NEW TESTAMENT SURVEY
Lecture 2
Matthew: Chapter One
1. The book of Matthew is stated to be known as “The Book of the Generation of Jesus Christ”. It is known for this. Luke’s book is not stated this way.
Abraham and David were the most important in this pedigree of Jesus Christ.
16. Is it interesting that the grandparent of Jesus Christ was named Jacob? Jacob’s name was changed to Israel. Also, Joseph was the most beloved of Jacob’s sons; and most blessed.
The narrative was careful here to show that Joseph was not the “father” of Jesus. “Of whom” is either referring to Mary or to Joseph. Other Scripture supports that Joseph was not Jesus’ biological father.
17. Generation gap: 3 sets of 14 generations here; very interesting; I wonder about the significance of these time periods with future prophecy. The number 14 is not mentioned here 3 times just out of coincidence. It may be that God’s timetable goes in 14 generational periods. 2x7=14 2 is a number dealing with “divisions” and 7 deals with perfection. So we have here divisions of perfection. Probably the 3 most notable events over those many years was indeed Abraham, David, Babylon captivity, and the birth of the Christ.
If each generation = about 50 yrs, then 42 generations would be 2100 years, or about 2000 years:
Adam to Abraham = 2000 yrs; Abraham to Christ = 2000 yrs; Christ to Millenial reign = 2000 yrs? 2000 x 3 = 6000 years
I wonder if there is a similarity like this with the generations prior to Abraham?
18. The birth of Jesus Christ is an important event. The Bible takes some space to talk about it. But, not comparably to the amount spent discussing His death and resurrection. His birth (<TOPIC:Christmas as the world calls it), can be important for the Christian, but how much more important the Resurrection Day?!
She is indeed His mother. But Joseph is not His father. Espoused = married but before coming together.<TOP It was custom then (and should be now) for marriage to officially take place with an initial “espousal” period. Later, usually 1 year, there would be the celebration and the consummation of the marriage. It was allowable to “put away” one’s wife (<TOPIC:divorce) if she was found not to be a virgin during this time period (even up to the actual consummation). But beyond this, the Bible never condones divorce.
It just so happened that she found out she was pregnant; probably missed a cycle and putting that with the angel’s proclamation, knew she was pregnant. Of the Holy Ghost is hard to explain: there was an “overshadowing” which probably was the Holy Spirit’s presence to place the seed inside an ovum. She was not necessarily indwelt with the Holy Spirit (O.T. saints) so there had to be this special encounter.
19. He indeed was her husband at this point, even though they were only “espoused”. They were indeed married. He was a just man, one that had been justified, like Lot and Job, a saved man indeed, and one who lived a just life I’m sure.
Publick example – There were laws set up on how to deal with one who is found unfaithful during this espousal period. Probably involving stoning. His mind was to “divorce” her privately, and not make this a big public event and tragedy.
This mind probably came from him being just; a man that wanted to do the right thing; a man that loved his wife.
Just think of what was going through his mind about all of this! Did Mary cheat on me?!.... What will my family and friends say?!.... What will the priests want to do about this?!.... What about my reputation as a just man?!.....
20. Thought – Joseph, being a just man, was “minding” all this…he was thinking about it a great deal. Folks that are righteous need to carefully examen the situation and pray and seek wisdom on what the correct course of action would be. He probably thought on it all for more than a day or two.
This angel was probably Gabriel. God spoke to folks in dreams then, but now I don’t believe there is very much significance in dreams, at least with God speaking to us.
Joseph – his lineage is proudly stated here. <TOPIC:Jesus Christ has royal lineage with his mother and His mother’s husband.
Mary is referred here as Joseph’s wife; meaning than at espousal they are considered husband and wife.
Take unto thee – the opposite of “putting her away”; had he already proceeded to put her away? No…but in his mind maybe…and this needed to be corrected.
Still have a relationship with her, but, of course, non-physical.
Conception did indeed occur, and was “of” or completed by the Holy Ghost. Must have involved a normal “embryonic” beginning.
21. Joseph would be the one given authority to actually name Him.
ALL CAPITALS with His name here; <TOPIC:Jesus’deity. How many other words in the Bible have all capitals? Not that many. It is to show to the reader the incredible importance.
For – because of His name; Jesus = the Lord our Saviour.
He <TOPIC:
saves His people from their sins…not just the Jews, but anyone who will go to Him. Though, I believe initially it was referring to the Jewish people.
Save them from what? from sinning anymore? No, from the penalty of those sins! <TOPIC:Charasmatics use this verse to support sinless perfectionism.
22. Time and time again we see in the New Testament that the specific event happened chiefly that the prophecy might be fullfilled. Many times with Jesus Christ it states this.
When He said “It is finished”, I believe He was referring to fulfilling the last prophecy that needed to be before He could leave.
Jesus Christ’s entire presence on Earth was all coordinated by fulfilling Scripture.
As spoken by the prophet in Isa 7:14 – “Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.”
23. A very clear, unique prophecy that has only been fulfilled one time. No other “tale”, or “myth” comes even close to this prophecy. It is not reproducable. How can a ‘virgin’ be ‘with child’?!...
Was His name Emmanuel or Jesus? Does “Jesus” mean “God with us”?
It is probably another title, name, for Jesus: God, the Lord, the Saviour, the Branch, the Prophet, etc..
It was not a man that would become God that was with us; it was actually God with human form.
24. Without this vision though, he probably would have succeeded in putting her away.
He took her unto himself…he lived with her but ‘knew her not’ (no consummation). The espousal period ended. He had all the priviledges and responsibilities of marriage (except “knowing her”). The baby Jesus would need a father around right away. Plus, it was proper to be fully married to her so that folks didn’t make accusations of her purity. It was a hurried wedding but it was understood as appropriate by the few that were close to them: John the Baptist’s parents, and maybe a few more.
25. He lived with her but did not “sleep” with her.
Firstborn is a key word here: he had all the priviledges as the O.T. states concerning firstbornship. Royal lineage and the firstborn son, makes Him the rightful heir to the throne. Also, this implies that she would have other sons. The Catholics are wrong concerning the ‘Perpetual Virginity’ of Mary.
The name Jesus is a very precious, special name: here it is all capitals. Don’t use it tritely. <TOPIC
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