Blind Guides Swearing by the Temple - Matthew 23:16

Matthew the apostle wrote how Jesus said, “woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for you neither go in yourselves, neither suffer you them that are entering to go in. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayer: therefore you shall receive the greater damnation. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, you make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves”, and in chapter twenty-three and verse sixteen of his book, Matthew shared how Jesus called the scribes and Pharisees, “blind guides” who “swear by the temple” where we read:

Woe unto you, you blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!

The verse reads, “Woe unto you, you blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing;”. Matthew began with the words, “woe unto you” which is “an expression of grief or denunciation to those religious leaders”, “you blind guides” or “mentally and opaquely seeing leaders of ignorance and inexperience”, “which say” or “who utter, declare and proclaim”, “whosoever” which refers to “whatever person whether male or female” “shall swear” or “will affirm, promise and invoke with an oath” “by the temple” which means “through means of the temple at Jerusalem, but only of the sacred edifice (or sanctuary) itself, consisting of the Holy place and the Holy of Holies”, “it is nothing” or “it is of no worth or value”. Matthew shared how the “scribes and Pharisees” were as “blind instructors” because they made “oaths” using the “temple in Jerusalem” as their basis of truth, and yet, their vows did not have any worth.

The verse goes on to say, “but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!” Matthew continued with the word, “but” which means “nevertheless, moreover and” “whosoever” which means “whatever person whether male or female who” “shall swear” or “will affirm, promise and invoke with an oath” “by the gold” which means “by means of the precious gold” “of the temple” or “belonging to the temple at Jerusalem”, “he is a debtor” which refers to “that person is bound, under obligation and indebted” to do as they have vowed. Matthew shared how Jesus said the “scribes and Pharisees” made a distinction between “swearing” by the “temple in Jerusalem” itself, and the “gold” that was within it.

When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we discover the splitting of hairs for these “scribes and Pharisees” concerning “swearing”. If a person made an oath or promise and “swore” by “the temple”, they were not obligated to keep their word. However, if they “swore” by the “gold” of the temple, they were obligated to keep every promise they made. Jesus will address the foolishness of these rules, but suffice it for now to understand these “religious leaders” wanted “loopholes” for doing or not doing as they said. God desires “truth in the inward parts”, and any attempt to subvert the truth, even by means of subtlety, should never be a part of the Christian's life. By submitting oneself to Jesus as “Savior and Lord”, all promises may be fulfilled by trusting in and relying upon God's Spirit not only to aid in the keeping of oaths, but also to prevent a person from making foolish ones.

Next time we see Matthew write how Jesus asks the scribes and Pharisees, “which is greater, the gold, or the temple”, 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.

 

Two-fold Children of Hell - Matthew 23:15

Matthew the apostle wrote how Jesus said, “But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for you neither go in yourselves, neither suffer you them that are entering to go in. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayer: therefore you shall receive the greater damnation”, and in chapter twenty-three and verse fifteen of his book Matthew shared how Jesus said the scribes and Pharisees, “compass sea and land to make one proselyte” and “make him twofold more the child of hell than” themselves where we read:

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, you make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.

The verse reads, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you compass sea and land to make one proselyte, ...”. Matthew began with the words, “woe unto you” which refers to “an expression of grief or denunciation to those religious leaders who are” “scribes” which means “men who are learned in the Mosaic law and in the sacred writings as interpreters and teachers” “and Pharisees” or “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”, “hypocrites” which refers to “actors, stage players, dissemblers and pretenders”! “for you compass” or “because and since the scribes and Pharisees lead around, go about and walk around” “sea and land” which means “great bodies of water and dry withered places of earth” “to make one proselyte” or “to produce, make ready and prepare one single newcomer, stranger or one who accedes to Judaism”. Matthew shared how the “scribes and Pharisees” were living as “stage actors” who would travel over “sea and land” to have one single “newcomer and stranger” to convert to Judaism.

The verse continues, “... and when he is made, you make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.” Matthew added the words, “and when” which means “and at the time and moment” “he is made” which means “when the person is converted and accedes to Judaism”, “you make him twofold more” or “the scribes and Pharisees produce and fashion the convert to twice and double” “the child of hell” which means “the offspring, descendant and posterity who belongs to the place of the future punishment called "Gehenna" or "Gehenna of fire"” “than yourselves” or “than the scribes and Pharisees themselves”. Matthew shared how Jesus said the “scribes and Pharisees” produce converts who are “twice” the “candidates” for “eternal hell” that they are.

When we meditate upon Matthew's words in this verse, we discover the horrific fate of those who follow after the teachings of these “scribes and Pharisees”. “Eternal hell” in “double portion” was the result of following after their teachings and ways, and Jesus exposed their pernicious and destructive production. God desires every person to have a loving personal relationship with Him through His Son Jesus, and all who “trust in, rely upon and cling to” Him shall receive “everlasting life” with God. All who follow other ways shall inherit the promise given to the “scribes and Pharisees”, and woe be to those who learn their ways.

Next time we see Matthew write how Jesus calls the scribes and Pharisees, “blind guides”, 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.

 

Devouring Widow's Houses and Pretentious Long Prayer - Matthew 23:14

Matthew the apostle wrote how Jesus said, “woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for you neither go in yourselves, neither suffer you them that are entering to go in”, and in chapter twenty-three and verse fourteen of his book Matthew shared how Jesus said the scribes and Pharisees, “devour widow's houses, and for a pretense make long prayer” where we read:

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayer: therefore you shall receive the greater damnation.

The verse reads, “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayer:”. Matthew began with the words, “woe unto you” which is “an expression of grief or denunciation to the religious leaders who are” “scribes” which refers to “men who are learned in the Mosaic law and in the sacred writings as interpreters and teachers” “and Pharisees” or “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”, “hypocrites” which refers to “actors, stage players, dissemblers and pretenders”! “for you devour” or “because, since and on account that the scribes and Pharisees consume, squander, waste, forcibly appropriate and eat up” “widow's houses” which means “the homes of women whose husbands have died”, “and for a pretense” which means “and as a show, pretext, alleged reason and pretended cause” “make long prayer” or “offer extended times of supplication, worship and prayer to God”. Matthew shared how the “scribes and Pharisees” were “stage actors” who “forcibly appropriated” the homes of “widows” and “prayed” a long time so people would notice them.

The verse goes on to say, “therefore you shall receive the greater damnation.” Matthew added the word, “therefore” which means “then, wherefore, accordingly and consequently” “you shall receive” which means “the scribes and Pharisees would claim, procure, seize and apprehend” “the greater damnation” or “the exceeding abundant, supreme, more eminent, extraordinary and further decree of judgment and condemnation of wrong”. Matthew shared how Jesus told the “scribes and Pharisees” they would “apprehend” the “extraordinary and more eminent” condemnation because of their pretentious actions.

When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we see how the “scribes and Pharisees” would not avoid the repercussions for their behavior. God knows the “ways” of every person, and when someone pretends to be “religious” and instructs others in “righteousness”, their actions, attitudes and activities” should reflect their professions. God knows the “posers and fakes”, and those who choose to be “stage actors” will not get away with what they practice. May all who read these words understand that God knows every person, and His desire is to save them from their sins through the death of His Son Jesus upon the cross. All others shall be exposed for who they really are, and woe be to the person who falls under His “greater damnation”.

Next time we see Matthew write how Jesus shares how the scribes and Pharisees, “compass seas and land to make one proselyte … and make him twofold the child of hell”, 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.

 

Scribes and Pharisees Hypocrites - Matthew 23:13

Matthew the apostle wrote how Jesus said, “call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be you called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted”, and in chapter twenty-three and verse thirteen of his book Matthew shared how Jesus called the, “scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites” where we read:

But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for you neither go in yourselves, neither suffer you them that are entering to go in.

The verse reads, “But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men:”. Matthew began with the word, “but” which means “nevertheless, moreover and” “woe unto you” or “as an expression of grief or denunciation to those religious leaders who are”, “scribes” which refers to “men who are learned in the Mosaic law and in the sacred writings as interpreters and teachers” “and Pharisees” or “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”, “hypocrites” which means “actors, stage players, dissemblers and pretenders”! “for you shut up” or “because, since and on account that the scribes and Pharisees close off and obstruct the entrance to” “the kingdom” which means “the royal power, kingship, dominion and rule” “of heaven” or “belonging to the region above the sidereal heavens, the seat of order of things eternal and consummately perfect where God dwells and other heavenly beings” “against men” which means “in opposition to people whether male or female”. Matthew shared how Jesus spoke more directly to the “scribes and Pharisees” as He called them “stage actors” who close off “Heaven's Kingdom” from people.

The verse continues “for you neither go in yourselves, neither suffer you them that are entering to go in.” Matthew added the words, “for” which means “because, since and on account that” “you neither go in yourselves” which means “the scribes and Pharisees do not enter the kingdom of Heaven themselves”, “neither” or “no and not in any way” “suffer you them” which means “allow and permit the people” “that are entering” or “who are making entrance into the kingdom of Heaven” “to go in” which means “to enter”. Matthew shared how Jesus said the “scribes and Pharisees” did not enter into “Heaven's Kingdom”, and they prevented other people from entering.

When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we see Jesus expose the “hypocrisy” of these “religious leaders”. Not only did they not “enter” into God's “Heavenly Kingdom”, but they kept other people from entering as well. God wants every person to have a relationship with Him in His Kingdom through His Son Jesus, and when a person yields their life to Him, He promises to give them “everlasting life” with Him. Everyone should “enter” God's Kingdom of Heaven and no one should be like these “scribes and Pharisees” who did not “go in” and prevented others from “entering”.

Next time we see Matthew write how Jesus said the scribes and Pharisees, “for a pretense make long prayer”, 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.

 

Exalting Verses Humbling Oneself - Matthew 23:12

Matthew the apostle wrote how Jesus said, “call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be you called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant”, and in chapter twenty-three and verse twelve of his book Matthew shared how Jesus talked about a person, “exalting himself” and “humbling himself” where we read:

And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.

The verse reads, “And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased;”. Matthew began with the words, “and whosoever” which means “whatever person whether male or female” “shall exalt himself” which means “will lift, raise and elevate themselves” “shall be abased” or “will be made and brought low, humbled and reduced to meaner circumstances”. Matthew shared how the person who “elevates” themselves will be “brought low and humbled”.

The verse goes on to say, “and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.” Matthew continued with the words, “and he that shall humble himself” which means “and the person who will make and bring low and reduce to meaner circumstances themselves” “shall be exalted” which means “will be lifted, raised and elevated”. Matthew shared how Jesus said the person who “makes themselves of mean circumstances and brings themselves low” will be “raised up and elevated”.

When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we see how God loves a “humble person”, and He will “exalt” those who “bring themselves low”. However, the person who “elevates” themselves, God will “humble”. God's desire is for every person to have a personal relationship with Him through His Son Jesus Christ, and those who are wise will “humble” themselves and be “exalted” by God.

Next time we see Matthew write how Jesus says, “woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites!”, 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.