Baptizing The King

Baptizing The King

Text: Matthew 3

Focus: Matthew 3:1-9, 13-17.

We began with the generations of Jesus Christ our Lord and His birth of the "Virgin Mary". I did not cover that as good as I should have but we all need to study ourselves to be approved of God.

2Ti 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

In this chapter of Matthew we are introduced to John the Baptist. He could also be called John the Preacher.

The salvation of souls depends entirely on the "death, burial and resurrection from the grave" by the Lord Jesus Christ. The "Church" is based on these facts. Without the Lord's "sacrifice" there can be no salvation of anyone that has ever lived or will live on this Earth. There could be no assurance of a home in Heaven. Those that say they have another way are only using religion as means to forward their own evil agenda.

Many religions teach of other ways to Heaven but there is only one way and to be honest if the death as a suicide bomber and by works is the way, then Heaven is not the Heaven that I have come to know as my future home.

God would not have allowed the death of His Own Son to be a meaningless gesture to pacify those that live in sin on Earth.

As we study the Gospels we can and will see that there is nothing that would have or could have prevented Jesus The Christ from fulfilling every prophesy written about Him and for Him. His day on the "cross" was His way of showing how much He loves the sinners of this world and He loves each one even more once they believe on Him.

If Christ Jesus had not fulfilled all prophesy of Him then He could not be the Jewish Messiah nor the Christian Savior. The first time He came was humbly in a manger. The next time He comes it will be in in Power.

The Bible says:

Act 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

John said "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:"

1.) John used water for the Jews.(calling of Israel to return to God)

2.) Jesus would use the Holy Spirit for salvation.(first coming of Christ)

3.) Jesus would use Fire for those that rejected Him.(second coming of Christ)

Sinful men are born under the curse of sin which is "death".

Rom 6:23 [For the wages of sin is death]; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Just as sure as you work to draw a paycheck that you expect to receive. The payment for sin is eternal death of the soul which you should also expect to receive.

Everyone will die a physical death:

Heb 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

We can see that there is a judgment that takes place after that physical death. This is the second death that will come on all that reject the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the "judgment" of Hebrews 9:27.

The second death is a separation of the soul from the presence of God into eternal damnation, the judgment.

For a person to avoid this second death he must experience the second birth by accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Savior in faith.

The Bible says:

Joh 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

1Pe 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

Jesus Christ was born, that He might die to save us from all our sin, that we might live eternally! This is the only reason He came to God's creation was to save God's creation.

The Bible says:

Act 8:35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

Act 8:36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?

Act 8:37 And Philip said, [If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest]. And he answered and said, [I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God].

Act 8:38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

Rom 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, [even so we also should walk in newness of life].

We that know Jesus Christ as our Savior have accepted these facts of Jesus by "Faith"!

The Bible says:

1Pe 1:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, [yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

1Pe 1:9 [Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls].

If we are not baptized by the Holy Spirit we are not saved:

Tit 3:3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

Tit 3:4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

Tit 3:5 [Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost];

Tit 3:6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

Tit 3:7 [That being justified by his grace], we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

*****Our Text:

John the Preacher:

Mat 3:1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,

Mat 3:2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Mat 3:3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

Mat 3:4 And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.

It is important to remember that the Book of Matthew was written to the Jewish nation, if we are to rightly divide the Word of God. Matthew was trying to convince these Jews that Jesus was indeed the Christ the Messiah. Matthew also refers to the "coming" Church that would not begin until Pentecost.

We should also observe that the ministry of John the Baptist was not in the Temple but outside the gates of the Temple and the city of Jerusalem.

John the Baptist "Preached" outside the established religious system. [In comparison the independent Church began by the Apostles of Jesus Christ at Pentecost have always been outside the established religious systems].

This was prophesied of John:

Isa 40:3 The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, [make straight in the desert a highway for our God].

Isa 40:4 Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:

Isa 40:5 [And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it].

We know at one time God was in the Temple:

2Ch 5:13 It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD;

2Ch 5:14 So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: [for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God].

We know that God left the Temple:

Eze 10:4 [Then the glory of the LORD went up from the cherub, and stood over the threshold of the house]; and the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the brightness of the LORD'S glory.

Eze 10:18 [Then the glory of the LORD departed from off the threshold of the house, and stood over the cherubims].

Eze 11:23 [And the glory of the LORD went up from the midst of the city, and stood upon the mountain which is on the east side of the city].

We can see that John was in the right place.

When God calls us to be in a certain place then that is where we need to be for our ministry to be blessed of God. You see God still speaks outside the temple and He will continue until the Rapture of the Church. Outside the Temple is where we can hear Him and meet Him.

The Bible says:

Rev 3:6 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

John came in the Spirit of Elijah:

The Bible says:

Mar 1:2 As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

Mar 1:3 The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

We can see that Mark quoted from two different prophets:

Mal 3:1 Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.

Isa 40:3 The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

We can see that the angel Gabriel told of John.

Luk 1:76 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;

We can see that Jesus told of John the Baptist:

Luk 7:24 And when the messengers of John were departed, he began to speak unto the people concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness for to see? A reed shaken with the wind?

Luk 7:25 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in kings' courts.

Luk 7:26 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? Yea, I say unto you, and much more than a prophet.

Luk 7:27 This is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

Luk 7:28 For I say unto you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet than John the Baptist: but he that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.

Again the words of Jesus:

Mat 11:13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.

Mat 11:14 And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.

Mat 11:15 He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Mat 17:12 But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.

Mat 17:13 Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.

Mar 9:13 But I say unto you, That Elias is indeed come, and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him.

I believe we can understand that Elijah will still come but it will not be in the Church age. The forerunner of Jesus Christ at His first coming was John the Baptist. Elijah will return before the second coming of Christ.

*****Our Text:

Mat 3:5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan,

Mat 3:6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.

Mat 3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?

Mat 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

Mat 3:9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

Matthew skips the boyhood years of Jesus and goes from His birth straight to the beginning of His ministry.

We know that Jesus was surrounded by family:

Mat 13:55 Is not this the carpenter's son? is not his mother called Mary? and his brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas?

And He also had sisters:

Mar 6:3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.

Notice Jesus had achieved the reputation of a carpenter as taught by Joseph who had adopted Him.

This chapter of Matthew deals mainly with Baptism.

To get a better understanding of what this meant to these Jews let's take time to study. The Greek word "baptizo" comes from the root word "bapto".

"Bapto" means to dip or to dye. It was a common word in the "Fuller's trade. Undress cloth was prepared for use by first dipping it into bleach and then into dye. When the cloth emerged from the bleach it was clean and white. When it emerged from the dye it was altered again.

Even Jeremiah knew that this would not wash away sin:

Jer 2:22 For though thou wash thee with nitre, and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before me, saith the Lord GOD.

Job also knew:

Job 9:30 If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean;

Job 9:31 Yet shalt thou plunge me in the ditch, and mine own clothes shall abhor me.

This the literal concept of Baptism. The word means to change identity, to change appearence, to change a relationship.

To the Jewish mind those that Matthew was writing to this gave the idea of cleansing and consecration to a new identity and a new relationship.

Jewish proselyte were baptized in such a manner. Water was extensively used in the Old Testament for ceremonial cleansing.

Lev 16:4 He shall put on the holy linen coat, and he shall have the linen breeches upon his flesh, and shall be girded with a linen girdle, and with the linen mitre shall he be attired: these are holy garments; therefore shall he wash his flesh in water, and so put them on.

Lev 14:7 And he shall sprinkle upon him that is to be cleansed from the leprosy seven times, and shall pronounce him clean, and shall let the living bird loose into the open field.

Lev 15:8 And if he that hath the issue spit upon him that is clean; then he shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.

A Jewish proselyte by his baptism signified that he was terminating his relationship in his old society and he was joining himself to Israel and to serve the God of Israel.

The message of John the Baptist was the preaching for the nation of Israel to return back to the God of Israel. Only then could they hear the message of "Grace" that Christ Jesus had.

Remember what Moses had said:

Deu 30:1 And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before thee, and thou shalt call them to mind among all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath driven thee,

Deu 30:2 [And shalt return unto the LORD thy God], and shalt obey his voice according to all that I command thee this day, thou and thy children, with all thine heart, and with all thy soul;

Deu 30:3 That then the LORD thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath scattered thee.

The Lord told Solomon:

2Ch 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Israel is still seeking the Messiah and yet these are the conditions that will bring the Kingdom of Heaven to this Earth with the second coming of Christ.

John's message was that the Kingdom of Heaven is as near as the nation of Israel returning to the God of Heaven.

"Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand"

Repent or TURN BACK TO GOD.

For upon His coming it would be the Messiah that would provide forgiveness of "sin" and institute a Kingdom of peace and righteousness with His reign as King.

Baptism is but a "public confession of sin". It symbolizes a "Moral Cleansing".

Did Jesus have sin? No, the Bible is specific about that.

[What Jesus was saying at His Baptism is that He was associated with the sinner and not the established religions]!

Baptizing in the Church that Christ built associates us with Jesus Christ who came to be the Savior of the world!

Repentance means to change your mind and then act on that change!

When John told this to the Pharisees, Scribes, Sadducees and The Elders, he was just saying just because you are from Israel and you are the descendant of Abraham, it is not enough for salvation and just saying you are sorry will not help.

John was not satisfied with the remorse and the regret on the part of these people. These Jews would have to show evidence of change before John would baptize them.

Jesus explained it this way:

Mat 21:27 And they answered Jesus, and said, We cannot tell. And he said unto them, Neither tell I you by what authority I do these things.

Mat 21:28 But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard.

Mat 21:29 [He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went]. (true repentance)

Mat 21:30 And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. (these represent all who say they are saved and are not)

Mat 21:31 [Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them], Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.

Mat 21:32 For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him.

To the Christian the evidence of change it to be filled with the Holy Spirit! This can only happen after you have invited the Lord Jesus Christ into your heart!

This not some great physical showing such as speaking some unknown language but it is the knowing in your heart that you believe and have place your faith in Christ Jesus!

The evidence of change is then the changed life. "to be Born Again"!

Jesus said: "ye must be born again"

[Only after this is the need to be baptized] to show we are associated with Jesus Christ in His death, burial, and His resurrection. This is a public showing of faith in Jesus Christ.

The Pharisees were "traditionalist" not only holding to the laws of Moses but creating some of their own to make those laws impossible to be kept.

The Sadducees were liberals. They didn't believe in anything enough to endorse it but they did had control of the Temple and the Temple business.

The Apostle Paul wrote:

Act 23:3 Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?

Act 23:4 And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God's high priest?

Act 23:5 Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.

Act 23:6 But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.

Act 23:7 And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided.

Act 23:8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.

Act 23:9 And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees' part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God.

We know that the Lord Jesus cleaned these business's out on at least two occasions:

Joh 2:15 And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables;

Joh 2:16 And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise.

Mat 21:12 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,

Mat 21:13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

Mar 11:15 And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves;

Mar 11:16 And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple.

Mar 11:17 And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.

These two groups fought each other until Jesus came, they then joined forces against Him. This is why John preached a message of judgment.

John fulfilled Isaiah 40:3. He was in a spiritual sense the Elijah that was to come.

Listen to what is said of Elijah:

2Ki 1:8 And they answered him, He was an hairy man, and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins. And he said, It is Elijah the Tishbite.

John was the last of the Old Testament prophets but he was the first Christian Prophet and he preached to the Jews first.

Luk 16:16 The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.

Mat 11:7 And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?

Mat 11:8 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.

Mat 11:9 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet.

Mat 11:10 For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

Mat 11:11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Mat 11:12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

Mat 11:13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.

Mat 11:14 And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.

Mat 11:15 He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

*****Our Text:

Mat 3:13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.

Mat 3:14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?

Mat 3:15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.

Mat 3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:

Mat 3:17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

The baptism of Jesus fulfilled at least two purposes:

1.) It prepared Israel to receive the Messiah.

2.) It presented Jesus Christ as that Messiah.

John had mentioned two more baptisms.

1.) A baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Whenever a sinner trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior, that sinner is immediately baptized with the Holy Spirit. and into the body of Christ.

1Co 12:12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

1Co 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

2.) A baptism by Fire:

A baptism by fire will only happen at the second coming of Jesus Christ and by Jesus Christ Himself. All non-believers will be baptized by "fire".

Mat 3:12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

Why was Jesus baptized:

1.) This gave Jesus' approval of John's ministry.

2.) Jesus identified Himself with publicans and sinners.

3.) It painted a picture of His future baptism on the cross.

Mat 20:22 But Jesus answered and said, [Ye know not what ye ask]. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able.

Luk 12:50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!

In the Old Testament:

Psa 42:6 O my God, my soul is cast down within me: therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan, and of the Hermonites, from the hill Mizar.

Psa 42:7 Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.

Psa 42:8 Yet the LORD will command his lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night his song shall be with me, and my prayer unto the God of my life.

Psa 42:9 I will say unto God my rock, Why hast thou forgotten me? [why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy]?

Psa 42:10 As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?

Psa 42:11 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? [hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God].

Jesus associated Himself with Jonah:

Jon 2:3 For thou hadst cast me into the deep, in the midst of the seas; and the floods compassed me about: all thy billows and thy waves passed over me.

Jon 2:4 Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple.

Jon 2:5 The waters compassed me about, even to the soul: the depth closed me round about, the weeds were wrapped about my head.

Jon 2:6 I went down to the bottoms of the mountains; the earth with her bars was about me for ever: yet hast thou brought up my life from corruption, O LORD my God.

John the Baptist bore witness to Jesus Christ as the "Son of God" but also as the "Lamb of God".

Because of John many sinners trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ:

Joh 10:39 Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,

Joh 10:40 And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode.

Joh 10:41 And many resorted unto him, and said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man were true.

Joh 10:42 And many believed on him there.

The coming of the Holy Spirit like a dove was a sign God to John:

Joh 1:31 And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.

Joh 1:32 And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him.

Joh 1:33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.

Joh 1:34 And I saw, and bare record that this is the Son of God.

But it also assured Jesus that the Holy Spirit would be with Him as he began His ministry:

Joh 3:34 For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him.

The first dove in the Bible was when Noah sent out two birds:

1.) The Raven which found plenty of flesh to feed on in the world.(represent the flesh)

2.) The Dove which would not have any part of the corruption in the world.(represents the Holy Spirit)

But let's compare this:

The name Jonah means "Dove" and he also experienced a baptism. Jesus used Jonah as a "type" of Himself in His death, burial , and His resurrection:

Mat 12:38 Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee.

Mat 12:39 But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:

Mat 12:40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

Jonah was sent to the Gentiles. Jesus would also minister to the Gentiles.

Don't you just love the Word of God? He makes understanding His Word so easy.

There are three special occassions where God the Father spoke to His Son from Heaven.

1.) Verse 3:17 of our text.

2.) At His transfiguration:

Mat 17:5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

3.) As Christ approached the cross:

Joh 12:27 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour.

Joh 12:28 Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.

Joh 12:29 The people therefore, that stood by, and heard it, said that it thundered: others said, An angel spake to him.

Joh 12:30 Jesus answered and said, This voice came not because of me, but for your sakes.

Joh 12:31 Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.

In the past God spoke "to His Son".

Now God speaks "through His Son".

In the Old Testament:

Psa 2:7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; [this day have I begotten thee].

In the New testament:

Act 13:32 And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers,

Act 13:33 God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.

What we can see that this "begetting" refers to Christ's resurrection and not the birth of Jesus Christ. We can see how these words are tied to the baptism of Jesus Christ.

That Jesus would also be a suffering prophet also stands out:

Isa 42:1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.

Isa 42:2 He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.

Isa 42:3 A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth.

compare:

Mat 12:18 Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.

God approved everything His Son had done up to this point in His life and His beginning of His ministry. His hidden years in Nazareth had been a pleasing thing to God. God was proud of His "carpenter Son" and all this together encouraged our Savior to begin to Preach and begin His Ministry.

Let's Pray!

The Birth Of The King

Book Of Matthew

The Birth of the King

Text: Matthew 1,2

Our Focus: Matthew 1:1, 18-25; 2:1-6

About 30 years after Christ Jesus had ascended back to Heaven, Matthew was inspired, by the Holy Ghost to write this "Gospel", the "Good News" of Jesus Christ Our Lord.

The Bible says:

2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

2Ti 3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

You can look but you will not find in any of the "Gospels" [Matthew, Mark, Luke, John] any words where it says Matthew spoke at any time.

Matthew states from the beginning that these are the words of Jesus Christ, Son of David, and Son of Abraham.

Matthew did not write to tell us about himself. Matthew wanted us to know about Jesus.

The Bible says:

Act 13:49 And the word of the Lord was published throughout all the region.

You see, we need to have our own copy of the Word of God.

We need to have access to what Jesus said and to what Jesus did. Jesus

Christ is our example to follow. If we know the truth of Him we will love Him. If we love Him we will be saved, because we will obey Him.

Jesus says:

Mat 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

Mat 22:38 This is the first and great commandment.

Mat 22:39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

Mat 22:40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

The Holy Ghost used Matthew for three important things in this "Gospel".

1.) To introduce a New Testament,[a New Covenant]:

It had been over 400 years since God had spoken to his children through the prophets. We know God had still worked in the lives of all His creation but no one person stood out during this time.

Jesus said:

Joh 5:17 But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.

Joh 5:36 But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me.

Joh 9:4 I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work.

You see Matthew was a bridge between the Old Testament and the New Testament.

The theme of the Old Testament is this:

Gen 5:1 This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him;

The Old Testament gives us the "History" of the Family of Adam.

God created man in His own image. God is a spirit so this does not mean the way we look as individuals. It is the soul and spirit of man where sin defiles God's creation.

The Apostle Paul best describes man's image:

1Th 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God [your whole spirit and soul and body] be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

When God said His image part of this means we have a:

a.) Soul

b.) Spirit

c.) Body

A tree cannot sin against God. An animal can be used of Satan but the animal itself is sin free but can be punished such as the serpent used of Satan in Genesis:

Gen 3:14 And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:

We are not sinners because we sin. [We sin because we are sinners!] The sin of Adam was passed down through all his generations:

Gen 5:3 And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and [begat a son in his own likeness, after his image]; and called his name Seth:

The New Testament is about the "Generations of Jesus":

Mat 1:1 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Jesus is the last Adam:

1Co 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; [the last Adam was made a quickening spirit].

Jesus Christ came to this Earth to save all the "generations of the first Adam".

We can be born (born again) into the generation of Jesus Christ and become the children of God.

When we read of the generations of Adam we see the phrase "and he died".

The Bible tells us:

Rom 6:23 [For the wages of sin is death]; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

But in the Gospel of Matthew we read and "he begat" [where birth] not death is the message.

Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; [but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord].

The Old Testament is a "Book of Promise". The New Testament is a "Book of Fulfillment"!

The Redeemer is "Promised" in the Old Testament.

Matthew uses the word "fulfilled" 16 times.

Matthew refers back to the Old Testament at least 129 times to show us that Jesus Christ was indeed the promised Messiah, to the Jews and to the Christians.

2.) Matthew introduced us to the New King.

a.) Matthew writes the Gospel of the King.

b.) Mark writes the Gospel of the Servant.

c.) Luke writes the Gospel of the Son of Man.

d.) John writes the Gospel of the Son of God.

3.) Matthew introduced the New People.

Mat 16:18 And I say also unto thee, [That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church]; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

Mat 18:15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.

Mat 18:16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.

Mat 18:17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, [tell it unto (the church)]: [but if he neglect to hear (the church)], let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.

The "Church", the ones called out: It denotes the whole body of the redeemed, all those whom the Father has given to Christ, the invisible church. The sum total every person that has accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior in any denomination.(The Body of Christ)

Eph 5:23 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

Eph 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;

Eph 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Eph 5:29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:

Heb 12:23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

Heb 12:24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.

Matthew had an experience with the Lord:

Mat 9:9 And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.

Mat 9:10 And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.

Mat 9:11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?

Mat 9:12 But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.

Mat 9:13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Mat 9:14 Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not?

Mat 9:15 And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.

Mat 9:16 No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse.

Mat 9:17 Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved.

It changed him for the rest of his life:

Mar 2:14 And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him.

His old name was Levi (joined to the world) his new name was Matthew (the gift of Jehovah).

Matthew opened his heart to Jesus and became a new person.

According to tradition, Matthew's ministry was in Palestine for many years and then he made mission journeys to anywhere the Jews had been dispersed. Possibly Persia, Ethiopia, Syria and Greece.

The New Testament may be silent about the life of Matthew but the Holy Ghost made sure the writings of Matthew were to be contained in the 66 books we call the Bible.

*****Our Text:

Mat 1:1 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

Matthew's audience was to the Jews. Jesus had claimed to be the Messiah and King of the Jew and it was important to show His lineage. It was important for the world to see that indeed Jesus was without doubt the legal heir to the throne of David. Anyone claiming to be "the Son of David" had to be able to prove it. David was a national hero then and he is still now.

In all the New Testament you will not find that anyone questioned this fact about Jesus!

The documents were easily available up to the time of 70AD for anyone to prove different and they could not but to agree.

There is no one else that could prove such a thing now in our day.

It is easy to skip over these long list of names when we read but we miss some important lessons when we do.

This long list of names connect Jesus with the true history of this world.

THAT THE JESUS OF THE BIBLE WAS A REAL PERSON IS AN UNDENIABLE FACT!

It is most unusual to find the names of women in Jewish genealogies since names and inheritance came through the father but the Holy Ghost provides further proof of true history of the Jewish nation.

In this lesson we would miss the Doctrine of Salvation in typology and actual lessons in the Doctrine of Salvation.

Jesus Christ is not of an earthly nature but He was born of the "Virgin Mary" in the earthly fashion. Because of this there are some shady charactery in His family tree. We could find some of the same in our own family tree. Because of forgiveness God accepts the past as if it did not exist.

I.) Grandma Tamar:

[Mat 1:3 And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar];

The story in the Book of Genesis:

Gen 38:11 Then said Judah to Tamar his daughter in law, Remain a widow at thy father's house, till Shelah my son be grown: for he said, Lest peradventure he die also, as his brethren did. And Tamar went and dwelt in her father's house.

Gen 38:12 And in process of time the daughter of Shuah Judah's wife died; and Judah was comforted, and went up unto his sheepshearers to Timnath, he and his friend Hirah the Adullamite.

Gen 38:13 And it was told Tamar, saying, Behold thy father in law goeth up to Timnath to shear his sheep.

Gen 38:14 And she put her widow's garments off from her, and covered her with a vail, and wrapped herself, and sat in an open place, which is by the way to Timnath; for she saw that Shelah was grown, and she was not given unto him to wife.

Gen 38:15 When Judah saw her, he thought her to be an harlot; because she had covered her face.

Gen 38:16 And he turned unto her by the way, and said, Go to, I pray thee, let me come in unto thee; (for he knew not that she was his daughter in law.) And she said, What wilt thou give me, that thou mayest come in unto me?

Gen 38:17 And he said, I will send thee a kid from the flock. And she said, Wilt thou give me a pledge, till thou send it?

Gen 38:18 And he said, What pledge shall I give thee? And she said, Thy signet, and thy bracelets, and thy staff that is in thine hand. And he gave it her, and came in unto her, and she conceived by him.

Gen 38:19 And she arose, and went away, and laid by her vail from her, and put on the garments of her widowhood.

The Results:

Gen 38:27 And it came to pass in the time of her travail, that, behold, twins were in her womb.

Gen 38:28 And it came to pass, when she travailed, that the one put out his hand: and the midwife took and bound upon his hand a scarlet thread, saying, This came out first.

Gen 38:29 And it came to pass, as he drew back his hand, that, behold, his brother came out: and she said, How hast thou broken forth? this breach be upon thee: therefore his name was called Pharez.

Gen 38:30 And afterward came out his brother, that had the scarlet thread upon his hand: and his name was called Zarah.

We can see just how wicked this woman was. A "daughter in law" changed into a deceitful "harlot". Judah said that even through all this that [he was the one more deceitful].

a.) Tamar represents the DOCTRINE OF SIN.(In Typology)

b.) She "seduced" and "blackmailed" Judah her father in law.

Lev 18:15 says Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy daughter in law: she is thy son's wife; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness.

We know Judah was deceived though he was still wrong. Tamar knew that she was doing evil.

Lev 20:12 says And if a man lie with his daughter in law, both of them shall surely be put to death: they have wrought confusion; their blood shall be upon them.

A sin worthy of death by God's own words. But before we pass judgement!

The Bible says:

c.) Rom 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

d.) INSPITE OF THE FACT SHE WAS SO WICKED, SHE WAS STILL ALLOWED TO BE IN THE FAMILY OF GOD.

BECAUSE GOD NEVER CHANGES!

Mal 3:6 says [For I am the LORD, I change not]; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

NOW THEN (I) ALSO CAN BECOME A MEMBER OF GOD'S FAMILY.(God never changes)

Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

Rom 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

II.) Grandma Rahab:

Mat 1:5 And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab;

a.) Rahab represents the DOCTRINE OF FAITH.(In Typology)

Jos 2:1 And Joshua the son of Nun sent out of Shittim two men to spy secretly, saying, Go view the land, even Jericho. And they went, and came into an harlot's house, named Rahab, and lodged there.

Jos 2:2 And it was told the king of Jericho, saying, Behold, there came men in hither to night of the children of Israel to search out the country.

Jos 2:3 And the king of Jericho sent unto Rahab, saying, Bring forth the men that are come to thee, which are entered into thine house: for they be come to search out all the country.

Jos 2:4 And the woman took the two men, and hid them, and said thus, There came men unto me, but I wist not whence they were:

Jos 2:5 And it came to pass about the time of shutting of the gate, when it was dark, that the men went out: whither the men went I wot not: pursue after them quickly; for ye shall overtake them.

Jos 2:6 But she had brought them up to the roof of the house, and hid them with the stalks of flax, which she had laid in order upon the roof.

Jos 2:7 And the men pursued after them the way to Jordan unto the fords: and as soon as they which pursued after them were gone out, they shut the gate.

Jos 2:8 And before they were laid down, she came up unto them upon the roof;

Jos 2:9 And she said unto the men, I know that the LORD hath given you the land, and that your terror is fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land faint because of you.

Jos 2:10 For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red sea for you, when ye came out of Egypt; and what ye did unto the two kings of the Amorites, that were on the other side Jordan, Sihon and Og, whom ye utterly destroyed.

Jos 2:11 And as soon as we had heard these things, our hearts did melt, neither did there remain any more courage in any man, because of you: for the LORD your God, he is God in heaven above, and in earth beneath.

Jos 2:12 Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by the LORD, since I have shewed you kindness, that ye will also shew kindness unto my father's house, and give me a true token:

Jos 2:13 And that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.

Jos 2:14 And the men answered her, Our life for yours, if ye utter not this our business. And it shall be, when the LORD hath given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee.

Jos 2:15 Then she let them down by a cord through the window: for her house was upon the town wall, and she dwelt upon the wall.

Jos 2:16 And she said unto them, Get you to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you; and hide yourselves there three days, until the pursuers be returned: and afterward may ye go your way.

Jos 2:17 And the men said unto her, We will be blameless of this thine oath which thou hast made us swear.

Jos 2:18 Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt [bind this line of scarlet thread] in the window which thou didst let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father's household, home unto thee.

Jos 2:19 And it shall be, that whosoever shall go out of the doors of thy house into the street, his blood shall be upon his head, and we will be guiltless: and whosoever shall be with thee in the house, his blood shall be on our head, if any hand be upon him.

Jos 2:20 And if thou utter this our business, then we will be quit of thine oath which thou hast made us to swear.

Jos 2:21 And she said, According unto your words, so be it. And she sent them away, and they departed: and [she bound the scarlet line in the window].

Rahab came straight from the "Red Light District" into the family tree of Jesus Christ.

(Through the blood of Jesus)=The Scarlet line.

b.) Rahab had hid the spies and because she obeyed and bound the red cord(scarlet thread), she and her family would be protected and saved. DOES THIS NOT SOUND LIKE THE RED BLOOD OF JESUS THAT WE ARE WASHED IN.

Act 20:28 says Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, [which he hath purchased with his own blood].

c.) Rahab was changed from a "Harlot" to a "Hero").

Eph 2:12 says That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, [having no hope], and without God in the world:

Eph 2:13 [But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ].

d.) She was also allowed into the family of God BY FAITH.

Luk 7:50 says And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

Eph 2:8 says For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Heb 11:31 says By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.

Jas 2:25 says Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? (Rahab's works came after she believed just as every child of God) She did not work to get her faith.

III.) Grandma Ruth: (Book Of Ruth)

Mat 1:5 And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab; and [Booz begat Obed of Ruth]; and Obed begat Jesse;

a.) Ruth represents the DOCTRINE OF GRACE. (In Typology)

Rth 1:16 says And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:

Rth 1:17 Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the LORD do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.

b.) She moved to Bethlehem(House of Bread) from Moab(The Trashcan).

Mic 5:2 says But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

Mic 5:3 Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel.

Joh 6:33 says For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.

Joh 6:34 Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.

Joh 6:35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.

c.) Boaz(Type of God) gave her everything she could ever want.

Eph 2:7 says That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

d.) She went from poverty to riches because of God's amazing "Grace".

1Pe 2:3 says If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.

1Pe 2:4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,

1Pe 2:5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

{GRACE IS THE UNDESERVED FAVOR OF GOD}.

Eph 2:4 says But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

Eph 2:5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)

Eph 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

By that same "Grace" am I saved! By that same "Grace" are we all saved that call upon Jesus!

IV.) Grandma Bathsheba:

Mat 1:6 And Jesse begat David the king; and David the king [begat Solomon of her that had been the wife of Urias;]

2Sa 11:3 And David sent and enquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?

2Sa 12:24 And David comforted Bathsheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon: and the LORD loved him.

a.) Bathsheba represents the DOCTRINE OF FORGIVENESS.(In Typology)

b.) She conceived with King David while her husband was in the war.

2Sa 11:4 says And David sent messengers, and took her; and she came in unto him, and he lay with her; for she was purified from her uncleanness: and she returned unto her house.

2Sa 11:5 And the woman conceived, and sent and told David, and said, I am with child.

c.) She became an honorable woman as her son Solomon wrote.

Pro 31:10 says Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

d.) She is the perfect picture of forgiveness.

Act 5:30 says The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.

Act 5:31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

Col 1:14 says In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

Eph 1:7 says In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Mic 7:18 says Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.

**********WE WOULD HAVE TO BE BLIND TO NOT SEE THAT EVEN IN THE "BEGATS" GOD HAS REVEALED TO US HIS MESSAGE OF SALVATION.

1.) We are all sinners! [Tamar]

2.) We must all have faith! [Rahab]

3.) Only through God's "Grace" can we be saved! [Ruth]

4.) When we repent, we will be forgiven! [Bathsheba]

Matthew clearly omitted some of the male names in his list. We can see it was intentional and not because of his ignorance.

*****Our Text:

Mat 1:18 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.

Mat 1:19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.

Mat 1:20 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.

Mat 1:21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

Mat 1:22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

Mat 1:23 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.

Mat 1:24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

Mat 1:25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Matthew 1:16-18 make it very clear that the birth of Jesus was different than that of any other Jewish boy that had ever lived. Matthew points out that Joseph did not begat Jesus but that he was only the husband of Mary of whom Jesus was born.

Here Matthew adds, "who is called Christ".

Christ is the Greek word for "The Anointed" which in Hebrew would be intended the "Jewish Messiah".

The Doctrine of the Virgin Birth states that Jesus was born of an earthly mother without the need of an earthly father.

The Bible says:

Isa 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; [Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son], and shall call his name Immanuel.

and:

Gen 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and [between thy seed and her seed]; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.

and:

Jer 31:22 How long wilt thou go about, O thou backsliding daughter? [for the LORD hath created a new thing in the earth, A woman shall compass a man].

It is in Jesus that these things were fulfilled.

Every child that is born into the world is a new creature but Jesus being the eternal God existed before Mary and Joseph or any other of His ancestors:

The Apostle John added these words:

Joh 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

Joh 1:2 The same was in the beginning with God.

Joh 1:3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.

Joh 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

*****Our Text:

Mat 2:1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

Mat 2:2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

Mat 2:3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

Mat 2:4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

Mat 2:5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,

Mat 2:6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

The Days of Herod:

This was Herod the Great. Herod was not a Jew at least not a full blooded Jew. Herod was an Idumaean a descendant of Esau.

The Bible says:

Gen 27:39 And Isaac his father answered and said unto him, Behold, thy dwelling shall be the fatness of the earth, and of the dew of heaven from above;

Gen 27:40 And by thy sword shalt thou live, and [shalt serve thy brother]; and [it shall come to pass when thou shalt have the dominion, that thou shalt break his yoke from off thy neck].

Gen 27:41 And Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing wherewith his father blessed him: and Esau said in his heart, The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then will I slay my brother Jacob.

I believe we can see that the prophesy of Isaac was fulfilled in this time of the Herods. Herod was a cruel and crafty man. He did not permit anyone, even his own family, to interfere with his rule. We can be sure he was influenced by Satan and nothing would permit him in the satisfying of his evil desires. He was a ruthless murderer who had slain a wife and two brothers because he suspected them of treason. He truly broke the rule of the Jews over Edom during his rule. He hated the Jews, the very people he ruled. It is no surprise for him to try to kill Jesus.

These wise men, Magi, were pagan astrologers from far to the East. We get our word "Magic" from this word "Magi". We must remember why these men had come to Israel and Jerusalem. "Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews?"

It is probable that there were more than just three of them.

They came to Worship the Christ Child!

It is assumed by most people that there were only three of these men because of the three gifts that are mentioned. The Bible does not say. We can be sure of one thing, when this caravan arrived in Jerusalem it did cause a great commotion. We should believe that it would take more than three wise men to cause such a commotion in Israel. Herod was troubled and all of Jerusalem. Herod would not be so troubled by a small group of foreigners.

These men were Gentiles. From the beginning Jesus came to be savior to all the world!

The Bible says:

Joh 4:42 And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: [for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world].

It seems that most Jew have never agreed with that.

If you follow the light of God, God's Creation, you will find yourself at the feet of Jesus either being a volunteer or against your own will, but all knees will bow to Christ Jesus in time!

Rom 14:11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

Php 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Php 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

Php 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

Php 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Php 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

Php 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

Php 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Because it is in Christ Jesus that:

Col 2:3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

and:

Col 2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.

That's Father, Son and Holy Ghost!

1.) These wise men were seeking a King.

2.) Herod was opposing the King.

3.) The children of Israel were ignoring the King.

We can see from verse 3 and 4 that these chief priests and scribes were well aware of the prophesies of the Messiah. They did not have to research for the answers. They had them memorized.

The Bible says:

Mic 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

The wise men did not know this and God sent a star to guide them to the very home of Jesus.

The High Priests and Scholars of Israel were five miles or less from the Messiah and would not even go and see Him.

We can see that Herod took notice immediately at the mention of another King..

By now Joseph had moved Mary from the stable where Jesus was born to a house:

Luk 2:7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Mat 2:11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

Baby Jesus was at least one year old at this time but no more than two.

Bethlehem means "House of Bread". At this very place we are witness to the "Bread of Life".

The Bible says:

Joh 6:45 It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.

Joh 6:46 Not that any man hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen the Father.

Joh 6:47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

Joh 6:48 I am that bread of life.

This Herod died in 4BC according to history. That would make baby Jesus to be born sometime between 6BC and 5BC.

As we begin our study into the Book of Matthew we will see that the fulness of time had come and the Savior of the World was born that He might die for all our sin.

Let's Pray!

God Blesses His Tabernacle

God Blesses His Tabernacle

Our text:

Exodus Chapters 35-40

We have come to the end of this study of the Book of Exodus. It has now become one of my most favorite books of the Bible. It seems that after a study of God's Word, I find that every passage, every verse, every chapter of every book becomes my favorite. God said He gave us His Complete Word and I believe Him. God said His Word is approved in Heaven and that's all I need to know.

Psa 119:89 For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.

And my hope of "salvation" is in God's Word:

Col 1:5 For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, [whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel];

Col 1:6 Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:

Though this world will not agree in the day we live in, this world has been changed because the Nation of Israel exist. It is God's Word that tells us the beginnings of this nation and God's Word also tells us of the end of this nation!

In "typology" just as the world was changed by Israel, every human being can be changed by Our Lord Jesus Christ.

We have seen in this Holy Book that only God had the plans for the Tabernacle and He gave these plans to man to build. This Tabernacle did not descend out of Heaven But the true "Pattern" of this Tabernacle did descend out of Heaven and we call Him Jesus.

He has added His presence to the life of the believer and we can work because of Him.

1Co 3:9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.

Just as the Tabernacle in Exodus was God's meeting place, the Born Again child of God has Our Lord living within him.

As the earlier chapters of this book dealt with the commands of God, these last chapters deal with actual construction.

We will find that Israel was camped at Mount Sinai at the third month of their escape from Egypt.

Exo 19:1 In the third month, when the children of Israel were gone forth out of the land of Egypt, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai.

We find that ten months later they had assembled this Tabernacle.

Exo 40:2 On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation.

We know that Moses had spent 80 of those days communing with God. We can see that there were many of God's people dedicated to the the work of following God's plan to construct this meeting place and the Earthly Throne of God.

We as God's children must be dedicated, and put our whole heart into the work God has given for us to do.

The Greatest "type" of all we seen in this book is that "ALL OF GOD'S HEAVENLY PLAN WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED ON THIS EARTH".

We will see that all the materials were assembled and the Tabernacle was assembled.

*****Our Text:

Exo 35:1 And Moses gathered all the congregation of the children of Israel together, and said unto them, These are the words which the LORD hath commanded, that ye should do them.

Exo 35:2 Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be to you an holy day, a sabbath of rest to the LORD: whosoever doeth work therein shall be put to death.

Exo 35:3 Ye shall kindle no fire throughout your habitations upon the sabbath day.

The first thing told to these children of Israel was they could work only six days in a row and rest every seventh day. We should not be confused. There was no daily calendar to go by. A "Sabbath" was not on Saturday because there was no Saturday at this time. These people counted days. Work six days and rest on the seventh as commanded of God. We of the church honor Sunday as our day of rest but do we work on all the other days?

In the "Spiritual" sense we know that we cannot go to the work of the Lord unless we first have come to rest in Jesus.

If we keep the true "Sabbath" then we must not be occupied with the things of this world, but we must "Honor" and be occupied with the things of God.

Isa 58:13 If thou turn away thy foot from the sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on my holy day; and call the sabbath a delight, the holy of the LORD, honourable; and shalt honour him, [not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words]:

Isa 58:14 [Then shalt thou delight thyself in the LORD]; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

To not kindle a fire on our day of rest means 'we must set aside every desire of the flesh and honor God". This is the only way to find our own sabbath day of rest.

Col 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

Col 3:6 For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

Col 3:7 In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

To "mortify" means to subdue all our bodily lusts and cravings.

To work six days means that we cannot neglect our natural responsibilities as God's servants and to that of our families.

*****Our text:

Exo 35:4 And Moses spake unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which the LORD commanded, saying,

Exo 35:21 [And they came], every one whose heart stirred him up, and [every one whom his spirit made willing], and they brought the LORD'S offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, and for all his service, and for the holy garments.

Exo 35:22 And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing hearted, and brought bracelets, and earrings, and rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold: and every man that offered offered an offering of gold unto the LORD.

Did everyone come? We can be sure that there were those that were unwilling to be involved with the things of God.

These that came did not have to be begged or enticed to God's Work. They came freely and joyfully and considered it a privilege to serve Jehovah God.

Everything that is offered to God must come from a "willing heart"! This is the Law of freewill giving. This is the means of eternal blessings.

Moses simply announced that the Lord was willing to receive and then left it in the Holy Spirits hands to prick the hearts of God's people. He had no special enticement to offer. There is only a special joy of knowing you are giving to the work of the Lord.

We can see that there was no lack of "freewill giving" because the people brought more than enough.

*****Our Text:

Exo 36:4 And all the wise men, that wrought all the work of the sanctuary, came every man from his work which they made;

Exo 36:5 And they spake unto Moses, saying, The people bring much more than enough for the service of the work, which the LORD commanded to make.

Exo 36:6 And Moses gave commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, Let neither man nor woman make any more work for the offering of the sanctuary. So the people were restrained from bringing.

Exo 36:7 For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much.

We can see that God's "craftsmen" had no thought of hoarding any extra or saving it. When enough was enough they said so.

In these days of what we call "hard times" it cannot be said that the church has more than enough as many cannot even pay the bills to keep the doors open. Most of the time it is because God's people simply do not freely give of themselves and their abundance, and their tithe.

1.) When God has a specific task to undertake, He does not hold the church responsible for the means to do this task.

2.) When the Lord gives to His own work, He will lay in on the "Hearts" of His people to contribute to that work.

3.) It is when God's people refuse to honor the work of the Holy Spirit in their own hearts.

4.) When we insist on taking on a project where God has not provided we are doing so on our own thoughts.

5.) It is seldom that it can be said that God has blessed a project when He is not in it.

6.) Anything done outside the will of God is doomed to failure.

It takes a "redeemed" people, who know the "glory" of God, that are "devoted" to the "cause" of Our Lord Jesus Christ and think of it as a "privilege" to serve with Him.

God wants wise hearted people to be involved in His work. "every wise hearted man"

These are the ones that God supplies with His Wisdom. "in whose heart the LORD had put wisdom"

Spiritually we first have a people that have rested in Jesus(the Sabbath) and then we these same people freely giving of themselves and now we have the acceptable service of Our Lord of those that have passed from death to life.

Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

That Godly wisdom will bring forth a renewing of our minds!

Things must be done in this order in order to serve the Lord Jesus Christ!

*****Our text:

Exo 35:25 And all the women that were wise hearted did spin with their hands, and brought that which they had spun, both of blue, and of purple, and of scarlet, and of fine linen.

Exo 35:26 And all the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun goats' hair.

We should not skip over this from chapter 35:

There will cooperation in the work of the Lord from all sexes. The "Sisters" have their place and their part in God's Work. It does not say they provided any material but that they labored "spun". They did the things that they would normally do at home. This would include instructing children in the ways of God.

*****Our text:

Exo 35:27 And the rulers brought onyx stones, and stones to be set, for the ephod, and for the breastplate;

Exo 35:28 And spice, and oil for the light, and for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense.

We can see that the leaders of this new nation set an example for all others in that they also freely gave.

Spiritually, God is saying to all Church leaders including the Pastor to set the example before the flock. Stewardship is an obvious way to show others where our heart is.

1Ti 4:12 Let no man despise thy youth; [but be thou an example of the believer], in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.

Tit 2:7 [In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works]: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,

Tit 2:8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

We need only look in our own community and we can see how our church leaders fail us.

*****Our text:

Exo 38:24 All the gold that was occupied for the work in all the work of the holy place, even the gold of the offering, was twenty and nine talents, and seven hundred and thirty shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary.

Exo 38:25 And the silver of them that were numbered of the congregation was an hundred talents, and a thousand seven hundred and threescore and fifteen shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary:

The "lesson" for the church. Every gift to the Lord was kept in a complete record. Every penny in the work of the Lord should be accountable.

*****Chapter 39:

Eight times in this chapter the phrase "as the Lord commanded". The construction of the Tabernacle was completed in exact detail. There was no room for the errors of man. All things must be completed just as the Word of God demands for Our Lord to Tabernacle with us.

These children of God completed the work of God just as they wee told. They added nothing more and they did nothing less. This is a lesson to observe for every Christian.

In God's Work we are to do it just as He instructs us to do, we will "grieve" His Holy Spirit.

In the words of Peter:

Joh 6:66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

Joh 6:67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away?

Joh 6:68 [Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.]

Joh 6:69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

We can surely see that man can have man has only "One" work in Salvation and that is to "Believe" the Word the God has given to us.

2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

2Ti 3:17 [That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works].

If we desire God's "blessing" and God's "reward" we must do all things just as God has instructed us in His Word and we Do Have His Complete Word if we have His Bible.

I prefer the truth of the King James Bible!

Our Lord requires "Faithfulness" it is He that provides "Success".

Tit 1:9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

*****Our text:

Exo 39:43 And Moses did look upon all the work, and, behold, they had done it as the LORD had commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses blessed them.

As Moses was "Mediator" for his people, we must remember that Our Mediator, Jesus Christ, will also inspect every work of every saint of God. It is from this work that we will face Our Lord at His Bema Seat that probably takes place at the Rapture of the Church.

2Co 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

1Co 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

1Co 3:12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;

1Co 3:13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

1Co 3:14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.

1Co 3:15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

God tells us to not come to Him empty handed! God will judge "quality" not "quantity", that which is of the "Spirit" and that which is of the "flesh".

*****Our Text

Chapter 40

Exo 40:1 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,

Exo 40:2 On the first day of the first month shalt thou set up the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation.

This would be almost a year from the day that Israel had left Egypt. In this chapter we see that is Moses who completes the work of the Tabernacle.

Exo 40:33 And he reared up the court round about the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the hanging of the court gate. So Moses finished the work.

The Bible itself says that this Moses is a "type of Christ".

Heb 3:1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;

Heb 3:2 Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.

Heb 3:3 For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house.

Heb 3:4 For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.

Heb 3:5 And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;

Heb 3:6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.

*****Our text:

Exo 40:34 Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

Only when Moses had completed the work of rearing the Tabernacle, only then did the "Glory of the Lord" fill the Tabernacle.

What does this remind us of?

Act 2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

Act 2:2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

Act 2:3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

Act 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

You see it is only after the completed work of Our Lord Jesus on that cross that the Holy Spirit can fill the House.

*****Our text:

Exo 40:36 And when the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward in all their journeys:

Exo 40:37 But if the cloud were not taken up, then they journeyed not till the day that it was taken up.

Exo 40:38 For the cloud of the LORD was upon the tabernacle by day, and fire was on it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.

All Israel had to do was stay focused on that cloud and it would lead them to the promised land!

To think back on what we have seen:

1.) When Moses descended the first time from the Mount "Judgment" came to this Jewish nation.

When Christ descends to call out His Church:

1Th 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

1Th 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

1Th 4:15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Then the "Time of Jacobs Trouble" will begin:

Jer 30:7 Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob's trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.

Jer 30:8 For it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD of hosts, that I will break his yoke from off thy neck, and will burst thy bonds, and strangers shall no more serve themselves of him:

Jer 30:9 But they shall serve the LORD their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up unto them.

2.) When Moses descended this second time from the Mount:

a.) Moses appeared with a "radiant face".

A type of Christ:

Col 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

b.) The tablets of stone were not broken this time.

Jer 31:31 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:

Jer 31:32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:

Jer 31:33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people

c.) The reference to the Sabbath:

Telling us that peace will come during the "Millennial Kingdom".

d.) The reference to the freewill offerings:

Zep 3:9 For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent.

Zep 3:10 From beyond the rivers of Ethiopia my suppliants, even the daughter of my dispersed, shall bring mine offering.

e.) Israel begins the work of the Tabernacle:

Eze 36:27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.

Eze 36:28 And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.

f.) The Tabernacle is set up:

Zec 6:12 And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD:

Zec 6:13 Even he shall build the temple of the LORD; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.

g.) The Lord then dwelt in the "Midst" of His People:

Zec 2:10 Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD.

Zec 2:11 And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee.

h.) The "Glory of the Lord" was visibly displayed:

Isa 4:5 And the LORD will create upon every dwelling place of mount Zion, and upon her assemblies, a cloud and smoke by day, and the shining of a flaming fire by night: for upon all the glory shall be a defence.

Isa 4:6 And there shall be a tabernacle for a shadow in the daytime from the heat, and for a place of refuge, and for a covert from storm and from rain.

Don't you just love the Word of God, where every passage will lead us to the truth of His Word. Just as the Tabernacle was built and assembled exactly like God instructed. God will complete every work He has started in this world until the day when He says "it is done".

Rev 21:6 And he said unto me, [It is done]. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

Rev 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

Rev 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

And this day comes to all God's Children:

Rev 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.

Rev 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

*****A Few Things About Moses

Moses was born at the time of Pharaoh's order to abort all the male children of Israel. This was an attempt by Satan to keep the Nation of Israel from ever existing thus stopping God's plan of Salvation. Moses was saved alive to become a royal prince. Likewise Christ Jesus Our Lord also lived in the time that Herod attempted to slay all the children around Bethlehem but God intervened. This was another attempt by Satan to destroy God's plan of "Salvation".

Moses was adopted into royalty but Christ Jesus is of "Royal Blood" born a King and the King. Moses fled Egypt and became a "shepherd". Jesus was born in a stable and remained a shepherd of His Father's flock all the days of His life.

Joh 17:12 While I was with them in the world, I kept them in thy name: those that thou gavest me I have kept, and none of them is lost, but the son of perdition; that the scripture might be fulfilled.

Act 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

Through Moses at the hand of God, Israel was released from the bondage of slavery. But Through Jesus at the hand of God, all believers are released from Satan's bondage of "Sin".

Moses was the great "Intercessor" for Israel But Christ Jesus is the "Great Intercessor" for all God's children.

It is God Himself that said Moses was a "type" of Christ:

Deu 18:18 I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, [like unto thee], and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.

Deu 18:19 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.

When we study the life of Moses we will see many things that resemble Our Lord but we must remember these words:

Heb 3:1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus;

Heb 3:2 Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house.

Heb 3:3 For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than the house.

Heb 3:4 For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God.

Heb 3:5 And Moses verily was faithful in all his house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken after;

Heb 3:6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end.

It is Our Lord Jesus Christ that has the means of our Salvation:

Heb 10:9 Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.

Heb 10:10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.

Let's Pray!