Lesson Four (Chapter 23)
Blessings or Woes
“He answered
and said to them [some scribes and Pharisees], ‘Why do you also transgress
the commandment of G-d because of your tradition? For G-d commanded,
saying, “Honor your father and your mother”; and, “He who curses father or
mother, let him be put to death.’” But you say, “Whoever says to his
father or mother, Whatever profit you might have received from me is a
gift to G-d”— then he need not honor his father or mother.’ Thus
you have made the commandment of G-d of no effect by your tradition. Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: ‘These people draw near to Me with
their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.
And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’”
Matthew 15:3-9
Introduction
- Last week we looked at the Wedding Feast parable, and saw how it fit with the “hanger commandments” of “Love G-d” and “love your neighbor.” We saw that our “wedding clothes” are the righteous deeds we do, which He prepared beforehand for us to do.
- Last week we also touched on 22:41-46: The riddle, and the statement regarding the Son of David. Ps 110:1-4, “HaShem said to Adoni [my L-rd]…” Messiah was to be “Son of David.” If Ps 110 spoke of Messiah, then David was addressing his descendant as Adoni. Ps 110 brings in Ps 2. This riddle, becomes the chief charge against Yeshua. Caiaphas understood the correlation of Ps 110 and Ps 2. If Yeshua was claiming that Ps 110 was about Messiah, and that He was Messiah, then He was claiming to have the title “Son of G-d” (Matt 26:63).
- In Ch 24, Yeshua then immediately focuses His attention on unmasking some of the Pharisees. This is the harshest language He has used. Ironically, He has saved this for those who were theologically closest to Him.
Scribes, Pharisees, Hypocrites
- It is absolutely imperative that the context of Matt 23 be understood. Traditional, Christianity has taught that the Pharisees were the enemies of “the Way.” Certainly, some were, but many were not. Acts records that there were many Pharisees who were followers of Yeshua.
- Yeshua’s polemic in Matt 23 is against: “scribes, Pharisees, hypocrites” (23:13). Not all scribes were Pharisees, not all Pharisees scribes, and not all of either were hypocrites.
- 23:34: Yeshua identifies that His own talmidim were “scribes”, prophets, and wise men.
- The focus of the polemic is against hypocrites among the scribes and the Pharisees.
Moses’ Seat
- 23:1-3: To sit in Moses’ seat does NOT mean to be able to make new laws – rather, it means that they were the stewards of Torah observance. Yeshua instructs His talmidim to obey them regarding Torah – but not the things that they said and did in contravention to the written Word.
- 23:4-7: His chief charges:
- Heavy burdens upon others. This is not referring to Torah. Deut 30:11-14; 1John 5:3. Like Peter in Acts 15:10, this is referring to human tradition and some “fences around Torah.”
- Do works for others to see. What He mentions are either commands, or alluded commands. The motive is the issue.
- Exalt themselves. They sought to be honored by men.
Eight Woes. Eight Blessings. Their Cause and Effect.
- Woe #1: 23:13: Door closers. Shut up the Kingdom of G-d against men and themselves. Rev 3:7-9.
- Blessing #1: 5:3: Poor in spirit. Theirs is the Kingdom of G-d.
- Woe #2: 23:14: Unmerciful. Devour widows’ houses, pretense of long prayers. Ex 22:22-24.
- Blessing #2: 5:7: Merciful. Will obtain mercy.
- Woe #3: 23:15: “False” convert makers, sons of Hell. Making proselytes – i.e. rather than permitting Gentiles in, they exclude them except by 4-part traditional ritual “conversion” (shorthand: “circumcision”). Hosea 6:6-7; Deut 10:18; Ex 12:49 (one Torah).
- Blessing #3: 5:9: Peacemakers. Will be called “sons of G-d.”
- Woe #4: 23:16: Manipulators. Making improper oaths. James 5:12; Deut 23:21-23.
- Blessing #4: 5:5: Meek. Inherit the earth.
- Woe #5: 23:23: Imbalanced. Kept only some of Torah, and neglected the weightier matters of Torah – mercy and justice. Deut 27:19.
- Blessing #5: 5:4: Mourners. Will be comforted.
- Woe #6: 23:25: Hypocrites. Outward obedience and traditionally fastidious, yet inwardly extortionists and self-indulgent. Lev 6:1-4.
- Blessing #6: 5:8: Pure in heart. They will see G-d.
- Woe #7: 23:28-28: Torah breakers. Whitewashed tombs. Their obvious to Torah began with the wrong motivation, and was incomplete. Deut 6:23-24. Their righteousness – their traditions. Acts 7:51-53 – Stephen’s charge against some in the Sanhedrin: did not keep Torah.
- Blessing #7: 5:6: Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. They will be filled.
- Woe #8: 23:29-30: Murderers. Did not admit their guilt – they were like those who killed the prophets. (Acts 7:54-60). Jer 2:28-35.
- Blessing #8: 5:11-12: Persecuted for righteousness. Great is your reward.
Messiah’s Return
- 23:34-39: He is leaving – until they acknowledge their offense and say, “Baruch haba b’Shem HaShem. [Blessed is He Who comes in the Name of HaShem].”
- Ps 118:16-29: His mercy endures forever! He has become my Yeshuah.
Summary
- The causes for the “eight woes” could easily be applied to many in Evangelical Christianity – often to the very ones who are so critical of the “Pharisees” and what they call “legalism.” One man’s “legalism” is another man’s faithful practice. What matters is not what we say, but what G-d says. Obedience to G-d is not legalism.
- The choice for blessing or woe lies with us. The “eight ashrei” should be our practice and our lives.
- When He comes, will He say to you, ashrei [blessed are you], or oye-lecha [woe to you]?