If the Goodman of the House had Known - Matthew 24:43

Matthew the apostle wrote how Jesus told His disciples, “This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. But of that day and hour knows no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left .Watch therefore: for you know not what hour your Lord does come”, and in chapter twenty-four and verse forty-three of his book, Matthew writes how Jesus shares what would happen, “if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come” where we read:

But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.

The verse reads, “But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, ...” Matthew began with Jesus' word, “but” which means “moreover and” “know this” which means “understand, perceive, discover and discern what Jesus is about to declare”, “that if the goodman of the house” which refers to “the householder or master of the house” “had known” or “would have perceived, discerned, understood or discovered” “in what watch” which means “in which guard or time of the night which a guard was kept” “the thief” or “the embezzler, pilferer or false teacher who do not care to instruct men but rather abuse their confidence for their own gain” “would come” which means “would appear, arise and come into being”. Matthew shared how Jesus referred to the condition of a “householder” knowing the time when a “thief” would appear at his house.

The verse goes on to say, “... he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.” Matthew continued with Jesus' words, “he would have watched” or “the householder would have been awake, vigilant, cautious and active”, “and would not have suffered” which means “and would not have allowed and permitted” “his house” or “the householder's dwelling place, habitation and home” “to be broken up” which means “to be penetrated and burglarized”. Matthew shared how Jesus said if the householder would have known when the “thief” was going to burglarize his home, he would have set a “watch” and not allowed it to happen.

When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we see how Jesus likened His return to the unknown time when a “thief” breaks into a home to pilfer it. The idea is for there to be an expectancy at all times for Jesus to return, and those who understand His words will not only be looking for Him to appear, but also align themselves with Him as their personal “Savior and Lord” so when He comes, He will remove them from the horrific events that will occur upon the earth. Let all who read these words know and understand.

Next time Matthew writes how Jesus tells His disciples, “be you also ready”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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