[bajj]

Matthew won our Bible study poll! Please read the first 3 chapters this week. We can start discussing them anytime you like.

Please remember this is a Bible study and not a "your denomination is wrong because..." thread. So, please be respectful!

Also, when quoting the Bible, please let us know which translation you are quoting from.

Thanks everyone! I will need someone to direct discussion next week, and you can choose how many chapters you would like us to discuss. If no one pm's me to volunteer, I will ask someone next Monday.

[bajj]

Is anyone reading with me?

[feelingreyt]

I am reading with you. Looking forward to our discussions.

[Withay]

Count me in Ani. I am so glad you decided to start this study as it is so hard to go to a small group with 3 babies in tow. Blessings.

Hi feelingreryt. Nice to meet you.

[lovemy2boys]

I'm reading also...

[bajj]

I'm glad I"m not alone!

I know a lot of people feel the beginning of Matthew is a bit boring. While I agree sometimes reading through all the names is a bit tedious, I find it fascinating. Being able to trace your anscestors is very important to a lot of people. The Jewish culture was very much into ancestry, too.

I find it fascinating that we can trace Jesus back to David, back to Abraham.

I also find this fascinating:

Matthew 1:17 (NASB) So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; from David to the deportation to Babylon, fourteen generations; and from the deportation to Babylon to the Messiah, fourteen generations.


It makes me wonder, what is so special about the number 14?

Of course, I also love reading about His birth. Imagine how terrifying it must have been. I mean, she knew it was God's child. Yet, she lived in a time when being pregnant before you're married could have her "put away."

Imagine how sad Joseph was before he realized that the child within was from the Holy Spirit. He was going to secretly "put her away" so as not to disgrace her.

What are some of the things that fascinate you the most in Matthew? I've just covered the beginning of chapter 1 today. We may have to use more than one week on the 3 chapters.

[bajj]

*oops*

I said I love reading about His birth, which is true, but the section I was referring to is of course, His conception.

[mrsred]

bajj, you bring up an interesting point about the number 14. 14 is 2 x 7, seven being the number of completion, which literally then "double completion".
The number 14 carries special significance in other parts of the Bible. There are a lot of interesting studies of the numberrs in the bible. "In the beginning God created" is 14 letters; "the heavens and the earth" is another fourteen letters.
Someday I would love to study more about the significance of numbers in the Bible. When you break things down, and really look at the numerical patterns it becomes obvious that God really does have a great plan.

[lovemy2boys]

Matthew 1:24 (NKJB) Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife...

I find this so awe inspiring. I try to put myself in Joseph's place - having learned that Mary is carrying a child, hearing that it is the son of God...Then having an angel come to him in his sleep and confirm that Mary is carrying the Lord's son.

There are so many times in my own life when i have a dream that seems soo absolutely real that I could swear the person was in the room with me - if an angel came to me and spoke to me, would I have the faith to believe he was speaking on behalf of the Lord, or would I believe it was only a dream?

Especially considering the "consequences" of Joseph taking Mary as a wife - knowing what people were thinking, knowing that the same thing was in his heart only a day before, knowing what a HUGE responsibility it was going to be to raise God's son...His faith was humbling! Would I have been able to do the same thing? Who can say?

[bajj]

I often think about that, too.

Red, my Dad has done a study on numbers in the Bible. I will have to ask him if he can email me part of it.

[feelingreyt]

I have thought about the significance of the #14 as well. There is a reason for everything GOD does. I'm very interested to know the reasons behind the numbers.

Chapter 2 breaks my heart every time I read it.
Matthew 2:18(NKJV) "A voice was heard in Ramah, Lamentation, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for children, Refusing to be comforted, Because they are no more."

I can not fathom the pain the parents of these precious baby boys felt. My mind can not wrap around how many babies lost their lives due to Herod's orders.

Joseph proves yet again how he is able to listen and respond to the Angels God sends to him. He was able to keep Jesus from Harod's evil sword due to his Faith and Love for God. Amazing!

[lilraskels]

It is amazing to know that Joseph was so in touch with God that he knew to follow through with what the angel as said. I think with his belief being so strong he probally did not think twice. What do others think?
God had taken care of the fears and the wondering about the baby not being his since he had not have sex with Mary.

[feelingreyt]

withay, it is very nice to meet you as well!

[Withay]

Another verse that I find interesting is Matthew 3:12 NIV.

"His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire."

I find this passage very significant because John is saying to the Pharisees and Sadducees that Jesus will gather his followers to heaven to live with His father for eternity, but that unbelievers will burn for eternity in the fires of Hades. How glad I am to know that I am like the wheat and will be gathered to the Father.

[kakuehl]

Hi all, somehow I missed the start!

If I may return to the first chapter:
did you consider the women that Matthew include is the geneology of Jesus? Judah's daughter-in-law, Tamar, who tricked him into fathering her twins (after Judah failed to marry her to his 3rd son). Rahab, the "madam" from Jericho whose household was saved from destruction when she hid the spies from the king of Jericho); Ruth, the Moabite; the "wife of Urriah" (Bathsheba, mother of Solomon); and Mary.

It's interesting that the only women mentioned were the ousiders. God chose them to be in the geneology of Jesus, just as he calls us who are outsiders to be members of his family.