Matthew (Written)

Great sculpture. Wyoming Capitol.

Wednesday, 10 July 2024

Judah begot Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez begot Hezron, and Hezron begot Ram. Matthew 1:3

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“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.

Tuesday, 9 July 2024

Abraham begot Isaac, Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers. Matthew 1:2

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“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.

That’s a lot of bull. Wyoming Capitol.

Monday, 8 July 2024

The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham: Matthew 1:1

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

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.

WWII plaque. Wyoming Capitol.

Sunday, 7 July 2024

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

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

** 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!

Wyoming Capitol, 1888

Saturday, 6 July 2024

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

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!

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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 40^th chapter of Isaiah and corresponds to Matthew, the 40^th 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.