May God fill our hearts with wonder this Advent.
Photo by Greg Rakozy
Why?
Consider:
And we all, with unveiled faces, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.
2 Corinthians 3:18
John Piper interprets the above as when we behold God with wonder, we will become like Him.
There is soooo much to make us wonder at Christmas.
Let’s start with the begats — I think you will see new things!
One man tells of praying for a long time for a friend and finally getting him to come and hear Tim Keller preach during Advent. His heart plummeted when he heard it was going to be on the “begats.” Oh no, he thought, how boring will this be!
But it wasn’t. It filled their hearts with wonder.
Sunday:
1. How have you experienced the presence of God in the last week?
2. How have you viewed the begats in Scripture in the past? Now? Why?
Monday: The Number 7
3. The number seven represents completion, perfection, and God. Using a Bible app, find examples of the number seven that seem to symbolize these things.
4. Read Matthew 1:17. How many of “7” generations were there up to Christ? (Divide each 14 by 2) Therefore, what generation did Christ begin?
5. How does this fill your heart with wonder?
6. There are countless colors in God’s rainbow, but our eyes can only see seven. There are six colors in the Gay Rainbow flag. Do you think that is significant? Why or why not?
7. Read the following by Reformed Pastor Derek Thomas and comment.
Matthew employs the number seven in the first section of his gospel (Matt. 1:17–4:17). As he describes the birth of Jesus and the period before Jesus begins to preach, he cites seven Old Testament fulfillments: the child, Jesus, is born of a virgin (1:22–23); His birth is in the city of Bethlehem (2:5–6); the flight to Egypt and the consequent return (2:15); the slaughter of the innocents in Bethlehem (2:17–18); the home-base of Nazareth (2:23); the ministry of the forerunner, John the Baptist (3:1–3); and the start of Jesus’ ministry in the northern regions, where people who walked in darkness saw a great light (4:13–14).
Tuesday: The Women
Prepare your heart with this.
8. The four women listed are Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and “Uriah’s wife.” Why might each of them be a surprising choice to be listed? Why do you think God did this and why might this be encouraging to you personally?
9. Challenge question: Mary’s genealogy is recorded in Luke 3, with 77 generations listed. Here in Matthew, it is Joseph’s genealogy. Why do you think both are recorded?
Wednesday: Uriah’s Wife
Once, when my friend Leslie Vernick was reading a manuscript of mine, I had written about David’s adultery with Bathsheba. She said, “No! You should say sexual abuse.” And she’s right. We have no evidence that Bathsheba was a willing participant.
10. What do you think about the above?
11. Tim Keller says that God put it this way to make clear where the blame lies — with David. And yet Scripture also says these things about David. Read and comment.
A. 1 Kings 15:5
B. Acts 13:22-23
12. What consolation does this give you?
Thursday/Friday: Keller Sermon
Listen to the following:
https://gospelinlife.com/downloads/the-begats-christmas-2/
13. Share your notes and comments.
Saturday:
14. Praise God here for any wonder that has filled your heart regarding the begats.
152 comments
Sunday
1. How have you experienced the presence of God in the last week?
I would like to share an experience from a couple weeks ago as it encouraged me so much. Our son, who is a Sergeant in our city police department went to a 10 week (he was gone one week per month for 10 months) leadership training class. We attended the graduation where 12 men and one woman from all over our state came for the classes. One of the graduates was a chaplain for the sheriff department in the Charlotte area and we found out later is a pastor. He opened the ceremony with a prayer and it was filled with the gospel message! In closing he gave a sermonette on the choice of being a leader like David, trusting in God or like Saul, trusting yourself and man. I really simplified it but it did my heart good and inside I was praying that everyone there, especially my son heard this word from God spoken through this man. Jim and I left with hearts praising God!
2. How have you viewed the begats in Scripture in the past? Now? Why?
I have always enjoyed the begats, going back to the Old Testament to find each individual listed and studying what kind of people they were. Loved the above song and look forward to continue learning new and wonderful truths.
Oh that gave me goosebumps. How wonderful your son is in that group.
Sharon, what a kiss from the King! Praying for hearts who heard the gospel would turn to Jesus.
What a sweet and encouraging story, dear Sharon!
Praise God, Sharon. Oh, the ways of the Lord are so good. Praising God and praying the His Word will grow in the hearts of all who heard.
Oh my goodness Sharon, what encouragement that was and I pray that those on the force will sit and ponder his words.
1. How have you experienced the presence of God in the last week?
Well, I’m getting clearer on what needs to happen in our family for healing. I believe the Holy Spirit continues to lift me.
2. How have you viewed the begats in Scripture in the past? Now? Why?
I don’t really know what you mean by the begats? Like he begat him, and he begat him? I used to skip them when reading, but after I heard Poor Bishop Hooper sing about Jesus’ lineage I became interested! I won’t look at these generational scriptures the same way now.
You surely are good at making me smile.
Smiling is good for the soul, in this sad world, right?
🙂 It is good for the soul.
1. How have you experienced the presence of God in the last week? He has been very gracious to me One thing that stands out is that I was meeting a friend at church at 2:00 Friday to pray for my church forgetting the church closed at noon Someone walked out as I was going to the door and we were able to get in to pray .
2. How have you viewed the begats in Scripture in the past? Now? Why? At times I skim over them. Other times the names I’m not as familiar with I will try to research to see if they are the same as others with same name mentioned in Bible. Other times I like that a few women are mentioned and that they weren’t perfect. Foolishly I don’t always stop to realize how important these people are to be mentioned in the Bible.
Little gifts of provision by our loving God!
Dee, thank you for sharing Andrew Peterson’s song. I have not heard of it before.
1. How have you experienced the presence of God in the last week?
The upcoming spring semester has been a little bit of a burden on my shoulders. The 2 RNs helping me this fall have had personal challenges in their families and need to step down for the time being.
I did a full semester by myself last year and I can do it again but would prefer not to have to work 5 days a week (2 hours only per day). I have been praying for some help and will meet up with another young RN interested in doing it 2 days a week! God has given me peace about this and there has been some help already with other things at work that I am thankful for.
I am meeting with this nurse on Thursday and however the Lord leads will be a good thing.
2. How have you viewed the begats in Scripture in the past? Now? Why?
I have been fascinated by including women in Matthew’s account of the begats. It gave me an appreciation of the different types of people who were chosen by God to be a part of the family tree of His son, Jesus.
Today in Sunday School, we discussed Jesus’ genealogy in Matthew as part of the lesson on “the importance of God’s name”. And how in eternity past, God has been working out His purposes because He is the great I AM. He is immutable and He is faithful in His ways to all generations and the begats are just one of his marvelous ways.
Bing, I’m so glad that God has given you a peace and I will be praying that He will give you wisdom and discernment in your meeting with the nurse this Thursday.
Sharon and Julie, thanks for praying for me! I appreciate it!
Bing, praying all works out for you on Thursday and that peace continues in this situation.
Thank you, Julie! I am praying the same.
1. How have you experienced the presence of God in the past week?
A week ago Sunday was our last Alpha at church. (Starting in September, we ran the Alpha course, the one initially started by Nicky Gumbel in the UK, though he still appears in the videos, they have been updated. I was one of the small discussion group helpers.) Most of the people who attended over the weeks were members of our church, though we had a few who were not. I was touched and amazed at how our group of about 20 people grew closer, with those who were pretty quiet opening up and we had some real, honest, vulnerable sharing. I really felt a growing love and appreciation for everyone there. I know we all felt it, too. In our next to last session, part of it was devoted to having a healing session, with those who wished to able to ask for prayer, be anointed with oil, and prayed over. It was a very powerful evening with the presence of the Holy Spirit.
2. How have you viewed the begats in Scripture in the past? Now? Why?
Some of those long lists in the OT are difficult to get through with so many unfamiliar names. I like the lists that trace the genealogy of Jesus. In our women’s Bible study this Fall, we did learn that when those genealogies appear, such as when, in Genesis, suddenly we zoom in on a man named Terah, who was the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran, it is for the purpose of calling our attention and narrowing our focus from the wide to the very specific, and it shows how God carefully chose and selected those men and women through whom He would bring about His plan for our salvation.
Hi, Susan! your answers to questions 1 and 2 blessed me! I love what you said about Terah: “It is for the purpose of calling our attention and narrowing our focus from the wide to the very specific, and it shows how God carefully chose and selected those men and women through whom He would bring about His plan for our salvation.” You are very thoughtful and insightful.
Oh Susan — have missed you and glad to have you back. How wonderful you did Alpha. I have certainly seen fruit from that ministry.
It’s good to be back, Dee! I have missed this place and all of you!
So good to see you back, Susan. It sounds like a wonderful study and it gives me good chills, that you felt a growing love and the presence of the Holy Spirit. God is working!
Really like the info of narrowing out focus from the wide to the very specific and God carefully choosing those. Such a tender picture of our God.
1. How have you experienced the presence of God in the last week? I was having an especially sad morning one day last week and then…the Lord invited me to “come and sit with Christmas” so I found a comfortable spot in a sunny chair and read from my Advent book. My spirit was definitely lifted!
2. How have you viewed the begats in Scripture in the past? Now? Why? I used to view them as boooring, so I would skip over them. Then (years later) I took an in depth Bible study of Biblical genealogy and the importance of the patriarchal lineage and learned that it clearly is a very significant part of Jesus’s Story.
Sweet simply story of the Lord lifting you.
Amen! Yes He did.🙏❤️🙏
Such a sweet time, Lydia. I love Advent too. It lifts my soul.
To get a hug from the Lord, so sweet and comforting.
To get a hug from the Lord, so sweet and comforting and a true blessing.
Sunday:
1. How have you experienced the presence of God in the last week?
—We traveled 5 hours on Saturday to attend a Candlelight Christmas concert at the college where our grandson Ryan is an engineering student. But he had joined the Men’s Choir because he loves to sing. That evening we again heard many of the great classical pieces of music presented by the Madrigal, Men’s and Women’s Choirs and the Choral. At the beginning and end of the concert all the different groups were combined to sing. In between some pieces the audience was invited to sing several of the traditional Christmas carols. The concert hall has a massive pipe organ that fills the front. I find it fascinating to hear songs exalting Christ at a secular college and observe students many of whom I’m sure are not believers being drawn in to use their voices in singing praises acknowledging Jesus for who He is. It is tradition yearly that the last song sang together by the combined group is “Beautiful Savior”. It was powerful to hear. I feel the quality of the music performed was at the highest level I personally have ever heard. It felt to me like a taste of what some Heavenly Choirs will sound like.
And this is the grandson we are praying will come back to the Lord and to church. He said to me several times before the concert Grandma you are gonna love the music. My heart is encouraged that perhaps not just the quality but also the content of the music is drawing him back to his roots in Christ. He seems to thoroughly enjoy doing it and having us be there.
2. How have you viewed the begats in Scripture in the past? Now? Why?
—Frankly I didn’t think much about them beyond being a bit of a history lesson. But hearing Andrew Peterson for the first time at a live concert of Behold The Lamb and hearing him sing the begats song brought a delight to relating all those familiar names into their relationship to Jesus. Now for me I see the significant connection.
Oh Bev, the concert sounded wonderful 🎵🎵! Will be praying for your grandson, that his heart be softened to the things of the Lord and the words of the songs he sang at the concert penetrate his soul.
What a blessings for all of you, Bev. I will pray that grandson will continue to be drawn to Jesus. Such joy to hear Christian music in a secular setting. I love to see how God is working to woo him back to Christ. Praise God.
Oh Bev, your grandson’s comment had to melt your heart I bet.
Bev, it sounded like a really beautiful and moving concert! And yes, I am sure that as your grandson, Ryan, and all the other students sang those words, that those words were impressed upon them, and seeds were planted. How wonderful! Our church has an organ and I love it.
Praise God. What an exhilarating evening. Thank God you are seeing Him soften Ryan’s heart. Prayers Ryan continues to listen to the call. So tender he wanted you to know how much you would enjoy concert. You are influencing him for the best.
1. How have you experienced the presence of God in the last week?
I have experienced a lovely presence of the Holy Spirit in my daughter’s walk with Jesus. She has been staying with me most of the time, since my husband went to be with Jesus. She is so excited to go to church every Sunday. She has never found a church that gave her comfort…she always felt like a foreigner. Yet, she says that it is so evident that our pastor is passionate about Jesus and loves the Word of God, that she cannot wait for Sunday. It gives me tears of joy to see how God is touching her heart, even in this difficult time in our lives. He is so Good!
2. How have you viewed the begats in Scripture in the past? Now? Why?
I have studied them in Bible studies, but not in great depth. I love what Tim Keller has taught in the Advent series that he and Kathy did. Some of his talks are being replayed this year. I am always taken by some of the people, that we would consider sinful or inappropriate, being part of the lineage of Jesus. God works in ways we don’t understand and, often, cannot even comprehend. I am excited to learn more about the begats, Dee. So happy you are doing this!
Patti, what encouraging news about your daughter. I know that thrills your heart and it’s so awesome to see how God is working in the lives of our children…He cares so much about every aspect of our lives❤️
Thank you, Sharon. Amen! I have chills seeing how God is working in so many lives! Praying for your son, as Jesus speaks to His heart.
That’s a wonderful report, Patti.
Wowie Zowie!!! I am so happy for you and your daughter Patti. So sweet to hear this news.
Patti, even through our grief, God and show us joy. Love that your daughter is excited about church and God again.
Patti, such sweet news about your daughter! what a blessing that is for you.
3. The number seven represents completion, perfection, and God. Using a Bible app, find examples of the number seven that seem to symbolize these things.
In creation, the 7th day represents the completion and does not state Gen 2:2: “there was morning and there was evening” “By the seventh day God completed His work which He had done…Gen 3:1: ” God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made.”. Completion.
Noah: 7 pairs of clean animals. Days of warning: “Flood will come in seven days”. Seven days separate blood and frog plagues. Jacob working seven years for each, Leah and Rachel. Job twice had seven sons. Seven good and bad years in Egypt. Seven is dominant in Jewish laws and rituals. Lampstand in the Tabernacle has seven lights. One that I found that I love is the Seven Metaphors for Christ: The Bread of Life; The Light of the World; The Door to Salvation; The Good Shepherd; The Resurrection and the Life; The Way, the Truth and the Life; The Vine.
Love this: The Holy Bible was originally divided into 7 major divisions. The Law; The Prophets; The Writings/Psalms; The Gospels and Acts; General Epistles; The Epistles of Paul; The book of Revelation. The total number of originally inspired books was forty nine…7×7 demonstrating the perfection of the Word of God. (from The woman of Noble Character.com)
4. Read Matthew 1:17.How many of “7” generations were there up to Christ? (Divide each 14 by 2) Therefore, what generation did Christ begin?
There were six, Christ’s generation was 7, the number of completion.
5. How does this fill your heart with wonder? It fills my soul with awe and joy. It makes Advent a Season to Savor.
6. There are countless colors in God’s rainbow, but our eyes can only see seven. There are six colors in the Gay Rainbow flag. Do you think that is significant? Why or why not?
The rainbow is God’s creation. Any other rainbow, is man made and not sanctified by God.
3. The number seven represents completion, perfection, and God. Using a Bible app, find examples of the number seven that seem to symbolize these things.God created earth 6 days, rested 7th, Elisha had Naaman wash in Jordan 7 times, In Revelation 7 churches, 7 angels with 7 trumpets, 7 plagues
4. Read Matthew 1:17. How many of “7” generations were there up to Christ? (Divide each 14 by 2) Therefore, what generation did Christ begin? 7 th generation
5. How does this fill your heart with wonder? How exact and intricate God’s timing is Jesus came to complete God’s plan.
6. There are countless colors in God’s rainbow, but our eyes can only see seven. There are six colors in the Gay Rainbow flag. Do you think that is significant? Why or why not? Yes. 6 is number for man and so the flag could represent man’s ways not God’s.
7. Read the following by Reformed Pastor Derek Thomas and comment.
Matthew employs the number seven in the first section of his gospel (Matt. 1:17–4:17). As he describes the birth of Jesus and the period before Jesus begins to preach, he cites seven Old Testament fulfillments: the child, Jesus, is born of a virgin (1:22–23); His birth is in the city of Bethlehem (2:5–6); the flight to Egypt and the consequent return (2:15); the slaughter of the innocents in Bethlehem (2:17–18); the home-base of Nazareth (2:23); the ministry of the forerunner, John the Baptist (3:1–3); and the start of Jesus’ ministry in the northern regions, where people who walked in darkness saw a great light (4:13–14). I didn’t realize that Matthew was specifically using 7 prophecies of Christ to bring the message to people. I love how God inspired Him to do this,
Judy, great reminder with your answer to number 6 that the number 6 represents man. Love it.
Sunday:
1. How have you experienced the presence of God in the last week? – It’s only been a couple of years since we have been in a new town, and new state and I am still amazed at the friendliness of the people. It just seems like people care about the ‘little guy’, the ‘small business owners’ and it makes my heart happy. With all the heartache going around in this world, it brings me hope that maybe, just maybe, God and His Word are reaching people.
2. How have you viewed the begats in Scripture in the past? Now? Why? – I haven’t made it a point to purposely study them, but I do try to figure out what they are mean when I come across them in Scripture. I’m coming to learn that if God has it in His Word there is an importance to everything in there and I should slow down and take the time to read and understand it all.
Monday: The Number 7
3. The number seven represents completion, perfection, and God. Using a Bible app, find examples of the number seven that seem to symbolize these things. – Completion Gen 2.2 By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so, on the seventh day he rested from all his work; God Joshua 6.16 The seventh time around, when the priests sounded the trumpet blast, Joshua commanded the army, “Shout! For the Lord has given you the city!” Perfection Gen 7.4 “Seven days from now I will send rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights, and I will wipe from the face of the earth every living creature I have made.”
4. Read Matthew 1:17. How many of “7” generations were there up to Christ? (Divide each 14 by 2) Therefore, what generation did Christ begin? – There were 6 generations and God started the 7th, a perfect completion of the generations, and symbolized the number for Christ.
5. How does this fill your heart with wonder? – God had and still has everything planned out to his perfect work in the world. He knows everything and I’m grateful to know that he does. It’s makes things so much smoother in my everyday walk.
6. There are countless colors in God’s rainbow, but our eyes can only see seven. There are six colors in the Gay Rainbow flag. Do you think that is significant? Why or why not? – Yes, I think it makes a great deal to know that they left out Indigo, and when I looked it up the meaning of indigo is wisdom and intuition. It represents an inner awareness of spirituality, and allows for a deep focus during meditation. It gives an ability for planning the future, and brings about a love of rituals. When I look at this meaning, God can only plan the future and through God we get wisdom. I would think they don’t have a relationship with Jesus, so it’s appropriate for the color indigo to be left out of the gay flag.
7. Read the following by Reformed Pastor Derek Thomas and comment. – The below to me shows just how much Jesus was in the Old Testament and how God’s plan is being fulfilled each day. Those who lived in Old Testaments days got a glimpse of who was to come and just how God planned for him to arrive. The prophets who told of the coming of Jesus were true prophets and all they said has come to pass so far and for us, brings us comfort to know the rest will come as well.
Matthew employs the number seven in the first section of his gospel (Matt. 1:17–4:17). As he describes the birth of Jesus and the period before Jesus begins to preach, he cites seven Old Testament fulfillments: the child, Jesus, is born of a virgin (1:22–23); His birth is in the city of Bethlehem (2:5–6); the flight to Egypt and the consequent return (2:15); the slaughter of the innocents in Bethlehem (2:17–18); the home-base of Nazareth (2:23); the ministry of the forerunner, John the Baptist (3:1–3); and the start of Jesus’ ministry in the northern regions, where people who walked in darkness saw a great light (4:13–14).
Interesting about indigo!
That information about indigo is so thought provoking! Thank you for sharing your research, Julie!
wow, Julie! I appreciate what you shared about indigo! And I have not heard or used that word for a long, long time now!
Monday: The Number 7
3. The number seven represents completion, perfection, and God. Using a Bible app, find examples of the number seven that seem to symbolize these things.
Wow! Looking up the number 7 in the concordance, I never realized there were so many references!! Patti, Judy and Julie did a wonderful job of listing so many of them, so I won’t list anymore…good job!
4. Read Matthew 1:17. How many of “7” generations were there up to Christ? (Divide each 14 by 2) Therefore, what generation did Christ begin?
There were 6 generations up to Christ and therefore Christ began the 7th generation.
5. How does this fill your heart with wonder?
What an amazing God we serve. Nothing can thwart His plan.
6. There are countless colors in God’s rainbow, but our eyes can only see seven. There are six colors in the Gay Rainbow flag. Do you think that is significant? Why or why not?
It is significant because as Judy said, 6 is the number of man…this is a man made symbol. It’s quite interesting as the history of the LGBT flag started out with eight colors. These are the colors and their meanings…Hot pink; sex, Red; life, Orange; healing, Yellow; sunlight, Green; nature, Turquoise; magic and art, Indigo; serenity and Violet; spirit. They removed Hot Pink and Turquoise because of difficulty manufacturing and/or dying the fabric.
7. Read the following by Reformed Pastor Derek Thomas and comment
I learned something new…love it!
I wanted to add that they replaced Indigo with Blue. Also the word Rainbow has 7 letters!
Love this, Sharon! Rainbow has 7 letters! Love the research you and Julie did on the gay flag!
Sharon, the word rainbow has 7 letters!
1. How have you experienced the presence of God in the last week? My pastor referenced a book called The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence. I borrowed the audio version from my library and have listened to it twice. It has helped me in learning keep my mind focused on God at all times. I’m going to purchase a hard copy if possible.
2. How have you viewed the begats in Scripture in the past? I have thought of them as a kind of census record that proves the lineage of Christ. Kind of boring. Now? Why? As I have come to know more about some the individuals listed in the begats it shows the redemption of prostitutes, adulterers, murderers, foreigners, slaves, and a host of “undeserving” people that were used of God and now have a permanent place in history and God’s plan for salvation.
Love Brother Lawrence!
3. The number seven represents completion, perfection, and God. Using a Bible app, find examples of the number seven that seem to symbolize these things. 7 days to complete creation (including the Sabbath rest), Naaman bathes 7 times in the Jordan river to complete his healing, Joshua is commanded to march around Jericho for seven days (and on the seventh day to make seven circuits) and for seven priests to blow seven trumpets outside the city walls.
4. Read Matthew 1:17. How many of “7” generations were there up to Christ? (Divide each 14 by 2) 6 cycles of 7 generations. Therefore, what generation did Christ begin? The 42nd generation.
5. How does this fill your heart with wonder? 6 being the number that represents man and seven being the number that represents completion or perfection, it is amazing to be able to see God’s perfect plan in all of it.
6. There are countless colors in God’s rainbow, but our eyes can only see seven. There are six colors in the Gay Rainbow flag. Do you think that is significant? Why or why not? I never paid that much attention to the actual gay flag, but now that I see that there is only 6 colors on it, it does seem to be a probably unintentional symbol of man where the 7 color rainbow is the symbol of God’s promise.
7. Read the following by Reformed Pastor Derek Thomas and comment.
Matthew employs the number seven in the first section of his gospel (Matt. 1:17–4:17). As he describes the birth of Jesus and the period before Jesus begins to preach, he cites seven Old Testament fulfillments: the child, Jesus, is born of a virgin (1:22–23); His birth is in the city of Bethlehem (2:5–6); the flight to Egypt and the consequent return (2:15); the slaughter of the innocents in Bethlehem (2:17–18); the home-base of Nazareth (2:23); the ministry of the forerunner, John the Baptist (3:1–3); and the start of Jesus’ ministry in the northern regions, where people who walked in darkness saw a great light (4:13–14).
Fascinating. God is again showing us that He has a plan and it will always be perfection.
Three is the charm… You would think I would learn by now to save my answers! It didn’t post yesterday so here it is. Maybe it’s because I included a link?
3. The number seven represents completion, perfection, and God. Using a Bible app, find examples of the number seven that seem to symbolize these things.
I struggled To find anything in the search and couldn’t come up with much of anything except the books that have seven in (all) them. I used the number seven and it spelled out (7, seven, number 7, etc.).
However, I do remember the book of revelation has the seven churches.
4. Read Matthew 1:17. How many of “7” generations were there up to Christ? (Divide each 14 by 2) Therefore, what generation did Christ begin?
If I’m reading the question correctly there are 6, 7’s. That means Christ made the seventh!! how cool is that?
5. How does this fill your heart with wonder?
Not wonder, just awe! He is perfection. That’s who I want to know.
6. There are countless colors in God’s rainbow, but our eyes can only see seven. There are six colors in the Gay Rainbow flag. Do you think that is significant? Why or why not?
So here is the science lesson.
I guess I don’t think there is significance (convince me!) in the gay flag having the 6, not 7, colors because of the science.
When electrons get excited through some sort of energy source, they absorb the energy and then have to release it. When they release it they produce the light color of that energy. Glowing matter can be viewed because we can see the colors (visible part of the electromagnetic spectrum). For example, the hydrogen spectrum has 4 spectral lines when heated (red, green, blue, and violet). I included a link yesterday, but you can just search online for “hydrogen emission spectrum.”
Chemists who use the electromagnetic spectrum to view glowing matter (stars), decided that the indigo was too hard to view in the elements’ spectra, so they removed indigo from the scale. Indigo is a deep bluish-purple like very dark blue jeans. It really is very hard to see.
So, I suppose some sciency sort of person could have come up with the gay flag using this logic. Indigo was removed so we don’t need it 🤷🏻♀️. It wouldn’t surprise me, knowing what is in our universities today!
I think it’s interesting that you bring it up, as I have never thought about it before! That’s why I love you Dee!
I certainly could be stretching with the gay rainbow flag — but it is at least interesting!
Oh, Laura! I love it when you include your science knowledge in your answers!!
Laura, the science lady! Thanks for the lesson. God is amazing!
3. The number seven represents completion, perfection, and God. Using a Bible app, find examples of the number seven that seem to symbolize these things.
My first thought was when Joshua led the Israelites into the Promised Land, and encountered the highly fortified city of Jericho. God instructed them to march around the city once with all the armed men, doing this for six days. Seven priests were to carry rams’ horns in front of the ark. Then, on the seventh day, they were to march around the city seven times. Upon completing this, the walls of the city collapsed. I believe this would represent the Lord Himself, as He was with them and caused those walls to come down, and gave His people victory.
4. Read Matthew 1:17. How many of “7” generations were there up to Christ? (Divide each 14 by 2) Therefore, what generation did Christ begin?
There were 6 “sevens” up to Jesus, so He began the seventh generation. Okay, I literally sat here for ten minutes trying to figure this out, lol! I am not good at math. My first answer was 21-:))
5. How does this fill your heart with wonder?
Well, that God is The Mathematician above all mathematicians. He is so very precise and calculated in all that He does. I always felt that all of those highly complicated (and beyond my understanding) mathematical formulas and formulas they use in physics to explain how things work, was that God gave some people the intelligence to begin to figure out what He set in place from the beginning.
6. There are countless colors in God’s rainbow, but our eyes can only see seven. There are six colors in the Gay Rainbow flag. Do you think that is significant? Why or why not?
I don’t know anything about that flag, as to how they chose certain colors, the number of colors, the “why” behind it. I don’t think there’s any significance in that I am assuming no one was trying to make any sort of statement that has anything to do with God in the designing of the flag?
7. Read the following by Reformed Pastor Derek Thomas and comment.
I never counted those OT references before, and didn’t know that there were seven of them. If seven represents God, completion and perfection, I can easily see how all of these references are fulfilled, completed, in Jesus, who is very God and is absolutely perfect!
You are my math soul sister! But I finally got it with Keller’s help.
Tuesday: The Women
8. The four women listed are Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and “Uriah’s wife.” Why might each of them be a surprising choice to be listed? Why do you think God did this and why might this be encouraging to you personally?
—Each one in their own way were used and abused women. It shows clearly that past history does not matter to God. And in the Jewish mindset women were second class beings so for these women to be acknowledged in male dominated records of a Jewish genealogy is significant.
It speaks to me that no one is forgotten by God no matter how tarnished their life might be by sin or association with sin. The cleansing blood of Jesus Christ serves to right all wrongs and set those free who trust in God. To be loved and accepted by God my Father has served to set my heart free and gives me great peace and Joy.
9. Challenge question: Mary’s genealogy is recorded in Luke 3, with 77 generations listed. Here in Matthew, it is Joseph’s genealogy. Why do you think both are recorded?
—Joseph was Jesus’s legal father and his genealogy includes King David. Mary was Jesus’s biological mother and her genealogy also includes King David so both were his descendants. This is a double affirmation of Jesus being an heir to the throne of David. Jesus is the one God promised who would come and reign again over the Jews and over the whole world for eternity.
I love that past history does not matter to God. Such a good reminder, Bev! And these women were used and abused. And no one is forgotten by God!
Love this from Bev:
And in the Jewish mindset women were second class beings so for these women to be acknowledged in male dominated records of a Jewish genealogy is significant. It speaks to me that no one is forgotten by God no matter how tarnished their life might be by sin or association with sin.
8. The four women listed are Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and “Uriah’s wife.” Why might each of them be a surprising choice to be listed? Why do you think God did this and why might this be encouraging to you personally?
God is interested in the heart. We are all flawed and these women were imperfect, yet God offers Himself to those who are willing to turn their hearts to Him. God sees beyond our sins and faults, when we give our selves fully to Him. God does not keep a record of past wrongs. He is interested in our willingness to serve the One who took our punishment for our sins.
9. Challenge question: Mary’s genealogy is recorded in Luke 3, with 77 generations listed. Here in Matthew, it is Joseph’s genealogy. Why do you think both are recorded? Mary was told by the angel, Gabriel, that God had found favor with her and she would conceive a son and name Him Jesus; He will be great and be called the Son of the Most High. Luke 1:26-33. This makes His Father, our God in Heaven. I had to look up references and this was the best answer I could find.
Seeing as Mary gave birth to Jesus while a virgin it follows that he was not of biological descent through Joseph. It is therefore inevitable that the descent of Jesus from David must be recorded twice in the New Testament, once through Joseph (to establish Jesus’s right to the throne of David) and once through Mary (to prove his biological descent from David).
Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus is clearly via Joseph, so Luke’s genealogy must be that through Mary.
Monday: The Number 7
3. The number seven represents completion, perfection, and God. Using a Bible app, find examples of the number seven that seem to symbolize these things.
I have not looked at the number 7 as it is mentioned in the Bible before. One website said that the Bible used to have 7 divisions. I think of Creation of 7 days, 7 days with their mothers before newborn animals are offered, the 7 churches in Revelation with the 7 bowls and lampstands encompassing all churches, Naaman to wash 7 times for healing, the story of Noah in the ark, celebration of the feast after 7 days during Ezra’s time. Marching around Jericho 7 times. I am sure I have missed many as one site said there are 700 times that seven is mentioned in the Bible!
4. Read Matthew 1:17. How many of “7” generations were there up to Christ? (Divide each 14 by 2) Therefore, what generation did Christ begin?
Christ began in the 7th generation!
5. How does this fill your heart with wonder?
God in all His wonder oversees all the minutiae of His creation! He loves numbers and makes sense of everything He created and purposed.
6. There are countless colors in God’s rainbow, but our eyes can only see seven. There are six colors in the Gay Rainbow flag. Do you think that is significant? Why or why not?
Not sure. Perhaps there are 6 to mean that it is not complete. Or that the gay rainbow flag is kind of a refusal to identify with god’s rainbow. The gay rainbow flag is man’s way of saying “I am in charge”? Like the tower of Babel?
7. Read the following by Reformed Pastor Derek Thomas and comment.
Matthew employs the number seven in the first section of his gospel (Matt. 1:17–4:17). As he describes the birth of Jesus and the period before Jesus begins to preach, he cites seven Old Testament fulfillments: the child, Jesus, is born of a virgin (1:22–23); His birth is in the city of Bethlehem (2:5–6); the flight to Egypt and the consequent return (2:15); the slaughter of the innocents in Bethlehem (2:17–18); the home-base of Nazareth (2:23); the ministry of the forerunner, John the Baptist (3:1–3); and the start of Jesus’ ministry in the northern regions, where people who walked in darkness saw a great light (4:13–14).
Whoa! This is amazing. I would surmise that Matthew did not even know he had seven incidents in the first section of his gospel. It had to be so as the Spirit moved the writers of the gospel as they put words into written form.
I agree Matthew probably didn’t know — but knows now, and as a numbers guy, I bet it delights him.
Tuesday: The Women
Prepare your heart with this.
I loved this song by Poor Bishop Hooper! So creative and God-inspired! I may try to memorize it!
8. The four women listed are Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and “Uriah’s wife.” Why might each of them be a surprising choice to be listed? Why do you think God did this and why might this be encouraging to you personally?
All women have things that many will consider bad and a blot, perhaps, to their images. Yet, God used them to tell me that He can use anybody including myself to bring about His purposes not only for my life but for the lives of others as well. My “woes” can be my victories. I thought of a line from Michael Jr., a Christian comedian who had trouble with dyslexia while growing up. They were also poor. But he said, looking back, he realized that his setbacks were God’s setup for his future in comedy.
9. Challenge question: Mary’s genealogy is recorded in Luke 3, with 77 generations listed. Here in Matthew, it is Joseph’s genealogy. Why do you think both are recorded?
To tell us that all these things matter to God. Something that our own Susan said resonated with me: it is for the purpose of calling our attention and narrowing our focus from the wide to the very specific, and it shows how God carefully chose and selected those men and women through whom He would bring about His plan for our salvation.
Beaufiful inspiring song, Thank you.8. The four women listed are Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and “Uriah’s wife.” Why might each of them be a surprising choice to be listed? Why do you think God did this and why might this be encouraging to you. Tamar, Rahab and Bathsheba had shame in their pasts. Ruth was a Moabite.and Rahab a Canaanite. God was showing us that we are all welcome into His family. It encourages me that Jesus covers my shame and sin and accepts me as His own
9. Challenge question: Mary’s genealogy is recorded in Luke 3, with 77 generations listed. Here in Matthew, it is Joseph’s genealogy. Why do you think both are recorded? Mary’s lineage goes back to Adam covering all mankind before God chose Abraham and the Israelites to be His own. Matthew was a Jew, Luke was a Gentile so Luke went all the way back to in the beginning.
Good insight about Luke the Gentile going all the way back to Adam.
Tuesday: The Women
8. The four women listed are Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and “Uriah’s wife.” Why might each of them be a surprising choice to be listed? Why do you think God did this and why might this be encouraging to you personally? – Each one of these ladies do not have a glorious story or come from a well off family. They struggled, they had professions that were not respected. I think God wanted everyone to know that the people he chooses and uses are just ordinary people who have failed in some way to meet the criteria others think they should have. This is encouraging because I fall in to the same category as them and this brings hope to me knowing that in spite of my failures God can still use me.
9. Challenge question: Mary’s genealogy is recorded in Luke 3, with 77 generations listed. Here in Matthew, it is Joseph’s genealogy. Why do you think both are recorded? – I think it’s important to know just who Jesus had as role models and though Joseph was not his biological father, he played an important part as did Joseph’s family in bringing Jesus up.
8. The four women listed are Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and “Uriah’s wife.” Why might each of them be a surprising choice to be listed? Why do you think God did this and why might this be encouraging to you personally?
Grace…greater than all our sin!
9. Challenge question: Mary’s genealogy is recorded in Luke 3, with 77 generations listed. Here in Matthew, it is Joseph’s genealogy. Why do you think both are recorded?
Luke followed the actual lineage of Jesus because Mary was His biological mother. Matthew followed His legal lineage because He was adopted by Joseph.
You are a GUBA child, Sharon. Do you know what that means?
Oh my Dee…I have no idea 🤷♀️. I hope it’s not bad 😳😜
🙂 Growing Up Born Again —
Though the shoe might fit Jim better as you were on the mission field. But I’m sending you a little something so you can see 🙂
Okie Dokie…look forward to it😊
Love this, Sharon!: Why do you think God did this and why might this be encouraging to you personally?
Grace…greater than all our sin!
Amen!
Grace…greater than all our sin!
Oh Sharon, That is all that really needs to be said.
1. How have you experienced the presence of God in the last week? I’ve experienced God’s presence in the hard. This week I’m listening to Leslie Vernick’s book, The Emotionally Destructive Marriage. It’s the best counseling I’ve ever had. Through Leslie and my counselor, my head is coming out of the sand for I now see patterns, and so I’m going through a grieving process. God’s encouraged me in many ways through her book in both watching out for resentment building in me, which it has, and discovering my marriage is an idol, which it is. If God brings it to memory, please pray for me.
2. How have you viewed the begats in Scripture in the past? Now? Why? In the past I thought the begats were significant regarding just the importance of the line of Jesus, but from what I understand they are way way more significant.
(This is Rebecca D.) 😉
I will pray for you, Rebecca. May God encourage you and heal your heart and your marriage.
Oh Rebecca — it is so good to hear about the help you are getting from Leslie. And so good to see you here. I love you!
Dee
I miss and love you too, Dee!
Rebecca, Good to see you here. Thanks for sharing so we can pray for you. Trusting God to meet your heart’s need.
So good to see you here Rebecca and will keep you in my prayers. 🙏❤️
8. The four women listed are Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and “Uriah’s wife.” Why might each of them be a surprising choice to be listed? Why do you think God did this and why might this be encouraging to you personally?
Each of the women had questionable backgrounds. For example, Tamar seduced her FIL, Rahab was a prostitute.
God even wanted them! They were His, just as we are His with all our problems and imperfections. It gives me such hope for not only me, but for my kids and my husband. Oh Lord help my family 🙏
Laura,
God hears every single one of your prayers for your family and never forgets any of them. He is your hope and he will help your family! 💕
It is so hard with family struggles, Laura. I pray that you sense His presence and love within your family. You are in my prayers.
Once, when my friend Leslie Vernick was reading a manuscript of mine, I had written about David’s adultery with Bathsheba. She said, “No! You should say sexual abuse.” And she’s right. We have no evidence that Bathsheba was a willing participant.
10. What do you think about the above? Wow! That is something I never thought of! It very likely could have been sexual abuse.
11. Tim Keller says that God put it this way to make clear where the blame lies — with David. And yet Scripture also says these things about David. Read and comment.
A. 1 Kings 15:5 David followed the Lord, except in the case of Uriah the Hittite.
B. Acts 13:22-23 God raised up David to be king~ He said “I have found David the son of Jesse, Am man after My heart, who will do all My will.”
12. What consolation does this give you? It seems that David, being human, was tempted and gave in to his temptation, even before Uriah was killed in battle. Then, he set up Uriah to be killed. This is the second sin. It sounds like this was the one time that David did not listen to God, because he committed such a sin. We all are tempted and we all sin, even David. Yet, God loved David. David loved God and followed Him the rest of his life~ though, he was remorseful for sinning. In Samuel, it does say that Bathsheba mourned her husband. Did she truly love him? Was she abused by David, or just tempted because David was charming and he was king? So many questions…..
We don’t really know — but God doesn’t seem to portray her as guilty.
Once, when my friend Leslie Vernick was reading a manuscript of mine, I had written about David’s adultery with Bathsheba. She said, “No! You should say sexual abuse.” And she’s right. We have no evidence that Bathsheba was a willing participant.
10. What do you think about the above? Because he was in an authoritative role, I see sexual abuse I don’t know if she was willing but I can see where king David asking for her would be an esteem boost, but he overstepped.
11. Tim Keller says that God put it this way to make clear where the blame lies — with David. And yet Scripture also says these things about David. Read and comment.
A. 1 Kings 15:5 Except in the case of Uriah the Hittite What a horrendous sin that was Thank God, He pardons my sin no matter how horrendous
B. Acts 13:22-23 a man after my own heart. He will do everything I want him to do. David wasn’t perfect but still sought and pleased God. I hope someday God can say of me a woman after my heart and she will do everything I want her to do.
Uriah’s Wife
Once, when my friend Leslie Vernick was reading a manuscript of mine, I had written about David’s adultery with Bathsheba. She said, “No! You should say sexual abuse.” And she’s right. We have no evidence that Bathsheba was a willing participant.
10. What do you think about the above? I agree, because of the station of women in those days, Bathsheba had to obey the men of her times, especially the King.
11. Tim Keller says that God put it this way to make clear where the blame lies — with David. And yet Scripture also says these things about David. Read and comment.
A. 1 Kings 15:5
“David had lived an exemplary life before God (except for that time with Uriah the Hittite.) God called David “a man after My own heart”. God sees our intentions and judges our actions by those.
B. Acts 13:22-23
God chose David to be King of Israel because He knew that David would follow Him and obey His Will.
God knows each of us better than we know ourselves, He sees us just as we are and loves us anyway!
12. What consolation does this give you?
That my Heavenly Father loves me more than anything and will forgive all my sins past, present and future! Thank-you Jesus!
Oh Lydia! Leslie Vernick is a friend of yours! I am a huge fan of hers. I heard her speak here in Ohio a few years ago, and I always listen to her FB Lives and did one of her online workshops the other night. And you are right! It’s always said that David committed “adultery” with Bathsheba, but Leslie points out that he sent for her, and you don’t say no to the king. She did not willingly commit adultery.
Love all your answers, Lydia. This speaks to my heart: my Heavenly Father loves me more than anything and will forgive all my sins past, present and future! Thank-you Jesus!
Precious Lydia, you aren’t alone even though it seems like it. You are supported and loved here. Lord Jesus depression is so hard and can feel so hopeless and lonely. help Lydia sense you and bring those in her life to encourage her and remind her of their support and love of her. I’m so grateful that you became a man so that you could rescue us and also experience what she is feeling and going through. You know what it feels like to be alone, to be betrayed deeply, and to be surrounded by many dark nights. You know what Lydia needs and so we ask that you would help her and help lift her head. You are the one who truly “sees” and values her to the sky. Help her to continue to cling to you. In your name, Amen.
Dear Dee and all my sweet sisters in Christ, I love your posts and comments! I have learned so much from you and appreciate the time you each devote here. I am trying to participate again in this study blog…I need to focus on God’s Word to keep my head above the flood of depression I have been battling for months. God bless you each, you are a blessing! Merry Christmas!
Prayers you are able to do just that. God, help Lydia focus on You, Your Word, and sense Your loving Presence holding her head and spirit above depression. May the fruit of the spirit replace any darkness. In Jesus name.
Oh Father, I ask You to lift up Lydia in her soul, give her hope, strength, and a sense of Your loving presence.
In Jesus Name I pray
I agree with Dee, Lord. Amen.
Lydia, I’m so sorry you’ve been struggling with depression for months. You are not alone. I will join with others here in praying for you. We are in a season (Advent) where we enter into the collective longing and yearning of our world, both with those saints of old and those of us here now. I’m praying for God to meet you right where you are, and to dispel the darkness with His warming light.
Lydia, May God fill your heart with a peace and joy that comes from Him alone as you focus on his Word. I pray that Jesus the Living Word will fill your heart this Christmas Season and that he will lift you out of and give you victory over depression.
I just read all of your responses to my comment last night. Thank-you all for caring and praying for me. I am trying to focus outward…especially on my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! He is my Peace.🙏❤️🙏
Oh, Lord God, I pray that You will touch your beloved child, Lydia. I pray that You will encourage her and bring light into the dark corners of her life. Lord, speak to Lydia’s heart and fill her with Your peace, love and hope. Turn this season of darkness, into a season of joy and light. Lydia is so loved by all on this blog, please be with her in a very real way right now. We thank you our Mighty Father God. In the Name of Jesus, I pray.
Lydia, it is so good to see you here again! Thank you for opening up and sharing your struggle with depression and I pray that your time spent in His presence will bring you peace and comfort. Amen to all the wonderful prayers here and I will continue to keep you in prayer.
If anyone sees this, my daughter Melanie needs prayer….like now! She has a big exam at 7:30 this morning. Called me last night….lots of anxiety, tears…we prayed together. She’s in medical school and the pressure of this first semester has been overwhelming. I appreciate it, thank you.
Prayers God’s peace and presence overwhelm her and she easily calls to mind everything she needs to know for her exam.
Thank you. She is in another state, far away from home and family. She’s made some incredible new friends there, but she has an anxiety disorder and this has been so hard for her. She has been growing closer to the Lord since she moved away.
Not sure which time zone you are in but I’m in Central and praying now for her.
Just now seeing this, Susan. I am praying for Melanie right now. 5:33 am Pacific time.
Dear Lord Jesus, we pray for Melanie as she is taking a difficult exam in school right now, give her a unexplainable Peace from You and help her to remember all that she has studied. We Thank-you Lord for Your answers to our greatest needs. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Amen to Lydia’s pray for Melanie.
Prayed and praying for Melanie!
Susan, I just saw this now. how is Melanie doing? I hope she did fine with her test.
Amen.
Bing, thank you for your prayers, and to everyone else, too! It’s been a very tumultuous past few months for her. Lots of things going on that I cannot share here. Being in med school has taken a toll on her health, both physically and mentally. Lots of growth spiritually. I think we’ll be having some hard conversations when she’s home for break.
Wednesday: Uriah’s Wife
…..We have no evidence that Bathsheba was a willing participant.
10. What do you think about the above?
—Interesting to think about. We have to look at the Scripture and see what God said and did. It would appear to me Bathsheba was a victim of David’s sin. He was where he should not have been and used his position as King to take what was not his (another man’s wife, Uriah) and then had that man killed when he couldn’t control the circumstances because Uriah acted honorably. In this episode God pointed out David’s guilt through Nathan and required repentance from David. We don’t see from the scripture that Bathsheba is called to account for what happened but the guilt weighs heavily on David in the whole record. He failed miserably in all he did regarding Bathsheba and Uriah. I find it interesting that in Matthew’s account of the genealogy of Jesus that Uriah’s name is included speaking to who Bathsheba was.
“Jesse was the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon (whose mother was Bathsheba, the widow of Uriah).” Matt 1:6
All that to say yes it would appear David was guilty of sexual abuse.
11. Tim Keller says that God put it this way to make clear where the blame lies — with David. And yet Scripture also says these things about David. Read and comment.
A. 1 Kings 15:5
—“For David had done what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight and had obeyed the Lord’s commands throughout his life, except in the affair concerning Uriah the Hittite.”
I feel this speaks to the integrity of the Scripture as it gives David credit for his relationship to God as a man after God’s own heart but acknowledges his serious sin and failure to follow God’s commands regarding Uriah.
B. Acts 13:22-23
—Being credited as a man after God’s own heart David even in his sin and failure repented and returned to his relationship with God. He was spiritually completely restored in that relationship. God did not cast him aside.
12. What consolation does this give you?
—Satan would have is believe that when we sin in some way and fail God we are done for. But that is never true. The Cross covers it all. Because of the Cross David was saved and even his awful sin covered by the blood of Jesus and it is the same for me. My sin is covered and when I confess and repent I am completely restored to my wonderful God and Savior.
I always have Hope. Wonderful Hope!
Wednesday: Uriah’s Wife
Once, when my friend Leslie Vernick was reading a manuscript of mine, I had written about David’s adultery with Bathsheba. She said, “No! You should say sexual abuse.” And she’s right. We have no evidence that Bathsheba was a willing participant.
10. What do you think about the above?
I think David had a disregard for the sanctity of marriage in the fact of how many wives he already had. There is no evidence that Bathsheba was a willing participant, but I question why she was taking a bath within view of the palace…where was her modesty? I’m not saying that excuses David sin of giving into his lust, but I do feel she isn’t completely innocent.
11. Tim Keller says that God put it this way to make clear where the blame lies — with David. And yet Scripture also says these things about David. Read and comment.
A. 1 Kings 15:5
David did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight and obeyed His commandments throughout his life, except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.
B. Acts 13:22-23
He was a man after God’s own heart and Jesus was his descendant.
12. What consolation does this give you?
That no matter how many times I fall down, He’s there to pick me up because of His great love and grace.
Sharon, So thankful for this: Praise God!
That no matter how many times I fall down, He’s there to pick me up because of His great love and grace.
Wednesday: Uriah’s Wife
Once, when my friend Leslie Vernick was reading a manuscript of mine, I had written about David’s adultery with Bathsheba. She said, “No! You should say sexual abuse.” And she’s right. We have no evidence that Bathsheba was a willing participant.
10. What do you think about the above? – I never thought about that before but it is an interesting twist for sure. In that time, weren’t women just almost like slaves when it came to satisfying men? They didn’t have much choice in anything. It seemed like they were to do what the man wanted whether it was right or not. Women seemed to be used as a trade deal at times and in this case, with David being King, did you even have a say in his requests?
11. Tim Keller says that God put it this way to make clear where the blame lies — with David. And yet Scripture also says these things about David. Read and comment.
A. 1 Kings 15:5 – God still blessed David because he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but he made a point in reminding us that his sin against Uriah was not good. It’s kind of funny that Uriah is mentioned and yes, he was killed by David, but Bathsheba was violated too.
B. Acts 13:22-23 – David did things after God’s own heart and in spite of the killing of Uriah, God still used him by bring forth Jesus through his descendants.
12. What consolation does this give you? – It brings great hope to me. I know I fail God every day, and yet knowing that he still uses those who are not perfect shows me just how much he loves me and wants me to try so much harder to please him.
8. The four women listed are Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and “Uriah’s wife.” Why might each of them be a surprising choice to be listed? Because they were foreigners, prostitutes, adulterers. Why do you think God did this and why might this be encouraging to you personally? God will use even the lowest (in man’s eyes) and most sinful to accomplish His will.
9. Challenge question: Mary’s genealogy is recorded in Luke 3, with 77 generations listed. Here in Matthew, it is Joseph’s genealogy. Why do you think both are recorded? So that we can know that regardless of what lineage you follow, both came from the line of David. Normally, the mother’s status determines the child’s ( a child born to a slave woman is a slave, a child born to a Jewish woman is a Jew), but in a married couple the child is assumed to be of the lineage of the husband. I like that Mary’s genealogy is 77 generations. Perfection/completion.
10. What do you think about the above? I agree. A victim of sexual abuse feels powerless in the situation; they just let things happen. Bathsheba didn’t know if she was going to be imprisoned or killed if she refused the king.
I’ve always felt sorry for Uriah. He was loyal, faithful and brave. He was one of David’s mighty men and what he got was betrayal and a death sentence. For David to be called a man after God’s own heart just shows that God knows the heart of a person, regardless of their actions. It is a reminder that we are all sinners and that God is going to complete His purpose using the most undeserving of us.
11. Tim Keller says that God put it this way to make clear where the blame lies — with David. And yet Scripture also says these things about David. Read and comment.
A. 1 Kings 15:5 God says that David did everything right in the eyes of the Lord, except for the matter with Uriah and Bathsheba.
B. Acts 13:22-23 God says that David is a man after His heart and will do His will.
12. What consolation does this give you? Even my most horrendous sin cannot keep me from God’s will and His presence.
Love this post. I think Uriah must be exalted now!
You have such great insights, Dawn. Love this: Uriah was loyal, faithful and brave! and this: Even my most horrendous sin cannot keep me from God’s will and His presence.
Thursday/Friday: Keller Sermon
13. Share your notes and comments.
—Looking back over this week’s study on the Begats this sermon by Keller brings it all together beautifully. His four points all resound with amazing truths about our wonderful God.
A God who seems to work slowly but He works thoroughly and He keeps every one of his promises.
A God who broke into history. Christ the Savior is born!!! And nothing has been the same since His coming.
A God who has given us a Sabbath rest because Jesus is that Sabbath rest. Now there is a rest for the people of God and it is found in the Gospel.
A God who destroys all of the world’s pet distinctions and categories. The King of the universe in his earthly genealogy included all the unacceptable people like women, Gentiles and ritually unclean sinners. It shows Jesus is not ashamed to call us his family. Keller said Jesus is proud of all his own regardless of anything.
What encouragement this brings to my own soul.
Saturday:
14. Praise God here for any wonder that has filled your heart regarding the begats.
—God, My Father, I am amazed at your story. History bears out the wonderful truths of Jesus your Son the King of glory coming as a human baby to be born in the flesh and live among us as one of us. You are the Jubilee that brings us rest in a weary world weighed down with sin but it is so good to be reminded that you are at work in the course of time be it ever so slowly. And I can know without doubt you will always keep your promises to us. I relish the thought of your promised return and look forward to being with you in my heavenly home. Come quickly Lord Jesus.
Like the ones named in your genealogy who you included that the world would have discarded I thank you for the perfect love and acceptance I too have found in my relationship to you.
You are worthy of all praise and honor and glory!!
Love your whole post, Bev!
13. Share your notes and comments. I loved hearing Keller do the Begats and the great points that he makes.
He seems to be working show, but when His promises come through, it is beyond what we could imagine.
The mills of God grind slow, but they grind exceedingly fine.
He is in the process; He is able to give us more than we dare ask or imagine.
He keeps His promises. They are fulfilled.
Even when our sin fractures family, God continues to work out His purposes.
God has broken in~ He has done something in history that changes everything. It is historically accurate!
How we respond will be the basis of whether we rise or fall.
Reality comes down from the heaven of legend and imagination into the earth of history. Jesus Christ is the myth that became fact.
There is a love that, no matter how ugly we have made ourselves, how bound up we are in our own self made prison of sin, can cut through the ugliness, a love that is completely unwarranted and unmerited, that can make us ourselves again and it can transform and free us.
Jesus Christ is the Jubilee; the Sabbath Rest. The Gospel brings us The Sabbath Rest:
You are more wicked and evil than you ever dared believe; And you are loved and accepted by Jesus Christ, more than you ever dared hope. You cannot save yourself, but believing in Jesus Christ and resting in what He did on the Cross, you can be completely forgiven, love and cherished by God.
When you accept the Gospel, you get Sabbath Rest. Rest from hiding. Not your works, but His works give you Sabbath rest.
Saturday:
14. Praise God here for any wonder that has filled your heart regarding the begats.
Lord God, Almighty Father of this universe, Your ways are so infinite and designed for so much that my finite mind cannot comprehend. Thank you for your Word, that I may come to know You and Yours ways in a clearer way. Thank you that you help us to Behold Your Glory through Your Word and Your magnificent Creation. Thank you Father for not losing hope in me, with all my sins and failures in life. I Praise You and Glorify Your Name. Thank you for accepting me and burying my forgiven sins in the bottom of the sea. Help me to always draw near to the truth of the gospel, which will last for eternity. Help me to let go of chasing the things of this world, that will disappear like the fluff of a blown dandelion. I pray that You will give me eyes to focus on the things of You, Lord, which cannot be seen, yet are of eternal importance. I pray that you will give me a heart to worship You only and above all else. How I love You Lord Jesus and I pray that my love will increase daily and that I may one day worship at Your feet in Your Heavenly kingdom.
Patti,Your heart of wonder is expressed so beautifully in your prayer.
It draws me into worship of the God and Savior we love. 💕
Amen, Patti!
Dear Patti,
Your heartfelt wonder of praise encouraged and brought tears to my eyes and I especially loved your word picture of the dandelion, “Help me to let go of chasing the things of this world, that will disappear like the fluff of a blown dandelion.”…so good and true. ❤️
13. Share your notes and comments. Jesus is proud of His family’s lineage. . The Messiah is proud of women in His family, the Gentiles. The begats show us that we can find our Sabbath rest in Him. All of us are unfit for the Presence of God. Because of Jesus we have a place of honor and He calls us brethren. The begats are our treasure because all are welcome. It does make me exhale in relief.
Judy,
“The begats are our treasure because all are welcome. It does make me exhale in relief.”
I like that “It does make me exhale in relief.”😊
Wonderful, Judy.
Such great thoughts, Judy! Amen to this: The begats are our treasure because all are welcome. It does make me exhale in relief.
10. What do you think about the above?
I never thought about it really. You want to believe it isn’t true. It’s King David!! Ugh.
I guess she didn’t willingly go, but she did bathe on the roof of the house. Why did she do that? Was she flirting? But in those times women would not dare to leave their husbands because it cost them too much.
11. Tim Keller says that God put it this way to make clear where the blame lies — with David. And yet Scripture also says these things about David. Read and comment.
A. 1 Kings 15:5
“For David had done what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight and had obeyed the Lord’s commands throughout his life, except in the affair concerning Uriah the Hittite.”
1 Kings 15:5 NLT
What does it mean by “affair?” The killing of Uriah? The actual affair between David and Bathsheba? Why does David get an “out” when Saul did not (with respect to the killing of ALL the Amalekites)?
“Saul and his men spared Agag’s life and kept the best of the sheep and goats, the cattle, the fat calves, and the lambs—everything, in fact, that appealed to them. They destroyed only what was worthless or of poor quality. Then the Lord said to Samuel, “I am sorry that I ever made Saul king, for he has not been loyal to me and has refused to obey my command.” Samuel was so deeply moved when he heard this that he cried out to the Lord all night.”
1 Samuel 15:9-11 NLT
B. Acts 13:22-23
Supposedly he (David) was a man after God’s heart. But again, David wasn’t perfect. 🤷🏻♀️ Jesus was in this lineage.
12. What consolation does this give you?
Not sure? Kind of confused now. I suppose I can also be forgiven for my sins too. Even the really bad ones…
Wow Laura, You ask some good and penetrating questions. As far as Bathsheba bathing out doors she was not in a place of flaunting herself. In the ancient world places for bathing were far different than what we know and enjoy in a modern western society. And the purpose of her bathing was a ritual practice of cleansing after her menstrual cycle. So she wasn’t in a place she shouldn’t have been. But David was definitely in a place he should not have been. He was on the roof of the palace and happened to see her because he had a vantage point. He should not even have been at home taking his leisure. He should have been with his troops on the battlefield like kings normally did in the Spring of the year. I really believe if there was any guilt by seduction on the part of Bathsheba that God would have required repentance from her just as he did from David. The bottom line is David used his power and authority and took what was not his to have. It would appear she wasn’t given a choice. Good question about Saul but that is a different issue and would be lengthy to address here. 😊
It actually says David was on the roof, not Bathsheba. Some articles say they did a “sponge” bath in an enclosed courtyard as they didn’t have indoor plumbing. She certainly could have been completely innocent.
3. The number seven represents completion, perfection, and God. Using a Bible app, find examples of the number seven that seem to symbolize these things. The 7 churches and 7 spirits in Revelation (and more references to the number seven); In Nehemiah 8, they celebrated the festival for 7 days; Gen 4:15 when God said that anyone who kills Cain will suffer vengeance 7 times over.
4. Read Matthew 1:17. How many of “7” generations were there up to Christ? (Divide each 14 by 2) Therefore, what generation did Christ begin? There are 6 so that means that Christ started at the 7th generation.
5. How does this fill your heart with wonder? I’m in awe of God’s sovereignty!
6. There are countless colors in God’s rainbow, but our eyes can only see seven. There are six colors in the Gay Rainbow flag. Do you think that is significant? Why or why not? Yes, I do. 🙂 I looked this up and this might be a stretch but the gay rainbow flag omits Indigo and, unknowingly to them, Indigo represents the heavens and our heavenly Father. I do recall in our Monday devotionals at work where an expert in things like this explained where Indigo came from. It originated from the ink of a sea creature called Chilazon. That used to be the process of making that color and it was for the jewish priests robes. I don’t recall the meaning it had on the robe, but it would be interesting to explore that. It’s easy to think the craziness in this world is way too far gone and God is somehow aloof, and not paying attention, but OH that is SO not true.
7. Read the following by Reformed Pastor Derek Thomas and comment.
Matthew employs the number seven in the first section of his gospel (Matt. 1:17–4:17). As he describes the birth of Jesus and the period before Jesus begins to preach, he cites seven Old Testament fulfillments: the child, Jesus, is born of a virgin (1:22–23); His birth is in the city of Bethlehem (2:5–6); the flight to Egypt and the consequent return (2:15); the slaughter of the innocents in Bethlehem (2:17–18); the home-base of Nazareth (2:23); the ministry of the forerunner, John the Baptist (3:1–3); and the start of Jesus’ ministry in the northern regions, where people who walked in darkness saw a great light (4:13–14).
I’m in awe!
Interesting about indigo being for the priests robes.
8. The four women listed are Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and “Uriah’s wife.” Why might each of them be a surprising choice to be listed? Why do you think God did this and why might this be encouraging to you personally? I love what Diane thought of in her answer, so true about the significance of women being raised up in scripture when they were second class citizens in that culture. If scripture weren’t God breathed, this wouldn’t have been included. I think God thinks of, loves on, and respects women a lot more than men think and even than we think!! What comes to mind is the two hands in the prodigal son painting, and how God elevated women by having Mary be the first person to see the empty tomb and to go and tell the disciples Christ has risen.
Once, when my friend Leslie Vernick was reading a manuscript of mine, I had written about David’s adultery with Bathsheba. She said, “No! You should say sexual abuse.” And she’s right. We have no evidence that Bathsheba was a willing participant.
10. What do you think about the above? I did a little bit of googling and found a few articles and one in Got Questions.org, but found this one to be the best: https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2022/july-web-only/rape-david-bathsheba-adultery-sexual-sin-prophet-nathan.html
So I agree. I think it is best described as sexual abuse. What’s interesting to me in this article is that Bathsheba was not on a roof but visible to him, and might not have been naked. She most likely was washing via purification from her period. Women in those days found ways to stay covered while washing. Other places in scripture state that David sinned against Bathsheba so she wasn’t engaged in it, or enjoyed it, or wanted David. If she was into it, then she would have been accused of sinning too, but no where in scripture does it say she sinned, rather David is the one who sinned.
11. Tim Keller says that God put it this way to make clear where the blame lies — with David. And yet Scripture also says these things about David. Read and comment.
A. 1 Kings 15:5 – That David did what was right in the eyes of God, except with Uriah
B. Acts 13:22-23 – That Solomon is in the line of Christ.
12. What consolation does this give you? That God has a plan and is sovereign and will use whatever happens in my life to turn it around for growth and to draw nearer to Him.
Thursday/Friday: Keller Sermon
13. Share your notes and comments.
God fulfills His promises
God broke into history and put Jesus into it. The Christmas story is historical fact.
God gave us Sabbath rest through Jesus Christ. We can rest in what Jesus did for us, not our own works. Jesus is the Jubilee…He paid it all.
God placed imperfect people in the genealogy of Christ. Just as He was not ashamed of these people, He is not ashamed of me but rather proud to have me part of His family. Status, race and position have no place in the family of God!
Thursday/Friday: Keller Sermon
Listen to the following:
https://gospelinlife.com/downloads/the-begats-christmas-2/
13. Share your notes and comments.
Hearing Tim Keller’s voice brought tears to my eyes. I miss him.
Wow! He always has a way with scripture that makes me “wonder” at the magnificence of God. Another great message!
a. He took his time. You cannot judge God by your calendar. He always has Plan A. He never forgets His promises regardless of how slow we think He is. Every promise will come to pass.
b. He broke into history. Jesus Christ is a myth turned into fact. Jesus HAPPENED. I love his illustrations of Beauty and the Beast. Sleeping Beauty. We have our Prince Charming. Peter Pan. We are meant to fly. Christmas is the reality that all myths point to Jesus coming into history.
c. To give us Sabbath rest. Rest from hiding. Rest from proving myself. Jesus is the Jubilee. Rest in Him. I do not need to hide but admit that I am a moral failure; I can rest in that knowledge and the sufficiency of what Jesus has done. Do not rest in your work-you are a fugitive if you do. Rest in Jesus
d. He destroyed all the pet distinctions and categories of the world. We can look at Jesus’ genealogy with wonder. Women were given a change in their status. 5 women were mentioned in Jesus’ genealogy-Rahab, (a prostitute and Gentile), Tamar (incestuous), Ruth (a Moabite), Bathsheba (a partner to David in adultery), Mary (ordinary young woman). Jesus was proud of all of them because of their faith. Christmas is not about pedigree or genealogy. It is all about Jesus!
Bing — I talked to someone who went to Redeemer this month and Tim’s son Mike was preaching. At the close he told the congregation that he just felt so sad. It is right to grieve, though not as those who have no hope.
8. The four women listed are Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and “Uriah’s wife”. Why might each of them be a surprising choice to be listed? Why do you think God did this and why might this be encouraging to you personally?
A lot of people are really into researching their family’s genealogy. I suppose it would be exciting to discover that you are the descendent of a famous or benevolent person in history. But, what if you discovered that an ancestor was a scoundrel, a criminal? You’d likely not want to talk about that ancestor. Tamar tricked her father-in-law Judah into having sex with her in order to get pregnant to continue the family line. Rahab was a prostitute. Ruth was from Moab, so she wasn’t a Jew. The fact that Bathsheba is not called by her name, but “Uriah’s wife” would immediately recall David’s sin with her, a very sordid thing that resulted in murder and an out-of-wedlock pregnancy. I think it’s telling that though she became David’s wife, she is not referred to as his wife. So here are some questionable ancestors, although, not to bash these women at all, because I believe each one was strong and courageous in her own way. Tamar, though not by the right means, was more righteous than Judah, because he didn’t keep his promises to her. Rahab saved the life of the spies because she feared their God, I believe. Ruth wholeheartedly left behind her family and country to come under the umbrella of the God of Israel, and Bathsheba, when David was old and dying, confronted him that it was her son that was to become the next king, as David had promised, not his son Adonijah who tried to be an usurper.
So Jesus’ earthly lineage has a lot of colorful stories. We, too, may have some unsavory ancestors, but we’re not saved by our perfect pedigree. And we are “colorful people” who make mistakes, have massive failures, and fall into sin. And yet, God does not dispose of us and say we are useless. I am not an embarrassment to Him, though I sometimes feel like I am. The above women, no matter their lineage or life choices, were included in God’s plan of salvation.
9. Challenge Question: Mary’s genealogy is recorded in Luke 3, with 77 generations listed. Here in Matthew, it is Joseph’s genealogy. Why do you think both are recorded?
Luke traces Jesus’ genealogy back to Adam (Matthew goes back to Abraham) I learned this from Tim Keller, and Keller said that Luke’s gospel is thinking more about the Gentiles and that Jesus is the Savior of the whole world, while Matthew focuses on Jesus being the fulfillment of the prophecies made to Israel.
So here is my thought: since Luke goes back to Adam, though he doesn’t mention Eve, could it symbolize that Eve was the first “mother”, and Mary could be seen symbolically as the second Eve, the mother of the one who is the “last Adam”? The first Adam and Eve brought sin and death to all; the second Adam and the second Eve brought salvation and life to the world.
Love this from Susan:
So Jesus’ earthly lineage has a lot of colorful stories. We, too, may have some unsavory ancestors, but we’re not saved by our perfect pedigree. And we are “colorful people” who make mistakes, have massive failures, and fall into sin. And yet, God does not dispose of us and say we are useless. I am not an embarrassment to Him, though I sometimes feel like I am. The above women, no matter their lineage or life choices, were included in God’s plan of salvation.
Interesting thoughts about Eve and Mary. Surely a contrast.
Love all that you wrote, Susan! Great details and thoughts about the four women! Loved your genealogy thoughts, too!
Saturday:
14. Praise God here for any wonder that has filled your heart regarding the begats.
God’s love is written all over the history of mankind. His attention to detail weaves all the colored threads of lives from one generation to another until the return of His Son. And He included me, wretched in sin but made beloved, treasured, joyed over through Jesus Christ! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
In one stanza of the hymn, He included me: From the account of Matthew’s begats, I was grafted into the family of God.
Gladly I read, “Whosoever mayCome to the fountain of life today”;But when I read it I always say,“Jesus included me, too.”
14. Praise God here for any wonder that has filled your heart regarding the begats. I praise You Father for Your Grace and wisdom. Your word shows us You aren’t expecting perfection. Yoy will still use us to accomplish Your plan. You accept and forgive us. Thank You.
Amen to your Praises, Judy.
10. What do you think about the above?
I believe Leslie is right, and I’ve heard her say it in her teachings. David and Bathsheba weren’t having an affair. He saw her and was filled with lust and sent for her to be brought to his bedroom, though he knew she was another’s wife. I am sure Bathsheba was afraid and as Leslie says, you don’t say “no” to the king. It’s sad to think about how happy and in love with Uriah Bathsheba may have been, and that she lost him because of David.
11. Tim Keller said that God put it this way to make clear where the blame lies – with David. And yet Scripture also says these things about David. Read and comment.
A. 1 Kings 15:5
This verse says that David did not stray from God’s commands except in the case of Uriah the Hittite. This tells me that David had a huge moral lapse and a deep dive into sin, but that this was not the pattern of his life. This reminds me of the verse that says that as believers, we will sin, but a child of God will not continue in sin.
B. Acts 13:22-23
This verse talks about after Saul, God raised up David to be king, saying that God had found David to be a man “after My heart, who will do all My will.”
I could be wrong, but the context of this verse seems to speak of when David was just starting out as king, before his sin concerning Bathsheba. David was a man who loved God and desired to follow Him.
12. What consolation does this give you?
It’s possible for me to fall into great sin, just like David did, yet God did not reject David because he earnestly repented and owned his sin. Honestly, I have failed in so many ways in my life, and recently felt like I have failed the people in my life, the ones I love the most, in big ways. It’s hard to give myself grace for my failures. Yet I know God gives grace.
13. Share your notes and comments.
There were a couple of confusing things in this sermon. Keller said that Tamar committed “incest” because she was Judah’s sister. I believed she was his daughter-in-law, married to his sons? I did a little googling and could not find anything about her being Judah’s sister. Even if that was the case, why would that be any different from Abram and Sarai? When he lied and said she was his sister, and Pharaoh discovered that she was his wife, Abram said well, she really is my sister (but he was married to her).
Then Keller said how did Jacob “begat” Judah? Through Rachel. Not sure why he explained it like that without mentioning Leah, who was the mother of Judah.
I did like the section about myths, that while they are not historical truths or events, they are about reality, about moral absolutes. “Myth became a historical fact.” For example, Beauty and the Beast tells us that no matter how ugly we’ve made ourselves, there is a love that can make us our true selves again. Peter Pan tells us that we’re really not meant to grow old. These tales are not historical events, they are not true, but they are reality.
I also liked Keller’s point about until you are willing to admit you’re a moral failure, a sinner – you are a fugitive. Until you accept the Gospel, you are a very tired person. Always running, always pursued, always hiding. But we can rest in what Jesus has done.
I missed that in the Keller sermon — but you are right!