Sunday School Lesson
December 26
Lesson 4 (KJV)
JUSTICE AND DELIVERANCE
DEVOTIONAL READING: Nahum 1:1–3, 6–8, 12–13, 15
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: Nahum 1
NAHUM 1:1–3, 6–8, 12–13, 15
1. The burden of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.
2. God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies.
3. The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.
6. Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him.
7. The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.
8. But with an overrunning flood he will make an utter end of the place thereof, and darkness shall pursue his enemies.
12. Thus saith the LORD; Though they be quiet, and likewise many, yet thus shall they be cut down, when he shall pass through. Though I have afflicted thee, I will afflict thee no more.
13. For now will I break his yoke from off thee, and will burst thy bonds in sunder.
15. Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows: for the wicked shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off.
KEY TEXT
God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies.—Nahum 1:2
LESSON AIMS
After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:
1. Summarize the historical context of Nahum’s prophecy.
2. Explain why God’s justice is necessary to the spread of good news.
3. Explain how to present the gospel both in terms of God’s wrath and salvation available through Christ.
HOW TO SAY IT
Ashurbanipal As-shure-bah-nee-pahl.
Capernaum Kuh-per-nay-um.
cuneiform koo-nee-eh-form.
Elkoshite El-kuh-shite.
Manasseh Muh-nass-uh.
Medes Meeds.
Nahum Nay-hum.
Nineveh Nin-uh-vuh.
Sennacherib Sen-nack-er-ib.
Thebes Theebz (th as in thin).
Tigris Tie-griss.
Zephaniah Zef-uh-nye-uh.
Introduction
A. Ready to Receive
Who was the last person to deliver really good news to you? Maybe a doctor or nurse told you that mother and child are safe following a difficult labor, or the treatments worked and your spouse’s cancer is in remission. Perhaps a teenager you love decided to dedicate his life to following Jesus. A weatherman declared that the hurricane would not land, or a sales associate told you the appliance you needed was available at a deep discount. The car repair you were worried about was simple. All kinds of people deliver good news.
This time of year, we might think of the shepherds in the field (Luke 2:8–20) or the wise men from the east (Matthew 2:1–12) who received the good news of Jesus’ birth. All these carried with them the good news that Jesus was born. Long before this, however, the day of peace was anticipated in the days of a ruthless world power, whose end was indeed good news for Judah. And that good news prepared the people to receive the Messiah, who would fulfill these prophecies in ways no one had imagined.
B. Lesson Context
The historical setting of the book of Nahum is of utmost importance to understanding its message of hope for Judah. Even so, only one historical event is cited in the book’s three chapters—the destruction of Thebes (Nahum 3:8–10, where the city is called “No”; compare Jeremiah 46:25). Ashurbanipal of Assyria (reigned 669–633 BC) sacked that Egyptian city in 663 BC. This indicates that the book of Nahum was written sometime after the fall of Thebes but before the predicted fall of Nineveh, a major city of the Assyrian Empire. That fall became reality in 612 BC (see below). Therefore, a date during the reign of righteous King Josiah of Judah (641–609 BC) makes the most sense. This can be further narrowed to between 625 and 612 BC as most likely, since judgment is predicted for Judah’s enemies, not for Judah itself.
The Assyrians certainly played a role in God’s disciplining of Judah. The Lord allowed its evil King Manasseh (reigned 697–643 BC; see 2 Chronicles 33:1–9) to be exiled by the Assyrians. The Assyrians were renowned for their cruelty. They had a practice of torturing the leaders of captive cities or nations as a warning not to rebel. In Manasseh’s case, the Assyrians put a hook in his nose, bound him with chains, and led him away. While in prison Manasseh turned to God (33:10–13). When he returned to Jerusalem, he led in a spiritual revival (33:14–16).
Such a revival had not occurred in the northern kingdom of Israel. Neither kings nor people there repented of their evil, so the Lord used the Assyrians’ violence as a tool of punishment. Whereas Judah suffered threats of violence and periodic incursions, Samaria, northern Israel’s capital city, was captured after a three-year siege, in 722 BC (2 Kings 17:5–6; 18:9–12). Sargon II’s boast that he led captive over 27,000 people was preserved in Assyrian cuneiform text. This is when Israel as a nation disappeared from the world stage.
Nineveh hit its peak in power as Ashurbanipal’s capital in the mid-seventh century BC, just before its destruction. Following Ashurbanipal’s death, kingdoms that had come under Assyrian control rebelled. Among these were the Babylonians and the Medes. Their armies came together to sack Nineveh in 612 BC. Following this, Babylon displaced Assyria as the major power in the region.
I. Prophecy
(NAHUM 1:1)
A. Place Indicted (v. 1a)
1a. The burden of Nineveh.
Prophets often began their prophecies using a word sometimes translated burden (examples: Isaiah 13:1; Zechariah 9:1). The same word is also translated “prophecy” in Proverbs 30:1; 31:1. The prophecy that follows is often one of judgment, and that is the case here. This is a weighty call, not a trivial or light matter.
The city of Nineveh was located on the Tigris River, site of present-day Mosul, Iraq (see Lesson Context). Nineveh was first mentioned in the Bible when a descendant of Noah’s son Ham built it (Genesis 10:11).
B. Prophet Identified (v. 1b)
1b. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.
The vision is another way to refer to the prophecy being revealed in this book (compare Isaiah 1:1). The same Hebrew word can also be translated “revelation,” which emphasizes that God provided both the experience and the wisdom to understand its significance.
Nahum means “repentings” or “compassion” (compare Hosea 11:8). He is the only person in the Old Testament with that name and is not the Naum named in Jesus’ genealogy (Luke 3:25). Nahum did not provide the names of his ancestors, only that he was from a town called Elkosh. At least four places have been suggested for its location: one north of Nineveh, site of modern Alkush, about two miles north of modern Mosul, Iraq (see Lesson Context); two in Galilee (including Capernaum, which means “town, or village, of Nahum”); and one near Jerusalem in Judah. The latter is preferred by most scholars.
Jonah and Nahum are the two Old Testament prophets whose prophecies focused on a coming judgment on Nineveh. Nahum’s prophecy differs from Jonah’s in two key ways: (1) Nahum was told to preach in Judah about Nineveh, not in Nineveh itself; and (2) Nahum’s prophecy was fulfilled. Jonah’s was unfulfilled because God chose mercy over judgment when the people repented (see Jonah 3:6–10; Matthew 12:41). Zephaniah, a contemporary of Nahum, also named Nineveh in the context of judgment coming to all of Assyria (Zephaniah 2:13).
II. Portrayals
(NAHUM 1:2–3, 6–8, 12a)
A. Punishment for Foes (v. 2)
2. God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies.
We should take care to understand what it means for the Lord to be jealous. God’s jealousy is not like that of a boy who has a fit if he sees his girlfriend flirting with someone else. The biblical concept of jealousy when applied to God indicates a profound sense of caring and commitment. This is even more apparent where a word in the original language is translated “jealousy” in one passage but “zeal” in another.
For example, the Hebrew noun translated “jealousy” in Ezekiel 8:3, 5 and Zechariah 8:2 is rendered “zeal” in Isaiah 9:7; 37:32; 59:17; 63:15. In the New Testament, the Greek noun translated “jealousy” in 2 Corinthians 11:2 is the same one translated “zeal” in Philippians 3:6. Overlap in meaning is affirmed in English by a dictionary entry that offers one meaning of jealousy as “zealous vigilance.” The common idea is one of fervency.
In this verse, God’s jealousy is more closely linked to His protecting His people from violence and oppression that often results when hostile nations worship violent and oppressive false gods. Sennacherib (reigned 704–681 BC), an Assyrian king during the time of Hezekiah’s reign (about 716–687 BC), learned this lesson the hard way in 701 BC. Sennacherib had captured many cities in Judah, so the Lord—protecting both His name and His people—struck the Assyrian army, and 185,000 soldiers died in one night (2 Kings 18:13–37; 19:34–36; Isaiah 36–37).
Repetition in Hebrew prophecy, which was often written as poetry, serves to emphasize the point being made. In this verse, God’s furious … wrath becomes more frightening and immediate through Nahum’s insistence that God will act out of His righteous rage (compare Nahum 2:13; 3:5–7). As Hebrews 10:31 says, “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
OUR ZEALOUS, JEALOUS GOD
Ever been attacked by a Canada goose? Each spring a pair of long-necked Canada geese build a nest in the tall grass next to a pond near the trail where my wife and I take our daily walks. We have learned to beware of the geese. When the female lays her eggs, the male becomes quite protective. Step anywhere near the nest, and he will sound a warning honk. Get too close and he will run toward you aggressively. Even in a common goose, there’s a God-given instinct to protect.
Have you ever wondered why the Bible describes the Lord as a jealous God? He is protective and passionate. He doesn’t sit passively on His throne. Sin rouses God’s righteous indignation, but not because He hates us. On the contrary: He loves us too much to sit by idly when out-of-control wickedness threatens our relationship with Him. Aren’t you glad our heavenly Father isn’t apathetic, indifferent, and unemotional about us? Can the same be said about your attitude toward Him?
—D. F.
B. Power to Accomplish (vv. 3, 6)
3. The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.
If the nation of Assyria deserved to be punished, why had God not done something earlier? God waits patiently because He wants everyone to repent; He does not wish for anyone to perish (2 Peter 3:9). God does not react in haste (see Jonah 3).
But God’s patience does have its limits. And when His patience ends, He still has the power to hold the wicked accountable. The people of Noah’s day had gone too far from God and acted wickedly, so God sent the flood (Genesis 6–8). Having promised never to destroy the whole world with water again (9:8–11), God still reserved the right to act in judgment (examples: chapter 19; 2 Peter 3:10–12; Revelation 6:12–17).
Although God acts as a judge, this verse describes Him as more of a righteous warrior (compare Revelation 19:11–16). Unlike human fighters, He has all of nature at His command as His weapons. The whirlwind forms in the sky and reaches to earth; the storm can yield thunder and lightning, hail, destructive rains, and more (compare Job 38:22–23). The clouds parallel these terms and encompass weather more generally. Not only does God command these (examples: 2 Kings 2:1; Mark 4:39–41), but they are as distressing to Him as the dust that kicks up as He walks in His heavens—that is to say, not at all.
Yet even dust can serve His purposes, as seen in the plague of boils that resulted from Moses’ obeying God’s command (Exodus 9:8–9). Nahum 1:4–5 (not in our printed text) continues to describe God’s power in terms of His authority over the forces and features of our world.
What Do You Think?
What are some indications that your expressions of anger are not modeled after God’s?
Digging Deeper
What plan can you enact to be more accountable in improving in this area?
STUCK IN THE MUD
Not heeding the counsel of one’s spouse can be dangerous—but so can heeding it! We were driving to our friends’ new home for dinner when I accidentally made a wrong turn into someone else’s narrow driveway. My wife advised, “Just pull into the grass and turn around.”
Despite my voiced reservations about getting stuck, I did as she said. As soon as the car was off the paved driveway, the front tires sank into the soft soil. Tempers flared as tires spun. We ended up paying a tow-truck driver $50, arriving 90 minutes late, and exchanging glares the rest of the evening.
That night we both flared uncharacteristically into frustrated anger. But unlike the two of us in a marital spat, God’s wrath is righteous indignation, not impulsive temper tantrums. He doesn’t explode with unrestrained rage, nor does He hold grudges (Psalm 103:8–9). What needs to happen for your anger to be more like His?
—D. F.
6. Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him.
The recognition of the Lord’s power caused Nahum to ask two rhetorical questions. These ask the same thing and in doing so emphasize the impossibility of the answer. No one can withstand God’s indignation and the fierceness of his anger—no person and no nation. Not even the strongest or the strongest-willed has the ability to resist God.
God’s fury is like a volcano; lava like fire is poured out. The eruption sends rocks into the air. Nothing in the path of a volcano—or the Lord in His righteous anger—can survive. Any resistance is futile.
What Do You Think?
What problems can we avoid by making sure we acknowledge the wrath of God as the Bible intends?
Digging Deeper
What Scripture passages do you find most helpful in framing your response?
C. Protection for His People (v. 7)
7. The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.
All of God’s many attributes are tempered by the fact that He is good (Matthew 19:16–17). He creates good things (examples: Genesis 1:4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25, 31). He gives good gifts (Exodus 3:8; James 1:17). Those who trust in him experience His goodness in protection from harm. The phrase he knoweth them anticipates Jesus’ self-disclosure that He is the good shepherd who knows His sheep (John 10:14–15). On the Lord as a strong hold, compare Psalm 31:2; contrast 52:7.
D. Pursuit of His Enemies (vv. 8, 12a)
8. But with an overrunning flood he will make an utter end of the place thereof, and darkness shall pursue his enemies.
Nahum often used poetic imagery to describe the destruction of Nineveh, but two factors here were literally fulfilled. The Tigris River ran along the western side of Nineveh, and a tributary from the east joined it there. A severe flooding in both rivers at once would be too much for the foundations of the mighty city. During the Babylonian siege on Nineveh, a great flood occurred that damaged the walls of the city and that helped to bring about the end of that great city (compare Nahum 2:6, 8). After that, the figurative flood of Babylonians and Medes took the city (see Lesson Context).
Many ancient cities suffered capture and destruction, and new cities were built on top of the ruins. But Nineveh was never rebuilt. Figuratively, darkness also overwhelmed Nineveh. There is no indication that God used the same darkness in Nineveh as He chose in Egypt (Exodus 10:21–23). Rather, the fate of the city was similar to what was believed of a dead person—existing in some dark place, never to be offered opportunity to enter God’s presence (contrast Jonah 2). Still, darkness playing a part in releasing God’s people from oppression is poignant.
Nahum 1:9–11 (not in our printed text) again taunts Nineveh with the futility of opposing the Lord.
12a. Thus saith the LORD; Though they be quiet, and likewise many, yet thus shall they be cut down, when he shall pass through.
Thus saith the Lord is a phrase used hundreds of times in the Old Testament (with some variation) to introduce a prophecy given by God (compare Isaiah 1:2; Hosea 1:1; etc.). What He revealed about Nineveh would happen as surely as if it had already happened; the prophecy was entirely trustworthy.
Though they be quiet speaks to serenity as a result of political alliances and national strength. In this case the Ninevites’ might combined with their numerical superiority to create a false sense of security.
III. Promises
(NAHUM 1:12b–13, 15)
A. An End of Affliction (v. 12b)
12b. Though I have afflicted thee, I will afflict thee no more.
The subject of God’s address changes here from Assyria (represented by Nineveh) to Judah. Assyria, the instrument of God’s anger, had gone too far and would be stopped (Isaiah 10:5–7). The Assyrians’ violence and oppression would not afflict God’s people forever.
B. Peace for His People (vv. 13, 15)
13. For now will I break his yoke from off thee, and will burst thy bonds in sunder.
A wooden yoke was placed on the necks of animals for pulling heavy loads or plowing. While it was a mere tool on a beast of burden, people were never meant to bear the kind of yoke in view here. The yoke therefore became a symbol of oppression (contrast Matthew 11:29–30). Assyrian bondage of Judah would end.
The Lord spoke once again to Nineveh in Nahum 1:14 (not in our printed text). His declaration left no doubt as to the fate of the city and its false gods.
What Do You Think?
What line of reasoning would you use to convince a new believer that attempting to live a yoke-free life will result in the heaviest yoke of all?
Digging Deeper
Considering the importance of good timing, when should you point out Galatians 5:1?
15a. Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings.
The opening words of this verse are similar to those of Isaiah 52:7, which itself is quoted in Romans 10:15. In Isaiah’s context, the good tidings were that Babylonian exile would end and the people of Judah would be restored to their land. For the apostle Paul, the words in Romans find their ultimate meaning in the march of the news regarding Jesus Christ. For Nahum and pre-Babylonian Judah, the good news was that Assyria would fall.
15b. That publisheth peace!
Peace had been a blessing available to the people in the promised land if they remained faithful to the Lord (Leviticus 26:1–6). This peace was to include cooperation from the land in agriculture, victory over foes, and most importantly, God’s presence; in short, reversals of the curses found in Genesis 3. This too is ultimately fulfilled in Jesus (see John 14:27; 16:33; Acts 10:36).
What Do You Think?
In working to promote a just peace, what are some ways to stay on guard against unbiblical concepts of “peace”?
Digging Deeper
In addition to Jeremiah 6:14 and Ezekiel 13:10, what texts help most in framing your answer?
15c. O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows: for the wicked shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off.
As a result, Nahum challenged Judah to keep the various feasts prescribed in the Law of Moses. The implication is that some type of restriction had hindered the free exercise of worship for the people of God. Or, more troublingly, the people hadn’t been very dedicated to their celebrations to begin with and had used foreign interference as an excuse not to perform their vows (compare Psalm 61:8; contrast Jeremiah 44:25). With the destruction of the wicked, however, the people would be free once again to choose devotion to God and enjoy the blessings that came with it.
Conclusion
A. Good News!
The destruction of Nineveh fulfilled Nahum’s prophecy. The city’s destruction was complete, and so too was the end of Assyria’s dominance. The pending doom of Nineveh was the greatest part of Nahum’s prophecy, but closely related was the word of deliverance for Judah. This comforted a people who had been oppressed by Assyria for decades.
Injustice still exists, and God still intends to act to bring justice and deliver His people. But He sees the global picture, so His timetable differs from what we might desire. In His treatment of Assyria, He did not act in haste. At the right time in God’s plan, the nation of Assyria came to an end. It had fulfilled its purpose. God’s justice prevailed. God’s timing is always perfect (example: Galatians 4:4–5).
For this reason, we share the love of Jesus, not only at Christmastime but also year-round. The gospel truth about Jesus is the reason we have hope of eternal life. And what better news could there be than a future with the Lord in His Heaven?
What Do You Think?
Which concept or description in today’s text most conflicts with your ideas regarding how God “should” be or act?
Digging Deeper
What action will you take to resolve this?
B. Prayer
God in Heaven, help us to shape our lives to show that we truly believe that You are holy, just, and loving. Today we especially thank You for giving us Your Son. In His name we pray. Amen.
C. Thought to Remember
Use your feet to spread the gospel!
KID’S CORNER
God Judges with Justice and Mercy
Sunday, December 21, 2021
Matthew 10:1-15
Matthew 10:1-15
(Matthew 10:1) And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction.
Jesus showed His divine power by casting out demons and healing all diseases and all afflictions; therefore, some people followed Jesus for the personal benefits. Some followed Jesus because they also loved His teaching; for Jesus taught about God as one with authority. These “learners” were “disciples” in the broadest meaning of the word (disciple means learner). From among these “learners,” Jesus called twelve disciples, representing the twelve tribes of Israel, to accompany Him and learn privately the most important truths about Him and His mission. After the twelve disciples had learned what they needed, and could faithfully represent Jesus and His teachings, Jesus promoted them to “apostles” (ambassadors) and sent them out to practice what He had taught. He gave them authority and power to cast out evil demons or unclean spirits as He did. He also gave them the ability to heal every disease (such as leprosy) and every affliction (such as blindness and lameness) which demonstrated both the love of God for people and proved that Jesus was all He said He was and would become as their Savior and Lord. With the authority and power that Jesus gave them, they went out as Jesus’ official representatives to do what Jesus did and teach what Jesus taught.
(Matthew 10:2) The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;
Jesus set the twelve disciples apart from other learners (disciples) by calling them apostles. An apostle was one that Jesus sent out officially to spread the good news about Him and His teachings. Because of their official status and Jesus’ personal training of them, they were to be listened to, believed, and obeyed as they taught Jesus’ commands and revelations. Other disciples did not have the official status of apostles, they continued as learners. All the apostles began as disciples. Only a few disciples became apostles. The only apostles with authority given to them directly by Jesus Christ are those named in the Bible. A true apostle was one who had witnessed the ministry of Jesus personally. To choose a replacement for Judas Iscariot, the apostles established the qualifications of an apostle. In Acts 1:21-22, we read, “So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” Today, no one qualifies to serve as an apostle of Jesus Christ; today, no one has seen Jesus both during His earthly ministry and after His resurrection. Jesus personally called Paul to be an apostle on the road to Damascus or shortly thereafter, and the other apostles recognized his unique call as an apostle.
The Bible does not teach us much about the twelve disciples, preferring instead to keep our focus on Jesus and who Jesus is and the truths Jesus taught. Simon Peter (the Rock) is always listed first in the Bible’s lists, and except for the Apostle Paul, we learn more about Peter than the other apostles. Simon Peter declared to Jesus: “You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68) and Peter was the first to declare: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Mark 16:16). Only from tradition do we learn that the fishermen Peter and his brother Andrew were crucified. James and John were also fishermen, and the Bible tells us that King Herod killed James with a sword (Acts 12:1-2). John wrote his gospel, three letters that appear in the Bible, and the Book of Revelation. We know from tradition that John was the only apostle who was not martyred but lived into old age.
(Matthew 10:3) Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;
Bartholomew may be another name for Nathanael. Philip introduced Nathanael to Jesus (John 1:45). Peter, Andrew, Philip (and perhaps Bartholomew) were from the city of Bethsaida (John 1:44). Thomas was called Didymus (the Twin) and became known as “Doubting Thomas” (John 20:24-28). Matthew was a tax collector. James became known as “James the Less” (Mark 15:40) as distinct from James, the brother of Jesus, and James, the son of Zebedee. The Bible tells us little about Thaddaeus.
(Matthew 10:4) Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
“Simon the Zealot” (meaning Fanatic?) or “was called the Zealot” (Luke 6:15) was perhaps politically active (violently?) against the Romans or was zealous in serving Jesus Christ. If he was a Zealot in the political sense, he and Matthew the tax collector would have been enemies until they became friends as disciples of Jesus. Judas Iscariot is always listed last because he betrayed Jesus. The Old Testament and Jesus predicted his betrayal. In Acts 1:16, Peter said, “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus.”
(Matthew 10:5) These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans,
As a practical matter at that time, the twelve apostles were not yet prepared to reach out to Samaritans and Gentiles. The Jews were taught to avoid contact with Samaritans and Gentiles as much as possible, so they would have known very little about how to teach them about Jesus. Only after they received the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost would Jesus prepare them spiritually from the inside out for mission work among Samaritans and Gentiles. In addition to not yet being prepared to minister to Samaritans and Gentiles, doing so would have brought great controversy among the Jews (and eventually great controversy did arise in the Church over the issue), and this controversy would have interfered immensely with and detracted from Jesus’ further teaching and stress on the true meaning of His dying on the cross and rising again for the forgiveness of the sins. Since Jesus commended the faith of some Samaritans and Gentiles, we know that Jesus was not prejudiced against them and set an example for all His followers on how to love all people and bless them.
(Matthew 10:6) but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Being Jews themselves, who had found or had been found by Jesus, they understood Jews and how to preach to Jews. As disciples and apostles, they had personally repented of their sins, trusted in Jesus as the promised Messiah, and had witnessed His loving ministry to others. They knew by experience what their fellow Jews needed and needed to do to receive eternal life. The “lost sheep of the house of Israel” had been taught the law of God, knew what sin was, knew they were guilty of sin, knew their sacrifices at the temple did not cleanse them from sin, and looked forward to the coming of the Messiah. Through the law and the prophets, God had prepared them to receive and believe in Jesus for salvation; therefore, with good reasons, Jesus told the apostles to go first to the Jews. It would have taken a long time for the twelve disciples to prepare the Samaritans and Gentiles to receive Jesus the Jewish Messiah as the Son of God, their Lord, and their Savior. Jesus did tell them that the gospel would eventually be proclaimed to all nations, including Samaritans and Gentiles (Mark 13:10).
(Matthew 10:7) And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’
As ambassadors of Jesus Christ, they preached the same message as John the Baptist and Jesus. By their words and deeds, they demonstrated that the kingdom of God was “at hand” (close to their listeners). If their listeners would believe the good news of Jesus and repent of their sins, then the kingdom of God would come to them in a new and personal way too. They could begin living in the kingdom of God with the expectation of more blessings from God to come into their lives as their faith in and obedience to Jesus Christ increased.
(Matthew 10:8) Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay.
Jesus did all these loving works to help others, and He commissioned the twelve apostles to do these same works as they taught about Him. These works would confirm that the love of God in Christ Jesus was truly working through them. They did not pay Jesus anything for the ability to do these miracles; therefore, they were not to charge anyone anything when they healed someone or raised someone’s loved one from the dead. Jesus never charged anyone anything to work a needed miracle in someone’s life. Doing these works for pay could have made the twelve apostles extremely wealthy and Jesus did not want them to misuse their authority and power. As Peter later ministered to the Samaritans after the Day of Pentecost, knowing the possible financial benefit, Simon the Magician wanted to buy the Holy Spirit from the Apostle Peter, and Peter told him that his heart was not right before God (see Acts 8:9-25).
(Matthew 10:9) Acquire no gold or silver or copper for your belts,
Gold, silver, and copper coins could be wrapped into a cloth belt and worn around the waist for easy carrying. People could conceal their wealth in this manner.
(Matthew 10:10) no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a staff, for the laborer deserves his food.
Designed to train His twelve apostles while blessing others through them, Jesus may have intended that this missionary journey be of short duration; so, their only real need would be food. They would not need to carry a bag of money or take a change of clothes or extra sandals or a staff for protection (or help in walking on a long journey). However long their missionary tour, if they depended on Jesus, Jesus would meet all their needs and do so through others. During their mission work, they would learn to trust more in Jesus and Jesus would prove faithful to them even from a distance.
(Matthew 10:11) And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart.
Joseph and Mary raised Jesus in a worthy home, and worthy people and homes existed in Judea, where people truly loved, trusted, and worshiped God, were honest, and blessed their neighbors according to the Law of God. These worthy people would have been looking forward to the coming of the Redeemer that God had promised to send for the forgiveness of their sins. Coming into a Jewish town, the apostles were to inquire and find a home that was worthy by reputation. Such a family would be the most likely to respond eagerly and believe the message Jesus told them to proclaim. If they came to believe, they could help the apostles spread the good news about Jesus, and the townspeople would most likely respect the testimony of those they considered worthy. Being concerned about others, they would be the most able to direct the apostles to those who most needed to be healed, have demons cast out, be delivered from an affliction, or receive the good news. Indeed, they could easily and quickly begin to demonstrate that the kingdom of God had come near through Jesus ministry through them. By commanding the disciples to stay only in one home until they departed a town, they could have more time to teach a family more about Jesus, and that home could become a center for further mission work by others and the place to first establish a local church.
(Matthew 10:12) As you enter the house, greet it.
Worthy homes usually extended hospitality toward travelers. Jesus told His disciples to respectfully enter a home and greet the family—probably by introducing themselves as apostles of Jesus, telling the family about Jesus the Messiah, and their mission in His name in their town.
(Matthew 10:13) And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you.
Different people might have different ideas on who was worthy or a worthy house. The apostles might be sent to a house that really was not worthy. As apostles, they would come into a home bearing the peace of God that Jesus had given them. If the house was not worthy, the inhabitants might not recognize, or they might reject, the peace of God that the apostles exhibited and wanted to give them. In such a case, without arguing or being pushy, the apostles were to leave the house and the peace that they had brought into the house would leave with them.
(Matthew 10:14) And if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town.
In a spirit of peace and love, the apostles were to teach people the truth about Jesus. If they or their message were rejected, they were to quietly walk away. When Jews left a Gentile or Samaritan area or town, they shook the dust of that town off their feet rather than take a part of that contaminated area or town with them back into Judea. When the disciples went on their way, they were to treat an unworthy house or town that would not receive them or their words as a Jew would treat a Gentile or Samaritan town. By their wordless actions, those they left behind without any arguments, words of condemnation, or rebuke would get the message; furthermore, they were not to carry any “dust” (bad feelings, anger, or resentments) with them when they left the town and went to another. Rather, they were to do as the Apostle Paul later wrote in Philippians 3:13-14, “Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
(Matthew 10:15) Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.”
Jesus declared that a day of judgment is coming. At the judgment, those who have heard or seen the most truth demonstrated by words and deeds of righteous people, but have rejected the truth of God, will suffer more than those who heard and saw less truth demonstrated. In John 18:37, Jesus answered Pilate, “For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” Since the people of Sodom and Gomorrah only had Lot’s words and example as a righteous man, the judgment would be more bearable for them than for the Jews who rejected Jesus and the good news He and the apostles preached and demonstrated. In 2 Peter 2:6-9, Peter wrote: “if by turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to ashes he condemned them to extinction, making them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; and if he rescued righteous Lot, greatly distressed by the sensual conduct of the wicked (for as that righteous man lived among them day after day, he was tormenting his righteous soul over their lawless deeds that he saw and heard); then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment until the day of judgment.”
God Judges with Justice and Mercy
Sunday, December 21, 2021
Matthew 10:1-15
“Truly, I say to you, it will be more bearable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town” (Matthew 10:15). When Jesus sent His twelve disciples on their first missionary journey, He sent them first to the people they knew best because they had the same background, to the Jews. They all knew the commands to love the LORD God and their neighbors. Jesus gave His disciples the divine authority to heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, and cast out demons; therefore, they could demonstrate that their message was from God and His Messiah, Jesus. When they went to a town, Jesus commanded them to seek a worthy home to stay in, where the family loved God and their neighbors. In a worthy home, they could tell how Jesus changed their lives and gave them peace with God, peace within themselves, and peace with many others. Unhappily, some homes and even whole towns were filled with people who disregarded and disobeyed the law of God. They did not seek to obey God but chose to do evil. They had no interest in living in the kingdom of heaven. If the disciples entered an unworthy home or town, Jesus commanded them to leave, put the experience behind them, and go on to help other people. Because God loves everyone, God makes judgements with justice and mercy. Sodom and Gomorrah had only one preacher, Lot, who called the people to repent. Through the words and actions of Jesus’ disciples, God demonstrated His love and willingness to forgive sinners. Therefore, in the coming judgment, those who preferred sin and rejected God’s love and offer of forgiveness will suffer more than those from Sodom and Gomorrah.
Thinking Further
God Judges with Justice and Mercy
Sunday, December 21, 2021
Matthew 10:1-15
Name ________________________________________
1. What kind of authority did Jesus give to His disciples?
2. Why do you think giving them this authority was important?
3. Why do you think Jesus told them to go only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel?
4. What were the disciples not to acquire as they preached about Jesus? Why do you think Jesus commanded them to avoid doing this?
5. What would you consider a worthy house or family to be, then and now?
Discussion and Thinking Further
1. What kind of authority did Jesus give to His disciples?
Authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction, to raise the dead, cleanse lepers, and cast out demons. He gave them the authority that He had to do what He did.
2. Why do you think giving them this authority was important? Perhaps so His disciples could show that the kingdom of heaven was drawing near, and as the King in the kingdom of heaven Jesus had the authority and power to give this authority and power to others, especially to His ambassadors or representatives. To prove that their teaching about Jesus as the coming Messiah was true, and He was King over the whole universe and all created beings.
3. Why do you think Jesus told them to go only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel?
Because in the very beginning they would understand people like themselves the very best, and this was partly a training mission for them. They would be speaking to those who expected the Messiah to come and who knew the Law of God, to people who were prepared the best to receive the good news of Jesus, and who should have welcomed the good news of Jesus with gladness. Later, with the help of the Holy Spirit, they would use Jesus’ example and teaching to reach out and bring the good news of salvation to Samaritans and Gentiles.
4. What were the disciples not to acquire as they preached about Jesus?
Why do you think Jesus commanded them to avoid doing this? They were not to acquire money or wealth, gold, silver, copper or things of value. They had received the authority and power to help others freely and without paying for it, and what they had received freely they were told to give freely to others and without payment. To show that they were not preaching and healing selfishly for their personal benefit to get rich (for the authority and power Jesus gave them had great value), but they were doing these things because Jesus loved them, and they loved those He had commanded them to serve. However, those who heard the gospel or received healing were to meet the personal or real needs of the disciple. In 1 Timothy 5:18, Paul wrote: “For the Scripture says, ‘You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,’ and, ‘The laborer deserves his wages.’”
5. What would you consider a worthy house or family to be, then and now?
A family that tries to love, honor and obey God; a family that loves and serves others with honesty and integrity as Jesus would want them to do.
Word Search
God Judges with Justice and Mercy
Sunday, December 21, 2021
Matthew 10:1-15
Name _______________________________________
S U S E J N E D R W R U B S W
R E S L O R W A U A E N C D O
T D K U N F O Z B S T H U N U
I H B H E P N W H A E O P D R
X S A A S A E L V M P J H V O
H W C D R R H B Z O G B I B X
C E Z A D T M P N H M F L Y P
K W J N R A H S L T D Q I R F
S B A Z T I E O U A J W P B L
D C R T A J O U L S U A F T U
F V H Q U X V T S O E H M B K
U E L D T O L A E Z M J U E F
W V A H M F H Q Y N A E O C S
T S Z B R V B A K G R J W Z M
R V N V L W N S I M O N A B L
Jesus
Peter
Andrew
James
John
Philip
Bartholomew
Thomas
Matthew
Thaddaeus
Simon
Alphaeus
Zealot
Judas
Iscariot
True and False Test
God Judges with Justice and Mercy
Sunday, December 21, 2021
Matthew 10:1-15
Name _________________________________________
Circle the true or false answers. Correct the false statements by restating them.
1. The twelve disciples asked Jesus if He would make them special leaders above all His other disciples. True or False
2. Jesus gave His twelve disciples authority over unclean spirits, so they cast evil demons out of people. True or False
3. The twelve disciples could not cure lepers. True or False
4. Because Matthew was a tax collector, Jesus said he could never be one of His twelve disciples. True or False
5. Simon was a Zealot, but Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus anyway.
True or False
6. Jesus said brothers could not become one of the twelve disciples, because both might get hurt in an unworthy home or town. True or False
7. Jesus did not like Samaritans and Gentiles, so He told His twelve
disciples to avoid them when they preached and healed people.
True or False
8. The twelve disciples charged 15 gold coins for healing someone and 30 gold coins for raising someone’s loved one from the dead. True or False
9. Jesus told His disciples that during their mission trip they were to stay in worthy homes. True or False
10. Jesus told His disciples to let their peace come upon worthy homes. True or False
True and False Test Answers
- False
- True
- False
- False
- True
- False
- False
- False
- True
- True
Prayer
God in Heaven, help us to shape our lives to show that we truly believe that You are holy, just, and loving. Today we especially thank You for giving us Your Son. In His name we pray. Amen