Matthew 1 study – some background behind the author, Matthew: – he was a formerl…

Matthew 1 study🌿
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some background behind the author, Matthew:
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he was a formerly a tax collector named Levi. due to the nature of this previous job, Matthew was likely greatly disliked. but, because of his previous job, he was a literate, well-organized man. the gospel of Matthew was not the first one written, but because how well the Jewish nature of the writing tied in with that of the Old Testament, it was placed first in the New Testament.
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most of the first chapter of Matthew explains the genealogy of Jesus Christ. however, there were some interesting things I noticed either while reading the scripture or later in my commentary:
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Matthew explains Jesus’ legal lineage through Joseph because, of course, Jesus was not Joseph’s son by blood. this establishes Jesus’ claim to the throne of David through Joseph. also, there are four women listed in this genealogy. according to the @enduringwordcommentary, this is unusual. “women are rarely mentioned in ancient genealogies & the four mentioned here are worthy of special note as examples of God’s grace.” Tamar, Rahab, Ruth & Uriah’s wife. Tamar & Rahab were prostitutes, Ruth was from Moab, a gentile until later, & Uriah’s wife was an adulteress. nobody is too far gone for the Lord.
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“Our Lord was ‘a root out of dry ground’; a shoot from a withered stem of Jesse. He set small store by earthly greatness.” – Charles Spurgeon
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Mary became pregnant by the Holy Spirit while betrothed to Joseph. another thing that struck me was how discretely Joseph was going to divorce her. “Yet his nature as a just man also did not want to make this an unnecessary hardship or stigma upon Mary. Joseph made the understandable decision to seek a quiet divorce.”
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“When we have to do a severe thing, let us choose the tenderest manner. Maybe we shall not have to do it at all.” – Charles Spurgeon
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even more so, the obedience shown by Joseph is inspiring. he did not doubt or waver. he listened to every command he received from the angels of the Lord.
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continued in comments!🌿