Gospel of Matthew Chapter 1 Vs. 20

 The Birth of Jesus Christ

Matthew 1:20 “But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.”

angel of the... Gabriel (Luke 1:26). Four such appearances to Joseph (Mat. 1:20, 1:24; 2:13, 2:19).

This is one of only a few such angelic visitations in the New Testament, most of which are associated with Christ’s birth (for others, see 28:2; Acts 5:19; 8:26; 10:3; 12:7-10; 27:23; Rev. 1:1).

in a dream... First of six dreams in the New Testament, all in Matthew (Mat. 1:20; 2:12, 2:13, 2:19, 2:22; 27:19).

As if to underscore the supernatural character of Christ’s advent, Matthew’s narrative of the event describes 5 such revelatory dreams: verses 20; 2:12, 13, 19, and 22. Here the angel told Joseph he was to take Mary into his own home.

Then in a dream (cf. Mat. 2:13, 2:19, 2:22), an angel told Joseph that Mary’s condition was not caused by a man, but through the Holy Spirit (Mat. 1:20; cf. Mat. 1:18). The Child Mary carried in her womb was a unique Child, for He would be a Son whom Joseph should name Jesus for He would save His people from their sins. These words must have brought to Joseph’s mind the promises of God to provide salvation through the New Covenant (Jer. 31:31-37). The unnamed angel also told Joseph that this was in keeping with God’s eternal plan, for the Prophet Isaiah had declared 700 years before that the virgin will be with Child (Mat. 1:23; Isa. 7:14).

Book of Joel Chapter 1 Vs. 13

 

A Call to Repentance

Gird yourselves, and lament, ye priests: howl, ye ministers of the altar: come, lie all night in sackcloth, ye ministers of my God: for the meat offering and the drink offering is withholden from the house of your God. Joel 1:13

Gird yourselves, and... Prepare and be ready to raise up lamentation and mourning; or gird yourselves with sackcloth, and mourn in that, as Aben Ezra and Kimchi supply the words (see Jer. 4:8).

howl, ye ministers... Who served there, by laying on and burning the sacrifices, or offering incense.

come, lie all... That is, come into the house of the Lord, as Kimchi; into the court of the priests, and there lie all night, in the sackcloth girded with; putting up prayers to God, with weeping and lamentations, that he would avert the judgments that were come or were coming upon them.

for the meat... This offering and the drink offering are withholden from the house of your God" (see Joel 1:9).

They were to gird themselves with the sackcloth of mourning. Being gird with sackcloth was an outward expression of the sorrow of their hearts. They were to pray night and day. The daily sacrifice has been taken away. In their time, this meant the loss of daily fellowship with their God. In our day, this means that all symbols of Christianity have been taken away.

Notice the mention of ministers here, which makes me believe these warnings are for their immediate future, and for our day, as well.

Priests Should Mourn

The priests were told to take part (wail) in this lament because, as already noted (Joel 1:9), the ingredients for certain daily offerings were no longer available. (On sackcloth, see Joel 1:8.)

Gospel of Matthew Chapter 1 Vs. 19

The Birth of Jesus Christ 

Verses: 19-20: Because Joseph was a “just man”, he decided to divorce Mary privately but while he considered what should be done “the angel of the Lord” spoke to him in a dream. “The angel” is literally “an angel.” “Put her away,” means to divorce her. The Jewish betrothal had to be legally broken. Joseph’s merciful attitude gives an insight into his true nature as a man.

Matthew 1:19 “Then Joseph her husband, being a just [man], and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily.

being a just... Greek: dikaios, righteous (Mat. 13:49).

a publick example... Expose her to public shame and death, as required by law (Deut. 22:25-28).

put her away... Divorce her privately (Deut. 24:1-4).

Stoning was the legal prescription for this sort of adultery (Deut. 22:23-24). Joseph’s righteousness meant he was also merciful; thus he did not intend to “disgrace” Mary.

The phrase “a just man” is a Hebraism suggesting that he was a true believer in God who had thereby been declared righteous, and who carefully obeyed the law (see Gen. 6:9). To “send her away” would be to obtain a legal divorce (19:8-9; Deut. 24:1), which according to the Jewish custom was necessary in order to dissolve a betrothal.

Again, Mary and Joseph were in the one-year waiting period when Mary was found to be with child. They had never had sexual intercourse and Mary herself had been faithful (Mat. 1:20, 1:23). While little is said about Joseph, one can imagine how his heart must have broken. He genuinely loved Mary, and yet the word came that she was pregnant. His love for her was demonstrated by his actions. He chose not to create a public scandal by exposing her condition to the judges at the city gate. Such an act could have resulted in Mary’s death by stoning (Deut. 22:23-24). Instead he decided to divorce her quietly.

Book of Joel Chapter 1 Vs. 12

 An Invasion of Locusts

The vine is dried up, and the fig tree languisheth; the pomegranate tree, the palm tree also, and the apple tree, even all the trees of the field, are withered: because joy is withered away from the sons of men. Joel 1:12

all the trees... The picture was bleak, for even the deep roots of the trees could not withstand the torturous treatment administered by the locusts, especially when accompanied by an extended drought.

because Joy is... This is speaking of a time, when the joy of the people has withered away. None of the fruit trees produce. There is a curse upon the fruit and vegetables, as well as on the people. The judgment of God has fallen upon them. There is no fruit on the vine.

All of the above trees have symbolized God's people at some time, when the blessings of God was upon them. The trees with no fruit, also, symbolize the fact that God has taken His blessings away.

is withered away... Human joy and delight had departed from all segments of society; none had escaped the grasp of the locusts. The joy that normally accompanied the time of harvest had been replaced with despair.

And these five kinds of fruits (grapes, figs, pomegranates, dates from palm trees, and apples). Because of the destruction of their crops they did not experience the joy of the harvest (cf. Psm. 4:7).

Gospel of Matthew Chapter 1 Vs. 18

 

The Birth of Jesus Christ

Matthew 1:18 “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.”

espoused to Joseph... Espousal among Hebrews was the only legal part of marriage and could not be broken off except by a bill of divorce. All legal documents were signed and contracts completed at this time. All contracts specified a time between the espousal and actual marriage relationship (Gen. 29:18; Deut. 20:1-20).

the Holy Ghost... Luke 1:35; John 1:14; Phlp. 2:1-30; Heb. 2:1-18.

Espoused means that Mary was already bound or betrothed to Joseph, although they were not yet actually married. Jewish betrothal was as binding as modern marriage. A divorce was necessary to terminate the betrothal (verse 19), and the betrothed couple were regarded legally as husband and wife (verse 19), although physical union had not yet taken place.

The custom of the day usually required an interval of one year of betrothal before the bride could actually take residence in her husband’s house and consummate their union.

During this interval “Mary was found with child”. Her pregnancy naturally would have been assumed to be the result of an illegitimate union of adultery, a circumstance punishable by death (Deut. 22:23-24). “With child of the Holy Ghost” is the biblical explanation for the miraculous conception of Christ.

In this verse, we see that Mary was promised to Joseph. Mary and Joseph had not slept together. Her pregnancy was of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost’s Spirit had hovered over Mary, and she had conceived.

His Origin

The fact that Jesus was born “of Mary” only, as indicated in the genealogical record (Mat. 1:16), demanded further explanation. Matthew’s explanation can best be understood in the light of Hebrew marriage customs. Marriages were arranged for individuals by parents, and contracts were negotiated. After this was accomplished, the individuals were considered married and were called husband and wife. They did not, however, begin to live together. Instead, the woman continued to live with her parents and the man with his for one year. The waiting period was to demonstrate the faithfulness of the pledge of purity given concerning the bride. If she was found to be with child in this period, she obviously was not pure, but had been involved in an unfaithful sexual relationship. Therefore the marriage could be annulled. If, however, the one-year waiting period demonstrated the purity of the bride, the husband would then go to the house of the bride’s parents and in a grand processional march lead his bride back to his home. There they would begin to live together as husband and wife and consummate their marriage physically. Matthew’s story should be read with this background in mind.

Book of Joel Chapter 1 Vs. 11

 An Invasion of Locusts

Be ye ashamed, O ye husbandmen; howl, O ye vinedressers, for the wheat and for the barley; because the harvest of the field is perished. Joel 1:11

Be ye ashamed,... The primary emphasis of the Hebrew term connotes a public disgrace, a physical state to which the guilty party has been forcibly bought.

O ye husbandmen... It is not the fault of the vinedressers, or the husbandmen that the locust has come and eaten the crops. This is speaking from a spiritual standpoint. The vinedressers and the husbandmen were those who cared for the souls of the people. This is saying that those who were supposed to be watching for the souls of the people have fallen down on their job.

for the wheat... Symbolizes the believers in Christ. It would be a terrible shame for those who had accepted Christ as their Savior to be lost, because they had not been guided correctly by their ministers. The fall of Judah could be lain at the feet of the spiritual leaders. They did not teach their people the terrible dangers of falling away from God.

They not only, allowed their people to fall into false worship, but were guilty themselves. Ministers now, and priests then, were supposed to watch and warn of any danger. They should have preached about the danger of worshipping false gods.

Farmers Should Mourn

The farmers and vine growers also had reason to mourn since the fruit of their labor had been destroyed. These included grains wheat and barley.

Gospel of Matthew Chapter 1 Vs. 17

 The Genealogy of Jesus Christ

Matthew 1:17 “So all the generations from Abraham to David [are] fourteen generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon [are] fourteen generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ [are] fourteen generations.”

There are 42 generations named, but some not listed here (see, Mat. 1:8, 1:11).

Fourteen generations is the literary grouping used by Matthew to emphasize the three major periods of Israel’s national history: theocracy, monarchy, hierarchy.

The significance of the number 14 is not clear, but Matthew’s attention to numbers, a distinctly Hebrew characteristic, is evident throughout the gospel. The systematic ordering may be an aid for memorization. Note that Matthew counts Jeconiah in both the third and fourth groups, representing both the last generation before the Babylonian captivity and the first generation after.

This was the beginning of Jesus the Christ, the specially Anointed One of God. All others, who came, were leading up to the Messiah.

Matthew obviously did not list every individual in the genealogy between Abraham and David (Mat. 1:2-6), between David and the Exile (Mat. 1:6-11), and between the Exile and Jesus (Mat. 1:12-16). Instead he listed only 14 generations in each of these time periods (Mat. 1:17). Jewish reckoning did not require every name in order to satisfy a genealogy. But why did Matthew select 14 names in each period? Perhaps the best solution is that the name “David” in Hebrew numerology added up to 14. It should be noted that in the period from the Exile to the birth of Jesus (Mat. 1:12-16) 13 new names appeared. Many scholars feel that Jeconiah (Mat. 1:12), though repeated from Mat. 1:11, provides the 14th name in this final period.

Matthew’s genealogy answered the important question a Jew would rightfully ask about anyone who claimed to be King of the Jews. Is He a descendant of David through the rightful line of succession? Matthew answered yes!

Book of Joel Chapter 1 Vs. 10

 An Invasion of Locusts

The field is wasted, the land mourneth; for the corn is wasted: the new wine is dried up, the oil languisheth. Joel 1:10

The field is ... By the locust, that eats up all green things, the grass and herbs, the fruit and leaves of trees.

the land mourneth... Being destitute, nothing growing upon it, and so looked dismally, and of a horrid aspect; or the inhabitants of it, for want of provision.

for the corn... By the locusts, and so by the Assyrian or Chaldean army, before it came to perfection.

the new wine... In the grape, through the drought after mentioned: or, "is ashamed"; not answering the expectations of men, who saw it in the cluster, promising much, but failed.

the oil languisheth... Or "sickens"; the olive trees withered; the olives fell off, as the Targum, and so the oil failed. The corn, wine, and oil, are particularly mentioned, not only as being the chief support of human life, as Kimchi observes, and so the loss of them must be matter of lamentation to the people in general.

But because of these the meat and drink offerings were, and therefore the priests in particular had reason to mourn.

The offering stopped, because of the failure of the crops. We will study in the book of Isaiah that much of the devastation was from natural causes.

Isa. 24:3 "The land shall be utterly emptied, and utterly spoiled: for the LORD hath spoken this word."

The destruction of the crops (grain, grapes, and olive oil, Joel 1:10; cf. Hos. 2:22) had left the priests who served in the house of the Lord without the essentials for the daily grain offerings (minḥâh), which included flour and oil (cf. Num. 28:5), and drink offerings (nesek), which included wine (cf. Exo. 29:40; Num. 28:7).

Gospel of Matthew Chapter 1 Vs. 16

 The Genealogy of Jesus Christ

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

Jacob begat Joseph... Eleven Joseph’s in Scripture: five in the Old Testament (Gen. 30:24; Num. 13:7; 1Ch. 25:2; Ezr. 10:42; Neh. 12:14) and six in the New Testament (Mat. 1:16; 27:57; Luke 3:24, 3:26, 3:30; Acts 1:23).

husband of Mary... Mary the wife of Joseph and the mother of four sons besides Jesus, and of at least three daughters. See Luke 8:19.

The wording carefully avoids giving the impression that Joseph was the natural father of Jesus. As the husband of Mary, he was Jesus’ legal father and the one through whom He had a right to David’s throne. Every emphasis of the text at this point reinforces the doctrine of the virgin birth of Christ.

The pronoun “whom” is singular, referring to Mary alone. The unusual way in which this final entry is phrased underscores the fact that Jesus was not Joseph’s literal offspring. The genealogy nonetheless establishes His claim to the throne of David as Joseph’s legal heir.

Joseph was legally but not physically the father of Jesus (verses 18-25). Though a carpenter in Nazareth (13:55), he was a legal heir of King David (verses 5:16, 20). He was a just and God-fearing man who faithfully carried out God’s commands regarding Mary and the birth of Jesus (verses 19-25).

Joseph is mentioned in Scripture only in the Gospels and only in relation to Jesus Christ’s childhood. The subsequent silence of Scripture suggests that Joseph died before the time of Christ’s public ministry.

Mary, the mother of Jesus, was a godly young woman (Luke 1:28), but not without sin, either original or actual sin, since she herself refers to her own need of a Savior (Luke 1:47). She was betrothed (a Jewish custom legally equivalent to marriage), to Joseph of Nazareth. During this time the Holy Spirit supernaturally caused her to conceive Jesus apart from any human fatherhood (verses 18, 20, 23; Luke 1:31-35), and she remained a virgin until after the birth of Jesus (verse 25).

Mary probably grew up in Nazareth. Following her formal marriage to Joseph and the birth of Jesus she lived in Bethlehem for about two years, spent a short time in Egypt, and then raised her family in Nazareth (13:54-56; Luke 2:51).

Except for the birth narratives, Mary is seldom mentioned in Scripture, even in the Gospels. She is last mentioned shortly before the Day of Pentecost (in Acts 1:14).

This too is a large statement. Jesus took on the form of flesh, so that He might be tempted in all ways as we are. “Jesus” means Savior. “Christ” means the Anointed One.

Again, When the fifth woman, Mary (Mat. 1:16), was mentioned in the genealogy, an important change occurred. The genealogy consistently repeated, the father of, until it came to Mary. At that point Matthew changed and said of whom was born Jesus. The “of whom” is a feminine relative pronoun (ex hēs), clearly indicating that Jesus was the physical Child of Mary but that Joseph was not His physical father. This miraculous conception and birth are explained in Mat. 1:18-25.

Book of Joel Chapter 1 Vs. 9

 An Invasion of Locusts

The meat offering and the drink offering is cut off from the house of the LORD; the priests, the LORD'S ministers, mourn. Joel 1:9

The meat offering… To cut off these offerings, sacrificed each morning and evening (Exo. 29:38-42; Lev. 23:13), was to cut off the people from the covenant. The gravity of the situation was deepened by the fact that it threatened the livelihood of the priests, who were given a portion of most sacrifices.

These offerings had been a time of fellowship with God. These accompanied the morning and evening sacrifices. Suddenly, all of this is stopped. They have lost contact with their God. The priests “the LORD”S ministers” mourn, because they had lived of these offerings. Their livelihood is completely gone. Israel in its state these days.

The meat offering and the drink offering is cut off from the house of the LORD; the priests, the LORD'S ministers, mourn.

is cut off... The primary reason for mourning in this case was the plague’s negative effect on the formal worship system (cf. Joel 1:13). The destruction of the crops (grain, grapes, and olive oil, Joel 1:10; cf. Hos. 2:22) had left the priests who served in the house of the Lord without the essentials for the daily grain offerings (minḥâh), which included flour and oil (cf. Num. 28:5), and drink offerings (nesek), which included wine (cf. Exo. 29:40; Num. 28:7).

mourn... Twelfth & Thirteenth of twenty-two Predictions—Fulfilled here:

12. The meat and drink offerings will be cut off from the temple (Joel 1:9, 1:13).

13. Priests will mourn (Joel 1:9).

The meat offering... The primary reason for mourning in this case was the plague’s negative effect on the formal worship system (cf. Joel 1:13).

Gospel of Matthew Chapter 1 Vs. 13-15

 The Genealogy of Jesus Christ

Matthew 1:13-15 “And Zerubbabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim; and Eliakim begat Azor;” “And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim; and Achim begat Eliud;” “And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan; and Matthan begat Jacob;”

Abiud... The nine men from here to Joseph are not mentioned elsewhere in Scripture.

I know that you have noticed the difference in the spelling of the names here and in the Old Testament. Most of this is caused because of the difference in the Greek and Hebrew languages.

Book of Joel Chapter 1 Vs. 8

 An Invasion of Locusts

Lament like a virgin girded with sackcloth for the husband of her youth. Joel 1:8

Lament like a... As with the drunkards, the religious leaders were to wail as a young maiden would upon the death of her youthful husband, wherein she exchanged the silky fabric of a wedding dress and the joy of a wedding feast for the scratchy, coarse clothing of goat’s hair and the cry of a funeral dirge.

The term “virgin” lacks the notion of virginity in many cases (e.g., Est. 2:17; Eze. 23:3), and when coupled together with the term “bridegroom,” points to a young maiden widowed shortly after marriage.

Girded with sackcloth... Fabric generally made of goat’s hair, usually black or dark in color (Rev. 6:12), and usually placed on the bare body around the hips (Gen. 37:34; 1Kgs. 21:27), leaving the chest free for “beating” (Isa. 32:11-12), and was used in the ancient world to depict sorrow and penitence (Neh. 9:1; Isa. 37:1; Mat. 11:21).

Because the prophets’ message usually dealt with a call to repentance, it became the principal garment worn by prophets (Mat. 3:4; Rev. 11:3).

This is speaking of their sorrow, when God has removed Himself from them. This is a time of mourning. Israel was the wife of God spiritually. The groom has left them helpless and destitute. He has left them, because of their spiritual adultery (unfaithfulness to Him).

The Land Should Mourn

The grammatical form of mourn in Joel 1:8 (fem. sing.) indicates that the addressee is neither the drunkards in Joel 1:5 nor the farmers in Joel 1:11 (both of which are addressed with masc. pl. forms). The land itself (cf. Joel 2:18) or Jerusalem (called Zion in Joel 2:1, 2:15, 2:23, 2:32) is probably addressed here, being personified as a virgin or young woman (cf. 2Kgs. 19:21, “the virgin Daughter of Zion,” and Lam. 1:15, “The virgin Daughter of Judah”). She was told to mourn bitterly, as a bride or bride-to-be would mourn over the unexpected death of the man to whom she was betrothed or married.

There is some debate over the meaning of the term translated “virgin” (b^eṯûlâh). If it refers to an actual virgin, then a betrothed woman, whose marriage had not been consummated, is in view. In this case the man could be called the husband of her youth because of the legally binding nature of betrothal. (Deut. 22:23-24 demonstrates that a betrothed woman could be referred to as both a “virgin” and a “wife.”) However, possibly the word simply refers to a young woman (NIV marg.) regardless of her sexual status. If so, newlyweds are in view in Joel 1:8.

Again, Sackcloth (cf. Joel 1:13), a coarse, dark cloth, was worn in mourning rites as an outward expression of sorrow (cf. Gen. 37:34; 1Kgs. 21:27; Neh. 9:1; Est. 4:1-4; Psm. 69:10-11; Isa. 22:12; 32:11; 37:1-2; Lam. 2:10; Dan. 9:3; Jon. 3:8).

Gospel of Matthew Chapter 1 Vs. 12

 The Genealogy of Jesus Christ

Matthew 1:12 “And after they were brought to Babylon, Jechoniah begat Salathiel; and Salathiel begat Zerubbabel;”

Salathiel] 1Ch. 3:17-19; Ezr. 3:2; 5:2.

Salathiel the father of Zerubbabel (see 1Ch. 3:17-19), where Zerubbabel is said to be the offspring of Pedaiah, Salathiel’s brother. Elsewhere in the Old Testament, Zerubbabel is always called the son of Salathiel (e.g. Hag. 1:1; Ezra 3:2; Nehemiah 12:1). Possibly Salathiel adopted his nephew. Zerubbabel is the last character in Matthew’s list that appears in any of the Old Testament genealogies.

Matthew traced Joseph’s line from Jeconiah through the latter’s son Shealtiel and grandson Zerubbabel (Mat. 1:12). Luke (Luke 3:27) also refers to Shealtiel, the father of Zerubbabel, in Mary’s line.

Book of Joel Chapter 1 Vs. 7

 An Invasion of Locusts

He hath laid my vine waste, and barked my fig tree: he hath made it clean bare, and cast it away; the branches thereof are made white. Joel 1:7

He hath laid... This describes an extremity of desolation. The locusts at first attack all which is green and succulent; when this has been consumed, then they attack the bark of trees.

When they have devoured all other vegetables, they attack the trees, consuming first the leaves, then the bark. A day or two after one of these bodies were in motion, others were already hatched to glean after them, gnawing off the young branches and the very bark of such trees as had escaped before with the loss only of their fruit and foliage.”

They carried desolation wherever they passed. After having consumed vegetation, fruit, leaves of trees, they attacked even their young shoots and their bark. Even the reeds, wherewith the huts were thatched, though quite dry, were not spared.

Everything in the country was devoured; the bark of figs, pomegranates, and oranges, bitter hard and corrosive, escaped not their excessive desire to eat.

That is the locust, which spoiled the vines in Judea, by gnawing the branches, biting the tops of them, and devouring the leaves and the fruit. And so not only left them bare and barren, but destroyed them.

The fig tree symbolizes Israel, including Judah. This is speaking of the devastation that comes to Judah. Locusts would debark every tree. This is speaking of them being totally cut off from God.

Their protection (bark), is gone. The tree was actually stripped of all the leaves, fruit, and bark. The tree left would have a hard time living. This is exactly what does happen to Judah. They are left barren and helpless.

This mighty nation an innumerable (without number) like a swarm of locusts had invaded the prophet’s land. Their ability to devour was like that of a lion, which can rip and tear almost anything with its powerful teeth (likened to fangs). The locusts had destroyed the vines and stripped even the bark from the fig trees.… leaving their branches white.

Gospel of Matthew Chapter 1 Vs. 11

 The Genealogy of Jesus Christ

Matthew 1:11 “And Josiah begat Jechoniah and his brethren, about the time they were carried away to Babylon:”

Jechonias... Jechoniah or Coniah (2Kgs. 24:6-16). Between him and Josiah were two more kings that are not listed here: Jehoahaz and Jehoiakim (2Kgs. 23:31-24:6). Following him Zedekiah reigned and then the kingdom of Judah came to an end (2Kgs. 24:6-25:30).

Josiah became the father of Jechoniah. Again, Matthew skips a generation between Josiah and Jechoniah (1Ch. 3:14-16). Jechoniah is also called Jehoiachin (2Kgs. 24:6; 2Ch. 36:8), and sometimes Coniah (Jer. 22:24). Jechoniah’s presence in the genealogy presents an interesting dilemma.

Jechoniah, called “Coniah” in (Jer. 22:24-30. A curse on him forbade any of his descendants from the throne of David forever (Jer. 22:30). Had Jesus been the “natural” son of Joseph, He could not have reigned on David’s throne. However, since His natural lineage is through Mary, and His legal authority is granted through His adoptive relationship to Joseph’s line, this curse does not apply to Him.

Since Jesus was heir through Joseph to the royal line of descent, but not an actual son of Joseph and thus not a physical descendant through this line, the curse bypassed him.

Book of Joel Chapter 1 Vs. 6

 An Invasion of Locusts

For a nation is come up upon my land, strong, and without number, whose teeth are the teeth of a lion, and he hath the cheek teeth of a great lion. Joel 1:6

a nation is... The only nation that will come against Judah in the day of the Lord will be that of the future Antichrist from Syria and Babylon (Eze. 38-39; Dan. 11:41-45; 2Th. 2:3-4; Rev. 16:13-16; 19:11-21). His army of that day is called "the northern army" (Joel 2:20). A literal invasion of locusts pictured the kind of destruction and judgment inflicted by human armies.

The key word in this verse is “my”. Judah was His people. This nation could not come against God’s land, except God ordained it. God sent this vicious nation against His people and land.

Joel described these hostile, countless locusts as possessing the “fangs of a lioness,” so able were they to devour anything in their path. They are occasionally used as symbolic of violence (Gen. 49:9; Num. 23:24), and of the violent, awesome nature of God’s judgment (Isa. 30:6; Hos. 13:8).

The “teeth of a lion” speaks of the great destruction.

Pro. 30:14 “[There is] a generation, whose teeth [are as] swords, and their jaw teeth [as] knives, to devour the poor from off the earth, and the needy from [among] men.”

Like a mighty nation an innumerable (without number) swarm of locusts had invaded the prophet’s land. Their ability to devour was like that of a lion, which can rip and tear almost anything with its powerful teeth (likened to fangs).

Gospel of Matthew Chapter 1 Vs. 9-10

The Genealogy of Jesus Christ

 

Matthew 1:9-10 “And Uzziah begat Jotham; and Jotham begat Ahaz; and Ahaz begat Hezekiah;” “And Hezekiah begat Manasseh; and Manasseh begat Amon; and Amon begat Josiah;”

These verses contain the genealogy of Jesus. Luke also Luke 3 gives a genealogy of the Messiah. No two passages of Scripture have caused more difficulty than these, and various attempts have been made to explain them.

Joatham... Jotham (2Kgs. 15:32-38).

Achaz... Ahaz (2Kgs. 16:1-20).

Ezekias... Hezekiah (2Kgs. 18:1-20:20).

Manasses... Manasseh (2Kgs. 21:1-18).

Josias... Josiah (2kgs. 22:1-23:30).

Joel Chapter 1 Vs. 5

 An Invasion of Locusts

Awake, ye drunkards, and weep; and howl, all ye drinkers of wine, because of the new wine; for it is cut off from your mouth. Joel 1:5

Awake, ye drunkards... The drunkards were to awaken to the realization that their wine would be no more. They were to weep bitterly and to wail. The severity of the devastation called for public, communal mourning.

the new wine... The term can denote either freshly squeezed grape juice or newly fermented wine (Isa. 49:26).

This Scripture is one that stands out as a warning against drinking. The following Scripture explains a little more fully the consequences of heavy drinking.

Pro. 23:21 "For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe [a man] with rags."

is cut off... There will be no new wine, because the locusts have eaten the raw material that the wine is made from. There is a spiritual meaning, as well. New wine, sometimes, symbolizes the Holy Spirit. In the spiritual sense, this could mean that drunkards cannot receive the Holy Spirit.

A call to mourn

Utilizing the form of a call to mourning, the prophet elaborated on the horrifying details and effects of the locust plague. This section contains four units (Joel 1:5-7, 1:8-10, 1:11-12, 1:13), each of which includes a call proper (Joel 1:5, 1:8, 1:11, 1:13) followed by the reasons for sorrow (Joel 1:5-7, 1:9-10, 1:11-12, 1:13). The personified land (or city?) as well as some of the groups most severely affected by the plague (drunkards, farmers, priests) were addressed.

Drunkards Should Mourn

Drunkards were told to weep and wail because no wine would be available due to the destruction of the vineyards (Joel 1:5; cf. Joel 1:7, 1:10, 1:12).

Gospel of Matthew Chapter 1 Vs. 7-8

 The Genealogy of Jesus Christ

Matthew 1:7-8 “And Solomon begat Rehoboam; and Rehoboam begat Abijah; and Abijah begat Asa;” “And Asa begat Jehoshaphat; and Jehoshaphat begat Jehoram; and Jehoram begat Uzziah;”

Matthew obviously did not list every individual in the genealogy between Abraham and David (Mat. 1:2-6), between David and the Exile (Mat. 1:6-11).

Rehoboam see (1 Kings 11:41-12:24).

Abia... Abijam (1 Kings 14:31-15:8).

Jehoshaphat see (1Kgs. 15:23-24; 22:2-50).

Joram... Jehoram (2Kgs. 8:16-24).

Ozias... Azariah or Uzziah (2Kgs. 15:1-7). Between Jehoram and Uzziah three kings reigned that are not mentioned in this genealogy: Ahaziah (2Kgs. 8:25-26); Jehoash (2Kgs. 12:1); and Amaziah (2Kgs. 14:1-2). All names are not necessary in a royal genealogy.

Matthew skips over Ahaziah, Joash, and Amaziah, going directly from Jehoram to Uzziah (Ozias, a form of Uzziah). Using a kind of genealogical shorthand, he seems to do this intentionally in order to make a symmetrical 3-fold division in verse 17.

Joel Chapter 1 Vs. 4

 An Invasion of Locusts

That which the palmerworm hath left hath the locust eaten; and that which the locust hath left hath the cankerworm eaten; and that which the cankerworm hath left hath the caterpiller eaten. Joel 1:4

That which the... The 1st section of the prophecy of Joel (Joel 1:4-14, fulfilled). Next, Joel 1:15.

Twenty-two Predictions—Fulfilled:

1. The palmerworm will eat your crops (Joel 1:4).

2. Locusts will eat what the palmerworm leaves.

3. Cankerworms will eat what the locusts leave.

4. Caterpillars will eat what the cankerworms leave.

5. The new wine will be cut off (Joel 1:5).

6. A nation will come up upon My land, strong, and without number, whose teeth are as the teeth of a lion, and his jaws like those of a great lion (Joel 1:6).

7. He will lay waste My vine (Joel 1:7).

8. He will mark My tree.

9. He will make them clean bare.

10. He will cast it away.

11. The branches will be made white.

12. The meat and drink offerings will be cut off from the temple (Joel 1:9, 1:13).

13. Priests will mourn (Joel 1:9).

14. The fields will be wasted (Joel 1:10).

15. The land will mourn.

16. The corn is wasted.

17. The new wine is dried up.

18. The oil languishes.

19. The wheat and barley will perish (Joe_1:12).

20. The vine will be dried up.

21. The fig tree will languish.

22. The pomegranate, palm, apple, and other trees of the field will wither.

the palmerworm--Four Stages of the Locust

1. Palmerworm... Hebrew: gazam, the gnawer. This is the worm stage—just from the egg and without wings.

2. Locust... Hebrew: ’arbeh, the swarmer. It is still in the first skin. The word is used of little ones without legs or wings.

3. Cankerworm... Hebrew: yeleq, the devourer. The third stage when it casts off its first skin and develops little wings so it can leap a little, but not fly.

4. Caterpillar... Hebrew: chaciyl, the consumer. The locust fully matured, with long wings and legs, and able to devour all before it.

hath the locust eaten... These 4 words express the completeness of the destroying agencies. The Hebrew reads: "Gnawer’s remnant, Swarmer eats; Swarmer’s remnant, Devourer eats; Devourer’s remnant, Consumer eats." Thus, 12 Hebrew words condense the whole thought, which is the complete and immediate destruction of Judah and Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon (Joel 1:4-14)—a foretaste of the latter-day destruction of Israel in the day of the Lord (Joel 1:15-3:21).

The 4 kinds of locusts refer to their species or their stages of development (2:25), where the writer mentions them in different order. The total destruction caused by their voracious appetites demands repentance (Deut. 28:38; Isa. 33:4; Amos 7:1).

This verse describes the devastation of the “locust” plague. Moses prophesied that God would use locusts to punish His people if they were disobedient (Deut. 28:38, 42). The language may express the four stages in the development of a single type of insect.

The palmerworm (Hebrew gazam, “to gnaw”), is the stage at which the locust is first hatched and is characterized by its gnawing activity.

The locust (Hebrew arben, “to be many”), is the most common name for the locust, and is the second stage, in which the locust gets its wings and flies.

The cankerworm (Hebrew yeleg, “to lick off”), is the stage in which it does its destructive work.

The caterpillar (Hebrew chasil, “to devour or to consume”), is the final stage, in which the locust reaches its full growth and devours everything in its path.

This speaks of a famine of tremendous magnitude. This is speaking of locusts that devour the entire crop. The palmerworm, cankerworm, and caterpillar are all types of locusts.

The event in view was a massive invasion by locusts which completely destroyed the land’s vegetation. Four terms are used for locusts here (locust swarm, gāzām; great locusts, ’arbeh; young locusts, yeleq; and other locusts, ḥāsı̂l). Some have proposed that the four terms correspond to the locust’s phases of development from the pupa to full-grown stages (e.g., Thompson, “Joel’s Locusts in the Light of the Near Eastern Parallels,” pp. 52-5). However, several problems attend this position (see Wolff, Joel and Amos, pp. 27-8). More likely, the terms are synonymous, used for variety’s sake and to emphasize the successive “waves” of locusts in the invasion.

The threefold reference to the leftovers of one wave of locusts being devoured by the next emphasizes the thorough nature of the destruction. (For records of eyewitness accounts of locust plagues, see Driver, The Books of Joel and Amos, pp. 40, 89-93; George Adam Smith, The Book of the Twelve Prophets, 2:391-5, and John D. Whiting, “Jerusalem’s Locust Plague,” National Geographic Magazine 28. December 1915, pp. 511-50.)