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Son of David, Son of Abraham
Topic Started: Sep 15 2012, 04:42 AM (223 Views)
MarkStaneart
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The Hebraic idea of a “son” is much more complex than simple biology. The word “shem” denotes identity and character. This idiomatic usage is not lost in our current vernacular: if one is described as a “son of a gun”, the subject is characterized as having some fairly distinct and identifiable characteristics. The usage of the idea of son-ship, in Matthew 1:1 is obviously to declare more than biological pedigree; but distinctiveness in personal identity.

The author of the book of Matthew is declaring that he will be able to demonstrate how Yeshua is the vehicle through which “all the nations of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 18:18), and that the kingdom of David will be established in everlasting righteousness (Psalm 89). Intertwined in this expectation is the people and land of Israel: the Covenant home to the “People of God” (Genesis 15:13-16, Psalm 87).

The pattern of relationship between God, Abraham, and David demonstrates a clear pattern that Matthew wants to clearly articulate. This pattern is the suggestion of “chosen-ness”. Abraham didn’t go shopping at the local theological store and purchase Adonai Eloheem off the shelf (as his contemporaries would have been inclined to do). There was no sacred oracle that he stumbled upon that revealed the Most Holy One as the One True God. Jewish teaching suggests that Abraham simply looked at the condition of the world from a logical point of view and did not accept the superstitious rationale that was typically given to explain why things are the way they are. A story in the Midrash relates how Abraham saw the world as though it were a palace on fire . He simply asked, “Is there an owner of this place?” And the Most High God stepped out and said, “Yeah, Me.” This began a friendship that would change the course, or rather, establish the given course, of Divine understanding. From the rabbinic teaching, the relationship between God and man is based upon the desire to see something more than those around us, to not be content with teachings of man; but to strive to walk with God.

The second character that Matthew identifies for us is also renowned in Jewish thought as an independent thinker. David, as a scholar, surpassed the understanding of his teachers (Psalm 119:99). He did not content himself to merely know about the historical significance of God. He demanded the opportunity to live in personal intimacy with Him.

It isn’t coincidence nor chronology that places establishes the order of Matthew’s reference here. While the character of Yeshua is being described as being like David and (independently) like Abraham. It suggests a line of consistency between David and Abraham as well. David was “the Son of Abraham”. In the same way that David exemplified the character and characteristics of Abraham, so Yeshua exemplified the characteristics of David.
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