Inspired by this sermon, my few-and-far-between quiet times since mid-December have been a lot of fun. I've been gradually trawling through the OT, tracing the line of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah, Perez, Ram, Amminadab, and today Nahshon, to try and understand why Matthew writes his genealogy as he does. Each character is presumably there for a reason, to show how Jesus is the true Son of Abraham and the true Son of David. It's fun, because it's drawing my attention to obscure bits of narrative and genealogy in the early books of the OT that I would normally have no clue what to do with, and it's showing me how amazing Jesus is. I'm still struggling with doubt, and it's a great encouragement to see how the whole testimony of scripture points to Christ.
For example: who knew anything about Nahshon?! Turns out (Numbers 7), that he is the first person to bring an offering to the Tent of Meeting/Tabernacle in the desert of Sinai. Moses and the Levites set the thing up according to God's instructions, and then the leaders of the tribes of Israel bring offerings to dedicate the altar. And the very first to do so is our man Nahshon, from the tribe of Judah. But though God's people are now very numerous, and they are enjoying the blessing of God's presence in the tabernacle, the promises to Abraham still seem a distant prospect. I was thinking about Hebrews 10v1-2 - this offering is the first of thousands to be offered at the earthly tabernacle, none of which will truly deal with sin. If only there were a true Son of Abraham who could fulfil the promises, and make an offering that would bring lasting blessing...
Seems like Matthew knew what he was doing when he included Nahshon then - Nahshon brings the first offering to the earthly tabernacle. His descendant Jesus brings the last offering, to the heavenly tabernacle.
All glory be to thee, Almighty God, our heavenly Father, for that thou, of thy tender mercy, didst give thine only Son Jesus Christ to suffer death upon the Cross for our redemption; who made there (by his one oblation of himself once offered) a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction, for the sins of the whole world.
For example: who knew anything about Nahshon?! Turns out (Numbers 7), that he is the first person to bring an offering to the Tent of Meeting/Tabernacle in the desert of Sinai. Moses and the Levites set the thing up according to God's instructions, and then the leaders of the tribes of Israel bring offerings to dedicate the altar. And the very first to do so is our man Nahshon, from the tribe of Judah. But though God's people are now very numerous, and they are enjoying the blessing of God's presence in the tabernacle, the promises to Abraham still seem a distant prospect. I was thinking about Hebrews 10v1-2 - this offering is the first of thousands to be offered at the earthly tabernacle, none of which will truly deal with sin. If only there were a true Son of Abraham who could fulfil the promises, and make an offering that would bring lasting blessing...
Seems like Matthew knew what he was doing when he included Nahshon then - Nahshon brings the first offering to the earthly tabernacle. His descendant Jesus brings the last offering, to the heavenly tabernacle.
All glory be to thee, Almighty God, our heavenly Father, for that thou, of thy tender mercy, didst give thine only Son Jesus Christ to suffer death upon the Cross for our redemption; who made there (by his one oblation of himself once offered) a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction, for the sins of the whole world.
