Messianic Musings ~ A Matter of Perspective

The gospel of Matthew is peppered with accounts of the apostle Peter. When Jesus called him as an apostle he immediately left his fishing business and followed Jesus. He witnessed Jesus heal his mother and many others. At Jesus call, he walked on water. Like us, he sometimes blew it and sometimes he exhibited great faith. From what I have read and studied I think I could safely describe Peter as a man of action.

Chapter 17 of Matthew opens with one of the great wonders of Jesus' time of ministry on earth - the Transfiguration. In this passage, Peter, along with James and John, accompanied Jesus to a mountain top. "And He was transfigured before them, and His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became white as light. And behold there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with Him" (Matt. 17:2-3). Peter's response was immediate, " Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah" (Matt. 17:4).

I have often read this passage and confess that my underlying attitude toward Peter's actions has been a little judgmental. It seemed to me that Peter's words were spurred by his somewhat impulsive personality. After doing a little studying in the Jewish commentary I learned that there was more to this passage than my gentile mindset appreciated.

The Jewish scriptures (Tanakh), that Peter would have known well, are composed of the Law and the Prophets. According to Jewish tradition, The Law is represented by Moses and Elijah would represent The Prophets. The significance of these two men together is found in Deuteronomy/Devarim 3:17: "Moses, I swear to you, as you devoted your life to their service to the world, so too in the time to come when I bring Elijah, the prophet, unto them, the two of you shall come together".  Jewish tradition also believes that Elijah would one day appear to announce the coming of King Messiah and His kingdom.

Going back to Matthew 16:28,  Jesus had promised the apostles: "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His Kingdom".  When both Elijah and Moses appeared with Jesus, this would have been a profound moment for Peter.

Let's bring another Jewish tradition into the mix. The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot),  is celebrated by the Jewish people every year. This feast celebrates the presence of God dwelling with His people. As a part of this celebration, temporary shelters would be built that the Jews would dwell in for the eight days of the festival.

Now let's put this all together and look at things through Peter's perspective. The appearance of Moses and Elijah was a sign that the Kingdom of God would soon be ushered in. Add to this Jesus' promise in Matthew 16:28. How natural would Peter's response have been? Peter's actions were not an impulsive response. He read the signs of the times and acted on what he knew based on Jewish tradition and teachings. This changed the whole context of how I viewed this passage of Scripture!

Reading through the rest of the passage, we do know that the Transfiguration was not the time that the Lord's kingdom would be fully established. That was still yet to come.  But it was a moment that the Lord's splendor was made known with a promise of things to come.

"Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name; worship the Lord in the splendor of His holiness."  Psalm 29:2

Messianic Musings ~ The Breaking of Bread

Many of us are now in the midst of preparation for Thanksgiving. We may be pondering what to cook? What will we be eating? Or even thinking about some of the things that we are thankful for this year. For some, the Thanksgiving tradition will include a prayer of thanks before the meal. Even if it doesn't, I think we all could conjure up the vision of a person residing over the table with head bowed, eyes closed, hands folded, praying over the food.

This week we will be studying Matthew 14.  This chapter of scripture recounts one of Jesus' best known miracles where He feeds the 5,000 people who were gathered in a solitary place to hear Him speak.  We read in Matthew 14:19a, "And He directed the people to sit down on the grass.  Taking the fives loaves and two fish and looking up to heaven, He gave thanks and broke the loaves."  

On the surface, Jesus prayer of thanks may seem similar to our own Thanksgiving tradition.  If we delve into the Jewish perspective of meal-time prayer I think it will give us a deeper understanding of our own prayer this Thanksgiving.

Prior to a meal, a blessing (b'akhah) would be said called the Motzi: "Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe, who brings forth bread from the earth". As Jesus gave thanks this is probably what He said.  Jesus was not blessing the bread itself, but the Lord Who provided the food. You might also note from Matthew 14:19 that Jesus looked up to heaven when He prayed which was the more traditional Jewish posture of prayer.

To most of us, the fact that Jesus broke the bread would have little significance yet to a Jewish mindset this was significant.  Often when bread was distributed at a meal, it would be torn off the end of the loaf, not cut with a knife. This was a symbol of the day when nations would no longer be torn apart by the sword, something we eagerly await. Also, to Christians, 'breaking bread' might specifically refer to our communion service but to the Jewish people it would refer to anytime a meal was shared.

As we gather together this Thursday to 'break bread' with the people God has placed in our lives many things might come to mind that we are thankful for. I pray we would have time to look up to heaven and to bless God alone, not just for what He has given us. Simply because He is.

"Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever." Psalm 136:26

Messianic Musings ~ The Joy of Shabbat

As chapter 12 of Matthew opens, Jesus is once again confronted by the Pharisees because of His activities on the Sabbath, or Shabbat, as the Jewish people would call it. Have you ever wondered why this was such an issue for the Pharisees? What was driving their intense reaction?

We are all familiar with one of the earliest commands that God gave His people, the Israelites:

"Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.  Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work....Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy." (Ex. 30:8-9a, 11b.)

As I studied the Jewish perspective on this commandment I began to see the Sabbath in a new light. The observance of Shabbat has been one of the most revered of all the commandments in historical Judaism. Even today, two candles are lit on the evening of Shabbat to symbolize both the remembrance and the observance of this holy day.  We (as 21st century Christians ) may have the impression that this was a solemn and oppressive day, a day marked by "do not's".  It was anything but. In Isaiah 58 God calls the Sabbath a delight and a blessing.  For those who observe this holy day, God promises, "then you will find joy in the LORD. and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob" (Isaiah 58:14).

From our perspective, we may see the restrictions that the Jewish people were under as a burden. They saw these restrictions as a gift. They were a safeguard on their day of rest. It was a remembrance that they could rejoice that they were no longer slaves to anyone - not the Egyptians and not the demands of modern society.

When Jesus was confronted by the Pharisees concerning His observance of the Sabbath, He did not deny the celebration of this special day. He did speak against the religious practices that followed the letter of the law at the cost of overlooking the spirit and intent of the law.

This year in our homework we have been striving to apply the lessons we are learning in Matthew to our own lives. Each week we look at what we have specifically learned in the Bible passage we have studied. Next, we look at how God would want us to realign our hearts based on what we have learned. Lastly, we must ask ourselves how we can implement these truths in our lives practically.

I asked myself these questions as I studied the Sabbath. What did I learn? I learned that the Jews desired to safeguard the observance of the Sabbath because it was a gift to them. How does God want to realign my heart? God wants me to realize that I can take the Sabbath for granted, forgetting that He wants it to be a day of joy and a blessing. And lastly, what will I do about it? Well, that's between me and the LORD!!

Messianic Musings ~ The Dust of His Feet

Several years ago I took a course that was required for those entering the profession of grade school teacher. The class was called Principles of Education. The purpose of the class was to instill in teachers an understanding of the foundational educational principles  of the American school system.  The course began with an overview of the great philosophers of history and their contribution to the framework of the system that we have all been a part of. Two of the men who had the most significant impact were Greek philosophers  - Socrates and Plato.  

The way that the ancient Greeks taught was very different than the model of Jewish education. The Greek style of learning was basically concerned with the transfer of information from the teacher to the student. The Jewish model went much deeper. In the Jewish tradition, when a rabbi saw students who held promise, he would call them to become his apprentices and he would be their mentor.  The students (or talmid) would follow the rabbi closely, day in and day out. Spiritual lessons were not just a matter of transferring information but rather the talmid would learn from the rabbi as they watched the rabbi live his life. They would follow the rabbi so closely that it was said that the talmid would be covered by the dust of the rabbi's feet.  The goal wasn't just acquisition of information but of a fully transformed life.

In Chapter 10 of Matthew, as was the Jewish custom, Rabbi Jesus called his disciples. The gospels are full of accounts of the disciples following Jesus. We see how they sat at his feet as He taught. They were with Him as He ate. They were with Him as He prayed, as He healed, as He walked....as He lived. Their lives were transformed as they followed Him closely.

I think we all "get" learning as the transferring of information. It has been ingrained in us since the earliest years of school. In the secular world this has its place but I think we have to be wary of bringing this mindset into our spiritual lives. Yes, there is biblical information that we should know. We worship God with our minds as we study His Word. But if Jesus is our Lord and Savior and we call ourselves His disciples we are called by Him to go deeper. He doesn't just want us to know about Him. He wants us to know Him. That means following Him closely.

"Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny himself take up his cross and follow me". (Matt. 16:24)

Messianic Musings ~ Out with the Old

“Out with the old in with the new.”

It’s that time of year again, time to put away all the old clothes from summer and breakout that new fall wardrobe.  For me it is more a matter of necessity than anything else.  While some people look forward to trashing some older clothes for newer ones, I am just looking to get warm.  I am also not one to just completely pitch everything I have.  I tend to hold onto my favorites (like for decades) while getting rid of the items that rarely made an appearance over the last year.  I tend to keep what is best and relinquish the rest.

“Out with the old in with the new.”  I think as Christians this can be our underlying hermeneutical bent towards interpreting scripture.  We look at Matthew 9:16-17 and we see new clothe and new wineskins and the repetitive nature of the word new and we assume that Jesus is putting away the Old Law and its traditions for something entirely new.  According to my messianic commentary, there is something else going on here entirely.

“Many Christian expositors will try to make the point that Yeshua is proposing a whole new religion which cannot be contained in the existing forms of Judaism or even the Old Testament.  This cannot be the case in light of Yeshua’s (Jesus) own words about the consistency between his teachings and the older covenants. (Matthew 5:17).  Yet, in the context of his disputes with some of the Pharisees, it seems more logical that Yeshua’s (Jesus) reference to old wine and old garments are an allusion to the Mishnah (oral law) and certain rabbinic interpretations of the Torah.”  ( Rabbi Barney Kasdan, Matthew Presents Yeshua, King Messiah, p95.)

Jesus was not calling Israel to abandon the previous covenants nor their Biblical foundations but to return to a more correct interpretation of those foundations.   A beautiful example is found in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26.  In this passage, the cup that Jesus is lifting is actually the third cup of the Passover seder meal in which He is using to illustrate his redemptive work.  This cup is not mentioned in the Torah (law) details pertaining to the Passover, but is actually a rabbinic idea added during the Talmudic (oral law) times.  It is equally surprising that not only are the Jewish believers exhorted to remember the lessons of this cup (Matthew 26:26-29), but also the non-Jewish believers of Corinth.

How should we than, as Christians, view the Law and the Mishnah (oral law)?  Do we pitch it or embrace it?  To quote our author “Jesus came to elucidate the fullness of the teaching in Torah, even to the point of correcting some of the errors in people’s understanding of it”. (ibid p96). 

In plain language, it isn’t so much “out with the old in with the new” but rather “keep the best and relinquish the rest”.  Jesus our rabbi, our teacher, knows what is best, follow Him! 

“When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.”                   Matthew 7:28-29

Messianic Musings ~ A Question of Authority

There are a few things in my life that remain constant. One of those things is reading. There is not a time when I am not deep into a book. As I have gotten older and my walk with Jesus has deepened I have become a more discerning reader.  There are so many books, so many authors, so many interests I want to read about. How is one to choose? Ten years ago it would have meant perusing the aisles of Barnes & Noble. These days it is more like following links on Amazon.

Often times I come upon a book that the author is unfamiliar to me.  I can read the title and look at the description but how do I really judge if the book lines up with biblical principles? One of the things I do is to look at who is endorsing the book and who wrote the forward. If these are written by authors I know and respect I can trust then, that the book I am considering would be a solid read.  This is not so different than what happened when the rabbis taught in Israel.

For the last few weeks we have been studying the Sermon on the Mount from Matthew 5 - 7. These chapters contain the teachings of Jesus, from His own mouth. Jesus was a rabbi, which means teacher. In those days rabbis would go from place to place, teaching publicly.  It was common for the rabbi who was teaching to reference other rabbis to give authority to the message he was teaching.  The rabbi would be teaching "in the name" of these other rabbis, even if they were no longer living.

This sheds some light on to the very last verse in Matthew 7: "When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at His teaching, because He taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law"  (Matt. 7:28-29).

Much of what Jesus had taught was not new to those listening. (This is not to say that Jesus did not give deeper spiritual insight and application to what they already knew.) They would have been familiar with the Torah (the first five books of the Bible) and the oral law. Those listening were amazed not so much about what He taught, but how He taught. Unlike other rabbis, Jesus did not have to quote rabbinic authorities to validate His words. Jesus was the authority. He was God. 

This distinction was not lost on his disciples. How about with us? There is so much teaching available to us. Some biblically solid, some not so much. Sometimes it may be hard to discern the difference. But what we can count on and trust implicitly is the Word of God. Jesus is the Word. He is the final authority. He is truth. It is the standard to which everything else must be measured.

"This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased. Listen to Him!" (Matt. 17:5b).

Messianic Musings ~ The Evil Eye

When you read the Bible do you ever come across a passage that throws you for a loop?  This happened to me as I read Matthew 6.  For those of us who have spent any time at WBS, we know that context is king. So what do you do when a passage seems out of context? What any Bible scholar would do - dig deeper!

The verses that threw me were from Matthew 6:19-24.  The Bible I have been using subtitled this passage  "Treasures in Heaven".   (A little extra trivia for you - these subtitles have been put in by editors to make the text easier to read. They were not present in the original Scriptures.)  The first and last paragraphs in this passage fit very neatly under this subtitle as they teach about wealth. I couldn't understand how the following verses fit into the context of the passage:

"The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light but if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! "

(Matt. 6:22-23).

If context is king, how do healthy and unhealthy eyes fit into the context of wealth?  I learned something really cool from the Messianic commentaries we have been using. As Jesus was speaking, He used a Hebrew figure of speech that was often mistranslated. A healthy eye (or a good eye) is not about sight, it is about our attitude towards wealth. In God's Word a person with a healthy eye would be one who was generous with his material processions. Conversely, a person who had an unhealthy eye (or an evil eye) would be one who was miserly with his wealth.

With this new understanding, does this passage fit the context of wealth? It certainly does!! It tells us that how we view material wealth is very important. If we are generous with what we have we will be filled with light but if we are selfish or stingy we will be full of darkness.

So, how's your sight?

Messianic Musings in Matthew - "You've heard that it was said."

“You have heard that it was said”  :

Cleanliness is next to godliness.

God helps those who help themselves. 

When God closes a door He opens a window. 

Do you recognize any of these sayings?  They sound just so scriptural and practical.  Would you agree?  Perhaps you would like to jot down the references so that you might highlight them in your Bible or write them on an index card for a future memorization project (hint)?  Sorry to say, while each of these familiar sayings carry some Biblical truth, none of them are found in the Bible. 

How did these sayings come about anyway?  Most likely they were given as a practical lesson to aid in understanding the scriptures.  The earliest record of the first quote “cleanliness is next to godliness” is, in fact, from a sermon preached by John Wesley. 

Our second saying, “God helps those who help themselves” originated with Benjamin Franklin.  Conceptually, there is some truth in the idea of “helping ourselves”.  While we are a helpless people dependent on an all powerful God, the Bible also speaks against laziness.  Context is key for this one.

Lastly, while “when God closes a door He opens a window” isn’t actually found in the Bible, there are many examples of how God protects and guides His people when it seems there is no way out.  He often surprises His children with an option for escape that they never thought of.  I love that about Him.

At least six times in Matthew chapter 5 Jesus says “you have heard that it was said”.   Is that what Jesus is doing here?  Is He fine tuning some faulty theological sound bites that were part of the belief system at that time?  Go Jesus!  I confess I am one of those people who find it hard not to correct erroneous pithy sayings that misconstrue God’s Word.  Like all the “spiritual” sayings plastered over all kinds of purchasable homegoods.  I need special restraint not to whip out my black magic marker and white out. 

Could that be what Jesus is doing?  Not exactly, but similar.  Jesus starts with his teaching in Matthew 5 with the commandment “Do not murder”.   With a closer look at Jesus’ words you will notice that he is not just commenting on the written law (Exodus 20:13) but on something much broader.  In the phrase “You have heard that it was said” , Jesus is actually alluding to what is often called the Oral Torah (law). 

Since the days of Mount Sinai, traditional Jews have largely been in agreement that the Torah (law) Moses wrote down is the inspired Word of God.  However, over the course of the centuries, another body of tradition developed that was the rabbinic commentary on this written law or the Mishnah.  While the value of the Mishnah is essential since its main purpose was to protect the Torah by illuminating its precepts, there is a subtle danger that these commentaries may take almost equal weight with the original scripture. 

For generations, these commentaries (Mishnah) were passed down by word of mouth teaching.  This is what Jesus is referring to when he says “you have heard that it was said”   While Jesus follows with quoting the written law “Do not murder” the subsequent phrase “anyone who murders will be subject to the judgment” could actually be from the Mishnah. Yet Jesus clarifies the substance of the commandment by declaring “But I tell you”.  Jesus cuts right to the heart of the manner.  “Anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to the judgment”.  Murder takes place in the heart where all the emotions reside.  The Torah is meant to appeal to the heart.  The handing down of rules through an oral tradition from generation to generation can negate the beauty and grace that the Torah is meant to bring to an individual's life.  Legalism is basically keeping the law without engaging the heart and God is all about our hearts.  Jesus is making it clear; the obedience to the law isn’t what prevents judgment but purity of the heart is. 

God never intended our spiritual lives to be a collection of pithy sayings handed down from generation to generation that bring warm and fuzzy feelings but produce no real change of character.  While we hang them on our walls and pass them on to our children, they will have no real value unless they preserve the original intent of the Torah which is love for God and man.  Rules can’t produce that only a heart surrendered to a Savior can.

Messianic Musings in Matthew - 12 Words or Less

The day was fast approaching. I knew it was just a matter of time and I would have to face the inevitable. Every year, right around March, the confrontation waits. This time I was hoping that I would get through the ordeal a bit better but deep down in the very core of my being, I knew it wasn’t meant to be. It was the day on my Bible reading schedule where I would come face to face with Proverbs 17. It isn’t the whole chapter I dread, per se; it is just verse 28. It is the very last sentence in the chapter and it leaves me feeling taunted by its simplistic wisdom as I close out that passage of scripture. Wisdom that I have prayed that I would walk in but seldom do.

“Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue.”

Can anyone relate? While God has graced me with a speaking gift, I just don’t seem to know when to quit it. But that isn’t the only verse that mocks me, there are more. How about?

“When words are many, sin in not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.” Proverbs 10:19

“The more words, the less the meaning, and how does that profit anyone?” Ecc. 6:11

“A man of knowledge uses words with restraint.” Proverbs 17:27

Can’t you just feel my anxiety? My call is to speak but clearly these scriptures tell us that there will be a time when the ‘less is more’ principle applies. When will I learn that it isn’t the number but how notable the words are that bring revelation?. They don’t need to be plenteous just potent, not copious just convicting and not bountiful just brilliant and not superfluous but filled with the Spirit.

But try as I may, it seems that I have a wagon load of words that I never can seem to use up. People who study these things say that generally women use about 3,000 more words per day then men. When this statistic is alluded to, my husband always quips “and they must be used”. Men don’t seem to have the problem of left over words at the end of the day. I know I live with three of them. Maybe that is why I have so many extra; I feel that I need to use up theirs. I just hate to see anything go to waste.

It seems God never has this problem. In 12 succinct words found in Mark 1, God delivers a message that would transform the lives of not only those who heard it with their own ears but also for those of generations to follow. This message would be the kind that revolutionizes the course of spiritual and world history forever. It would alter men’s hearts eternally and ignite a furious love for God matched only by a supernatural response evidenced by a radical obedience. What were these 12 words?

“And a voice from heaven said, ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased’.” Mark 1:11

If you are familiar with Mark 1:11, you will immediately recall that this is the account of Jesus’ baptism where the heavens were torn open and the Spirit descended on him like a dove and God spoke. To appreciate Gods succinct and sufficient wording we first want to recognize that this one verse is taken from three sources in the Old Testament. In the Hebraic mind, when a portion of scripture was quoted, their thoughts would go to the entire passage surrounding that portion. Let’s take a moment to think the way a Jew, who witnessed this event, might think and explore these three slices from scripture together.

“You are my son” comes from Psalm 2:7 where “the LORD” addresses the anointed King as His Son. At Jesus’ baptism he began His official role as God’s anointed King and Son.

"whom I love” may represent an Isaac/Jesus typology from Genesis 22:2, where Isaac is Abraham’s only son “whom you love”. Abraham’s willingness to offer his beloved son would be corresponding to God’s offering of his Son.

“with you I am well pleased” echoes Isaiah 42:1, where the faithful and suffering servant of the LORD is identified as God’s chosen one.

Within these few words God was telling all those who were present that this man was God’s son as well as an anointed King. He was deeply loved by God and as Abraham gave up his son “whom he loved”, God was about to give up His son “whom He loved”. He also draws from one of the suffering servant passages found in the book of Isaiah that describes this servant as not only as one God is well pleased with but one in whom God’s Spirit would rest on. This servant would be humble, gentle and faithful, filled with justice and one who would not be discouraged until he has finished what He was sent to do. This man standing before their very eyes is, in a nutshell, God’s Son, King, Servant and Messiah.

I can only imagine what the Jewish scholars and theologians of that day must have thought. No doubt they were rendered speechless. I am sure they knew their scriptures and could present an argument well. They probably had spent countless hours debating and theorizing what the Messiah would be like. In spite of all their study and understanding, God managed to wrap the entire vision of this Savior in one concise sentence.

It wasn’t the number of words He used but how notable they were, they weren’t plenteous just potent, not copious just convicting, not bountiful just brilliant and not superfluous but of the spirit. Succinct and sufficient!

One day maybe I will be able to deliver such a potent message in just 12 words. Until then I am reminded by this scripture that it isn’t the amount of words I use for God that matters but the amount of God that is in my words.

“God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let my words be few.”
          Ecclesiastes 5:2b

Messianic Musings in Matthew ~ Week 2

As Chapter 3 of Matthew opens we are introduced to John the Baptist.  Here is how Matthew describes him:  "John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey" (Matt. 3:4).  This probably brings a specific picture to your mind. This description of John is very similar to another great Old Testament prophet.  In 2 Kings 1:8 the prophet Elijah was described as a man dressed in a coat of hair with a leather belt.  There is a subtle connection here that the Jewish people would have recognized.

You might wonder, did Matthew really mean that John was eating locusts?  This seems extremely strange to our twenty-first century palette.  John the Baptist was a man who would have taken the Jewish dietary laws very seriously.   These laws can be found in Leviticus 11 and also in the Talmud. (The Talmud is a compilation of the Jewish oral law.)  In both of these books you could find discussions on eating locusts. The Messianic commentary I read by Rabbi Barney Kasdan pointed out something really interesting about Matthew 3:4. You might not be aware of this, but the Bible we read has been translated from the Greek language. The Greek word for 'locust' is very similar to the Greek word for 'carob'.  A carob tree produces pods which are dried and eaten.  People actually use the roasted pods as a substitute for chocolate. Even now, in Israel the carob tree is commonly referred to as the "St. John's Tree".  Could it be  what John the Baptist was eating was not locusts at all but carob!  We can’t say with all certainty but it is something worth pondering.  Would you agree?

The thought I want to leave you with? Sometimes we are left with a certain impression when we read the Bible. As we dig deeper in our study we will learn things that give us deeper insight than we would have had otherwise.  So keep digging!!

Messianic Musings in Matthew

Messianic Musings in Matthew.  You might be wondering “What in the world is that?” Firstly, it is going to be the title of our new post series for this year as we journey through the Gospel of Matthew together.  Secondly, well secondly is going to take a little bit of explaining.  Let’s take it one word at a time.

Messianic – a term that refers to Jews who appreciate the Jewishness (I might have made up a word) of Jesus while also embracing his full message as the Messiah for both Jews and non-Jews.  They are a group of individuals who are Jewish in background and appreciate their full heritage.  Although they cleave to that heritage, they also hold to the conviction that Jesus is the true Messiah or “Yeshua” which means “salvation”.

Musings – According to Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary a musing is basically a meditation.

Matthew – Matthew wrote a gospel.  He wrote his gospel to convince Jews that Jesus is the long awaited Messiah as prophesied in scripture.  He was a Jew himself from the tribe of Levi.  Unfortunately, he was a tax collector who was relegated to the lowliest of the low since he robbed his own people.  Who knew that God would use this man to pen not only the opening words to the New Testament but direct him to evangelize, through this gospel, the very people who rejected and despised him.

So to rephrase, this series might be called “Meditations on the Gospel of Matthew from a Jewish perspective”.  Sound better?  Here’s how it will work.

Each week you will find a post that correlates with what you will be studying in your own personal time at home.  Its focus will be on a Jewish perspective that might not be obvious to us as we read through the material.  A Jewish mind would hear and see things that are not readily visible to us as we non-Jews study the passage.  I can guarantee that your eyes will opened in new and exciting ways each week as you include this element into your study time. Why don’t I start us off today briefly just to whet your appetite. 

“This is the genealogy of Yeshua the Messiah, son of David, son of Avraham:                                         Matthew 1:1 (Complete Jewish Bible)

This past week in Women’s Bible study we focused a good deal of time on this one verse.  We learned that Yeshua means Jesus or “salvation”.  We learned Messiah means “anointed one” whose origins are found in Daniel 9:25-26.  Than we learned how important it was that Jesus not only be a descendant of David but of Abraham as well in order to fulfill prophecy (2 Samuel 7:12-13,16 & Genesis 17).  We proved unequivocally that Jesus met everyone of these requirements. 

We also learned why this scrupulous detail to genealogies was so important.  If a Jewish person was to follow Jesus and accept him truly as his Messiah, it could very well mean the loss of everything for them.  They would have been rejected by their own and thrown out of their synagogues. They would most likely have opened a door to a life filled with persecution which could possibly culminate in their death.  It wasn’t just a mere acquiescence to them; it could very well mean their lives.  They wanted to be certain.  They had to be certain.  The list of names that open up the book of Matthew would be by far one of the most compelling arguments to a Jew. 

Now for the “musing” part.  Take a look at this scripture paying particular attention to the emboldened words.

“Thus there were fourteen generations in all from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Christ.”                                  Matthew 1:17

Fourteen?  Hold up a minute Matthew.  Do you mean to tell me that God was that precise in his calculations between generations?  Was it really exactly fourteen between each?  Did you really mean to emphasize fourteen or was there a miscalculation along the way?  Yes and no.  A closer study of the list reveals gaps between names, sometimes several generations.  This is generally allowed in the record of Jewish genealogies.  In Matthew’s case, he is clearly focusing on the three sets of 14 names.  Puzzling don’t you think?  There is good Jewish reasoning for this.  “Anyone familiar with Hebrew knows that from ancient times the language had a numeric value associated with each of its letters.  It is not coincidental that one of the numeric values of the number 14 may be expressed in the three Hebrew letters (D/dale=4, V/vac=6, D/dale=4), the Hebrew letters for David.  By intentionally skipping over particular names that could have been included in the list, the writer is emphasizing the Davidic connection to Yeshua as King Messiah, the Son of David.” (Matthew Presents Yeshua, King Messiah, Rabbi Barney Kasdan, p.10)

There is the messianic cool factor.  As a Jewish person was reading through and examining the Hebrew names generation by generation, resonating off the page would be D-V-D, D-V-D, D-A-V-I-D !!   The emphasis drawn in Matthew 1:17 to the fourteen generations were meant to alert the reader to something larger through numerical symbolism.  Jesus is not only savior, anointed one, son of Abraham, but the offspring of D-a-v-i-d and KING!

Hallelujah!!

Are you convinced?

Our Fall Study

Summer 2013 Study - Wising Up

Hello Everyone

I can’t believe that Women’s Bible study has finished for the 2012-2013 season.  It has only been about a week and I confess that I am already missing all of you and the time we spend in His Word together.  My guess is that many of you might be a tad gloomy over our close of study as well.  You love and care for each other so much, I just can’t imagine that you don’t feel the way that I do.

In order to circumvent any kind of nasty Bible study withdrawal, I came up with a plan.  I thought we could gather again in the chapel this summer for three “wisely” appointed meetings.  The dates are July 16^th, July 30^th and August 13^th.  We will meet at our usual time at 9:30 sharp beginning with fellowship, than onto worship, culminating with a Dvd teaching series. 

What is so “wisely” about these appointed meetings?  It is all about the teaching my friend.  We will be watching a series called “Wising Up – Whenever Life Happens” by Beth Moore.  It is a Woman’s study on the book of Proverbs.  There will be three primary lessons, one each week.  They are “A Call to Wise Up”, “The Heart of Wisdom” and “A Wise Friend”. 

If you can’t make all three sessions, no matter, each can be viewed separately.  Come anyway!  You might also want to think about bringing a friend.  This is a great opportunity to invite someone who could use some energizing encouragement, faithful fellowship or lavish love.  Not to mention wonderful wisdom from Beth’s teaching!  If you have never attended Women’s Bible study you are very welcome to join us.  We love new people and you do not need to be a member of Monmouth Worship Center to be part of this Bible study. 

I look forward to seeing all of you this summer as we “Wise Up” together with Beth Moore. 

El Kanno

This week we studied El Kanno, The LORD whose Name is Jealous. Many of us have trouble wrapping our mind around the idea that God is jealous. How can that be? The preconceived negative meaning of what we believe jealousy to be flies in the face of the very character of God. After finishing the homework and listening to Eva’s teaching I believe we came away with a solid understanding of who El Kanno is.

What I Learned in the Homework

Before delving into the homework, I just wanted to let you know that we were blessed with a new homework writer this week – thank you Marcy! As we have in the past, we began our lesson by looking to the first mention of El Kanno in the Bible: “Watch yourself that you make no covenant with the inhabitants of the land into which you are going, or it will become a snare in your midst. But rather, you are to tear down their altars and smash their sacred pillars and cut down their Asherim. Do not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.  Otherwise you might make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land and they would play the harlot with their gods and sacrifice to their gods, and someone might invite you to eat of his sacrifice, and you might take some of his daughters for your sons, and his daughters might play the harlot with their gods and cause your sons also to play the harlot with their gods” (Ex. 34:12-16, NASB).

The homework gave us the all-important context of these Scriptures.  After Moses had met with the LORD and received the Ten Commandments he returned to the camp to find the Israelites worshiping the golden calf.  You will remember that Moses then destroyed the stone tablets in his anger at the people.  He again ascended to the mountain of the LORD to plead for forgiveness. God reassured Moses of His faithfulness but included a very strong warning against idolatry.  God made Himself known to the Israelites as El Kanno in light of their propensity to fall into idol worship.

The Hebrew word kanno  is associated with redness, fire, and heat. It describes a burning, passionate emotion. We also learned that the word kanno is translated two different ways in the Bible.  It can mean zealous or jealous.

 Negative Kanno:

“When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy” (Acts 13:45b).

“When feelings of jealousy come over a man because he suspects his wife” (Numbers 5:30).

When we think of human jealousy here are a few of the definitions that may come to mind: fearful or wary of losing affection or position, resentful or bitter, or inclined to suspect rivalry.  

Positive Kanno:

“When they heard this, they praised God. Then they said to Paul: "You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law” (Acts 21:20).

“Since he was as zealous for my honor among them as I am, I did not put an end to them in my zeal” (Numbers 25:11).

We are probably less familiar with another definition of jealousy. It can mean to be vigilant in guarding something.  This brings us to the type of kanno that is used in conjunction with the LORD.

God’s Kanno

“I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him” (2 Corinthians 2:11).

The above verse shows us how different godly jealousy is from human jealousy.  Paul wants the Corinthians to have the kind of relationship with the LORD that he has. Negative jealousy wants to take.  Godly jealousy wants to give.

The homework stressed that God is passionate about us. He wants us to feel the same way about Him as He feels for us. It describes the relationship as a ‘romance of exclusivity’.  Our relationship with God is not one characterized by unhealthy possessiveness or of co-dependence. We will find joy in healthy submission to the God who loves us unconditionally!

What I Learned in Class

Eva began her lesson by bringing us to Exodus 20: "You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God” (Exodus 20:4-5).  She pointed out that these verses are found before Exodus 34:4 where God first identifies himself as The LORD whose Name is Jealous.  In this passage God characterizes Himself as being jealous. When God gave the Israelites the Ten Commandments He made His intentions very clear.  It says in Deut. 5:7, “You shall have no other gods before me.  He alone is God and will not tolerate sharing this position with anyone or anything. He goes on to tell us: “You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God” (Deut. 5:9).

As we also learned in the homework, Eva touched on the difference between human jealousy and Divine jealousy.

Human Jealousy

She explained that human jealousy can be righteous. An example of this could be when a woman flirts with a married man. It would be right for the wife to feel jealousy because the other woman was no right to that woman’s husband. Selfish jealousy is very different. This type of jealousy would be characterized by wanting what someone else has. Taking the above example, a single woman may be jealous of a married woman, wishing she were married too. Eva then explained the difference between jealousy and envy. Still sticking with the above example, envy is when the single woman would not only be jealous of the married woman, but her desire would be to deny that other woman of her husband.

Divine Jealousy

“You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us?” (James 4:4-5).

In the verses that we covered in the homework and the above verse from James, we can see how seriously God takes the covenant He has made with His people. God consistently likens idol worship to adultery and prostitution. We have discussed through the year how idolatry plays into our own lives. We may not pay homage to a golden statue but there are things that take a position that only God should have (children, relationships, possessions, even ministry). These things may even be good things, but good or evil, God sees it as spiritual adultery.

Eva left us with a very powerful point. She asked us to think about a marriage relationship. Suppose one partner was flagrantly involved in an extra-marital affair yet the wronged spouse was totally unmoved by this. In fact, the spouse encouraged the relationship. How would you characterize this marriage? Is it one of love? Saint Augustine had said “He who is not jealous is not in love.”  It is right for a husband and wife to desire and expect faithful love from their partner. God’s intense jealousy for us is a manifestation of His intense love for us.

God’s jealousy for us is not characterized by a passing emotion. His desire is for our best. He loves us so much that He knows that nothing short of our full-fledged faithfulness to Him will satisfy us. It says in 1 Corinthians 10:22“Are we trying to arouse the Lord's jealousy? Are we stronger than he?”. Eva encourages us to be in a place where we satisfy God’s jealousy and never provoke it.

"I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” (Jer. 31:3).

Discerning The Voice of God

They say if you spend 1,000 hours studying one thing you will become proficient in that one thing.  While I hesitate to believe that all I need to do is devote 1,000 hours to my jump shot and it would propel me on to the NBA, I can entertain the notion that if I dedicated that kind of time and focused attention to something, I very well could excel at that one thing. 

With my first child, changing a diaper took all my focused attention and several failed attempts before getting it right.  By the time number two baby arrived, I was changing a diaper while talking on the phone, while running the laundry and answering the 427th “why” question of the day from the older sibling.  Changing that many diapers was what made me proficient.  It didn’t come naturally and it wasn’t exactly the thing that I loved to do most.  But it was necessary. 

What if we approached our spiritual life with that kind of energy?  Not because we necessarily want to but because it was necessary.  What if we decided to spend a great deal of time focusing on one area so that we might become proficient in that one area, a necessary area?  Would you do it?  What would yours be?  For me, hands down it would be to learn how to hear from God.   It is the one area where I desperately need proficiency. 

Life can be so overwhelming at times, would you agree?  Obstacles, difficult decisions, and complicated choices seem to be the make-up of our environment today.  With so many solutions bombarding us from all the social media that is part of our culture, how do we discern what is God and what is not?  How do we discern the voice of our Maker from the ones that continually vie for our attention? 

If you feel the same way, why not join us for our next course of study.  Discerning the Voice of God  by Priscilla Shirer.  We will spend seven weeks of focused attention on this one topic.  There are six DVD sessions with six weeks of accompanying homework and there are several ways that you can participate in this study with us. 

1) You can join us for the DVD lessons or,

2) You can purchase and complete the workbook and join us for the DVD lessons or,

3) You can purchase and complete the workbook and participate in group discussion while also joining in viewing the DVD lessons. 

You get to pick whatever suits you in this season of your life but keep in mind the more time and energy you use to engage in a topic the more proficient you will be at it.  I always encourage people to do homework because it causes you to engage with the material and to really mull it over in your mind.  I also find that this is when God speaks to people the most.  He gets personal with you when you get personal with Him.  If you have never done homework, then I encourage you to give it a try.  It can become quite compelling. 

Ok, so here are the administrative details.  The study will begin on Tuesday, April 16th and will run until May 28th.  We will be meeting at 9:30 am where we will start promptly with group discussions.  At 10:15, we will join together in the chapel for worship and then the DVD lesson for that week.  If you are only participating in the DVD part of the program, you won’t need to arrive until 10:15.   If you wish to purchase a book ($11), contact Linda via the email on the side bar of this post and she will order it for you (money needs to be in before the order can be made).

How I hope that you will join us on April 16th.  To those of you who regularly attend Women’s Bible study, I am so excited to embark on another journey with you all in His word; you make it so much fun for me.   And to those of you who might be new to not only this Bible Study, but to any Bible study, we would be so blessed if you would join us.  You are so welcome here.

See you on the 16^th!   

“May the beauty of the Lord rest upon you and establish the work of your hands.” Psalm 90:17 (my paraphrase)

Shalom!

El Olam

This week in Bible Study we learned about El Olam, the Everlasting* God. We know from what we have studied this year that the first mention of anything in scripture is significant and sheds light on future occurrences. The LORD is first revealed as the Everlasting God in Genesis 21:33: “Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba, and there he called on the name of the LORD, the Everlasting God”.  In September we learned that the name El or Elohim means strong or mighty Creator.  The Hebrew word olam means time or age and has roots in the Hebrew word that means hidden, underscoring the mysterious nature of God. 

What I Learned from the Homework

Before continuing, please read Genesis 21:22-34.  In the beginning of this passage Abraham and Abimelechek are arguing over a well at Beersheba.  The passage ends with the declaration by Abraham that the LORD is the Everlasting God.  These two things would seem to be unrelated but as we studied we learned of the connection.

In Genesis 17:1-8 God confirmed His covenant with Abraham. There are two specific promises that God had made to Abraham. The first promise: "As for me, this is my covenant with you: You will be the father of many nations.” Genesis 17:4.  The second promise: “The whole land of Canaan, where you now reside as a foreigner, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God.” Genesis 17:8.

1) God promised that Abraham would be the father of many nations.

2) God promised Abraham land.

In this passage is the following verse: “I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you”  Genesis 17:7.

It is key to notice that the two things God had promised Abraham in Genesis 17 were part of His everlasting covenant.  We had learned in the homework that the first part of the covenant, which promised Abraham would be the father of many nations, had been fulfilled by the birth of Isaac.  Now let’s get back to the second part of the everlasting covenant.  This brings us to Abraham’s and Abimelech’s encounter at the well in Beersheba in Genesis 21.  As you read through these verses you will see that what had actually happened in this passage of scripture was that Abraham had bought the land that the well was on from Abimelech. That well was in Beersheba. Beersheba was in the Promised Land. And there you have it!  The second part of the everlasting covenant was fulfilled.  Abraham had the land!!  So why did Abraham plant the tree and call on the Everlasting God? Abraham had known that the LORD was an everlasting God but by his experience he now REALLY knew THE Everlasting God!!

The homework pointed out that Abraham had to go through certain circumstance to truly know the LORD, The Everlasting God, in a personal way. God will work in our lives in a similar fashion.   I will ask you what the homework asked us. Are you going through a confusing season that you sense God might be causing you to know something about Him in a deeper, more personal way?  Be encouraged! The joy of knowing Him more awaits you on the other side!

What I Learned in Class

Sandee began her lesson by helping us wrap our minds around the significance of God as our Everlasting God.  Some of the English translations of God’s Hebrew name El Olam  are: The God of Eternity, The Eternal God,  God of All Time, God of the Ages, The Unchangeable God,  and The God of Perpetuity. These names speak of the mysterious, infinite nature of our LORD.

As Sandee taught on Abraham’s time at the well at Beersheba found in Genesis 17, one of her focus points stemmed from the key verse as translated in the New Living Translation of the Bible: “Then Abraham planted a tamarisk tree at Beersheba, and there he worshiped the Lord, the Eternal God.” Genesis  21:33, NLT.

Abraham worshiped the LORD, the Everlasting God at Beersheba. The question she asked us…what exactly is worship?

When we think of worship, what might come to mind is singing hymns or modern songs of praise about the LORD during a Sunday morning church service. Sandee showed us that there is so much more to worship than that.

• Worship is a conversation between man and God.
• Worship is our heart’s expression of love, adoration, and praise to God. It is accompanied by an attitude and acknowledgement of His supremacy and Lordship in our lives.
• Worship is the ability to magnify God with our whole being – our bodies, souls, and spirits.
• Worship is extravagant love and extreme obedience.

Sandee gave us five points that helped to define what worshipping the LORD looks like in our own lives:

1) Worship is an intimate experience that brings us close to the heart of God. The basis of this experience is relationship. This relationship is a two way street.  It is about giving and receiving.

2) Worship is not a musical activity but a function of the heart. This is depicted so beautifully in Luke 7:“A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them” (Luke 7:37-38).  She poured out her heart in worship at the feet of Jesus.

3) The true worshiper will worship even under emotionally devastating circumstances. Job is an example of that.  We are all familiar with the catastrophic losses he suffered but this is what he declared: “At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised” (Job 1:20-21).  Despite his losses, Job affirmed God’s sovereignty.

4) We learn worship by doing it. “Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, LORD” Psalm 89:15.

5) Worship is no longer bound to a certain time or place but a function of the spirit of man reaching out to the Spirit of God through Jesus Christ. “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks" John 4:23.

Wrapping it All Up

We know that the world in which we live is temporary. It is passing away. The homework pointed to verse 3:11 of Ecclesiastes: “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart, yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end”. The LORD is eternal and He has set that eternity in our hearts. While we are on the earth there will always be a longing for something more. That something more is eternity. The homework encourages us to take heart, and, when life is overwhelming, remember this is not all there is-- there is eternally more!!!

“Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Let all the people say, "Amen!" Praise the LORD.” Psalm 106:48

*The most commonly-used versions of the Bible we read from use the words ‘everlasting’ and ‘eternal’. For the sake of consistency, I am going to use ‘everlasting’.