Search The Scriptures —Study 3 — Matthew 3

Study 3 From the Book of Matthew is: Matthew 3

      1.      John the Baptist saw himself as preparing the way for Christ (verse 3). In what ways did he do this through (a) his preaching, and (b) his administration of baptism?

      2.     What do verses 13-15 tell us about the importance of His baptism to Jesus? How do you link this moment with the cross? Cf. Ps. 40:7-8; Lk. 12:50; 2 Cor. 5:21.  Can you see the Trinity clearly at work in these verses?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 2 — Matthew 2

Study 2  From the Book of Matthew is: Matthew 2

    1.      Consider the significance of the coming of the wise men from the East in the light of such passage as Is. 49:6; Lk. 2:32; Jn. 10:16.

   2.     Note the different reactions to the birth of Jesus from the wise men, the chief priests and scribes, and Herod. How does this prove the truth of Jn. 9:39; 18:37?

   3.      Notice the accuracy of fulfillment of prophecy in our Lord’s infancy (verses 15:17, 18; 23). What does this teach us about the nature and authority of prophecy?

Notes

1.      Verse 1. ‘Wise men’: the word ‘Magi’ refers to learned astrologers or those who practised magical arts.  There is nothing but tradition to make them kings.

2.     Verse 23. There is no Old Testament quotation about the Messiah as a Nazarene. Matthew may be making a play on the Hebrew word nester meaning ‘branch’ from Is. 11:1 and Je. 23:5. Or the phrase may refer to the contempt associated with Christ’s home background. Cf. Jn. 1:46; Is. 53:2, 3.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 1 — Matthew 1

Study 1 From the Book of Matthew is: Matthew 1

   1.      Consider the names in the genealogy and note how sinful some of them were.  How does this chapter indicate that the coming of Jesus was in God’s plan from the beginning? In what ways does it demonstrate that in Jesus Old Testament prophecy is fulfilled? What truths are here indicated concerning His Person and work?

   2.     What do verses 18-25 teach us about the virgin birth? What is the importance of this truth for the Christian?

3.     Examine the character of Joseph as revealed in these verses (cf. 2:13-23).  What may we learn from his courageous obedience?

Notes

1.      Verse 17.  This arrangement into three periods of fourteen generations each is not exact, some generations, being omitted. Possibly this artificial arrangement is for easy memorizing.

2.     Verse 19.  According to Jewish law, Mary, being betrothed Joseph, was already legally regarded as his wife.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 0 — Introduction to the book of Matthew

Study 0 From the Book of  Matthew: Is the Introduction of the book

It is customary to see in Matthew’s Gospel the fact that Jesus is presented especially as the Messiah, the promised Son of David. This is true; but it also declares that He is the Saviour from sin (1:21) and the Son of God (1:23; 3:17; 16: 16, 17); and although the writer was obviously a Jew to the core, and wrote primarily for the Jews only, but of all nations (2:1, 11; 28:19, 20). Nevertheless, this is the most Jewish of the Gospel.  It is significant that our Lord’s genealogy is traced back, not to Adam, as in Luke’s account, but to Abraham, the father of the Jewish race.

The story of the birth of Christ shows distinct signs of being derived from Joseph’s side, as the story given by Luke would seem to come from Mary’s.

The Gospel is characterized by the large place it gives tot the teaching of our Lord, and in particular to His teaching in parables and about ‘things to come’.

Search The Scriptures —Study 42 — Isaiah 66

Study 42 From the Book of  Isaiah is: Isaiah 66

With this lesson, we end the book of Isaiah. Tomorrow we start the book of Matthew.

The distinction is maintained between those who are disobedient to God, and those who fear Him.  The final destiny of the two classes is made clear. God will thus be fully and finally glorified.  Cf. 2. Thes. 1:7-12

1.      When God looks down upon men’s worship, what is it He values? See verses 1-4; cf. Ps. 51:17; Jn. 4:23, 24.

2.     What is the end of those who, having heard God’s voice will not give heed? See especially verses 4, 5, 6, 17, 24.  What, on the other hand, is promised to Zion and her children?  See verses 7-14, 20-22.  While these promises are made primarily to Jerusalem and are yet to be fulfilled, they also declare the spiritual good things which God has provided for us in His Son, and which we may claim for ourselves in Him.  Cf. Rom. 8:16, 17, 32; 1 Cor. 3:22, 2 Cor. 1:20.

3.     How does the prophet’s vision of God’s purpose for the nations fall short of the glory of the full revelation of this  ‘mystery’ in the New Testament?

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Search The Scriptures —Study 41 — Isaiah 65

Study 41 From the Book of  Isaiah is: Isaiah 65

1.      Verses 1-7.  What picture of God is unfolded in verses 1 and 2? Cf. Mt. 7:2. Why has He been unable to answer the prophet’s prayer for Israel’s salvation?  Cf.  59:1-3.  How does God purpose to deal with them (verses 8-12)?

2.     What is to be the lot of God’s chosen people in Jerusalem in the new age that is to dawn (verses 17-25)?  What in contrast is going to be the life and end of those who forsake God (verses 11:15)?

Notes

1.      Verses 3-7. A condemnation of various idolatrous practices.

2.     Verses 8. ‘When a bunch of grapes hold some good wine, men say, ‘destroy it not, it holds a blessing’ So, God will save the good in Israel.

3.     Verse 11. ‘Fortune and ‘Destiny’:  the Hebrew words are Gad and Meni, the names of two gods.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 40 — Isaiah 63:7 – 64:12

Study 40 From the Book of  Isaiah is: Isaiah 63:7 – 64:12

1.      63:7-14. How does the suppliant begin his prayer?  What has Israel learnt of God’s mercy and love in her past? What lesson is there here for us when in our need we pray to God? Cf. Eph. 1:16; Phil. 1:3; 4:6; Col. 1:3.

2.     What five pleas are found in 63: 15-19?  In 64:4, 5, the suppliant begins to advance another plea.  What is it, and why is he unable to continue it (verses 6, 7)? Do you know how to plead with God? What pleas may we rightly make?

Notes

1.       63:10, 11, 14. The references to the Holy Spirit in this prayer are strikingly clear and full.

2.     63:17a. The prolonging of the suffering was tending to increase the ungodliness

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Search The Scriptures —Study 39 — Isaiah 61:1 – 63:6

Study 39  From the Book of  Isaiah is: Isaiah 61:1 – 63:6

1.      How would you summarize the teaching of chapters 61 and 62 regarding the Lord’s purpose of good for Zion? What do we learn, for example, about (a) the relation to God into which God’s people will be brought (61: 6, 8, 9; 62:4-12), and (b) the response of God’s people to His promised salvation (61:10)? Is your experience of this kind?

2.     In chapter 61 the coming salvation is proclaimed, in 62 it is prayed for (verses 1, 6, 7). If the gospel is to prevail on earth, are not both the proclamation of it and prayer concerning it still necessary? Cf. Rom. 10:14, 15; 2 Thes. 3:1. What characteristic of prevailing prayer is emphasized here?

3.     In Lk. 4:17-21 our Lord says that the opening words of chapter 61 were spiritually fulfilled in His own ministry.  Why did He cut His reading in the Synagogue short in the middle of 61:2? Meditate on the scope of our Lord’s ministry as revealed in these verses.

Notes

1.       62:2. ‘A new name’:  the symbol both of a new character, and of a new relation to God.  Cf. Rev. 2:17; 3:12.

2.      63:4. The day of redemption is also a day of judgment. Cf. 61:2; Jn. 3: 17-19.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 38 — Isaiah 60

Study 38  From the Book of  Isaiah is: Isaiah 60

An inspired vision of Zion, when God shall have fulfilled toward her all His purposes, and clothed her with His glory.

1.      Try to build up the picture of the glorified Zion as given in this vision.  Gather out the references to God, and observe carefully the place He occupies in Zion. Has He this central place in your life, and in your Christina fellowship?

2.     Consider how many of the features of beauty and glory in the Zion of this chapter are to be found, in their spiritual counterpart, in a life dwelling in the fullness of the Holy Spirit. See especially verses 2, 5, 7 (last clause), 13 (last clause, 16b, and 17-21; and cf. 2 Cor. 3:18; 4:6; 6: 16; Eph. 3:14-21.

Notes.

1.      Verses 8, 9. The ships coming from the west, with their white sails, looking like a flock of doves.

2.     Verse 13. ‘The place of my sanctuary’: i.e., the Temple, called also ‘the place of my feet’.

3.     Verse 21.  ‘That I might be glorified’: compare ‘he has glorified you’ (verse 9) and ‘I will glorify my glorious house’ (verse 7; so also verse 13).  Where God is glorified, all else is glorified in Him. Cf. 2 Thes. 1:12.

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Search The Scriptures —Study 37 — Isaiah 59

Study 37 From the Book of Isaiah is: Isaiah 59

This chapter in its opening verses is an exposure of the sins that separate from God (verses 1-8). In verses 9:15a the people describe their sorrowful state, and make confession. But they feel that if action on God’s part is to be for ever restrained by their sinfulness the position seems hopeless indeed (see Note 2 on ‘justice below’. Then in the closing verses of the chapter comes the triumphant divine answer (verses 15b-21). God is not baffled, and when there is not human help He Himself comes to the rescue, in judgment upon evil-doers on the one hand, and in redemption for the penitent on the other.

1. Verses 1-15. What various sins are mentioned here, and what are the consequences in the personal, social and spiritual life of the people? With verses 1, 2 cf. 1:15-17; Mi. 3:4.
2. What is the motive of God’s intervention, as described in verses 15b – 27)? What is its twofold purpose, and what its world-wide issue? When does St. Paul look for this to be fulfilled to Israel (Rom. 11:25-27)? Yet, for us who believe on Jesus Christ, it is not in part fulfilled to us now, and not least verse 21? Cf. Jn. 14:16, 26.

Notes

1. Verse 5, 6. The plan and plots of evil doers working fresh evil, and giving no useful result.
2. Verse 9. The word ‘justice’ is used in these verses in two senses, (a) as right done by man (verse 8, 15b), and (b)b as divine judgment, exercised on behalf of Israel against her oppressors (verses 9, 11, 14). The people’s lament was that the latter was withheld, because the former was lacking.

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