Andrew vonderLuft

Matthew’s gospel begins with the quote from Isaiah 7.14 in Matthew 1.23 “they shall call his name Immanuel, which translated means ‘God with us’ “

Then the gospel ends in Matthew 28.20 with “I am with you always, even to the end of the age”

Fulfillment from front to finale.

Ex. 3.7-8 - Concerning the plight of His people:

• He sees
• He hears
• He knows
• He comes down to deliver

This is always His way, and He hasn’t changed. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He sees you, He hears you, He knows you and your sufferings. He comes down to deliver you.

Our Father has this way of doing things contrary to what is expected. Here in Genesis 48.13-20 Israel blesses Ephraim the younger son ahead of Manasseh the elder. God chose Isaac to be the son of promise, not his older brother Ishmael. Israel himself, as Jacob, become the heir of the promise of Abraham and Isaac, not his older brother Esau. Later on Gideon who was “least in his father’s house” is chosen to be the deliverer of Israel. And of course there is David, the youngest and “least” of Jesse’s sons, but who out of all his older brothers was the man after God’s own heart. And then there is you and me.

For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. (1 Cor. 1:26-29)

In Numbers 6.24-26 the LORD gave these words to the Aaronic priests to bless God’s people and to put His name upon them. In Jesus Christ we are all His priests, a “royal priesthood” as Peter says. So as a holy priest to God, speak this blessing over your loved ones, over yourself, over your brothers and sisters.

In Numbers 2, the LORD gave Moses very specific instructions on how the 12 tribes of Israel were to pitch their camps around the Tabernacle in the wilderness. Why so specific? Check it out.

Amen. And μανθάνω “learn” is the same word from which disciple is derived. A disciple is a pupil of Jesus, one who learns from Him. He is Rabbi (my teacher).

Genesis 22, known as “the binding of Isaac” - verse 8 “God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” אֱלֹהִ֞ים יִרְאֶה־לּ֥וֹ הַשֶּׂ֛ה The Hebrew is ambiguous - it can mean “God will provide for Himself the lamb”, but it can also mean “God will provide Himself - (as) the Lamb.” I believe the Holy Spirit is conveying both!

And it is here on Mount Moriah where Solomon’s Temple will be built, whose sacrifices will point forward to the “Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of world.”

In his intercession, Abraham appeals to God’s character: “Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?” We see the same approach throughout Scripture in Moses, David and others. This informs the way I pray for the lost. “You Lord are merciful and are not willing that any should perish…”

I have always been struck that Abraham was called the friend of God, and Moses who spoke to the Lord face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. How beautiful that Jesus says to us, “I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.”

This seems congruent with the nature of the Fall. Flora was affected (thorns and thistles), and so fauna would be as well. All the things over which man was entrusted with dominion (Psalm 8).

As you cited, we groan with all creation eagerly awaiting the revelation of the sons of God!

After the Fall in Genesis 3, God set cherubim to guard the way to the Tree of Life.

In Exodus 35.30, the LORD called Bezalel by name. He is the first one in Scripture of whom it is said “He has filled him with the Spirit of God” In Exodus 36.35 Bezalel wove cherubim into the Veil of the Tabernacle which was the barrier into the Holy of Holies, where the Presence dwelt. The way in was still barred by the cherubim.

When Jesus died, the Veil of the Temple was rent asunder from top to bottom. The way to the Tree of Life which had been barred by the cherubim is now opened for all.

We don't hear much about Joseph, but what we do hear is remarkable. The angel addressed him as "son of David." David himself said "the LORD said to my Lord" which Jesus quoted to the Pharisees to challenge them. Elizabeth said to Mary "how is it that the mother of my Lord would come to me?"

Joseph was chosen to be the earthly father of Jesus. He raised Him and taught Him his carpenter's trade in which the Lord worked for years. This is amazing on many levels.

Amen. As you are in Christ, ALL the promises of God are ‘yes’ and ‘amen’ to you!

This reminds me of the precious seed of the Gospel which was sown in us. First of all by Christ, the kernel of wheat that died, and rose to bear much fruit. From this tree came those who had the Gospel seed sown in them, and they in turn sowed it in us!. Freely they received, freely they gave. Now we too are in that blessed stream of 30, 60 and 100-fold... When we sow the Good News, it is fruitful and multiplies.

Exodus 29.37 "whatever touches the altar shall be holy" Pondering that in the light of Romans 12.1 "present your BODIES a living and holy sacrifice..." When we lay ourselves on the altar, He makes us holy, set apart for Him.