Matthew introduces us to Jesse and presents his youngest son, David. At first, I wondered why Matthew listed him in the genealogy of Christ. Yet, it didn't take long to discover the answer once you render his name.
The Hebrew language translates the name JESSE as "gift." Isaiah's prophecy predicts him as such. He is simply an enormous gift waiting to be unwrapped and opened! The prophet foretold that the "stem of Jesse" symbolizes the gift from the family of David (Isaiah 11:1), and the "root of Jesse" as the Messiah (Isaiah 11:10; Revelation 5:5).
It is striking how the Bible likens both Jesse and David as men of foretold prophecy, progeny, and profound purpose. Both individuals share an exuberant heart toward God while extending immense compassion to His people (Isaiah 40:11)
Jesse was the son of Obed, and grandson of Boaz and Ruth (Ruth 4:13-22). He is an "old man" when we first meet with him, (1 Samuel 17:12) with eight sons, (1 Samuel 16:10; 17:12) residing at Bethlehem. (1 Samuel 16:4,5) He was considered a man of wealth consisting of a flock of sheep and goats, all under the direct care of his youngest son, David.
Jesse is known throughout Judaism primarily because of his youngest son, David who became King of Israel. In Christianity, Jesse is a key ancestor of Jesus Christ our Messiah and King. Yet, Matthew doesn't stop with removing the bow and ribbon of history. He challenges each reader to unwrap more.
Have you ever heard the expression "Like Father Like Son?" This idiom is used when different generations of a family behave in the same way or have the same talents of defects. It refers to a son imitating his father. Wait just a moment! Are we talking about more than Jesse and David here? Is this another Old Testament citing and unveiling of how the New Testament is revealed?
David was a blueprint and carbon copy of his dad and so was the Messiah. Not only do we find prophecies predicting each of their births - we find each sharing insurmountable love for their family and brethren. Both become rulers seated upon a throne sharing a unique dynasty.
Earlier, we mentioned how this idiom refers to a "son imitating his father." Again, there are remarkable similarities betwixt the two! So, let's keep unwrapping until we reach the "gift."
Jesse appears to us as an "old man" while God the Father is pronounced as "Ancient of Days" (Daniel 7:12) Each ancestry is found in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:1-6). Jesse is considered a man of wealth consisting of a flock of sheep and goats, all under the direct care of his youngest son, David. Yet, God the Father shared in His wealth sending His Son, Jesus to take direct care of His fold also. His SON gave His life to both sheep (Jews) and goats (Gentiles.) Both achieve God's purpose and fulfill His covenant.
Matthew shares an exquisite 'gift" introducing Jesse and David into the genealogy of Jesus Christ. He reveals how Jesse is that sturdy branch and stem connecting the family tree to the Messiah.
While blogging, I am reminded of a favorite family portrait of my brother and his first born son, Chase. Troy is just a toddler at the time when the picture was taken. The portrait captures him climbing over the porcelain tub in order to take his bath. A generation later, I found a very similar photograph of Chase around the same age capturing the exact pose. Both boys are smiling, climbing and ready to splish splash while taking their bath. You can hardly tell them apart because they look so alike. The portrait is framed with a plaque underneath - "Like Father Like Son."
Matthew is doing the same here in his writings. He takes an Old Testament portrait of Jesse and David. He begins revealing New Testament similarities generations later. He frames in and captures the particular moment in history so when viewed it reads "Like Father Like Son" yesterday, today and forever. That is not only Matthew capturing history...it is HIS STORY in the making.
The Hebrew language translates the name JESSE as "gift." Isaiah's prophecy predicts him as such. He is simply an enormous gift waiting to be unwrapped and opened! The prophet foretold that the "stem of Jesse" symbolizes the gift from the family of David (Isaiah 11:1), and the "root of Jesse" as the Messiah (Isaiah 11:10; Revelation 5:5).
It is striking how the Bible likens both Jesse and David as men of foretold prophecy, progeny, and profound purpose. Both individuals share an exuberant heart toward God while extending immense compassion to His people (Isaiah 40:11)
Jesse was the son of Obed, and grandson of Boaz and Ruth (Ruth 4:13-22). He is an "old man" when we first meet with him, (1 Samuel 17:12) with eight sons, (1 Samuel 16:10; 17:12) residing at Bethlehem. (1 Samuel 16:4,5) He was considered a man of wealth consisting of a flock of sheep and goats, all under the direct care of his youngest son, David.
Jesse is known throughout Judaism primarily because of his youngest son, David who became King of Israel. In Christianity, Jesse is a key ancestor of Jesus Christ our Messiah and King. Yet, Matthew doesn't stop with removing the bow and ribbon of history. He challenges each reader to unwrap more.
Have you ever heard the expression "Like Father Like Son?" This idiom is used when different generations of a family behave in the same way or have the same talents of defects. It refers to a son imitating his father. Wait just a moment! Are we talking about more than Jesse and David here? Is this another Old Testament citing and unveiling of how the New Testament is revealed?
David was a blueprint and carbon copy of his dad and so was the Messiah. Not only do we find prophecies predicting each of their births - we find each sharing insurmountable love for their family and brethren. Both become rulers seated upon a throne sharing a unique dynasty.
Earlier, we mentioned how this idiom refers to a "son imitating his father." Again, there are remarkable similarities betwixt the two! So, let's keep unwrapping until we reach the "gift."
Jesse appears to us as an "old man" while God the Father is pronounced as "Ancient of Days" (Daniel 7:12) Each ancestry is found in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:1-6). Jesse is considered a man of wealth consisting of a flock of sheep and goats, all under the direct care of his youngest son, David. Yet, God the Father shared in His wealth sending His Son, Jesus to take direct care of His fold also. His SON gave His life to both sheep (Jews) and goats (Gentiles.) Both achieve God's purpose and fulfill His covenant.
Matthew shares an exquisite 'gift" introducing Jesse and David into the genealogy of Jesus Christ. He reveals how Jesse is that sturdy branch and stem connecting the family tree to the Messiah.
While blogging, I am reminded of a favorite family portrait of my brother and his first born son, Chase. Troy is just a toddler at the time when the picture was taken. The portrait captures him climbing over the porcelain tub in order to take his bath. A generation later, I found a very similar photograph of Chase around the same age capturing the exact pose. Both boys are smiling, climbing and ready to splish splash while taking their bath. You can hardly tell them apart because they look so alike. The portrait is framed with a plaque underneath - "Like Father Like Son."
Matthew is doing the same here in his writings. He takes an Old Testament portrait of Jesse and David. He begins revealing New Testament similarities generations later. He frames in and captures the particular moment in history so when viewed it reads "Like Father Like Son" yesterday, today and forever. That is not only Matthew capturing history...it is HIS STORY in the making.
No comments:
Post a Comment