Articles
Have You Not Read - Matthew 19
Have You Not Read - Matthew 19
This is an important chapter concerning the biblical teaching on divorce and remarriage. However, underlying that whole issue is the issue of the Bible: its reliability and its authority. The Pharisees came to test Jesus by asking a question concerning what God allows/approves of. WHERE would Jesus go to find such an answer? Of course, he goes to the written revelation of God.
Is it ‘lawful’ must be answered from ‘the law’. First, Jesus simply asks: “Have you not read?” Read what? The written revelation of God. Jesus then follows this question by quoting the text. Although Jesus lived over a thousand years from the time of the writing of this by Moses, He had confidence that this was yet the word of God. The original writing had long been disappeared, yet the quoting of the copies was considered to be as authoritative as the original.
Thus, Jesus shows a confidence that the truth had been preserved.
- This was revealed to and written down by Moses.
- What was written was an accurate record of what God said.
- What was written was accurately preserved through copying.
- Such record could be read.
- Such reading could and should provide a correct understanding.
- Upon such understanding of God’s word, one should obey it.
Jesus then warned that the real problem is that some would not accept it. They had read and understood, but then refused to apply it in their lives. Often such refusal to apply things is covered up by claiming that truth cannot be understood. However this works out, the bottom line is that they were not obedient unto God.
It is of little wonder then that Jesus said that our righteousness must exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees! Let us give all diligence to our reading, understanding, and applying God's word to our lives.
Hugh DeLong
2 Timothy 3:16–17 - "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work."
