SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 1:1-17

This is not a popular passage BUT there is GREAT significance and importance to this passage. It is the BEGINNING of Matthew which accounts the great and mighty works of God. These 17 verses establish the foundation of FAITH in Jesus. 

 

LESSON POINT: (Observation) Who AM I?

It is important to confirm one's identity before one can progress successfully in life. Knowing WHO YOU ARE leads you to your destiny.

 

TRUTH: (Application) ~ God was already at work from the beginning of time on you and me. And God is STILL at work in our lives (John 5:17)

 

ACTIVITY: List out YOUR family tree. How far can you go? I can only go up to my maternal grandma. :(

Praise God I am a child of God; I can list out my FULL Heavenly Family Tree; and Matthew 1:1-17 kicks start my endeavor. {You can confirm these names in 2 Kings and Chronicles. You dont need a concordance...}

 

All children of God should know WHERE they come from and of WHOM they belong to. (Ps 139:13-16) List down your own earthly family tree. Next, direct your efforts in combining the EARTHLY with the HEAVENLY. (continue from Jesus -> earthly family)

 

BIBLE VERSE: Attempt to memorize the genealogy. Start off with one generation and build up.

 

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank YOU for including me into Your great heavenly family. I am proud to be included and to be counted as precious by You. Amen.

Destruction Follows Disobedience

2 Kings 24 ; 25

Inspired thots

King after king took on evil instead of obeying the Lord when they sit on the throne; they forgot that God is on the HIGHEST throne looking down on them. Only a few kings like Hezekiah and Josiah did right before God when they reigned. Hence, it is not surprising that the evil and wickedness the kings did led the Lord to 'disown' them and caused them to be exiled to Babylon.

Provoking the Lord to anger is dangerous as He is the RIGHTFUL king and is control of everything. He deserves all the obedience and reverence; those who obey Him would be kept safe in His hands.

Inculcating the Fear of God into the NEXT generations

2 Kings 21 - 23

Inspired thots

Despite the massive clean up of Josiah on all the high places and Baal worshiping, God's anger could not be kindled over the many sins which Manasseh caused the people to indulge in; he set up all forms of idolatrous worship.

Why was the fear of the Lord not inculcated into the lives of the next generations to stay the blessings of God? It is so sad.

Another lesson here is that it is the whole nation of Judah sinning against God. The king is responsible to lead the people into repentance and following God. A good leader is crucial in leading the people into a deep relationship with God. A bad leader takes the people into destruction.

Remain Humble for God is Overall

2 Kings 20

Inspired thots

Man remains as man; thinks selfishly and acts proudly. Although Hezekiah walked in God's ways and Hezekiah cried to God in his hour of sickness and our merciful God heard him, he puffed up when he became well. . Yet, he showed off all the treasures in the whole of Israel which was displeasing to God; hence, all the riches of Israel were carted away to Babylon, of whom his riches were shown to. Hezekiah was not repentive when it was told him about the exile for he was glad it would not happen in his days.

Being humble is important no matter how rich or important one is; all glory to God for HE is the one who provides. He is IN CONTROL.

DO NOT MOCK GOD!

2 Kings 18 & 19

Inspired thots

It is dangerous to mock God; the king of Assyria found out when he sent messengers to Judah and reviled God. Thank God that king Hezekiah stood fast in his faith and listened to Isaiah's counsel. He sought God when he was threatened by the enemy. He believed in God's deliverance. He did what was right before God and God honored him.

How important to remember and be humbled that God is the Maker of Heaven and Earth! All things are in His control. Who is man to boast and exalt himself? He is sure to fall. Better to trust in God and dwell in the safety of His wings.

Not Giving God His Due Worship...

2 Kings 17

Inspired thots

No matter how much God displays love and grace to His people, they still sin against Him with their own ways; they choose other gods and ungodly kings to emulate rather than follow God whole-heartedly. Although God sent prophets and seers to warn them and priests to guide them, God's people prefer to go their own way.

It is NOT logical; how can one worship what is designed by self? Worship should be accorded to some higher deity; worshiping what one makes is self worship. And man tends to exalt self or fear other men than God.

Not a WHOLE Hearted Obedience

2 Kings 15 & 16

Inspired thots

Most of the kings of Judah and Israel did not FULLY obey God. They may have taken away Baal worship but they did not take away the high places which allowed the people to pray to other gods.
Sometimes they chose outside help instead of seeking God for full coverage; like king Ahaz who sought the Assyrian king's help and made peace with him. This also led king Ahaz astray with a strange idol from the gentile land.

Why is it so difficult to follow God with a WHOLE heart? We tend to walk by sight and not by Faith.