Contradictions in the Bible (Part 4)

Matthew 1:16 “And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.”

Luke 3:23 “And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli.”

According to 1 Corinthians 14:33 “God is not the author of confusion….” However, these verses appear to be at odds over the lineage of Christ. Surely two men cannot be the father of Joseph. What is going on here? The answer to this supposed contradiction is relatively simple, but requires some explanation. Most scholars today agree that the first seventeen verses in the first chapter of Matthew give the genealogy of Joseph, while Luke gives that of Mary, making Jacob the father of Joseph and Heli the father of Mary. This is shown by the two narrations of the virgin birth. Matthew 1:18-25 tells the story only from Joseph’s perspective, while Luke 1:26-56 is told wholly from Mary’s point of view.

A logical question to ask is why Joseph is mentioned in both genealogies? The answer is again quite simple. Luke follows strict Hebrew tradition in mentioning only the names of males. Therefore, in this case, Mary is designated by her husband’s name. R.A. Torrey stated: “Joseph’s name is introduced into this place in place of Mary’s, he being Mary’s husband. Heli was Joseph’s father-in-law; and so Joseph was called ‘the son of Heli.’ While Joseph was son-in-law of Heli, he was, according to the flesh, actually the son of Jacob.” The term “son” as commonly used in such tables had three different meanings according to James Coffman: “1. son by actual birth; 2. son-in-law, and; 3. son by creation, as in the case of Adam.”

These two separate genealogies of Jesus Christ were, in fact, absolutely necessary in the establishment of Christ as the Messiah. The Messianic title, “Son of David,” that we so frequently apply to Christ required dual proof: (1) that He was entitled to throne, as Matthew’s genealogy indicated; and (2) that He literally descended from David, as Luke’s genealogy demonstrates. The verses in Matthew clearly establish Christ as the legal heir to the throne by tracing His ancestry down through the royal line of the kings of Israel, with Luke’s account demonstrating that He was a descendant of David.

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Contradictions in the Bible (Part 3)

Whether they are 5 or 50, do your children know they can rely on God’s Word? Think for just a moment before you answer that question. Far too often, children learn the Bible similar to the way in they might study a textbook. They read and isolate passages, and various Scriptures—memorizing verses that are most often repeated. Some may even have a good working knowledge of the way the Bible is laid out. But do they truly look to it for guidance and strength? For many homes, the answer to that question is no. Many children reach an age where doubt and skepticism interfere with their relationship with God. And as such, their reliance on the Truths found in God’s Word become insignificant, and wind up straying away from New Testament Christianity. In John 17:17 we read “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” One way to combat doubt and skepticism is to challenge alleged discrepancies and contradictions that atheists proclaim exist in the Bible.

For instance, Matthew 28:1 records: “Now after the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to the tomb.” From this passage it would seem safe to presume that these two Mary’s went to the tomb. But what about John’s account in which we are told “On the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early…” (John 20:1). There is no mention of the second Mary. If that weren’t confusing enough, Mark then adds another name to the mix: “Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him” (Mark 16:1). So which account is correct? Are these verses contradictory?

The answer is that they are all correct. Some of the Bible writers choose to give more information that others. Technically speaking this is called supplementation—and supplementation does not equal contradiction. Another example of this can be found in the Gospel accounts of the arrest of Jesus, where we are given various pieces of information about the servant of the High Priest whose ear was cut off.

Most people readily understand that a message is often changed according to the audience. For instance, I routinely change my lessons depending on the age and education level of my audience. Likewise, if 4 eyewitnesses to a car wreck were asked to give their testimony they would all probably add different details while explaining the same incident. As we come across passages like the ones above we must remember that the writers were writing to different groups of people, and they stressed different items. This by no means deems the Bible as unreliable.

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Seeking the Perfect Man?

A great number of women wonder if the perfect man exists.  They have scanned the horizon and often come back thinking they must train a man to make him perfect.  That leads them to the question, “Can a man learn to be perfect?” Certainly, a great number of women attempt to find out!  In the long run, the realization of perfection depends upon the standard used and whether or not a man adheres to it.  Many women believe their man reaches near perfection when they can get him to stop leaving his underwear on the floor and he begins putting the dishes in the dishwasher.  Seeking the perfect man is no joke!  A higher standard of perfection exists.  A perfect man can be had!

In the pages of the Bible, Jesus stands as a sinless model of perfection.  However, the Bible lists two other men as being perfect.  Genesis 6:9 notes, “Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations and Noah walked with God.”  Job 1:1, 1:8, and 2:3 declare Job “perfect and upright, one that feareth God, and turned away from evil”.  The characteristics that went with perfection:  being just, walking with God, being upright, fearing God, and turning away from evil.  Truthfully, these can be reduced to two:  Fearing God and keeping His commandments.  Fearing God means to be reverent toward Him.  Not surprisingly, the concept of these two characteristics of perfection can be found elsewhere in scripture.  God declared these characteristics ought to represent the Israelites whom He delivered from Egypt (Deuteronomy 5:29, 6:2, 8:6, 13:4.  The judge Samuel also voiced it to Israel: “Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you” (I Samuel 12:24).  King Solomon given great wisdom from God declared: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).  King Hezekiah declared as much when he said: “I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart” (Isaiah 38:3).  Though other Old Testament references exist, consider one last mention of the characteristics that go with perfection spoken from the perfect man Jesus: “God is a spirit and those that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and Truth” (John 4:24).  If a woman wants to find a perfect man, the true standard involves these characteristics.

Is perfection too much to expect from a man?  No!  So Ladies, do not give up!  Not only Jesus, Noah, and Job meet the standard.  David proclaimed God made his way perfect (2 Samuel 22:33).  Jesus called upon man to be perfect in Matthew 5:48, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”  Paul wrote, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)  The words of Paul explain the Word of God directs man to perfection.  Again, Paul declares in Ephesians 4:13 it is the knowledge of the Son of God coming from the gospel which will perfect a man.  He further writes in Romans 12:2 that man is to transform from his worldly ways proving the Will of God.  This is action!  This comes from fearing God and keeping God’s commandments as established long ago stretching even to the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:17).

Understand this, perfection does not mean a man will not sin (I John 1:8).  Though perfect men may sin, they realize through the advocate Jesus Christ, their sin will be forgiven (I John 2:1-2).  In the garden, Jesus prayed fervently for himself, his disciples, and those that would believe on Him in the world.  Part of the words he uttered there are as follows: “And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. (John 17:19-23)  Jesus expresses that when man unites with Him, He unites with them.  By the glory of God in Christ, man becomes perfect.  Though God’s grace exists, man does not let sin continue to reign over him, but walks in a life for Christ (Romans 6).

As Christ prayed for the perfection of men, ladies pray for your perfect man.  This is a courageous work that God will aid you in.  Consider Colossians 4:12: “Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.”  Epaphras worked to pray for the perfection of the saints.  The author of Hebrews also prayed for the perfection of the saints in Hebrews 13:20-21.  James the brother of Jesus wrote: “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” (James 5:16)  Do not let a day go by that you do not pray for your perfect man.  Let God continue to strengthen him through your prayers.

Finally, as iron sharpens iron, ladies if you want a perfect man, perfect yourselves.  Psalms 18:32 – “It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect”.  Micah 6:8 – “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”  God does not just desire that the male demonstrate the characteristics of perfection, but the female as well.  The words of the mother of King Lemuel which she taught him (Proverbs 31:30)  “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.”   Such a woman represents perfection in the eyes of a man and most importantly God.  When a woman cleaves to a man she must remember she stands as his helpmeet.  She aids him in perfection to such a degree that she need not even say a word when he struggles with perfection knowing that her example of perfection appeals to him (I Peter 3:1-2).

Seeking the perfect man?  A perfect standard exists for the perfect man.  Seek a man who fears God and keeps His commandments.  Seek a man who desires the same perfection in you.  Perfect men exist.  Through His Word, Jesus sacrificed Himself to perfect those who would abide in Him (John 8:31-32).  Man on his own cannot achieve perfection, he will sin.  Pray for his perfection.  Show him your perfection in the way you live your life for Christ.  You can be the perfect woman for the perfect man.

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Faithful Commitment

Jesus, the messiah of mankind, lived a life in the flesh like no other man.  His words and his actions perfectly fit the pattern prescribed by God the Father (John 5:30, John 12:49-50).  That all men save Jesus fall short of the Glory of God is factual (Romans 3:23).  Yet, many who declare themselves prepared for faithful commitment to God soon find themselves transgressing against their vows to serve him.  Their declaration of service comes before considering the cost – their life (Galatians 2:20).  Jesus spoke about this in the parable of the sower.

Matthew 13:20-21 – And he that was sown upon the rocky places, this is he that heareth the word, and straightway with joy receiveth it; yet hath he not root in himself, but endureth for a while; and when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, straightway he stumbleth.

How many souls have walked the path of those words?  Hearts praise God every time a sinner comes to Him and humbly calls upon him for forgiveness.  The sinner dedicates his service to Jesus as Lord and buries himself in the waters of baptism so he can walk in the newness of life (Romans 6:4).   Then, sadly, within a short time he sets aside his vow of faithful commitment and returns to the world.  It is much like an individual who swears off addictions.  His earnestness appears obvious to all.  Yet, he cannot bear the weight of his choice and returns once again to a lack of self control.

The path of those who hastily agree to faithful commitment to God is broad.  The people of Israel left Egypt, a firstborn nation of God.  When Moses shared with them the ordinances of God, “all the people answered with one voice, and said all the words which Jehovah hath spoken will we do.” (Exodus 24:3)  Shortly thereafter (forty days and forty nights), when Moses would come down Mt. Sinai with the ten commandments etched in stone by the finger of God, he would find the children of Israel already engaged in sins against Him whom they swore to obey.  Israel was the bride of God and yet, they chose to be unfaithful.  A marriage of 40 days resulting in infidelity demonstrates a lack of dedication to vows.  That sinful body of people save those twenty years old and under as well as Joshua and Caleb would not make it out of the wilderness.  They would spend 40 years meeting their death.

The feet of the descendants of that people would make it to the Promised Land, Canaan.  After establishing themselves in the land, Joshua would speak to them about their renewed vows to God in Joshua 24:19-22:

“ … Ye cannot serve Jehovah; for he is a holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgression nor your sins.  If ye forsake Jehovah, and serve foreign gods, then he will turn and do you evil, and consume you, after that he hath done you good. And the people said unto Joshua, Nay; but we will serve Jehovah.  And Joshua said unto the people, Ye are witnesses against yourselves that ye have chosen you Jehovah, to serve him. And they said, We are witnesses.”

 Joshua was critical of their dedication to the Lord.  He warned them of unfaithfulness.  Still they declared they would serve God.  Following the death of Joshua, the people faltered in their obedience to God their Head and Master.  They did not drive the inhabitants of Canaan out of the land.  They became idolatrous.  They turned their back on the One to whom they had been betrothed.  They broke their vows to walk the broad way of their forefathers.  They had truly not committed themselves to the Lord.  God punished them often for their continued disobedience.

Centuries later, beyond the time of judges and toward the end of the Kings of Israel, the prophet Jeremiah would prophecy of the coming terror of Babylon.  He would tell the people of Judah and Jerusalem that they would be disciplined for their infidelity.  The people called upon Jeremiah to beseech the Lord in prayer for their safety: “Whether it be good, or whether it be evil, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God, to whom we send thee; that it may be well with us, when we obey the voice of the LORD our God” (Jeremiah 42:6).  The word of God came to Jeremiah telling the people to stand strong in the land which He had given them.  Not to run in fear back to the land of Egypt.  If they would remain, He would turn away Babylon.  Yet, the people did run to Egypt.  They did not obey God, once again going against their own words.  Thus, Babylon destroyed them by the hand of God.

Those things recorded of Israel serve as a guide to the actions of man today (Romans 15:4).  God is a faithful God (Deuteronomy 7:9), but Israel did not put their trust in Him.  They had received him initially with joy, but they did not have depth to their embracing of Him.  He therefore disciplined them for their lack of faithful commitment.

Seeing that man has often jumped into the service of God without a deep commitment, soon turning away from Him, what can be done to reduce the occurrence of this?

First, adequate instruction should be given to those who would come to Christ.  So frequently, the demands of discipleship are not explained thoroughly to the potential Christian.  Individuals readily clothe themselves in Him through baptism, only to realize their hearts were not ready to repent of their worldly lifestyles.  The trials and persecutions which arise immediately overcome the unprepared and weak soul.  Great care must be taken with those who have an infantile knowledge of Christ.  They must be nourished and fed His Word with the understanding of what it means to be a Christian.

Luke 14:27-33 – Whosoever doth not bear his own cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, doth not first sit down and count the cost, whether he have wherewith to complete it? Lest haply, when he hath laid a foundation, and is not able to finish, all that behold begin to mock him, saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. Or what king, as he goeth to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and take counsel whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and asketh conditions of peace.  So therefore whosoever he be of you that renounceth not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.

Second, those considering Christ must understand the world and its vices are not their friend, but an enemy to be put away with the birth of a new creature (John 3:5, 2 Corinthians 5:17).  So many believe they can still be a part of the world around them and serve Christ in faithful commitment.  Yet, this was the failure of Israel before them.  Israel was not to dwell with the people of the land (Deuteronomy 7:1-3).  They were not to marry with them.  They were not to make covenants with them.  They were to utterly destroy them since their time of disobedience was over (Genesis 15:16).  While God does not call His people to discipline by war as He did in the time of Israel (Vengeance is the Lord’s – Romans 12:19), He does still call upon His people to be separate from the world (Romans 12:1-2, 2 Corinthians 6:14-18).

Finally, consider Jesus Words in Matthew 12:43-45:

“ But the unclean spirit, when he is gone out of the man, passeth through waterless places, seeking rest, and findeth it not. Then he saith, I will return into my house whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more evil than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man becometh worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this evil generation.”

Not only must those who would come to Christ be truly taught what it means to be a disciple and separate from the world, they must understand the need to fill their lives with the things of God (Philippians 4:8).  There is a term often used “Nature abhors a vacuum” carrying the meaning that emptiness will be filled.  The question is what shall fill the life of one coming to Christ?  They may indeed cleanse themselves of sin, but if they do not fill their lives in the service and knowledge of their God through faithful commitment, they will once again fill it in service to the god of the world (2 Timothy 2:15, 2 Peter 3:18).

Take a moment to consider all those who you have seen baptized into Christ.  Whether young or old, how many of them fully understood before their conversion what was expected from discipleship?  Did they separate themselves from the world or did they continue to try and balance the world with their life?  Did they fill themselves with the Words which Jehovah spoke or did they once again live a life stained by the filth of the world?  Christians, be vigilant to remain faithful (I Corinthians 10:12, 16:13) and take great care with those who espouse themselves to Christ (2 Timothy 2:24-26, Jude 1:20-23).

Our relationship with God is a deep matter in which we should be fully prepared to trust our God and exercise faithful commitment to our vows to Him while training others to observe the same.  While souls will still be lost who did not fully consider the costs of discipleship, by taking the steps discussed, more will be prepared.

Matthew 26:41 – “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

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The Lust of the Eyes

The student of the Bible understands that one way our adversary, Satan, allures us is through the lust of the eyes: “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world” (1 John 2:16). He did so through the appeal concerning the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil—“it was pleasant to the eyes” (Gen. 3:6), and he continues to do so today.

The eyes of humanity have certainly gotten us into much trouble. In the antediluvian world, the Bible records, “…the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose” (Gen. 6:2). Certainly, this was directly related to the fact that “God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Gen. 6:5). Thus, note the difference in what these men saw and what God saw. Praise God that he was able to see integrity and faithfulness in Noah (Gen. 6:9).

Many individuals in the Bible point out the correlation of our eyes to temptation. In Joshua 7, Achan disobeyed God in stealing things that God specifically announced through Joshua were devoted. His single wicked act was directly responsible for the defeat of Israel at the hands of the citizens of Ai, resulting in the loss of thirty-six men (Josh. 7:5). This disturbs Joshua greatly, and he begins searching throughout the Israelite camp for the one responsible. He whittles down his search through tribe, clan and family to the guilty party—Achan. Only after they discover him does he admit, “When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it” (Josh. 7:21). Please note the progression of sin—he saw, he coveted, he took and he hid. In other words, it all began with the lust of his eyes. Can we not see this same digression within David concerning his sin with Bathsheba? It all began when “David arose from off his bed, and walked upon the roof of the king’s house: and from the roof he saw a woman washing herself; and the woman was very beautiful to look upon” (2 Sam. 11:2). He saw Bathsheba, coveted Bathsheba, took Bathsheba and then tried to hide his sin with Bathsheba—it all began with a lustful look!

Through such, the temptation and allurement of the lust of the eyes is not unique, but is quite common from one generation to the next. It may be the “goodly Babylonish garment” and money that Achan saw or it may be the bathing beautiful woman that David saw. It may be seeing an opportunity to steal the coveted blouse at Wal-Mart or it may be seeing pornography on an isolated computer screen (cf. Matt. 5:28). It may be seeing an opportunity to illegally trade on Wall Street or it may be seeing an opportunity to cheat the IRS on our taxes. It is all the same!

In conclusion, rather than utilizing our eyes to see that which we ought not to view/look, we ought rather to do as Job stated: “I made a covenant with mine eyes…” (Job 31:1). Everyone ought to make a covenant with their eyes against that which is lustful. Rather than using our eyes to see that which is lustful, we ought to use our eyes to see that way of escape from this dangerous mode of temptation: “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it” (1 Cor. 10:13). Let us train our eyes to look for the way out!

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