The Scribes and Pharisees in Moses' Seat - Matthew 23:2

Matthew the apostle wrote, “Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, ...”, and in chapter twenty-three and verse two of his book Matthew shared how Jesus talked about, “the scribes and Pharisees” where we read:

Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat:

The verse reads, “Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees ...” Matthew began with the words, “saying” which means “uttering, declaring and proclaiming”, “the scribes” which refers to “a man learned in the Mosaic law and in the sacred writings, an interpreter, teacher. Scribes examined the more difficult and subtle questions of the law; added to the Mosaic law decisions of various kinds thought to elucidate its meaning and scope and did this to the detriment of religion” “and the Pharisees” which means “and the sect that seems to have started after the Jewish exile. In addition to Old Testament books the Pharisees recognized in oral tradition a standard of belief and life”. Matthew shared how Jesus made reference to the Pharisees” again and added “the scribes” in His direction.

The verse goes on to say, “... sit in Moses' seat:”. Matthew continued with the word, “sit” which means “are seated, position, appointed and settled down” “in Moses' seat” or “in the chair or seat which was used of the exalted seat occupied by men of eminent rank or influence and as teachers and judges” “Moses” whose name means “drawing out” and was “the legislator of the Jewish people and in a certain sense the founder of the Jewish religion” held this position. Matthew shared how Jesus directed the “multitude's” attention to the “position” which Moses possessed before the children of Israel and in which the “scribes and Pharisees currently held in their day.

When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we see how Jesus wanted the “crowd” around Him to note the elevated position the “scribes and Pharisees” held before them. Moses was the “spiritual leader” over the children of Israel as they traveled through the wilderness, and even as he was in authority over them, the “scribes and Pharisees” were in the same position in Jesus' day. God Himself puts people in positions of spiritual authority, and those who are wise shall understand Jesus is over all of them and is worthy to be known as a personal “Savior and Lord”.

Next time we see Matthew write how Jesus said, “whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not you after their works”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.