The Second, Third unto the Seventh Brother - Matthew 22:26

Matthew the apostle wrote, “The same day came to him the Sadducees, which say that there is no resurrection, and asked him. Saying, Master, Moses said, If a man die, having no children, his brother shall marry his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. Now there were with us seven brethren: and the first, when he had married a wife, deceased, and, having no issue, left his wife unto his brother”, and in chapter twenty-two and verse twenty-six of his book Matthew shared how the Sadducees included, “the second … the third, unto the seventh” brothers where we read:

Likewise the second also, and the third, unto the seventh.

The verse reads, “Likewise the second also, ...” Matthew began with the word, “likewise” or “”in the same manner and way “the second also” or “the second brother even so and indeed”. Matthew shared how the “Sadducees” referred to the “second brother of the dead brother married” the first brother's widow and thereafter dying.

The verse goes on to say, “... and the third, unto the seventh.” Matthew continued with the words, “and the third” which means “and the third brother”, “unto the seventh” or “till the seventh brother”. Matthew shared how the “Sadducees” continued their story by including the “third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh brothers” all marrying the “widow” of the first brother and thereafter dying.

When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we see the extreme example these “Sadducees” brought to Jesus. We might wonder whether or not these brothers were ambitious about fulfilling their obligation to marry the previous brother's widow since every brother before them died after marrying her. However, this story was meant to “ensnare” Jesus, and it may or may not have been an actual story. Nonetheless Jesus is able to answer their question. God desires to have every person in a loving relationship with Him through His Son Jesus, and whether they come to Him with questions or not, He is capable of responding in a way that has eternal implications. May all who read these word “yield” to Him and simply believe.

Next time Matthew wrote how the Sadducees said, “and last of all the woman died also”, 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.