The Gospel Of Matthew Chapter 23 Part 3 God Resists The Proud But He Helps Those Who Are Humble

Matthew 23:1-4  Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to his disciples, 2  Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: 3  All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. 4  For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 

In our last post we observed what Jesus referred to when He spoke of scribes sitting in Moses' seat.

This came from the commands God gave for the priests to read the law at least once every seven years when all the nation came to Jerusalem to observe a holy feast unto the LORD.

This is commanded several times in the Old Testament scriptures (See Leviticus 10:10-11; Deuteronomy 31:10-13; 33:10; Nehemiah 8:1-8).

Mark 7:10  For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death: 11  But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free. 12  And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother; 13  Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye. 

Pharisees and scribes held their man made traditions to be of higher authority than "Thus saith the LORD."

Such rules and regulations made the commandments of God of no effect.

For example, if a wealthy Jew did not want to use his resources to support his aged parents as God's law commands, he would claim that his wealth was dedicated to the Temple.

Through this tradition of men the Pharisees and scribes gave a way for the wealthy to preserve their wealth and get out of supporting their parents.

Jesus gave them a powerful rebuke for using man made traditions to violate God's commandments.

We looked at some of the foolish traditions that they rigorously imposed on the common people, but they themselves did not observe them.

Matthew 23:5  But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, 

Everything that the scribes and Pharisees did was for a public display of how "religious" they were to other people.

It was "All about them" rather than all about God.

They prayed at busy intersections so that others would see them praying.

They had a small horn sound when they give a tithe so that others knew they made an offering.

They fasted with disfigured faces to draw attention to the fact that they were holy men who were fasting.

In each instance Jesus said "Verily I say unto you, They have their reward."

Truly believing God and His Word will never lead one to boast or to seek the spotlight or to love the praise of men more than the praise of God.

True faith in Christ and the scriptures makes us humble for we see ourselves as we are from God's perspective.

True faith in Christ and the scriptures causes us to cry out to God for mercy, forgiveness and restoration, which He will give to each repentant sinner.

What were the phylacteries?

These were little scrolls of paper or parchment, containing carefully written paragraphs of the law (See Exodus 13:2-11; 13:11-16; Deuteronomy 6:4-9; 11:13-21). 

Each small scroll was sewn in leather, and worn upon the forehead and left arm by scribes and Pharisees. 

Exodus 13:9-10 And it shall be for a sign unto thee upon thine hand, and for a memorial between thine eyes, that the LORD'S law may be in thy mouth: for with a strong hand hath the LORD brought thee out of Egypt. 10  Thou shalt therefore keep this ordinance in his season from year to year. 

The first section of the phylacteries were connected to the feast of unleavened bread.

It was a reminder to put away all worldly desires and eliminate the things that cause temptation.

Pharisees and scribes literally took the idea of receiving this type of consecration by wearing the phylacteries on the hand or between the eyes.

They did this because they believed that this gained God's favor and protected them like a pagan wearing an amulet or charm to ward off evil spirits.

Yet, the text actually means that we must understand God's purpose for the feast of unleavened bread and keep it in the forefront of our minds, so that our thinking is renewed (See Romans 12:1-2).

Exodus 13:14-16  And it shall be when thy son asketh thee in time to come, saying, What is this? that thou shalt say unto him, By strength of hand the LORD brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage: 15  And it came to pass, when Pharaoh would hardly let us go, that the LORD slew all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man, and the firstborn of beast: therefore I sacrifice to the LORD all that openeth the matrix, being males; but all the firstborn of my children I redeem. 16  And it shall be for a token upon thine hand, and for frontlets between thine eyes: for by strength of hand the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt. 

The second phylactery is connected with the law God gave about firstborn children and animals belonging to Him.

This was a reminder of how Jehovah killed all the first born children in Egypt because Pharaoh refused to let His people go.

After that shocking event, Pharaoh released the Hebrew people and all Israel left Egypt free and redeemed by Jehovah.

Again the language of keeping scripture on the hand or between the eyes was figurative, meaning that people were to remember this historical event by thinking often about it.

Deuteronomy 6:5-9  And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. 6  And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7  And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. 8  And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. 9  And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates. 

The third part of a phylactery came from the book of Deuteronomy where Moses instructed the people to love God with all their heart, soul and might.

The law of God with all its glorious commandments was to be in their hearts.

God's law was to be taught to each new generation of Israelites.

Parents and children were to talk about God's law and what it means for their lives as His redeemed children.

The language about binding the commands to the hand or between the eyes is figurative. 

God wanted His people, to know His Word and to think about it all during the day.

Philippians 4:8  Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9  Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. 

In like manner, God still wants each Christian to know His Word, to think about all during the day so that we know God better.

God wants us to fill our minds with all the lovely, wonderful and praiseworthy things from His word,

This also informs us what to keep out of our minds.

We do not need to pollute our minds with cultural depravity from any source.

Endless news cycles that focus on all the bad things going on is the opposite of thinking about things that are of "good report."

Spending time watching violent shows or movies that promote sexual perversion is the opposite of thinking about things that are pure or virtuous as God wants us to do.

Therefore, we have choices to make to bring our thinking into alignment with God's Word, and merely carrying a Bible will not change us.

As we do our best to read and study the scriptures, and then retain it in our minds, God's Word will transform us, it will change the way we think about everything and it will empower us to better serve Him.

Pharisees and scribes made a major mistake by thinking that wearing phylacteries made them holy.

A lot of people may carry a Bible, but it does them no good at all if they do not open it to seek God as He reveals Himself in scripture.

Jews who saw the prominent phylacteries worn by scribes or Pharisees likely thought they were very religious men who were very observant of God's law. 

By using these expressions, God meant that we should retain the wonderful things of God in our minds as carefully as if we need glasses to see properly.

Therefore in a modern sense, our "phylactery" must be stored safely in our mind, from reading the Bible, studying it's truth and learning what God is saying to us.

2 Timothy 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

This is why God urges us to study His Word.

It takes work, concentration, and focus but it is heartily approved by God when we do study scripture.

John 16:13-15  Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14  He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. 15  All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

This is why God sent His own Spirit to live in the heart of each repentant sinner who trusts Christ for salvation.

He chose holy men to write God's Word without error for all mankind to read and be blessed.

The Spirit of God will open our eyes to behold wonderful, life changing truth from the scriptures.

He will show us our Glorious Savior, Jesus Christ and help us see how He is the Redeemer that all Old Testament scriptures point to.

Thus, the Psalmist rightly declared that the "entrance of thy word giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple" (See Psalm 119:130).

In this manner, our gracious God strengthens our mind and soul when we read, memorize scripture and spend time thinking about Him and beautiful truth we ingest into our soul.

An amulet is an object thought to confer special protection or grace upon the one wearing it.

The historian Pliny's Natural History describes amulets as "an object that protects a person from trouble."

Thus, we understand why Jesus condemned scribes and Pharisees for wearing them, because they looked to the phylactery for righteousness rather that looking to God.

Our LORD Jesus Christ said " But all their works they do for to be seen of men:"

We have an Old Testament example of Israel wrongly relying on the Ark to protect them in battle. 

1 Samuel 4:2-10  And the Philistines put themselves in array against Israel: and when they joined battle, Israel was smitten before the Philistines: and they slew of the army in the field about four thousand men. 3  And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, Wherefore hath the LORD smitten us to day before the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the LORD out of Shiloh unto us, that, when it cometh among us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies. 4  So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from thence the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth between the cherubims: and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God. 5  And when the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, all Israel shouted with a great shout, so that the earth rang again. 6  And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said, What meaneth the noise of this great shout in the camp of the Hebrews? And they understood that the ark of the LORD was come into the camp. 7  And the Philistines were afraid, for they said, God is come into the camp. And they said, Woe unto us! for there hath not been such a thing heretofore. 8  Woe unto us! who shall deliver us out of the hand of these mighty Gods? these are the Gods that smote the Egyptians with all the plagues in the wilderness. 9  Be strong, and quit yourselves like men, O ye Philistines, that ye be not servants unto the Hebrews, as they have been to you: quit yourselves like men, and fight. 10  And the Philistines fought, and Israel was smitten, and they fled every man into his tent: and there was a very great slaughter; for there fell of Israel thirty thousand footmen. 

Israel had many long and ongoing conflicts with the Philistines.

In this narrative, they were soundly defeated by the Philistine army and returned to Shiloh where the ark of God was kept.

They decided to take the ark of God into battle with them, believing that the ark's presences would give them sure victory over their enemies.

The Philistines knew how God dried up the Red Sea for Israel to passover safely, and how He drowned Pharoah and his army in the waters.

Other nations knew how God was with Joshua in conquering the land of Canaan.

Thus, when they became aware that the Israelite army brought the ark of God into battle, they were very afraid.

Even so, the Philistine army determined they would fight like men and again, they utterly routed Israel's army.

The ark was powerless in and of itself. 

It is God, not the ark, who always helps His people in mighty, miraculous, wonderful and various ways.

Therefore, this narrative  highlights the improper attitude of scribes and Pharisees, who thought that merely wearing phylacteries on their bodies made them right with God and protected from evil spirits. 

In like manner, carrying a Bible into church does not protect us from our enemies nor does it build up our faith.

Reading it, studying it, meditating and memorizing the inspired scripture in the Bible is how God renews our mind, strengthens our faith and allows the LORD to speak truth into our lives,

Matthew 23:6-7  And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, 7  And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. 

Jesus concluded His general rebuke of the scribes and Pharisees by pointing out how everything they participated in was meant to glorify themselves, not God.

At every feast, they sought a place in the highest room in the facility, where all the powerful, wealthy ones assembled with the prominent religious leaders.

When a synagogue opened for services, scribes and Pharisees quickly sat in the chief seats meant for those who were "spiritual leaders."

Whenever they appeared in public, scribes and Pharisees wanted to be noticed by others and they loved it when they heard greetings of "Rabbi."

Isaiah 57:15  For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. 

This text tells us what God is looking for and shows what was utterly lacking in the lives of most scribes and Pharisees in the time of Christ.

God is the One who is high, lofty and holy. Heaven is His home and eternity is His dwelling place.

His thoughts and ways are infinitely higher than ours ever could hope to be, and yet, God invites all sinners to repent, come to Christ and be regenerated by His  Spirit.

Those whose hearts are contrite, crushed by life's harsh circumstances will find cleansing and reviving from God.

Those whose spirits are humbled by their sin will find revival from God.

He will give each repentant sinner a new heart and a new spirit (See Ezekiel 11; 18; 36).

Pro 16:18  Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. (See Proverbs 11:2; 17:19; 18:12; 29:23). 

Pride is the sin that led to Lucifer's downfall and expulsion from heaven.

God always resist those who are proud and arrogant but He gives grace to those whose hearts are humble (See James 4:6).

Matthew 11:29-30  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Jesus was meek and lowly, the perfect example of true humility and our lives should reflect the character of Christ.

1 Peter 5:6-7  Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7  Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. 

Speaking through His apostles, Jesus used Peter to teach us to humble ourselves in the presence of God.

Our Lord will work through trials, troubles and tribulations in order to refine us by purging out any spiritual dross from our lives.

He does this to purify us and to give us opportunities to draw closer to Him and lean on His everlasting arms of strength and comfort.

Because this is true we can cast all our cares and concerns upon Him because God cares for us and loves us unconditionally.

The Psalmist's words encapsulate the truths we learned about God's heart toward pride, arrogance and those who are self righteous.

May these words set a right direction for each of us as we read God's Word and seek to hear and heed what He says to us.

May these words help our faith grow and strengthen our resolve to follow hard after Christ, and fresh zeal ignite within our soul.

May these truths be used by God's Spirit to lead us day by day until our Lord calls us home.

Bob

Psalm 25:4-9  Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. 5  Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day. 6  Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old. 7  Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O LORD. 8  Good and upright is the LORD: therefore will he teach sinners in the way. 9  The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.