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?