Genesis 16; Matthew 15
Genesis 16
Ready:
The previous chapter is one of the most foundational in the whole Bible as I saw the unilateral covenant of God with Abram and the counting of faith as righteousness to Abram before he was circumcised and made to be the first Jew. This chapter was a turning point in the history of salvation and a revelation of great significance. Now moving on in the drama there is a shift to look at his wife. This character shift marks a new message or thought. Lord please give me eyes to see your story well and ears to receive the implications and a heart to value and apply your Word in my life.
Reading thoughts:
I see here Lord that Sarai is barren and that she doubts that indeed she will bear a child to Abram. Although they recognized that a man and wife become one flesh (Gen 2:24) Sarai’s doubting brought Abram to the poor decision of taking a second wife and bearing a son by her. Now Abram knows that the hinge pin is Sarai’s womb and then there is some friction between Hagar and Sarai that causes trouble in the marriage and in the community of Abram’s people.
Key Verses:
“1 Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, had borne him no children. She had a female Egyptian servant whose name was Hagar. 2 And Sarai said to Abram, “Behold now, the Lord has prevented me from bearing children. Go in to my servant; it may be that I shall obtain children by her.” And Abram listened to the voice of Sarai.” (Genesis 16:1–2, ESV)
“5 And Sarai said to Abram, “May the wrong done to me be on you! I gave my servant to your embrace, and when she saw that she had conceived, she looked on me with contempt. May the Lord judge between you and me!”” (Genesis 16:5, ESV)
“15 And Hagar bore Abram a son, and Abram called the name of his son, whom Hagar bore, Ishmael. 16 Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore Ishmael to Abram.” (Genesis 16:15–16, ESV)
I see the theme here as- Abram falls into error with Sarai and he bears a son outside of the clear intent of God for them.
Rumination thoughts:
v1-3. Here Sarai and Abram blow it and think again that they will need to help God accomplish his will by doing something artificial and knowingly wrong. Like Adam who listened to Eve when she was deceived by the serpent here Abram listens to Sarai and makes a poor decision.
v4-14. Here is the conflict building in the storyline and the introduction of a new character in Ishmael. Hagar and Sarai are at odds and perhaps Hagar looks down on Sarai because of her barrenness. Sarai realizes their error and blames Abram…as she should. Abram failed to be the man he is called to be and he took ill advice from his bride.
v15-16. Here is a summary that points out the error of Abram. He bears a son, but not the promised son. Abram did not pass through the carcasses and this covenant rests on the faithfulness of the Lord so this event will not put the promise into question but it illustrates our tendency to try to manipulate what we think God is doing and to not simply rest in his promises.
Meaning, Implications, and Significance
1. I hear Moses teaching that Abram and Sarai were wrong to take this into their own hands. The implication here is that we must be patient and allow God to work in his timing and in his way. I find the significance in my life to be that I must trust that God will bring about his purposes even through the struggles of life and that I need not be fearful that it relies on me figuring out how to accomplish what God has set forth to do.
Response:
“Private”
Reaction:
“Private”
Matthew 15
Ready:
Picking up from the last cheater where John the Baptist died and the torch was officially passed to the NT times of Jesus carrying the message of God’s revelation to humanity.
Reading thoughts:
I see Jesus come against the traditions of men that would hinder obedience to God and love for others. I see Jesus refer to a vain worship that does not come from the heart. I see Jesus correct a false teaching of man with a truth very deep that establishes where defilement and guilt before God come from. I also see Jesus work right through his revealed focus on the lost sheep of Israel to heal a Caananite woman’s daughter due to an amazing faith that she displays that reminds me of the Roman Centurion. Jesus again heals many and then again feeds a multitude.
Key Verses:
“3 He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?” (Matthew 15:3, ESV)
“7 You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: 8 “ ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; 9 in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ ”” (Matthew 15:7–9, ESV)
“10 And he called the people to him and said to them, “Hear and understand: 11 it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.”” (Matthew 15:10–11, ESV)
“13 He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up. 14 Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.”” (Matthew 15:13–14, ESV)
“18 But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person.” (Matthew 15:18, ESV)
“27 She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” 28 Then Jesus answered her, “O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed instantly.” (Matthew 15:27–28, ESV)
I see the theme as- Jesus announces that it is a heart that delights in God and therefore honors God above all selfish motives and pride. This heart can be had be Jew or Gentile.
Rumination thoughts:
v1-6. Here Jesus destroys the Pharisees who try to tell him they are doing wrong by not following a tradition invented by man in their worship. Jesus goes straight to the heart and reverses this on them because he indicates that their hearts are far from God. They prefer human tradition over serving the Lord according to his word because they benefit this way. He cites the example that they withhold taking care of their parents because they devote their belongings to God so and then claim that they cannot sell or give these things to help their aging parents. This is carnal and wrong and Jesus announces them to be hypocrites who would use supposed religious piety to serve themselves. He tells them that they make void the word of God by their selfish use of it. This is the same as not healing or helping another on the Sabbath.
v7-9. Here Jesus makes clear that there are many religious things we can do that would have an appearance of worship and spiritual service and goodness but if we do these good things with wrong motives or with hearts that are not sincere and lifted to God is submission, then we worship in vain and we are hypocrites. There is a way to sing songs to the Lord and attend church and read my Bible and pray that dishonors God. Worship is a matter of the heart and not a matter of my actions.
v10-20. So Jesus makes it plain here that following traditions of men will not keep me from being defiled because defilement comes from within. There is not something I can do that will introduce defilement, but it is what I do that demonstrates the defilement within me. Failing to have the obedience of faith defiles me but there is no obedience to man made traditions required of me.
v21-28. Next Jesus shows that a person who keeps no traditions or customs of the Jewish faith can have a heart that seeks God and a faith that saves. Here Jesus breaks his announced purpose of seeking out the lost sheep of Israel for the sake of a woman demonstrating the obedience of faith. He seems to have been “taking a break” or something by coming into this Gentile area where he encounters this woman. He has purpose for all he does! She knows that the blessing of God to Abraham is meant to bless more than just the physical family and she suggests that others can feed off of the blessings to Abraham. Jesus gives a hearty approval to this faith and he grants her request with joy. He clear tested her faith and her understanding here and shows us a reality in it. The children of Abraham are those with the obedience of faith, not those who are direct descendants or “children of the flesh” but rather “children of the promise” (Rom 9:8).
v29-39. Jesus continues to heal and many glorify God as they see him at work and then he again feeds a multitude before leaving the region.
Meaning, Implications, and Significance
1. Matthew records Jesus teaching the implication to never use supposed religious requirements to disguise evil intentions. The significance to me is that I cannot leave my family in the lurch because God “requires” me to do such and such in humble service to him…while they feel left in the cold. Hmmm…maybe there is a message in this text for me?
2. Jesus teaches that there is such a thing as vain worship and the implication is that true worship involves the heart that is devoted to God above all and that the actions are a response to this. The significance for me is that I need to check my motives always and seek heart change more than change in my outward worship.
3. Jesus teaches that the Gentiles who trust in the God of the Jews for salvation may be healed. The implication is that anyone who would trust in God may be saved (Rom 10:13). Anyone may receive the blessings of Abraham (Rom 4:9-12). When I say anyone I mean that God has planned for the multitudes and we know not all of his sheep until they come in (Rom 11:25). All whom he calls recognize his voice and respond to his call (John 10:3, Rom 8:30) and he calls some sheep that are not from the same flock (John 10:16).
Response:
“Private”
Reaction:
“Private”
Soli Deo Gloria!
