Connections between Old and New

Day 209: Matthew 1-2

I think it's interesting that the New Testament begins with the genealogy of Jesus. The book of Matthew gives us an account of Jesus' ancestry, going all the way back to Abraham. Many of the names are familiar to us because we've just read about them in the OT. Five women are mentioned--Tamar, Rahab, Bathsheba (or the "wife of Uriah") and Mary. These women have their own unique stories. Francine Rivers has even written fascinating reads over the lives of each of these women, which I recommend reading.

This genealogy serves an interesting purpose, I think--to connect the Old to the New. This strategy on the part of the compilers of the Bible--and on Matthew whose book it is that does this--reminds us that this story that's about to unfold of Jesus and the church connects to all those other stories before it. It doesn't come from nowhere but is inherently connected to all that's come before it. To the stories of the Israelites. To the lives of the non-Jews. To the stories of all people on earth. Here we have the greatest story ever told about to unfold. And Matthew connects this story to the Israelite history. What this does for us is show us that the story of Jesus has a context. It didn't just appear out of nowhere but rather was prophesied about beforehand. Jesus's ancestors are God's people, and God sends Jesus to save the world. Welcome to the world, Jesus. What an entry you had.

What's your legacy?

Day 88: Ezra 5-10

Ezra. An entire book is named after him, and he doesn't even appear until chapter 7 in the book named after him. He only appears in four chapters total in the book of Ezra.

I didn't remember one thing about Ezra before reading the book today, but after reading what is written about him, I think he was a great man. He was a godly man who helped the Jews rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. One of the facts you might find interesting about Ezra (I did) is that he is a direct descendant of Aaron, Moses' brother. In fact, Aaron was the first priest (I think), and here you have Ezra who is another priest. He comes from a priestly heritage and is living his life in the same way as he grandparents did.

In thinking about Ezra and the long line of faithful people from which he comes, I'm struck by how his faith came from his family. So often we look for these fabulous conversion stories--like those that happen in the New Testament--but there is also something to be said about generations after generations of people following the Lord. Faith so often happens because of family relationships--whether you inherit a faith from your parents, grandparents, or siblings. While not everyone comes from a family that believes in the Lord or in Jesus, some of us, like me, do. I think it's important to be reminded that we have an even greater responsibility to pass along this faith with others--not just our children but our friends and neighbors, too.

I often wonder if my children are inheriting anything good from me. I have faults, and I think I'm a horrible parent on many days (I am!). I think it's important to ask myself, though, what kind of heritage am I leaving my children? Am I instilling in them a faith that will last up to 16 generations, like that of Aaron's to Ezra's? I really hope so.

David: A Man after God's Own Heart

Day 62: 2 Samuel 13-18

Sometimes it's hard for me to imagine the Israelite culture--multiple wives, endless warfare, men killing men and men killing women, even the notion of a kingship. And I also find it difficult to understand the story about Absalom and David. I'm going to ponder this story for now and just going to say that through Absalom's sins and betrayal, David still loved Absalom and grieved his death. In spite of a rebellious son, David loved and forgave his son. There's something to be learned here from David's behavior in this situation. David's actions in these chapters show me why David is a man after God's own heart.