Matthew 1

WEEK 1                                             Matthew 1  

FRIDAY  Reflections

We move now into the New Testament and the first chapter is a genealogy, which for most is not very exciting. However, in this list of names, there are some interesting names. The most interesting is that women are named, which is interesting considering that women at this time were not respected. 

Looking at the women in this genealogy, they aren’t the ones people think of as saints, but then neither were the men in the list. Looking at these women, we have Tamar, a woman who dressed up as a prostitute; Rahab, a prostitute; Ruth, a foreigner; Bathsheba, an adulteress. Yet despite their history, these women are recognized later as being righteous. Their stories could have been forgotten but their actions later could not be ignored even in a culture that tended to diminish the role of women. It also says that God and the early Christian writers did not diminish the importance of women in the coming of the Messiah.  

When the chapter ends, it ends with another woman vital to the coming of the Messiah, Mary. Mary allowed God to impregnate her outside of marriage. She could have been punished in her culture, but she trusted God. However, God sent an angel to Joseph, her husband to be, and told him the Spirit of God was responsible for this child.

What faith? Despite their past and the opinion of society, these women found a place in the coming of the Messiah. What are you doing to bring the Messiah, Jesus, to the world around you?

A side note: the scripture said that after Jesus was born then Joseph consummated their relationship. Though this contradicts the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church, scripture uses the same terms as when other people have sex. This means that though Mary was a virgin when Jesus was conceived she did not remain a perpetual virgin.

Mat 1:1-25
(1)  The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.
(2)  Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;
(3)  And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram;
(4)  And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon;
(5)  And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and Booz begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse;
(6)  And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias;
(7)  And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia; and Abia begat Asa;
(8)  And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram; and Joram begat Ozias;
(9)  And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz; and Achaz begat Ezekias;
(10)  And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon; and Amon begat Josias;
(11)  And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon:
(12)  And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechonias begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zorobabel;
(13)  And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor;
(14)  And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud;
(15)  And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob;
(16)  And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
(17)  So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ are fourteen generations.
(18)  Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
(19)  Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
(20)  But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
(21)  And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
(22)  Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
(23)  Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
(24)  Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:
(25)  And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

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Psalm 69

WEEK 1                                                Psalm 69

THURSDAY  Reflections

This psalm was probably written when David fled from Absalom. David’s problems with Absalom were the result of many horrible choices in dealing with his children. Even David’s affair with Bathsheba was a precursor to what happened at this time.

David, at the beginning of the Psalms, acknowledges his sins and failures. Yet, he calls on God for help. How could he? David understood God was a God of mercy and grace, but also a God of justice. David, I notice, asks for God’s help in God’s time (verse 13), not in David’s. A great reminder that God is the one we need to trust and it is His timing we need to wait for.

Psa 69:1-36

(1)  To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, A Psalm of David. Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul.

(2)  I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing: I am come into deep waters, where the floods overflow me.

(3)  I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God.

(4)  They that hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of mine head: they that would destroy me, being mine enemies wrongfully, are mighty: then I restored that which I took not away.

(5)  O God, thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from thee.

(6)  Let not them that wait on thee, O Lord GOD of hosts, be ashamed for my sake: let not those that seek thee be confounded for my sake, O God of Israel.

(7)  Because for thy sake I have borne reproach; shame hath covered my face.

(8)  I am become a stranger unto my brethren, and an alien unto my mother's children.

(9)  For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.

(10)  When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting, that was to my reproach.

(11)  I made sackcloth also my garment; and I became a proverb to them.

(12)  They that sit in the gate speak against me; and I was the song of the drunkards.

(13)  But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O LORD, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation.

(14)  Deliver me out of the mire, and let me not sink: let me be delivered from them that hate me, and out of the deep waters.

(15)  Let not the waterflood overflow me, neither let the deep swallow me up, and let not the pit shut her mouth upon me.

(16)  Hear me, O LORD; for thy lovingkindness is good: turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies.

(17)  And hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble: hear me speedily.

(18)  Draw nigh unto my soul, and redeem it: deliver me because of mine enemies.

(19)  Thou hast known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonour: mine adversaries are all before thee.

(20)  Reproach hath broken my heart; and I am full of heaviness: and I looked for some to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none.

(21)  They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.

(22)  Let their table become a snare before them: and that which should have been for their welfare, let it become a trap.

(23)  Let their eyes be darkened, that they see not; and make their loins continually to shake.

(24)  Pour out thine indignation upon them, and let thy wrathful anger take hold of them.

(25)  Let their habitation be desolate; and let none dwell in their tents.

(26)  For they persecute him whom thou hast smitten; and they talk to the grief of those whom thou hast wounded.

(27)  Add iniquity unto their iniquity: and let them not come into thy righteousness.

(28)  Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.

(29)  But I am poor and sorrowful: let thy salvation, O God, set me up on high.

(30)  I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.

(31)  This also shall please the LORD better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs.

(32)  The humble shall see this, and be glad: and your heart shall live that seek God.

(33)  For the LORD heareth the poor, and despiseth not his prisoners.

(34)  Let the heaven and earth praise him, the seas, and every thing that moveth therein.

(35)  For God will save Zion, and will build the cities of Judah: that they may dwell there, and have it in possession.

(36)  The seed also of his servants shall inherit it: and they that love his name shall dwell therein.

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Psalm 63

WEEK 1                                        Psalm 63

WEDNESDAY  Reflections

Psalms 63:1 “You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water.”

 

How bad do you want God? A little bit, a whole lot, or with everything you have. What David is saying here is the last, a consuming desire. This is the type of person Jesus proclaims will be blessed because they hunger and thirst after righteousness (Matthew 5:6).

 

So how much do you want God? I must admit there are times I don’t want God like this. I hope that those times will fade and the times of wanting and enjoying Him will fill my life. 

 

Side note: A consuming passion for God doesn’t mean that you aren’t concerned about other things, be it family, people, or even reading. What it does mean is that those things are a part of your desire for God. 

Psa 63:1-11
(1)  A Psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;
(2)  To see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary.
(3)  Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.
(4)  Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name.
(5)  My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips:
(6)  When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches.
(7)  Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.
(8)  My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me.
(9)  But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth.
(10)  They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion for foxes.

(11)  But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.

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2 Samuel 16

WEEK 1                                         2 Samuel 16

TUESDAY  Reflections

There is a lot happening in this chapter, a lying servant, a cursing man, a humbled king, vengeful friends, a spy for David, a conniving advisor, and a disgraceful son. Each story has its background and lessons for us.

My thoughts turn to David's reaction to being cursed for being a murderer. No, he did not murder the descendants of Saul, but it is very possible that David remembered his other crimes, adultery, the murder of Uriah (a trusted friend), and his mishandling of his children's previous actions. David's poor choices in the past, though forgiven by God, now brought forth the prophesied harvest. It may sound cruel but David was paying for his sins as was his family and his kingdom. David knew his crimes and though they were not against the family of Saul they were great. Now David's only hope was for God to have mercy on him. He understood that taking vergence against Shimei now would not put him in a place to receive mercy.

 

Most of the time, we don't like being told we have done wrong, even when we have. Often people take action against someone who points out their flaws, but this isn't the way to receive God's mercy. David at this lowest of low points understood this and so should we.

2Sa 16:1-23
(1)  And when David was a little past the top of the hill, behold, Ziba the servant of Mephibosheth met him, with a couple of asses saddled, and upon them two hundred loaves of bread, and an hundred bunches of raisins, and an hundred of summer fruits, and a bottle of wine.
(2)  And the king said unto Ziba, What meanest thou by these? And Ziba said, The asses be for the king's household to ride on; and the bread and summer fruit for the young men to eat; and the wine, that such as be faint in the wilderness may drink.
(3)  And the king said, And where is thy master's son? And Ziba said unto the king, Behold, he abideth at Jerusalem: for he said, To day shall the house of Israel restore me the kingdom of my father.
(4)  Then said the king to Ziba, Behold, thine are all that pertained unto Mephibosheth. And Ziba said, I humbly beseech thee that I may find grace in thy sight, my lord, O king.
(5)  And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, thence came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera: he came forth, and cursed still as he came.
(6)  And he cast stones at David, and at all the servants of king David: and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left.
(7)  And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial:
(8)  The LORD hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and the LORD hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and, behold, thou art taken in thy mischief, because thou art a bloody man.
(9)  Then said Abishai the son of Zeruiah unto the king, Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head.
(10)  And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? so let him curse, because the LORD hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so?
(11)  And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now may this Benjamite do it? let him alone, and let him curse; for the LORD hath bidden him.
(12)  It may be that the LORD will look on mine affliction, and that the LORD will requite me good for his cursing this day.
(13)  And as David and his men went by the way, Shimei went along on the hill's side over against him, and cursed as he went, and threw stones at him, and cast dust.
(14)  And the king, and all the people that were with him, came weary, and refreshed themselves there.
(15)  And Absalom, and all the people the men of Israel, came to Jerusalem, and Ahithophel with him.
(16)  And it came to pass, when Hushai the Archite, David's friend, was come unto Absalom, that Hushai said unto Absalom, God save the king, God save the king.
(17)  And Absalom said to Hushai, Is this thy kindness to thy friend? why wentest thou not with thy friend?
(18)  And Hushai said unto Absalom, Nay; but whom the LORD, and this people, and all the men of Israel, choose, his will I be, and with him will I abide.
(19)  And again, whom should I serve? should I not serve in the presence of his son? as I have served in thy father's presence, so will I be in thy presence.
(20)  Then said Absalom to Ahithophel, Give counsel among you what we shall do.
(21)  And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father's concubines, which he hath left to keep the house; and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father: then shall the hands of all that are with thee be strong.
(22)  So they spread Absalom a tent upon the top of the house; and Absalom went in unto his father's concubines in the sight of all Israel.
(23)  And the counsel of Ahithophel, which he counselled in those days, was as if a man had enquired at the oracle of God: so was all the counsel of Ahithophel both with David and with Absalom.

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2 Samuel 15

WEEK 1                                             2 Samuel 15

MONDAY  Reflections

David's past sins were catching up with him. His son, Absalom, has prepared to take the throne from him. We don't know if David had been warned of Absalom's actions, I believe he was, but as before did little to interfere with what was happening in his own family. 

This chapter and some of the ones following are filled with intrigue. They might make a great espionage movie. However, as interesting as those can be I want to look at David's attitude toward the ark of God.

The priests prepare to take the ark of God (the ark of the covenant) from its place in Jerusalem and follow David. The ark represented the presence and blessing of God and, for some, military victory. Yet David refuses to take this symbol with him. He trusts that, if it is God's will, God will bring him back to Jerusalem. 

David understood God's blessing wasn't tied to who held the Ark. I believe, David understood God was greater than the ark and its position. David trusted if God wanted him to return, he would, but if not then the ark needed to stay in Jerusalem. David understood God wasn't going to do David's will or be on David's side because the Ark was with him. David understood God was different from all the other gods people worshiped. To those who looked at the ark as some sort of weapon or fount of blessing, David sent it to the place his enemy could use it. David must have understood the lesson from Israel's history, The Ark wasn't the key to victory, God was. 

2Sa 15:1-37
(1)  And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him.
(2)  And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city art thou? And he said, Thy servant is of one of the tribes of Israel.
(3)  And Absalom said unto him, See, thy matters are good and right; but there is no man deputed of the king to hear thee.
(4)  Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man which hath any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice!
(5)  And it was so, that when any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him.
(6)  And on this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.
(7)  And it came to pass after forty years, that Absalom said unto the king, I pray thee, let me go and pay my vow, which I have vowed unto the LORD, in Hebron.
(8)  For thy servant vowed a vow while I abode at Geshur in Syria, saying, If the LORD shall bring me again indeed to Jerusalem, then I will serve the LORD.
(9)  And the king said unto him, Go in peace. So he arose, and went to Hebron.
(10)  But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron.
(11)  And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing.
(12)  And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counsellor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.
(13)  And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom.
(14)  And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not else escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword.
(15)  And the king's servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint.
(16)  And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, which were concubines, to keep the house.
(17)  And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off.
(18)  And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men which came after him from Gath, passed on before the king.
(19)  Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou also with us? return to thy place, and abide with the king: for thou art a stranger, and also an exile.
(20)  Whereas thou camest but yesterday, should I this day make thee go up and down with us? seeing I go whither I may, return thou, and take back thy brethren: mercy and truth be with thee.
(21)  And Ittai answered the king, and said, As the LORD liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be.
(22)  And David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. And Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones that were with him.
(23)  And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness.
(24)  And lo Zadok also, and all the Levites were with him, bearing the ark of the covenant of God: and they set down the ark of God; and Abiathar went up, until all the people had done passing out of the city.
(25)  And the king said unto Zadok, Carry back the ark of God into the city: if I shall find favour in the eyes of the LORD, he will bring me again, and shew me both it, and his habitation:
(26)  But if he thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him.
(27)  The king said also unto Zadok the priest, Art not thou a seer? return into the city in peace, and your two sons with you, Ahimaaz thy son, and Jonathan the son of Abiathar.
(28)  See, I will tarry in the plain of the wilderness, until there come word from you to certify me.
(29)  Zadok therefore and Abiathar carried the ark of God again to Jerusalem: and they tarried there.
(30)  And David went up by the ascent of mount Olivet, and wept as he went up, and had his head covered, and he went barefoot: and all the people that was with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up.
(31)  And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.
(32)  And it came to pass, that when David was come to the top of the mount, where he worshipped God, behold, Hushai the Archite came to meet him with his coat rent, and earth upon his head:
(33)  Unto whom David said, If thou passest on with me, then thou shalt be a burden unto me:
(34)  But if thou return to the city, and say unto Absalom, I will be thy servant, O king; as I have been thy father's servant hitherto, so will I now also be thy servant: then mayest thou for me defeat the counsel of Ahithophel.
(35)  And hast thou not there with thee Zadok and Abiathar the priests? therefore it shall be, that what thing soever thou shalt hear out of the king's house, thou shalt tell it to Zadok and Abiathar the priests.
(36)  Behold, they have there with them their two sons, Ahimaaz Zadok's son, and Jonathan Abiathar's son; and by them ye shall send unto me every thing that ye can hear.
(37)  So Hushai David's friend came into the city, and Absalom came into Jerusalem.