2 Kings 15-16; Matthew 21
2 Kings 15-16
After separating from Judah, the kings of the northern kingdom of Israel, which united the ten tribes, quickly descended into idolatry and wickedness, becoming ultimately like the pagans whom God had previously driven out from the land. The endless cycle of kings who killed one another and resorted to bribing enemies is a clear testimony to this moral decay.
Unfortunately, similar problems affected some of the kings of Judah in the southern kingdom. Their capital was in Jerusalem, where the temple was located and where they worshiped Jehovah according to the law given to Israel through Moses. Although many kings "did what was right in the eyes of the Lord," they still allowed worship in the high places, a form of imitating the pagans (2 Kings 15:34-35).
The imitation of pagan practices became more significant when wicked kings ruled Judah. Ahaz was one such king. He attempted to solve his state's international problems by bribing the king of Assyria and making an altar based on a pagan altar he saw in Damascus, Syria. He placed this altar in the temple in Jerusalem and offered sacrifices on it himself. This was a gross violation of God's prescribed order of worship (2 Kings 16:9-18).
Matthew 21
Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem in fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. Specifically, Matthew quotes the prophet Zechariah 9:9: "Tell the daughter of Zion, 'Behold, your King is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.'" (Matthew 21:5).
These events were preceded by Lazarus's resurrection, so Jesus was met by a crowd of worshipers on their way to Jerusalem for the Passover feast, excited by the great miracle. Many of them stopped by Bethany to see Lazarus and confirm the miracle for themselves.
The scribes and Pharisees, unlike the people, saw a threat in Jesus' triumphal entry and, therefore, forbade the children from praising Him as the Messiah, the Son of David.
The second half of the chapter describes the sad state of Israel, which did not recognize its Messiah. The withered fig tree symbolizes this. Having received so much from God, Israel was expected to bear fruit but failed. Therefore, God removes their exclusive status and directs His saving grace toward the Gentiles. The parable of the two sons also illustrates this. The essence of the parable is: "For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and prostitutes believed him; and even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him." (Matthew 21:32).
The parable of the tenants is perhaps the most direct accusation Jesus makes against the Jewish religious authorities: "Jesus said to them, 'Have you never read in the Scriptures: "The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes"? Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits.'" (Matthew 21:42-43). The Pharisees and scribes understood that Jesus was speaking about them.
After separating from Judah, the kings of the northern kingdom of Israel, which united the ten tribes, quickly descended into idolatry and wickedness, becoming ultimately like the pagans whom God had previously driven out from the land. The endless cycle of kings who killed one another and resorted to bribing enemies is a clear testimony to this moral decay.
Unfortunately, similar problems affected some of the kings of Judah in the southern kingdom. Their capital was in Jerusalem, where the temple was located and where they worshiped Jehovah according to the law given to Israel through Moses. Although many kings "did what was right in the eyes of the Lord," they still allowed worship in the high places, a form of imitating the pagans (2 Kings 15:34-35).
The imitation of pagan practices became more significant when wicked kings ruled Judah. Ahaz was one such king. He attempted to solve his state's international problems by bribing the king of Assyria and making an altar based on a pagan altar he saw in Damascus, Syria. He placed this altar in the temple in Jerusalem and offered sacrifices on it himself. This was a gross violation of God's prescribed order of worship (2 Kings 16:9-18).
Matthew 21
Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem in fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. Specifically, Matthew quotes the prophet Zechariah 9:9: "Tell the daughter of Zion, 'Behold, your King is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden.'" (Matthew 21:5).
These events were preceded by Lazarus's resurrection, so Jesus was met by a crowd of worshipers on their way to Jerusalem for the Passover feast, excited by the great miracle. Many of them stopped by Bethany to see Lazarus and confirm the miracle for themselves.
The scribes and Pharisees, unlike the people, saw a threat in Jesus' triumphal entry and, therefore, forbade the children from praising Him as the Messiah, the Son of David.
The second half of the chapter describes the sad state of Israel, which did not recognize its Messiah. The withered fig tree symbolizes this. Having received so much from God, Israel was expected to bear fruit but failed. Therefore, God removes their exclusive status and directs His saving grace toward the Gentiles. The parable of the two sons also illustrates this. The essence of the parable is: "For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and prostitutes believed him; and even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him." (Matthew 21:32).
The parable of the tenants is perhaps the most direct accusation Jesus makes against the Jewish religious authorities: "Jesus said to them, 'Have you never read in the Scriptures: "The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; this was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes"? Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits.'" (Matthew 21:42-43). The Pharisees and scribes understood that Jesus was speaking about them.
Posted in Reading Bible Together