Devotion Sharing: Matthew Chapter 1

I read Matthew 1 this morning in my devotion today, just want to share some thoughts on it.

1) The first thing that I think of is that some pastors has pointed out in the past, the list (unlike the usual Jewish family list) included a few female and gentile. Some of them draw the conclusion that it show God has included gentile in his plan all along, instead of something that is added on in the New Testament. They also argue that God is not sexist since God use both male and female. I don’t have much feeling on this issues, I guess my response to them is “Yeah, OK” kind of a deal for now. I do, however, find it quite “neat” that it does include some ladies and gentile.

2) Talking about those female on the list, what had Tamar ever do? Compare to the rest of the female cast: Rehab, Ruth, Uriah’s wife (Bathsheba), Mary (do I miss any?). What did she ever do? What is her story? I really cannot think of any at the moment.

3) Rehab, I wonder how they work out the law for marrying a gentile prostitute.

4) Not that I believe that there are any significant, but the 3 “fourteen generations” do look a little bit too convenient if you ask me.

5) How can someone divorce someone quietly? You know the whole village know she gonna marry this guy but she never have a wedding (which should be a noticeable event at those day) and always stay at her house, dud. Yah, Yah, Yah, I know what it means, just saying, that’s all.

6) I wonder how Joseph find out Mary is pregnant.

7) Joseph knows from an angel in a dream, Mary actually get to meet an angel, lol.

8) I like the way that Matthew cover the father side and Luke covers the mother side.

9) My feeling of the day is that it is more important to be obedience than what you actually accomplish (or what you thought you have or could). Look at the list of female, compare to the male in the list, they “accomplishment” might seem trivial with respect to people list Abraham, David, Solomon…etc. But when you look at what they have done, they recognize who is God and willing to obey God. One simple act of obedience has secured them into the plan of God. How obedience seems to be a question that we should ask ourselves each day.

Hope you all have fun doing your devotion every day, I sure have fun today, what a surprise, lol.