's, servant. The action of Reuben was assuming the estate of his father before he died. It was arrogant and prideful. Thus he was disqualified from the rights of the first-born.
Simeon & Levi were disqualified for their deception in killing the sons of Hamor in Gen 34. Gen. 49:10, In Gen. 38 ‑ we learn of Judah's actions. Intermarriage caused him and his children to walk in the way of the Canaanites.
Rahab the Harlot - V. 5 Joshua 2 - In the genealogical line of the Messiah we see that Rahab who was essentially a prostitute became a daughter of promise by virtue of her faith in the God of the Israelites Josh. 2:8‑11. She blessed Israel and so was herself blessed. Both her faith and her works are commended in the Newer Covenant (Heb. 11:31‑ James‑ James 2:25)
Ruth the Moabite - Ruth was a woman of faith and humility. She recognized that the God of Israel was the One true God. She in the tradition of Abraham left her family to go to a land that she knew nothing about. She was responsible for turning Naomi's "Mara" (Bitterness) to Joy. Boaz was Naomi's Kinsmen‑Redeemer. Gen. 38:9 Deut. 25:5‑10 Ruth 4:1‑8 Matt. 22:23. A Redeemer was one who would recover persons or things. A redemption price was necessary for this recovery or restoration. A human intermediary, the Goel acted to secure the redemption. Jesus is our Kinsmen‑Redeemer we were lost, sold into bondage and were redeemed with a precious price. Gal 3:13 4:5, Col 1:14
The genealogical line to this point demonstrates that God has worked and continues to work with people like us. Jew and Gentile alike. Those who sinned were chastened and experienced the consequences of their sins. Yet they could be restored because they were men and women who sought God. Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Heb. 11:8‑13
David the King - The Davidic Covenant - 2 Samuel 7:11‑18 this was an unconditional, perpetual, everlasting covenant. A House Forever ‑ '"(2SA 7:16) This house is the Davidic line which will continue forever. The Davidic line continues in the Son of David. Who will rule and reign over the nation of Israel as He now rules over the Church. A Throne forever ‑(PSA 89:34‑36) Although Israel has over thousands of years passed through successive captivities and scatterings, this covenant has remained in force. The Throne of David was confirmed afresh in Luke 1:32‑33 A Kingdom forever (2 Sam. 7:16) This kingdom will be established on earth literally when the Messiah returns. It will be the kingdom restored again to Israel just as Jewish apostles asked in Acts 1:6: On the very land promised to the Jewish people. The covenants, which are at the foundation of all prophecy, possess a validity that is irrevocable and unchangeable. They cannot be set aside either by human policies or politics, or historical changes because they constitute the purposes and plans of God.
The fruit of David's adultery was the death of his first-born son with Bathsheba. 2 Sam 12:15 The Lord demonstrated His forgiveness of David with the birth of Solomon who was greatly loved by the Lord. 2 Sam 12:24‑25. God forgave David his sin but the consequences of his sins would not be avoided. David's oldest son like his father was unable to control his lust and raped his half sister Tamar. Absalom her brother avenges her sister by killing Amnon and eventually usurping the throne from his father King David (2 Sam 13‑15). King Solomon v. 7 was blessed and greatly loved by God. However God's blessings upon Solomon and Israel were conditional. 1 Kings 3:2‑14 & 1 Kings 9:1‑10. Solomon disobeyed the Law of the Lord by: 1) multiplying horses 1 Kings 10:26 & 1 Kings 4:26 ("The king, moreover, must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself or make the people return to Egypt to get more of them, for the LORD has told you, "You are not to go back that way again." Dt. 17:16) 2) Taking many wives 1 Kings 11:1‑3 "He (the king of Israel) must not take many wives, or his heart will be led astray. Dt. 17:17 3) Accumulating great wealth 1 Kings 10:14‑25 " He must not accumulate large amounts of silver and gold." Dt. 17:17 The result was that Solomon's heart was led astray and God brought judgment upon Solomon and Israel. 1 Kings 11:9‑13. Solomon - The fruit of David's adultery was the death of his first-born son with Bathsheba. 2 Sam 12:15 The Lord demonstrated His forgiveness of David with the birth of Solomon who was greatly loved by the Lord. 2 Sam 12:24‑25. God forgave David his sin but the consequences of his sins would not be avoided. David's oldest son like his father was unable to control his lust and raped his half sister Tamar. Absalom her brother avenges her sister by killing Amnon and eventually usurping the throne from his father King David (2 Sam 13‑15). King Solomon v. 7 was blessed and greatly loved by God. However God's blessings upon Solomon and Israel were conditional. 1 Kings 3:2‑14 & 1 Kings 9:1‑10. Solomon disobeyed the Law of the Lord by: 1) multiplying horses 1 Kings 10:26 & 1 Kings 4:26 ("The king, moreover, must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself or make the people return to Egypt to get more of them, for the LORD has told you, "You are not to go back that way again." Dt. 17:16) 2) Taking many wives 1 Kings 11:1‑3 "He (the king of Israel) must not take many wives, or his heart will be led astray. Dt. 17:17 3) accumulating great wealth 1 Kings 10:14‑25 " He must not accumulate large amounts of silver and gold." Dt. 17:17 the result was that Solomon's heart was led astray and God brought judgment upon Solomon and Israel. 1 Kings 11:9‑13.
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The reason Matthew begins with a study of the Genealogy is to establish the credentials of the promised King of Israel.
The Genealogy of the King of Israel Matt. 1:1‑16 Unlike a man made religion which would tend to gloss over the failings of its founders, The Bible portrays its saints quite vividly as sinners. The genealogy of the Messiah bares this out.
V 1 Abraham ‑ He was not a perfect man but one who sought to know and follow God. There are many recorded failings of Abraham. Gen. 12:4 & 10‑20 16:1‑6 Gen. 20:1‑7. But Abraham was described as God's friend in Is. 41:8. What made Abraham a Friend of God? Gen. 15 & John 8:56
Discussion of Messiah Ben Joseph (the favorite son of Jacob) and Messiah Ben David. Talmudic references to two apparently different types of Messiahs described in the Tna kh pronounced Tenach. The first Messiah figure described is Messiah ben Joseph, who like Joseph seems to be betrayed by his brothers. Messiah ben Joseph then winds up being the savior of Egypt and then when his brothers return to Egypt for bread, Joseph becomes their deliverer. Messiah ben Joseph is discerned in the writings of Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22 and others as well. The second is Messiah be David who clearly is the one all Israel expected and is still expecting. This Messiah is the coming King who will, like King David defeat Israel's foe and become the greatest King of Israel and rule from Jerusalem over all the nations. This is seen in many of the the prophecies most clearly in Zechariah 12-14. It is interesting to see both prophecies meet in Zech. 12:10 where Israel mourns over the One that they pierced.
An Hebrew acronym for Torah which is the five books of Moses Gen. ‑ Deut., Neviim ‑ Which is Hebrew for the prophets, and Ketubim ‑ Which is Hebrew for the Writings ie. Psalms, Chronicles etc. The Tenach is a Hebrew word for identifying the Jewish Scriptures (O.T.) Isaac ‑ Isaac like Abraham had is failings but he too was pleasing to the Lord. Gen. 26 & Gen. 27 But like Abraham, Isaac was a man of faith ‑ Gen. 22
Jacob ‑ in the rich tradition of human frailty Jacob was very much like men of our day. Yet in spite of his many shortfalls he was beloved of the Lord. Jacob was one who believed that the Lord helps those who help themselves, consider Gen 27. But whom the Lord loves He disciplines consider Gen 29. Jacob becomes a transformed man when he finally comes to the end of his own resources Gen. 32.
Judah & Tamar V. 3 - The birthright came to Judah instead of Reuben the first born because of his sin with Bilhah, Rachel's, servant. The action of Reuben was assuming the estate of his father before he died. It was arrogant and prideful. Thus he was disqualified from the rights of the first-born.
Simeon & Levi were disqualified for their deception in killing the sons of Hamor in Gen 34. Gen. 49:10, In Gen. 38 ‑ we learn of Judah's actions. Intermarriage caused him and his children to walk in the way of the Canaanites.
Rahab the Harlot - V. 5 Joshua 2 - In the genealogical line of the Messiah we see that Rahab who was essentially a prostitute became a daughter of promise by virtue of her faith in the God of the Israelites Josh. 2:8‑11. She blessed Israel and so was herself blessed. Both her faith and her works are commended in the Newer Covenant (Heb. 11:31‑ James‑ James 2:25)
Ruth the Moabite - Ruth was a woman of faith and humility. She recognized that the God of Israel was the One true God. She in the tradition of Abraham left her family to go to a land that she knew nothing about. She was responsible for turning Naomi's "Mara" (Bitterness) to Joy. Boaz was Naomi's Kinsmen‑Redeemer. Gen. 38:9 Deut. 25:5‑10 Ruth 4:1‑8 Matt. 22:23. A Redeemer was one who would recover persons or things. A redemption price was necessary for this recovery or restoration. A human intermediary, the Goel acted to secure the redemption. Jesus is our Kinsmen‑Redeemer we were lost, sold into bondage and were redeemed with a precious price. Gal 3:13 4:5, Col 1:14
The genealogical line to this point demonstrates that God has worked and continues to work with people like us. Jew and Gentile alike. Those who sinned were chastened and experienced the consequences of their sins. Yet they could be restored because they were men and women who sought God. Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Heb. 11:8‑13
David the King - The Davidic Covenant - 2 Samuel 7:11‑18 this was an unconditional, perpetual, everlasting covenant. A House Forever ‑ '"(2SA 7:16) This house is the Davidic line which will continue forever. The Davidic line continues in the Son of David. Who will rule and reign over the nation of Israel as He now rules over the Church. A Throne forever ‑(PSA 89:34‑36) Although Israel has over thousands of years passed through successive captivities and scatterings, this covenant has remained in force. The Throne of David was confirmed afresh in Luke 1:32‑33 A Kingdom forever (2 Sam. 7:16) This kingdom will be established on earth literally when the Messiah returns. It will be the kingdom restored again to Israel just as Jewish apostles asked in Acts 1:6: On the very land promised to the Jewish people. The covenants, which are at the foundation of all prophecy, possess a validity that is irrevocable and unchangeable. They cannot be set aside either by human policies or politics, or historical changes because they constitute the purposes and plans of God.
The fruit of David's adultery was the death of his first-born son with Bathsheba. 2 Sam 12:15 The Lord demonstrated His forgiveness of David with the birth of Solomon who was greatly loved by the Lord. 2 Sam 12:24‑25. God forgave David his sin but the consequences of his sins would not be avoided. David's oldest son like his father was unable to control his lust and raped his half sister Tamar. Absalom her brother avenges her sister by killing Amnon and eventually usurping the throne from his father King David (2 Sam 13‑15). King Solomon v. 7 was blessed and greatly loved by God. However God's blessings upon Solomon and Israel were conditional. 1 Kings 3:2‑14 & 1 Kings 9:1‑10. Solomon disobeyed the Law of the Lord by: 1) multiplying horses 1 Kings 10:26 & 1 Kings 4:26 ("The king, moreover, must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself or make the people return to Egypt to get more of them, for the LORD has told you, "You are not to go back that way again." Dt. 17:16) 2) Taking many wives 1 Kings 11:1‑3 "He (the king of Israel) must not take many wives, or his heart will be led astray. Dt. 17:17 3) Accumulating great wealth 1 Kings 10:14‑25 " He must not accumulate large amounts of silver and gold." Dt. 17:17 The result was that Solomon's heart was led astray and God brought judgment upon Solomon and Israel. 1 Kings 11:9‑13. Solomon - The fruit of David's adultery was the death of his first-born son with Bathsheba. 2 Sam 12:15 The Lord demonstrated His forgiveness of David with the birth of Solomon who was greatly loved by the Lord. 2 Sam 12:24‑25. God forgave David his sin but the consequences of his sins would not be avoided. David's oldest son like his father was unable to control his lust and raped his half sister Tamar. Absalom her brother avenges her sister by killing Amnon and eventually usurping the throne from his father King David (2 Sam 13‑15). King Solomon v. 7 was blessed and greatly loved by God. However God's blessings upon Solomon and Israel were conditional. 1 Kings 3:2‑14 & 1 Kings 9:1‑10. Solomon disobeyed the Law of the Lord by: 1) multiplying horses 1 Kings 10:26 & 1 Kings 4:26 ("The king, moreover, must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself or make the people return to Egypt to get more of them, for the LORD has told you, "You are not to go back that way again." Dt. 17:16) 2) Taking many wives 1 Kings 11:1‑3 "He (the king of Israel) must not take many wives, or his heart will be led astray. Dt. 17:17 3) accumulating great wealth 1 Kings 10:14‑25 " He must not accumulate large amounts of silver and gold." Dt. 17:17 the result was that Solomon's heart was led astray and God brought judgment upon Solomon and Israel. 1 Kings 11:9‑13.
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