About Matthew

Matthew gives us details about the birth of Jesus that we don't get from any other Gospel. Matthew was a Jew from the tribe of Levi. (let me know if you need more info on this) His proper name was Levi. The Levites were the tribe that cared for the temple and became scribes and priests of the Jewish people. Matthew was probably very well trained in the Jewish laws and scriptures. He probably knew the scriptures and was very familiar with the prophecies about the messiah to come. Some where along the way he had rejected his heritage and upbringing and became a tax gatherer for the Roman government, which made him a traitor in the eyes of his own people. His social contacts were Romans. He would have had a Roman guard assigned to him to help him enforce the collection of the taxes for Rome. He also would have had a relationship with the Roman who received the taxes he collected. These would have been his friends. We find out in chapter 9 that Matthew gives a dinner for Jesus that includes other tax gatherers and sinners. This is no doubt the reason that Matthew had inside information into Herod's court, the slaughter of the two year olds and the arrival of the wise men even though it had all taken place almost 30 years earlier.

Ok, so, Time to read the first chapter! Always pray!! Pray for the help of the Holy Spirit to give you understanding and rememberance.

Read the chapter at least five times, not all at once. Take some time in between . Next blog I'll talk about chapter 1  and the word association for remembering what is in Matthew Chapter one. I am hoping that this turns out to be the easiest (and dare I say fun)  Bible study you have ever done.

Comments, questions and concerns are always welcome
Love
nancy