Wednesday: The Land of Zebulun and Naphtali
Matthew 4:12 tells about the imprisonment of John, thus ending his ministry. At this point, Jesus’ ministry “officially” begins. The text doesn’t say why, when Jesus heard about John, He went to Galilee, only that He did. (See also Mark 1:14-16 and Luke 4:14.)Perhaps, while John was still preaching, Jesus wanted to keep a lower profile, lest a rivalry arise?
Image © Lars Justinen from GoodSalt.com
The Greek verb in Matthew 4:12, often translated “departed,” can give the idea of “withdrawing,” in the sense of avoiding danger. Thus, prudent as always, perhaps Jesus was seeking to avoid trouble.
Read Matthew 4:13-16 (see also Isa. 9:1-2) about Jesus’ settling in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali. What are these texts saying about the ministry of Jesus?
Zebulun and Naphtali were two of Jacob’s sons (see Gen. 35:23-26), and their descendants became two of the tribes that ultimately settled in the beautiful northern region.
Unfortunately, these two tribes were among the 10 tribes who gave up their faith in God and turned to the things of the world. Many of the Old Testament prophets railed against the sinfulness, the worldliness, and the evil of these northern tribes, who were eventually overrun by the Assyrians, who then scattered them around the then known world. In turn, Gentiles settled in Israel, and Galilee became a mixed population, a confused and dark place. Galilee’s most famous prophet was Jonah, which ought to tell us something about their level of commitment.
Whatever the problems in Galilee, there was this beautiful prophecy in Isaiah—that even in the dark land of Zebulun and Naphtali, “‘on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned’” (Matt. 4:16, NIV). In other words, here—where the need was so great, where people were deemed rude, backward, boorish—Jesus came and lived and ministered among them. However exalted He Himself might have been, we see the willingness of Jesus to humble Himself for the sake of others. We see here, too, another example of how central the Old Testament was to the ministry of Jesus.
| How can we avoid the temptation to deem people as unworthy of our efforts to minister and witness to them? What’s so wrong with that attitude? |
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Salvation is for everyone, Matthew 10:8 freely you have received, freely give we are not supposed to consider ourselves worthy than others but to share the Good news of Salvation to all nations. Let Christ be our example as he willingly humble himself for the sake of others
Gods timing is always right. When the way looks and seems impossible God makes it possible. He can work with the most corrupt people and make them uncurrupted. The most negative and make positive.
Amen
Christ ransomed every human being, the same price was paid for all; rich and poor, black and white and that it is why the gospel message should be given to all.
Jesus was not hiding nor was He afraid of rivalry. John knew the messiah would come paraphrasing 'Are you the one or seek I another'
All we need to do to avoid the pitfall of self-righteousness, is to take a good, long, honest look at ourselves through the lenses of the cross; we would see ourselves no better than the the two thieves hanging on either side of the Sinless Lamb of God. That should give us an accurate perspective of who we really are. If Jesus, holy and righteous as He is, could lay aside His exalted position as equal with God, take on the form of sinful man and come down to our level, there is no way (in this scenario) for any of us to consider anyone else unworthy of our efforts to share the light of salvation that we have so freely, and undeservedly received.
Let's not do what Jonah did when God first called him to warn the people of Nineveh in order to save their city, for God takes no pleasure in the destruction of the wicked and we shouldn't either, (Eze. 18:23)). We are guilty and worthy of death for we have all sinned (Rom. 3:23). Jesus deliberately made His abode among the lost tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali for that very purpose, to offer them salvation from their sins.
Look upon Jesus, sinless is He;
Father, impute His life unto me.
My life of scarlet, my sin and woe,
Cover with His life, whiter than snow.
Refrain:
Cover with His life, whiter than snow;
Fullness of His life then shall I know;
My life of scarlet, my sin and woe,
Cover with His life, whiter than snow.
Deep are the wounds transgression has made;
Red are the stains; my soul is afraid.
O to be covered, Jesus, with Thee,
Safe from the law that now judgeth me!
Can anybody tell me the difference between Samaria and Galilee in the context of today's lesson - bearing in mind that Zebulun and Naphthali are part of the ten northen tribes (lost tribes)?
Did those tribes exist as Jews? Or was the land called Galilee populated by the repatriated children of Judah? Otherwise how come Joseph a descendant of David lived in Nazareth of Galilee?
Christ's disciples were Jews living in Galilee. Who therefore wete the Galileans - who wete despised by the Judeans?
And why was Galilee separated from Judea at the time of Christ?
Joseph had two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. They were of mixed marriage (israel and egypt) and the families became the area of Samaria. The northern tribes of Naphtali and Zebulon bordered the second region of Dan, all were Israel. There was a distinction of northern vs southern (Judah) when the tribes warred over who would be King (after David). The Judah tribes thought the Northern were backward country Hicks cause "you ain't got the temple". But arrogance did them no service, the ark of the covenant did not live in the Jerusalem temple in which Jesus taught, Jesus was the true Temple and the tables turned in favor of those backward Galileans. So today, our arrogance is unbecoming: Matt 22:8.
When will the church leaders, pastors, teachers instruct/train members how to share the gospel to the unchurched and/or person on the street?
Ask any of them what the gospel is and then say ..after they give their spin......"Is that what you would say to the unchurched and/or person on the street?
Telling them that the gospel is
the death , burial and resurrection of Jesus
or
good news
or
God loves you
or
power of God unto salvation
or
Jesus died for your sins
or
good news of grace
is not going to get it...
Thank you Karen for the reminder of the love and kindness of God.
Great lesson indeed.every person is important to God we should always think why Jesus himself the son of God decided to leave the splendor of heaven and came to seek those who are lost and we should not look down on any one to a sinner than our selves instead it is our duty to share the good news of Christ.
We must remember we all are sinners, saved only by the grace of God. I believe that the best way to tell someone about Jesus is to live a life that is pleasing to God. Can you or I preach about Jesus and yet show how we are serving Satan? One must be totally committed to walking the path that God has set for them. We are cannot lead if we ourselves are not following Christ.
John came to prepare a way for Jesus, as stated in Mark 1:3. John work was ending as Jesus work was beginning.This shows us that in any position you are given there is limit to which you can perform and others have to take over
Loving that! All flesh is grass. So we should be humble and prepare our replacement rather than trying to live as a dictator. No credit I claim, only to thy cross I cling.
After the arrest of John the Baptist, Jesus leaves Judea and He continues on from Nazareth to Capernaum on the Sea of Galilee and Capernaum is, in the “territory of Zebulun and Naphtali” (Matthew 4:13).This was prophesied in the book of (Isaiah 9:1-2). The greatest lesson we can take from Naphtali is that God exalts the humble. Naphtali (as part of Galilee) was despised, and Nazareth was the lowest of the low. Yet Nazareth was Jesus’ hometown, and Galilee was exactly where Jesus chose to begin His ministry. For our sakes, He became ‘despised and rejected by men” (Isaiah 53:3). The King of kings had the most unpretentious start. He is truly ‘humble in heart’ (Matthew 11:29).
We are told that these two tribes were among the 10 tribes who gave up their faith in God and turned to the things of the world.Yes they had given up their faith but God never gave up on them.His desire is that ALL should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).We also need to have this same mind that was in Christ.Let us not write off people.Who would have thought that Saul would become an Apostle of Jesus Christ one day?Imagine a person who used to persecute the children of God.If it was you who had met up with Saul what would you have done?Read (Acts 9) and see Saul's conversion.We see the amazing Grace of our God.At times we are so quick to judge people and we do not even pray for them that they should also receive the precious gift salvation let alone witnessing to them.
Christopher, the book of Mathew by Andy Nash may answer some of your questions. It is the companion book to these lessons.
At Capernaum Jesus dwelt in the intervals of His journeys to and fro, and it came to be known as "His own city." It was on the shores of the Sea of Galilee (in the lands of Zebulon and Naphtali)... Capernaum itself was well adapted to be the center of the Saviour's work. Being on the highway from Damascus to Jerusalem and Egypt, and to the Mediterranean Sea, it was a great thoroughfare of travel. People from many lands passed through the city, or tarried for rest in their journeyings to and fro. Here Jesus could meet all nations and all ranks, the rich and great as well as the poor and lowly, and His lessons would be carried to other countries and into many households. Investigation of the prophecies would thus be excited, attention would be directed to the Saviour, and His mission would be brought before the world. {DA 252.3}
I think the author went off track in the contexts of Zebulon and Naphtali...Jesus chose this area due to its influence to spill over the gospel messages.... However yes, all peoples are worthy of the blood of Calvary and Jesus' atonement. Maranatha.
Jesus sought to save the people of the lands by preaching repentance for their salvation. Jesus lived among the many sinners in these lands for their salvation.
My name is Michelle Thompson, and it astounds me to see such great pride and arrogance in us. Where did/does it come from? Who told us we were better than anyone else? We look like Pharisees. When did that happen to us? -What's wrong with the attitude is that we haven't beheld the innocent King that was nailed on the Cross ALIVE for us! I can't help forgetting how He inspired Moses to write, "His body shall not remain all night upon the tree, but you shalt in any wise bury him that day; (for he that is hanged is accursed of God...)" Deuteronomy 21: 23. It brings me to tears that these are the passages He studied as a child...The Old Testament passages...Psalms 22 and Isaiah 53. When will we answer the knock on the door of our hearts, open it and let Him in that we can REALLY appreciate the dreadful experience from His childhood to Calvary for us, in this day and time; in this generation of materialism? When will we let go of our selfishness to bear the weight of Gethsemane with Him?...We're so close to His return and are missing the beauty in the relationship here on earth!!!!...The further we are from Him, the less value we place on our brethren's lives...
In response to the question, "The text doesn’t say why, when Jesus heard about John, He went to Galilee, only that He did. (See also Mark 1:14-16 and Luke 4:14.)Perhaps, while John was still preaching, Jesus wanted to keep a lower profile, lest a rivalry arise?" we can go to The Desire of Ages where Sister White answers this in the chapter entitled "He Must Increase":
Thank you Roberta. That is a good, clear, explanation about why Jesus went up to Galilee at that time. I feel that where-ever possible, it is important that our yes's be definite yes's, and our no's definite no's... and in matters such as this, we CAN afford to be definite.
Especially with our in-house lessons, I don't believe we need to use words like "perhaps", when clear explanations [like the one you've just given] are provided for us in the Spirit of Prophecy.