OVERVIEW:

The feeding of the five thousand (chapter 14); the condemnation of false prophets (chapter 15); the great confession (chapter 16).

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

Because of the specific peculiarities of Matthew’s Gospel, each of the past four days we have sought to lay down some foundational understandings to keep us “in bounds” doctrinally. Most of our discussion has focused on the importance of identifying the Jew and the Jewish nature of this gospel, as well as distinguishing between the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of God. Because the information has been coming in pieces, let’s take a few moments to make sure we see how all the pieces fit together to form the big picture.

The theme of the Bible revolves around a kingdom. The Bible begins with a struggle over a throne (Isaiah 14:13) and it ends with someone sitting on a throne (Revelation 11:15). Everything in between is really nothing more than God moving to put His Son on that throne, and the devil doing everything within his power, not only to stop Him, but to put himself on that throne. (2^nd Thessalonians 2:4) The kingdom, as it is described and defined in Scripture, has two distinct dimensions. These two dimensions are delineated in the word of God through the descriptive phrases, the “kingdom of God” and the “kingdom of heaven”. Understanding what and where these kingdoms are as history unfolds through the Bible is, quite simply, the difference between sound doctrine and false doctrine.

The “kingdom of heaven”, sometimes referred to as the “kingdom of Israel” (Hosea 1:4; Acts 1:6), is a literal, physical kingdom on the earth, where a literal king is sitting on a literal throne in literal Jerusalem, ruling and reigning governmentally over the entire literal earth. This is the kingdom Isaiah prophesied would be established by the promised Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ. (Isaiah 9:6-7) It is interesting to note that the only time the “kingdom of heaven” is mentioned by name in the entire New Testament is in the gospel written specifically to the Jews, the Gospel of Matthew, where it appears 33 times! The fact that this phrase is found exclusively in the Gospel of Matthew certainly must arrest our attention to the Jewish scope of its fulfillment! (Note: This literal earthly kingdom is referred to as the kingdom of heaven because from heaven’s vantage point, God chose the EARTH, which is in the midst of the HEAVENS, as the capital of the universe.)

The kingdom of God, on the other hand, is not a PHYSICAL kingdom. As we seek to allow the Bible to define and describe this kingdom for us, we find that “it is not meat and drink” (Romans 14:17), it is not “flesh and blood” (1^st Corinthians 15:50), it does not come “with observation” (Luke 17:20), we cannot say “here it is” or “there it is” (Luke 17:21), and it is not even something that is expressed with “words”, but with “power” (1^st Corinthians 4:20). Rather, this kingdom is a SPIRITUAL kingdom that is entered by a spiritual birth (John 3:3-5), and is placed within us (Luke 17:21).

As we have continuously talked about, distinguishing between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of heaven is paramount, because as Jesus sent forth the Apostles in Matthew 10, He sent them to “preach that the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 10:7) They were, therefore, sent to preach a “kingdom of heaven” message intended specifically for the Jews! (i.e., the nation of Israel) In fact, they were specifically instructed NOT to carry this message to the Samaritans (half Jew/half Gentile), nor to the Gentiles. (Matthew 10:5)

Interestingly, after the nation of Israel received their final offer of the kingdom of heaven, through Stephen’s incredible discourse to the ruling council of Israel in Acts 7, in the very next chapter, Philip is led by the Spirit to preach to the Samaritans! It is important to note that this is where the transition in the book of Acts begins. You will also notice, that at this point in the New Testament, the message switched from the “kingdom of heaven” to the “kingdom of God”. (Acts 8:5, 12)

What this reveals to us, is that we must be very careful concerning the message we preach today! We must not proclaim a kingdom of heaven message in this dispensation, lest we commit the blasphemy Jesus warned about in Revelation 2:9 (functioning like Jews when we aren’t Jews). Likewise, we must be careful not to pattern our methods in this dispensation as we proclaim the kingdom of God, after those who went proclaiming the kingdom of heaven. In this dispensation, we do not follow the model of the Twelve, the Seventy, or even the church in Jerusalem (Acts 2), but rather, we follow the model of the church at Antioch! (Acts 13)

The church at Antioch proclaimed the kingdom of God (the spiritual kingdom), sent out missionaries, and established local churches, because the local church is the vehicle in this dispensation through which our Lord is carrying out His plan to bring worshippers into His spiritual kingdom, and ultimately, into the physical one!

A few comments about some of the verses in today’s reading:

• 14:1 – Herod, like many in positions of power and authority today, fears everything he SHOULDN’T and nothing he SHOULD. He fears John (14:4), the multitude (14:5), and embarrassment (14:9). One thing he DOESN’T fear, is GOD!
• 14:14 – As we behold the sin-sick multitudes all around us, may we, likewise, be moved with compassion!
• 14:24-25 – The storms of life that threaten to overwhelm us, consume us, and destroy us are no problem for Jesus. In the context of the story, maybe we could say, “What threatens to be over our head, is under Jesus’ feet!”
• 16:15-19 – This is a highly controversial passage, and historically, has been a breeding ground for much false doctrine. Keep in mind that “the church” to which Jesus is referring in this passage is built upon “THE” Rock! Not Peter, but the Lord Jesus Christ Himself!
• Notice what “keys” it was that Peter, the Apostle to the Jews (!!!), received in this passage. It was the “keys of the kingdom of heaven”! (16:19) Notice also, that when we move into the early chapters of the book of Acts, that it is still the “kingdom of heaven” message that is being preached, so Peter, with the “keys” to the kingdom, is the predominant voice. Once the final offer of the kingdom was made to the Jewish ruling council through Stephen in Acts 7, however, God immediately makes the transition to the “half Jew/half Gentile” Samaritans in Acts 8. Then, in chapter 9, God calls out the Apostle to the Gentiles (Saul, who would become Paul), and in chapter 10, Saul (Paul) preaches a “kingdom of God” message to Gentiles, like you and me. From this point forward in the book of Acts, Paul, the Apostle to the Gentiles, is the predominant voice.

OVERVIEW:

The refusal of the King and the “kingdom of heaven” (chapter 11); the official rejection of the King by the leaders of the nation of Israel (chapter 12); the kingdom is hidden in the form of parables (chapter 13).

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

As we continue to pursue getting our doctrinal bearings in the New Testament, and particularly the gospel of Matthew, as has already been stated, keeping our eye on the Jew and the Jewish audience in this book is of utmost importance. Regardless of popular Laodicean teaching, the church has not replaced Israel, and the book of Revelation has some pretty strong things to say about “them which say they are Jews, and are not”! (see Revelation 2:9b and 3:9a) Remember, we are the parenthesis!

Daniel had a prophecy, you’ll remember, of 70 weeks of years (70×7=490 years). The way the prophecy has unfolded historically, is that the Jews “cut off” (i.e. crucified) their Messiah who had come to bring in the kingdom that had been promised to them after 69 of those weeks of years (483 years) had been completed. What that means, though, is that there is still one more week of years (7 years) remaining in Daniel’s prophecy! We now refer to that “week of years” as the “Tribulation Period”. Keep in mind that the parenthesis that we are presently living in (the Church Age) began after the stoning of Stephen, which was the nation of Israel’s final rejection of the kingdom, and will close at the rapture of the church. Once the parenthesis has been removed, the final “week of years” remaining in Daniel’s prophecy will kick back in, and God will, in fact, fulfill all of His promises to the Jews and the nation of Israel in the Old Testament regarding the “kingdom of heaven”. Again, we are the “PARENTHESIS” in God’s plan, certainly not the REPLACEMENT of Israel!

Now, let’s talk further about this thing of the “kingdom of heaven” that is strictly found in the gospel written to the Jews (Matthew). Note, as we talked about yesterday, that by in large, almost every commentator will say that the “kingdom of heaven” is the same as the “kingdom of God”. Nothing, however, could be further from the truth! This is where it is important not to leave the Bible in forming our definitions. Running to the Greek for our definition of these “kingdoms” is a key way of insuring that we will never really understand them biblically. If we just let the Bible be the Bible and provide its own definitions, there is a kingdom that was promised to the nation of Israel. It is a literal, physical, governmental, Davidic, Messianic kingdom on the EARTH. It is this kingdom to which Matthew is emphasizing and to which he specifically identifies as the “kingdom of heaven”. Many people get confused by the title, “kingdom of HEAVEN” when it is referring to a literal, physical kingdom on the EARTH, until they recognize that from God’s vantage point, the earth is actually the capitol of His heavens, and the place from which He has chosen His plan for the universe to be enacted. On the other hand, by biblical definition, the “kingdom of God” is something all-together different. Observe the biblical composite of this kingdom:

• Luke 17:20-21 – It doesn’t come “with observation”. You can’t necessarily “observe” it, or say, “here it is” or “there it is,” because it is “within you”.
• Romans 14:17 – It “…is not meat and drink, but righteousness, peace, and joy…” So, though we can’t actually “observe” the “kingdom of God”, we can “observe” its affects in the lives of people (i.e. righteousness, peace, and joy).
• 1^st Corinthians 4:20 – It “…is not in word, but in power.”
• 1^st Corinthians 15:50 – “…flesh and blood cannot inherit” it…” (because it is not a PHYSICAL kingdom!)
• John 3:3 – You enter it by a spiritual birth (because it is a SPIRITUAL Kingdom!)

So, get planted in your mind, the “kingdom of God” is a SPIRITUAL kingdom, and the “kingdom of heaven” is a PHYSICAL kingdom.

Now, much of the confusion concerning these two kingdoms is because in the places where Matthew uses the phrase “kingdom of heaven”, the parallel accounts in the other Gospels many times contain the phrase “kingdom of God”. Rather than presumptuously concluding that they are the same thing, however, simply recognize the fact that Jesus Christ is actually the embodiment of both kingdoms, and so while He was on the earth, both kingdoms were present at the same time.

One of the reasons making this distinction between these kingdoms is so vital is because it affects the actual message that we preach! Today, we preach the “kingdom of God”. (Acts 8:12) The “Jewish message” of the kingdom of heaven was put on hold after Stephen’s final offer to the nation of Israel in Acts 7. It is a different message with different ramifications and promises that will be preached, once again, on this earth during Daniel’s 70^th week (the Tribulation Period), once we have been removed.

A few pithy comments about some of the verses in today’s reading:

• 11:5 – This lets us know why Matthew recorded the healing ministry of Jesus in chapters 8 and 9. These things were how God told Israel in the Old Testament they would be able to recognize their Messiah-King (see Isaiah 53:5-6; 61:1).
• 11:14 – Malachi 4:5 prophesied that Elijah would come before the establishment of the day of the Lord (i.e. the “kingdom of heaven”). Recognize, that had Israel received her King, the parenthesis (the Church Age) would have been non-existent. That is why the church was in a “mystery” form in the Old Testament. Jesus lets us know that, had the nation of Israel received her Messiah, John the Baptist would have been the fulfillment of the prophecy concerning Elijah’s coming. (Note, all the other Old Testament prophecies concerning the day of the Lord could have, and would have, been fulfilled.) As it stands, Elijah himself will return during the Tribulation Period along with Moses (Moses = the Law, Elijah = the Prophets).
• 12:23 – The people recognize Jesus is the Messiah! (i.e. “the son of David”)
• 12:24 – The Pharisees (religious leaders) don’t recognize Jesus as the Messiah! They attribute the power through which He performed His miracles to Satan!
• 12:31-32 – Note some things about the so-called “unpardonable sin”. There are four criteria to committing it:

1. You must be a Jew.
2. Jesus Christ must be publicly manifest in bodily form, performing signs and wonders.
3. You, as a Jew, are an eyewitness of the events in #2.
4. Your mind becomes so spiritually disoriented and perverted, and your heart becomes so hardened, that you attribute the power through which Christ worked to Satan.

Note the phrases in verse 32, “in this world” and “in the world to come”. There are only two times that all four criteria can be fulfilled. The first was during the earthly ministry of Jesus from 30 to 33 A.D. The second is during the millennium (“the kingdom of heaven”). Don’t worry, you haven’t, won’t, and can’t commit the “unpardonable sin”!

• 13:1 – This is identifying a major shift in Jesus’ ministry. Recognize that the “house” is a term used to refer to Israel. The “sea” is a term used to refer to Gentiles. The “kingdom of heaven” now goes into a parable form. Contrary to popular Laodicean teaching, a parable is NOT an earthly story that REVEALS a heavenly truth. A parable is a heavenly truth wrapped in an earthly story for the purpose of HIDING the truth from those who do not really want it anyway. (see 13:11-17)
• 13:55-56 – So much for Mary’s perpetual virginity!

OVERVIEW:

Christ presents Himself as Israel’s King by fulfilling the signs and wonders prophesied of the Messiah in the Old Testament (chapters 8 and 9); the twelve are “sent forth” to preach the “Gospel of the Kingdom” (chapter 10).

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

There are several overarching errors Christians tend to make that just about insure that their biblical interpretation and application will not be correct. One of the most critical (and often made!) mistakes is thinking that the Bible is a “Christian” book that has primarily to do with us (“us,” as in “Christians”). You say, “How in the world could you say that? Do you mean to tell me that the Bible IS NOT a Christian book and that it DOES NOT primarily have to do with Christians?” Exactly!

The fact is, if we’re ever really going to “get it”, in terms of understanding the Bible, we must face the fact that the Bible is a JEWISH BOOK that has to do with a JEWISH KING, and a KINGDOM that has been promised to JEWS! How very stereotypical of Laodiceans (i.e. believers in the last days – Revelation 3:14-22, whose chief characteristic is that they are “lovers of their own selves” – 2^nd Timothy 3:1-2) to think that the Bible is all about us! We tend to get the idea that the theme of the Bible is really all about our salvation (Gentiles) and, “how nice, thoughtful, and unbelievably gracious it will be of God to allow the poor Jews in the last days to have a part in it all!” No, no, no! A thousand times, no! No wonder we get messed up!

The fact is, the Bible is predominantly about 7000 years in which those of us who comprise His church are merely a 2000-year parenthesis! Now, I must say, it is certainly a glorious parenthesis, a parenthesis that most definitely includes us and benefits us; one that is obviously part of a plan that God ordained before the foundation of the world; but to view the “parenthesis” of the church age as the theme or main subject of the Bible, or to interpret the Old Testament, and even more specifically, the Gospel of Matthew, through “Christian” glasses, is a grave error that will take the most sincere student of the Bible down a zillion rabbit trails, and ultimately down the path to false doctrine!

Always keep in mind that at least 95% of false doctrine is really nothing more than true Bible doctrine being applied to the wrong group of people and/or to the wrong time period (i.e. dispensation). Thus, our previous day’s comments about the Jew, in a devotional sense, being the “ancient landmark” in the Bible, and how that when that distinction is moved or removed, it causes us to make a doctrinal beeline right into “the fields of the fatherless”. (Proverbs 22:28; 23:10)

Let me reiterate the fact that much of the problem, particularly in Matthew’s Gospel, is that Christians fail to recognize that this Gospel is written to the JEWS, to present Christ, as THEIR Messiah-King, over the kingdom promised to THEM in the Old Testament. Just about every commentator in Christianity will talk about the Jewish nature of this Gospel, but will immediately begin to apply the teaching of Matthew’s Gospel to Christians living in the Church Age! The reality is, the Gospel of Matthew wasn’t written to teach us about the Church Age, so we must be very careful about making application of it to us, at least until the death of the Testator (after Matthew 27). Again, we must keep in the forefront of our thinking that this Gospel is all about the “kingdom of heaven”.

As we have previously talked about, it is a kingdom promised to the Jews, and that is why Matthew’s Gospel is the only Gospel that uses the phrase (33 times). Contrary to what most commentators say, the “kingdom of heaven” is not the same as the “kingdom of God” (a phrase found repeatedly in the other three Gospels), and the two phrases are not used interchangeably in the New Testament! To say that the “kingdom of heaven” and the “kingdom of God” are the same thing, or that the two phrases are used interchangeably in the New Testament, would be as absurd as saying that “God” and “Heaven” are the same thing, and that those two terms are used interchangeably in the Bible. (More will be said about the distinction between the “kingdom of heaven” and the “kingdom of God” in our next day’s Highlights and Insights.)

Be sure, as we make our way through Matthew, that you understand that the things contained in this Gospel have to do specifically with God’s intention to establish a LITERAL kingdom in Israel over which His Son will preside, and over which He will rule the whole world from a LITERAL throne in the LITERAL rebuilt temple in the LITERAL earthly Jerusalem. To apply the vast majority of the teaching found in Matthew to the parenthesis we call the Church Age is not only poor hermeneutics, but is an invitation to false doctrine!

A great case in point in today’s reading is in chapter 8 and verse 12. If we lose sight of the fact that the subject is the “kingdom of heaven”, we might end up believing something as biblically ludicrous and ridiculous as someone who has been born again, winding up in Hell!

A few pithy comments about some of the verses in today’s reading:

• 8:14 – How interesting that the so-called “first Pope” had a wife!
• 8:16 – Notice that nobody in Jesus’ healing line went away “unhealed” because of their “lack of faith”.
• 8:21 – Circle the word “Lord” and “me first” in this verse, and notice that the two concepts represented are mutually exclusive! Calling Jesus “Lord,” and yet, telling Him “me first”, however, does characterize the church in the last days! (2^nd Timothy 2:1-2)
• 8:26 -27 –The wind and the sea recognize the voice of the One who spoke them into existence, and obey! Oh, that humans would have that kind of discernment.
• 8:29 – Demons make an identification that the religious leaders of Jesus’ day (the Scribes and Pharisees) were never able to make: Jesus is the Son of God!
• 8:32 – The pigs do a “swine dive” off the cliff and commit “sooey–cide”. (Sorry!)
• 8:34 – The people were more freaked out by Jesus in their midst than by those who were demon possessed in their midst!
• 9:2 – There is a great practical lesson in this verse about doing whatever we can to bring the lost to Jesus!
• 9:11 – Hallelujah! Jesus has time for sinful people like me!
• 9:27 – Even blind people could “see” what the Pharisees couldn’t: that Jesus is the promised Messiah!
• 9:35 – The “gospel of the kingdom” is not the same gospel Paul preached or that he identified in 1^st Corinthians 15:3-4!
• 9:37-38 – Though we are in a different dispensation, these verses are extremely true!
• 10:1 – To this point, the “twelve” are referred to as “disciples”. As they are “sent forth” in this passage (10:5), they receive the title “apostles” (see 10:2). The word “apostle” means “sent one”. The word “apostle” in Latin is the word “missio” from which we get our word “missionary” to refer to ones who are “sent forth”.
• 10:5-6 – How about these verses to prove the Jewish nature of this gospel?!
• 10:22 – This verse is a doctrinal back-breaker unless you keep it in the context of the “kingdom of heaven”!

OVERVIEW:

The Constitution of the King and His Kingdom (chapters 5-7).

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

As we make our way through the Gospel of Matthew, there are several things we must keep in the forefront of our thinking that will help to keep us from going out of bounds. First, understand that Matthew is not written from a chronological standpoint, as are the Gospels of Mark and Luke. I like the way John Phillips explains Matthew’s approach: “He tends to group his material in order to produce a cumulative effect for the point he is making that Jesus is the Messiah of the Jews. For example, beginning in chapter 5 (today’s reading), we have the Sermon on the Mount – what Jesus TAUGHT. This is followed by a series of miracles in chapters 8 to 9, by no means in the order of occurrence, but which show what Jesus WROUGHT. These miracles are followed in turn by a series of reactions to Jesus, illustrating what people THOUGHT. It seems clear that Matthew’s material is arranged so that it can be easily remembered and certainly the contents of his gospel are more easily remembered than the contents of the other synoptics.”

Secondly, keep in mind the specific Jewish nature of this Gospel. The book of Proverbs talks about the importance of identifying landmarks. Proverbs 22:28 says, “Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.” Proverbs 23:10 adds, “Remove not the old landmark; and enter not into the fields of the fatherless.” Obviously, from an historical standpoint, this has to do with the importance of identifying the land boundaries, and the importance of allowing them to remain in place. To apply the principle to the Bible itself, however, from a devotional standpoint, we could say that the “ancient landmark” of the Bible that we must never lose sight of, or remove, is the Jew! Once we lose sight of the Jew in terms of interpreting the Bible, we will find ourselves in “the fields of the fatherless”.

For example, there are four books of the Bible where people allow themselves to get doctrinally discombobulated: Matthew, Acts, Hebrews, and James. Almost every doctrinal controversy and division in the body of Christ is going to come out of a verse, passage, or chapter in one of those four books. Coincidentally enough, all four of them have something in common: they are all specifically related to the Jew! Once we lose the “ancient landmark” of the Jew in these books, we might well end up in “the fields of the fatherless” — believing in works for salvation; or that baptism is a requirement for salvation; or that you can lose your salvation; or that tongues and healing are for today; and on, and on, and on. All those false doctrines are propagated today because somebody lost sight of the Jew in these books!

So, recognizing the place of the Jew is very important as we come to Matthew’s record of the first sermon Jesus ever preached, what we have come to call, “The Sermon on the Mount.” Keep in mind that all the way through the Old Testament, God had been promising a kingdom to the Jews. They understood that kingdom to be a literal, earthly kingdom where God’s ruler (God’s “anointed” – Hebrew; God’s “Messiah” – Greek) would sit on the throne of David. That kingdom is what the book of Matthew is all about. It is referred to as the “kingdom of heaven,” and Matthew’s Gospel is the only Gospel in which the phrase appears; and where it is found some 32 times! Matthew’s Gospel presents Christ as King of the “kingdom of heaven.” It is also referred to as the “kingdom of Israel” in Acts 1:6.

In the previous scripture reading, the King appears (chapter 2), in chapter 3 He is heralded, and in today’s reading (chapter 5 and verse 1), He sits, and delivers the constitution for the kingdom! Recognize that the subject of His sermon isn’t “heaven” but the “kingdom of heaven”! (Note 5:3, 10, 19, 20; 7:21) Recognize also, that the sermon isn’t directed to the Gentiles, or to the church of God, but to Jews! (1^st Corinthians 10:32) Someone might say, “But it’s in the New Testament!” Sure, it is, but the context of the book, just like this sermon in chapters 5-7, is strictly Jewish!

One of the biblical realities many people seem to overlook, when reading the Gospels, is the fact that we don’t officially enter into the New Testament, according to the Bible’s definition, until the death of Christ, which in Matthew’s Gospel isn’t until chapter 27! Hebrews 9:16-17 says, “For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force (is only enforced) AFTER MEN ARE DEAD: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.” In the strictest sense of the word, what that means is that we don’t enter the New Testament until the very end of each of the Gospels, at the death of Christ. More will be said about this in the next daily reading.

As we read the “Sermon on the Mount” today, recognize that our Lord’s audience is Old Testament Hebrews who, at that time, were still under the law. His sermon is designed to present the real intent of the law, and to present the principles of the millennial kingdom (i.e. the “kingdom of heaven”). Yes, there are truths that we as Gentiles in the Church of God can apply devotionally to our lives, but it has no application whatsoever to how people are saved in the church age.

OVERVIEW:

The Genealogy of the King (chapter 1); the Birth of the King (chapter 2); the Announcement of the King (chapter 3); the Testing of the King (chapter 4).

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

When you turn the page in your Bible, after reading the Old Testament book of Malachi, and you come into the New Testament book of Matthew, recognize that there has been a 400-year gap between these two books. Sometimes when we’re talking in terms of history, 400 years doesn’t seem like an extremely long period of time. To help to put it in perspective, however, realize that 400 years ago, most English-speaking people didn’t even own their own copy of the Bible! Four hundred years is a long time! Keep in mind that in those 400 years between the Testaments, God had remained completely silent in terms of new revelation. God had not spoken to a single soul by direct revelation (Genesis 3:8), through the Angel of the Lord (Judges 6:12), out of a cloud (Exodus 34:5-7), from a burning bush (Exodus 3:4), with the mouth of a donkey (Numbers 22:28), the mouth of a prophet (Deuteronomy 18:18), or any other means. But recognize, that though He had been silent in the world, He certainly had not been absent! During that 400-year period, God was busy orchestrating the events of history to prepare the world for the coming of His only begotten Son. Remember, Galatians 4:4 says, “But when the FULNESS OF TIME WAS COME, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law.” But also understand that the world had changed in those 400 years.

By this time, Hebrew had become a dead language, with Greek and Aramaic now the languages of common communication and commerce. There were also at least five different sects and parties that were now on the scene that were influencing the world religiously, socially, and politically.

1. The Scribes – These were men regarded with great reverence by the Jews as the interpreters and teachers of the Scriptures. Ezra was perhaps the first of this sect, but by the time of Christ, they had degenerated greatly from Ezra’s character and godliness. They were constantly in opposition to Christ, and some of Christ’s most harsh words were directed to the Scribes, and to the next key sect…
2. The Pharisees – These men were also highly regarded by the Jews. They saw themselves as holy and zealous guardians of the law, and were ultra-conservative in all aspects of their beliefs and external behavior. They, too, brought the Lord Jesus Christ tremendous opposition, and were denounced by Him quite frequently.
3. The Sadducees – If the Pharisees were the religious “right”, the Sadducees were the religious “left”. For the most part, they were a part of the wealthy, influential, priestly parties, and were rationalistic and liberal in their beliefs, denying the immortality of the soul, as well as the resurrection.
4. The Herodians – This was not a religious group, but a political party who took their name from Herod. Because of their zealousness for the Roman government, they viewed Christ as a threat to Rome’s authority, viewing Christ as nothing more than a political revolutionary.
5. The Zealots – These were extreme and radical defenders of a theocratic form of government (God rules), and were involved in acts of violence against the Roman government to champion their cause. We will run into these sects repeatedly throughout Matthew, and the other gospels, and it is important to understand who they are to really understand the social, political, and religious world of the New Testament.

As we move into the book of Matthew today, because the events are easily understood, perhaps the best use of our time will be in providing an analysis of the book as a whole:

1. Information About the Author

• His name: Matthew.
• His name means: Gift of the Lord (or Jehovah).
• He is also called Levi. (Mark 2:13-14; Luke 5:27-29)
• He was a Publican. (Matthew 10:3; 17:24-27; Romans 13:1-7)
• He was born a Jew. (Mark 2:14; Luke 5:27)
• He is the son of Alphaeus. (Mark 2:14)
• He has two brothers, James and Judas. (Mark 3:18; Luke 6:16)
• He was chosen to be one of the 12 disciples. (Luke 6:12-16; Matthew 10:1-4; Mark 3:13-19)

2. Facts About Matthew’s Gospel

• Approximate date of writing: 64-66 A.D.
• Written from: Jerusalem.
• Dates of the recorded events: 4 B.C. – 33 A.D.
• Theme: Christ, the King of the Jews.
• Christ is seen as The Promised King.
• Key Verse: Matthew 27:37.
• Key Word: Kingdom (56 times).
• Chapters: 28; Verses: 1,071; Words: 24,755.

3. Features of Matthew’s Gospel

• This is the only gospel that uses the phrase “kingdom of heaven” (32 times).
• This is the only gospel that uses the phrase “that it might be fulfilled which was spoken” (9 times)
• This gospel contains 60 references to the Old Testament.
• This gospel contains 25 fulfilled prophecies.

4. A Simple Outline of Matthew’s Gospel; Two Rejections:

Rejection #1 – The rejection of the Kingdom. (Chapters 1-12)

Rejection #2 – The rejection of the King. (Chapters 13-28)

OVERVIEW:

Introduction (1:1); Israel questions God’s love (1:2–5); the priests dishonor God (1:6–2:9); God’s people dealing treacherously with one another (2:10–16); Israel’s perversion of good and evil (2:17); the promise of “the messenger of the covenant” (3:1–7); Israel robs God (3:8–12); Israel’s arrogant words against God (3:13–15); God’s message of reassurance (3:16–4:3); exhortation to remember the law of Moses (4:4); the promise of Elijah’s return before the day of the Lord (4:5–6).

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

Upon completing today’s reading, we will have read the last of the 929 chapters, 23,214 verses, 592,439 words, and approximately 2,728,100 letters that comprise the Old Testament. Perhaps this is a good time for us to be reminded that the goal of the 365 Days of Pursuit, though, isn’t simply to get through the word of God but for the Word of God to get through us!

Note at least five things that make the little book of Malachi unique. First, it’s unique in that the exact date of the book is not known. It is generally accepted that Malachi lived approximately 100 years after Haggai and Zechariah, and is associated with the reforms of Ezra and Nehemiah. To help place his ministry, though, keep in mind that a remnant returned from captivity in 536 B.C. Under Haggai and Zechariah’s leadership, the temple had been rebuilt in approximately 520–516 B.C. After another 60 years, Ezra came on the scene to re-establish the nation spiritually (457 B.C.), and after another 13 years (444 B.C.), Nehemiah was used of God to rebuild the wall. Malachi is most likely a contemporary of Nehemiah, because they faced the same exact spiritual problems:

• A profane priesthood. (Malachi 2:1–9 c.f. Nehemiah 13:27–30)
• Mixed marriages with the heathen. (Malachi 2:10–16 c.f. Nehemiah 13:23–29)
• The withholding of tithes from God’s house. (Malachi 3:8-12 c.f. Nehemiah 13:10-13)
• An overall spiritual apathy in the hearts of God’s people.

The date of the book is placed approximately at 450–400 B.C.

Secondly, the Book of Malachi is unique in the style in which it its written. Malachi uses a question–and–answer format to reveal the absolute spiritual cluelessness of the people due to their arrogance and apathy. There are at least 25 questions recorded in these four brief chapters!

Thirdly, this book is unique in that 47 of the 55 verses in this book are actually spoken by God. That is certainly the highest percentage of any of the books of the prophets.

Fourthly, the book of Malachi is the only one of the prophets whose book ends on a note of condemnation and judgment, rather than restoration and hope. The word God chose to use to conclude the entire Old Testament is quite interesting and revealing. (If you don’t know what it is, take a second now to look it up.) That word points us to the reality of man’s sinful condition, and makes us long for a remedy that is satisfying to God’s justice and holiness. Can you think of one? (See 1^st John 2:2!)

Then, fifthly, this book is unique because when Malachi penned the final word in 4:6, there was no more new revelation from God for a period of approximately 400 years! We often refer to them as “the 400 years of silence”. We might could say the last book of the Old Testament foreshadows the first book of the New Testament, as John the Baptist breaks the silence by declaring, “Prepare ye the way of the Lord.” (Read Malachi 3:1, and then turn over a few pages into the New Testament and read Matthew 3:1–2!)

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As the LORD, WHOM YE SEEK, (WHO) SHALL SUDDENLY COME TO HIS TEMPLE — Malachi 3:1 (Mark 11:15–17)

As the SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS — Malachi 4:2 (John 9:5)

OVERVIEW:

Zechariah’s first “burden” or oracle, emphasizing Christ’s first coming (9:1–11:17); Zechariah’s second “burden” or oracle, emphasizing Christ’s second coming (12:1–14:21).

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

The Bible is the most incredible history book the world has ever seen. Obviously, it’s a thousand times more than just that, but in terms of history, it is in a class totally by itself. No other history book in the world would even dare to write about events that haven’t yet taken place! (See Isaiah 42:9; 46:9–10) Back in the 1950’s people worried about “red power”. In the 1960’s and 70’s, it was “black power”. In the 80’s it was “white power”, the 90’s it was “yellow power”, and now that we’ve moved into the 21^st century, it seems people are worried about all of the above! But there is only one power to which the world really needs to concern itself, and that’s what we might could call “Jew power”! The fact is, as the prophet Zechariah reveals, even if all of the nations of the world combined military forces and together converged upon Israel (which is exactly what is going to happen at the infamous Battle of Armageddon!), it still wouldn’t (won’t) be enough to stop them! Not necessarily because Israel’s military power and prowess is so great, but because Israel’s coming King is so great and so infinitely powerful!

People in the 21^st century spend a lot of time wondering:

• What will ultimately come of the conflict in the Middle East between the Arabs and Jews?
• Will the Jews be able to hold their land and their beloved city of Jerusalem?
• What nation will ultimately be the world power when all of the turmoil in the world has been settled, and the war on terror is over? Will it be the U.S.? Russia? China?

With the prophecies revealed through Zechariah, there is no wondering necessary. Zechariah emphatically says that Jerusalem will stay in the hands of the Jews, their borders will be established according to God’s specific design, and after the military rampage of the Lord Jesus Christ at His second coming, Israel will dominate the world under the rule of their Messiah and King, the Lord Jesus Christ! At that time, Isaiah 9:7 will be a glorious reality: “Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to established it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.” (Also see Luke 1:32b–33)

The remainder of the book of Zechariah is broken down into two different oracles that God calls “burdens” (9:1; 12:1), against specific nations. In 9:1–8, Zechariah describes the judgment that would come against Israel’s neighbors. We now know that this passage is describing the conquest of the Greek general, Alexander the Great. Though Alexander would conquer many cities, one city he did not destroy was Jerusalem!

In striking contrast to the judgment pronounced on Israel’s neighbors, God promised His people a King whose worldwide reign would establish the world in peace. (9:8–10) Rather than this King making His entrance into Jerusalem on a regal charger (first coming), Zechariah saw Him on a lowly “beast of burden” or donkey. (Matthew 21:4–5; John 12:12–16) What would be the outcome? Zechariah tells us, in 11:12:

• He would be sold for the price of a slave (Matthew 27:3–10);
• He would be arrested and smitten (Zechariah 13:7; Matthew 26:31);
• He would be wounded in the house of His friends (Zechariah 13:6; Matthew 26:47–50);
• He would be pierced on the cross (Zechariah 12:10; John 19:32–37).

Ironically, Jerusalem, the city of Peace, crucified its King, the Prince of Peace. Keep in mind that Zechariah prophesied a full 500 years before Christ’s first coming, and yet, every detail of Zechariah’s prophecy concerning Christ’s coming came to pass exactly the way he said they would. So, what might that tell us about Zechariah’s prophecies concerning Christ’s second coming?! They are all going to come to pass with the same impeccable precision!

The glory that Zechariah describes, as he brings his prophecy to a close, is hard to put into words. He provides an awe-inspiring panorama of what God has in store for Israel “in that day”! (Note that that phrase appears no less than 15 times in chapters 12–14 alone!) From a topographical standpoint, Zechariah says the Mount of Olives will split in two when Christ sets foot on it at His second coming. (Zechariah 14:4; Matthew 24:3) From a military standpoint, Zechariah says that all the nations that mess with Israel will be obliterated. (Zechariah 12:9; Revelation 16:14–16; 19:19–21) From a spiritual standpoint, all the godless idols, false prophets, and spirits will be removed from the land. (Zechariah 13:2–3) From a political standpoint, Zechariah says that the Lord Jesus Christ alone will be King of the entire earth! (Zechariah 14:9) That is why it is called, “the day of the Lord”! It’s “the day” the Lord set apart unto Himself and blessed way back in Genesis 2:1–3, and “the day” to which all of history has been and is pointing! It’s that “glorious day” when God’s Son finally receives the glory that is due His name! “Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” (Revelation 22:20)

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

The COMING KING — Zechariah 9:9 (Matthew 21:4–5)

The ONE SOLD FOR 30 PIECES OF SILVER — Zechariah 11:12 (Matthew 27:3–10)

The ONE WOUNDED BY HIS FRIEND — Zechariah 13:6 (Matthew 26:47–50)

The ONE WHO WAS PIERCED — Zechariah 12:10 (John 19:32–37)

The SMITTEN SHEPHERD – Zechariah 13:7 (Matthew 26:31)

OVERVIEW:

A call for repentance and exhortation to fathers (1:1–6); the eight visions designed to encourage the people to rebuild the temple (1:7–6:8); Joshua is crowned the high priest (6:9–15); Jews from Bethel inquire concerning the continuance of fasting (7:1–8:23).

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

Because of the significant content and length of the books of Genesis, Psalms, and Isaiah, it is certainly no surprise that they are the most quoted books in the New Testament. Do you realize, however, that the little book of Zechariah (only 14 chapters) is quoted almost 40 times in the New Testament?! That is most certainly because of the messianic emphasis in this book. It is, without a doubt, the most Christ-centered of all the Minor Prophets and contains more messianic prophecies than perhaps any other book in the entire Old Testament. Notice that verse 1 says, “…the word of the Lord unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo.” (1:1)

The name Zechariah means “Jehovah remembers”. His father’s name, Berechiah, means “Jehovah blesses”. His grandfather’s name, Iddo, means “His time”. If we put the meanings of these three names together, it beautifully states, “Jehovah remembers and blesses in His time!” Hallelujah! You may need that subtle reminder to be a word of encouragement to you today (Proverbs 15:23; 25:11), but the historic and prophetic significance of “the Lord remembering and blessing in His time” has to do with Jews and Jerusalem. In fact, the city of Jerusalem is mentioned 39 times in the book of Zechariah.

Verses 14–17 of chapter 1 are really a condensed overview of the theme of the book, stating that God, the great “I AM,” is jealous for Jerusalem; He remembers what the heathen did to His city; and, one day, He will bless Jerusalem with prosperity and peace!

Do note that Zechariah and Haggai were contemporaries who ministered to the same people, even though their lives, their ministries, and their books are filled with contrasts. Haggai was an old man while Zechariah was a young man. (2:4) Haggai preached sermons and Zechariah shared visions. Haggai’s ministry was marked by exhortation as Zechariah’s ministry was marked by encouragement.

Zechariah’s prophecy begins in 1:2 with a statement that could be made in our day just as aptly as it was his own: “The Lord hath been sore displeased with your fathers.” One of the most horrific things about the Laodicean Church Period is what has taken place in the whole realm of fathering. As we have previously discussed, the devil has waged an all-out attack on fathers because they possess the title with which God wants us to relate in our relationship with Him. Fathers, we may need to ask ourselves how we’re doing in fulfilling our seven biblical responsibilities to our children? We may also need to consider, that if the Lord were to comment on our fathering, as He did on the fathers in Zechariah’s day, would He say He was “pleased” with the job we’re doing, or as in their case, would He say He was “sore displeased”? Or, would it be somewhere in-between? Let us hear, heed, and be encouraged in the admonition and promise of verse 3: “Turn ye unto me, saith the Lord of hosts, and I will turn unto you!” Oh, may we turn to our heavenly Father today! As we have seen all through the Old Testament, the problem in fathering is that unless something supernatural takes place in a man’s life, he invariably becomes like his father, and most often, that isn’t a good thing (1:2), thus, the admonition of verse 4: “Be not as your fathers…”

Zechariah continues in verse 4, saying that though the prophets were crying out to the fathers to turn from their “evil ways” and “evil doings,” they paid absolutely no attention whatsoever to them! In verse 5, God asks, “Where are they now?” Or, in other words, “How’d that kind of life work out for them?” Zechariah states in verse 6, that if they had taken hold of God’s words and statutes, His words and statutes would have taken hold of them! They could have received blessing from the Lord, but because they refused to listen and turn, they willfully chose cursing. Oh Dads, there might be some things we can miss concerning Zechariah’s “visions” in the first 6 chapters, but please don’t miss the message in the first 6 verses!

What follows this powerful exhortation to fathers in 1:1–6, is a series of eight visions that Zechariah received, and was commanded to share with the people. The eight visions, which span 1:7–6:8, were designed by God to encourage the people to rebuild the temple. Each vision is introduced with phrases such as, “I saw…”, “I lifted up my eyes and looked…”, “He showed me…”, etc. The eight visions, and a brief statement concerning God’s message about each of them, is as follows:

1. The Man Riding on a Red Horse. (1:7–17) God is displeased with the Gentiles who are at ease while His people are afflicted. He will punish the nations and restore His people.
2. The Four Horses and Four Carpenters. (1:18–21) God will destroy the four Gentile world powers.
3. The Man with a Measuring Line. (2:1–13) God will restore Jerusalem.
4. Joshua the High Priest. (3:1–10) God will cleanse and restore the priesthood, which is representative of the nation.
5. The Golden Candlestick and Two Olive Trees. (4:1–14) Israel, God’s light-bearer, will rebuild the temple by the power of the Spirit of God (pictured by oil) under the leadership of Joshua and Zerubbabel.
6. The Flying Roll (scroll). (5:1–4) God will judge the sin in the land.
7. The Woman Sitting in the Ephah (a basket used for measuring). (5:5–11) Wickedness (the woman) will be carried from the land back to the land of its origination, Babylon.
8. The Four Chariots. (6:1–8) God controls the nations. His enemies have been shut down, and Jerusalem is safe.

In 6:9–15, for the first time, the word of the Lord came to Zechariah without being in the form of a vision. Joshua, a picture of the Lord Jesus Christ, a “priest-king” referred to as “The BRANCH”, would build the temple and sit on the throne!

Chapters 7 and 8 form somewhat of an interlude in the book. In these chapters, God addresses the subject of fasting. The only required fast in the Old Testament was the fast on the Day of Atonement, but the Jews had included fasts to remember the fall of Jerusalem. (We might equate it with remembering the fall of the Twin Towers on 9/11.) Zechariah uses this as an opportunity to teach about God’s intention through fasting.

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As the BRANCH — Zechariah 3:8; 6:12 (Isaiah 11:1; Jeremiah 23:5; 33:15)

As the STONE THAT REMOVES SIN — Zechariah 3:9 (Romans 9:31–33)

As JOSHUA (Hebrew word for Jesus) THE PRIEST-KING — Zechariah 6:11–13

OVERVIEW:

God’s judgment of Judah (Zephaniah 1:1–2:3); God’s judgment of the Gentile nations (Zephaniah 2:4–3:7); God’s restoration of His people (Zephaniah 3:8–20); A call to build (Haggai 1:1–15); A promise of glory (Haggai 2:1–9); A problem of defilement (Haggai 2:10–19); A promise to a servant (Haggai 2:20–23).

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

Zephaniah is one of the strongest preachers in the entire Bible. Verse 1 merely introduces him, providing us his background and placement in history, and in verse 2, he’s already going for the jugular! “I will utterly consume all things from off the land, saith the Lord.” (1:2) Zephaniah’s message is a message of judgment. There are only 53 verses in the entire book, and there are at least 20 references to “the Day of the Lord”! (See how many you can find — i.e. “the day of the Lord”, “that day”, “the day”, “same day”, “at that time”, etc.)

The “day of the Lord” is a two-edged sword. On one side, it is a horrendous day. For evildoers, Zephaniah says, “That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness.” (1:15) Zephaniah adds that it is a day when the earth’s mightiest men shall “cry bitterly” (1:14), and the earth’s wealthiest men will see the futility and worthlessness of their “silver” and “gold” to “deliver them in the day of the Lord’s wrath.” (1:18)

On the other side of “the day of the Lord” sword, it is a glorious day! For the Lord’s faithful, Zephaniah exhorts, “Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel: be glad and rejoice with all the heart.” (3:14) In 3:17, Zephaniah adds, “The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.”

This two-edged sword describing “the day of the Lord” can also be seen in Paul’s words to the Thessalonians in 2^nd Thessalonians 1:7–10: “And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.” Note that while those who “know not God” are the recipients of His vengeance and punishment, on that very same day, for those of us who have “believed”, we will joyfully and passionately make certain that our Lord is both “glorified” and “admired”!

Though the book of Zephaniah is built around “the day of the Lord”, another key word in the book is the word “remnant”. In fact, the theme of the book is actually “the salvation of Israel’s remnant”. Interestingly the name Zephaniah means “Jehovah hides” or “Jehovah protects/treasures”. That is exactly what God will do with Israel’s believing remnant during the outpouring of His incredible wrath in “the day of the Lord”. (Revelation 12:13–17)

A brief breakdown of the book is as follows:

In 1:1–2:3, Zephaniah reveals God’s judgment of Judah. Notice in 1:4–6, that Judah, like Laodicea, had three kinds of sinners:

1. Those who have totally forsaken God and worship idols;
2. Those who worship (or think they worship) both God and idols;
3. Those who at one time followed the Lord, but have totally and openly forsaken Him and want nothing to do with Him.

In 2:4–3:7, Zephaniah reveals God’s judgment of the Gentile nations. After describing His judgment upon them, God makes an appeal to His own people (3:1–7), saying in effect, “If I will judge the heathen nations for their sins, how much more will I judge this sin of the nation that I separated out of all the nations of the world to be holy unto Me?”

In 3:8–20, Zephaniah reveals God’s restoration of His people. The book of Zephaniah ends with the incredible promise that God will one day punish the Gentiles, and regather and restore Israel and Judah to Himself and to their land. Notice that 3:8 is most definitely describing the Battle of Armageddon, when the Lord Jesus Christ will return out of heaven to rescue Israel from the Gentile nations who will gather against her when He comes on the great “day of the Lord” to establish His millennial kingdom. (Revelation 19:11–12: Zephaniah 3:8, 15)

The Lord’s closing message to Israel through Zephaniah is that, “At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the Lord.” (3:20) That promise has yet to be fulfilled, but certainly will be in the very near future!

HAGGAI

Today’s reading also includes the two chapters that comprise the book of Haggai (the second shortest book of the Old Testament). In order to understand the ministry of the last three prophets (Haggai, Zechariah and Malachi), we must understand that they prophesied after the exile in 520 B.C., and thus, their books are referred to as post-exile books. Here’s a simple way to get the setting of these books in your mind: In 536 B.C., Ezra led approximately 50,000 Jews back into their land after the Babylonian captivity. Under Ezra’s leadership, they rebuilt the altar, reinstated the sacrifices, and in 535 B.C., laid the foundation for the rebuilding of the temple. Because of the incredible opposition they faced, the work on the temple ceased. It was through four godly men that the work finally continued and was ultimately brought to completion: Zerubbabel, the governor; Joshua, the high priest; and Haggai and Zechariah, the prophets. When Haggai begins his prophecy (1:1), recognize that the date is September 1, 520 B.C. It has been 16 years since the construction on the temple began, but rather than walls covering the foundation, it was covered with weeds. Interestingly, though God’s house lay desolate, they had found the time and money to make sure that their own houses were completed! Haggai’s message to Zerubbabel and Joshua, the two leaders of the nation, was: “The people have made a priority out of their own houses and careers, and it is high time priority is given to the Lord’s house and His cause!”

The book of Haggai breaks down into four sections. Each section is a “sermon” Haggai preached, and each one is prefaced by the date in which it was delivered. (1:1; 2:1; 2:10; 2:20) In each “sermon”, Haggai points out a specific sin that keeps God’s people from fulfilling His will and accomplishing His work.

1. Making self a priority instead of the Lord. (1:1–15 c.f. 2^nd Timothy 3:1–2)
2. Looking back instead of looking ahead. (2:1–9 c.f. Philippians 3:13–14)
3. Failing to be cleansed of sin. (2:10–19 c.f. 2^nd Corinthians 7:1)
4. Unbelief. (2:20–23 c.f. Hebrews 3:12–4:2)

We would do well to ask ourselves today: “What work has God called me to accomplish that I haven’t finished? (See 1^st Corinthians 15:58)

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As THE KING OF ISRAEL, EVEN THE LORD — Zephaniah 3:15 (John 1:49)

OVERVIEW:

Nahum, whose name means “comforter”, comforts God’s people by unveiling God’s plan to take vengeance on the wickedness of the nation of Assyria, beginning with the capitol city of Nineveh. (Nahum 1–3); Habakkuk’s difficult questions for God (Habakkuk 1–2); Habakkuk’s praise to God for answering his questions. (Habakkuk 3)

HIGHLIGHTS & INSIGHTS:

As we have already learned, the vast majority of the Old Testament is written to and by Israelites, the chosen people of God. When we discover any book of the Old Testament written to a nation other than Israel, we must recognize that we have discovered something significant in the plan and revelation of God. There are only three prophets (out of 16) who prophesy to Gentile nations: Obadiah prophesied to the people of Edom; and Jonah and Nahum prophesied to Nineveh, the capitol city of Assyria. Just what do Edom and Nineveh have in common? Both were Gentile nations, who worshipped false gods, and were used by Satan to persecute the nation of Israel. Do note that God doesn’t take either of these offenses lightly! (1:14; 3:19) To add insult to injury, just 150 years earlier, God proved to Nineveh that He is “good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon [Him]” (Psalm 86:5) when He sent Jonah to warn them of coming judgment. (Jonah 3) As we saw, the Ninevites heeded the words of Jonah, and as a result of their repentance, revival had broken out in Nineveh! Apparently, the Ninevites failed to “make disciples”, because as we come into the book of Nahum, God is once again ready to pour out His wrath upon them! (1:2–6) Nahum describes how the city of Nineveh would be destroyed by “an overrunning flood” (1:8) and how the “gates of the rivers shall be opened, and the palace shall be dissolved” (2:6), while enemy invaders would ravage and spoil the fortressed city (3:1–7), until an “utter end [was made] of the place.” (1:8–9)

As we might expect, 18 years after Nahum’s prophecy, Nabopolassar, king of Babylon, unsuccessfully besieged Nineveh for three years until the Tigris River suddenly overflowed its banks, washing a hole in the city wall and the Babylonian army rushed into the city, murdering the people and pillaging their goods. So complete was the destruction (1:9), that Alexander the Great marched over the former city without recognizing any evidences of a previous civilization! In fact, its existence was so annihilated, archaeologists didn’t even begin excavating the city until 1845 A.D.

The moral of the story is this: God is longsuffering but He isn’t a door mat! When you worship false gods (recognize that our modern day false gods are things like wealth, self, sex, etc.) and/or mess with God’s people, God will make a complete and utter end of you! (2^nd Thessalonians 1:7–9) Those who have placed their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, however, will be safe in the day of judgment. (1:7)

Also in Nahum, God addresses a man and a woman whose full identities are revealed in greater detail in the book of Revelation: the antichrist (1:11) and “Mystery Babylon… the Mother of Harlots…” (3:4–19 c.f. Revelation 17 and 18) Nineveh and her king are types of these end time characters.

Habakkuk

If the moral of Nahum’s message is that “God is not a door mat,” then the moral of Habakkuk’s message is, “God sure seems to be a door mat!” Nahum is the prophet of God’s WRATH realized; Habakkuk is the prophet of God’s PATIENCE realized. As the book opens, Habakkuk is struggling with two of the most common questions of life:

1. “Why doesn’t God answer my prayers?” (1:2)
2. “If God is good and all powerful, why does He allow evil and suffering in the world?”

The very first verse of the book describes Habakkuk as an indignant prophet pinned under the unbearable burden of life’s injustices. This man of God has suppressed his frustration and confusion until he can no longer take it. Habakkuk unleashes his pent-up indignation, puts God on trial, and asks Him why the wicked are allowed to evade judgment and prosper. God leads Habakkuk up a specific path that ends on the mountain peak of the only possible answer: God knows what He’s doing, so relax! (3:17–19) The path is as follows: it begins with a “burden” (1:1); the burden is transformed into a “vision” (2:1–4); the vision becomes a “prayer” (3:1); and it ends with “rejoicing” and confidence. (3:18–19) If we examine our past, we will see that all of our wrestling matches with God have followed this same path, and what we thought at the beginning was an obstacle, was actually a stairway leading us high above the nagging questions, circumstances, and issues of life. Let our feet, indeed, be as hinds’ feet. (3:19)

Historically, Habakkuk predicts the Babylonian captivity. (1:5–11) Prophetically, chapter 3 describes events surrounding the return of Jesus Christ.

CHRIST IS REVEALED:

As THE stronghold of the faithful in the day of trouble — Nahum 1:7 (John 16:33)

As THE Holy One — Habakkuk 3:3 (Mark 1:24; Acts 2:27; 3:14; 13:35)

As THE coming Savior of Israel – Habakkuk 3:4–6,18 (Acts 13:23)