Matthew and Moses (part 4)

Stephen Russell

The Pentateuch in Matthew • Sermon • Submitted 6 months ago • Presented 6 months ago

0 ratings

· 1 view

Notes

Transcript

Introduction

The Twelve

We open up chapter ten with a naming of the twelve apostles (Matt. 10:1-4; cf. Num. 1:5-15)

Jesus commands the apostles to heal lepers and raise the dead (Matt. 10:8; cf. Num. 5:2-3).

Next we have two curses involving dust (Matt. 10:12-15; Num. 5:17-18).

Consider the language of the Nazarite vow (Num. 6:18, 6-7; Matt. 10:30, 21-22, 35-37).

There is also similarity with the twelve spies (Num. 13:4-15).

The shared language of sending out (Matt. 10:16; Num. 13:2-3, 17).

Notice the nature of the mission and haste with which the apostles were to act.

Consider what this would mean for Israel now being compared to Canaan before the invasion.

Consider the land being ripe for harvest.

Consider the judgment coming to those who do not receive.

And the salvation to those who DO receive (Rahab).

There is a transition here of calling these men apostles.

The Generations

John sends disciples to inquire about the identity of Jesus (Matt. 11:2-6).

I have heard this interpreted that it was not John who had the doubts but rather his disciples and that John sent them to the source.

Consider the next words of Jesus speaking of going into the wilderness to see a reed (Matt. 11:7; cf. Num. 14:25).

They are like the children of Israel in that day who mourned when they ought to have rejoiced and then rejoiced when they ought to have mourned (Matt. 11:16-19).

Again, woe to the cities that reject.

Now we see the generations pitted against each other (Matt. 11:25).

Notice that he calls those who would submit to rest (cf. Heb. 3:17-18).

Also notice that God’s promise to make a nation from the one man Moses while destroying the rest of Israel is actually fulfilled in Jesus (Num. 14:12).

We continue the discussion of rest with a discussion of the Sabbath (Matt. 12:1-14; cf. Num. 15:32-41).

The people question the authority of Jesus (Matt. 12:22-24).

Jesus again makes a distinction in the generations (Matt. 12:27).

There is also an escalation between the question of the word and authority of Jesus and the authority and word of the Spirit (Matt. 12:30-32; Num. 16-17).

These challenges and tests continue to a climax of the Transfiguration in Matt. 17. Jesus is not only greater than the Pharisees, He is greater than Moses and Elijah.

Notice the parables and stories that are about reception and rejection.

The parable of the soils.

Wheat and tares.

Those who understand value and those who do not.

The rejection from His own people.

Consider the Canaanite woman in the middle of all of this who was pleased to receive crumbs from the table and the Gibeonites.

Chapter 18 continues the theme of the child being the example over against the hardened adults (Matt. 18:1-6; cf. Matt. 19:13-14).

This theme of separation continues through the next several chapters.

There is perhaps a connection with the episode of the fig tree in Matt. 21:18-19).

We conclude with a question about levirate marriage and resurrection (Matt. 22:23-33; cf. Num. 36).

Conclusion

The presentation is to help people see that the ones who think they are the chief receivers of God are actually the chief rejectors.

This is the way we need to read scripture. Let it expose where I may be overly confident. Let it show me where I may be the unfaithful generation and need that Canaanite woman or the little children to show me what I have missed.

Like the parable we discussed last week, don’t jump to unconvicting conclusion to quickly.

Related Media

Related Sermons