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The Covenants in Matthew (part 1) - Class 9
Summary
In this 9th installment of the *Story of the Bible* class series, Garrett Bookout examines how the Gospel of Matthew functions not as a new, disconnected story, but as the continuation and climactic fulfillment of Israel’s Old Testament covenants. Focusing on Matthew 1–3, Garrett explores how the Gospel writer strategically presents Jesus as the promised seed of Abraham, the rightful heir to the Davidic throne, and the righteous Son of God who brings in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Description
Garrett Bookout opens the lesson by revisiting the overarching framework of the biblical storyline. He describes Creation (Genesis 1–2) and New Creation (Revelation 21–22) as the foundational "bookends" holding together a single unified narrative of divine restoration.
The core of the class focuses on how Old Testament covenant promises converge in the Person and ministry of Jesus as presented by Matthew:
1. **The Three Key Old Testament Covenants:**
* **Abrahamic Covenant (People):** A seed promise through which all families of the earth will be blessed. Unchanging, based on God's pledge to Abraham.
* **Mosaic Covenant (Law & Land):** Conditional covenant governed by obedience. Repeatedly broken by Israel.
* **Davidic Covenant (King):** An enduring promise of a royal heir whose kingdom will reign forever, rooted in God's pledge to David.
2. **Matthew’s Strategic Genealogy (Matthew 1):**
* Matthew immediately establishes Jesus as the *"Son of David, the Son of Abraham."*
* By organizing 3 sets of 14 generations (connecting Hebrew numerical gematria for David's name: D-V-D = 4+6+4 = 14), Matthew highlights David the King, demonstrating that even after the Babylonian exile, God's royal covenant line remained intact.
3. **The Arrival & Threat of the Promised King (Matthew 2):**
* Wise men from the East recognize Jesus as the born "King of the Jews," while King Herod—a ruthless ruler representing the politically compromised Herodian dynasty—feels threatened and seeks to destroy Him.
* Jesus’ birthplace in Bethlehem fulfills Old Testament prophecy regarding the humble shepherd-ruler of Israel.
4. **Anointed as the Righteous Son of God (Matthew 3):**
* At His baptism by John, Jesus demonstrates a desire to *"fulfill all righteousness."*
* The Father's voice from heaven (*"This is my beloved Son"*) confirms Jesus as the divine King prophesied in Psalm 2—a stark contrast to the corrupt and unrighteous kings of Israel's past.
The core of the class focuses on how Old Testament covenant promises converge in the Person and ministry of Jesus as presented by Matthew:
1. **The Three Key Old Testament Covenants:**
* **Abrahamic Covenant (People):** A seed promise through which all families of the earth will be blessed. Unchanging, based on God's pledge to Abraham.
* **Mosaic Covenant (Law & Land):** Conditional covenant governed by obedience. Repeatedly broken by Israel.
* **Davidic Covenant (King):** An enduring promise of a royal heir whose kingdom will reign forever, rooted in God's pledge to David.
2. **Matthew’s Strategic Genealogy (Matthew 1):**
* Matthew immediately establishes Jesus as the *"Son of David, the Son of Abraham."*
* By organizing 3 sets of 14 generations (connecting Hebrew numerical gematria for David's name: D-V-D = 4+6+4 = 14), Matthew highlights David the King, demonstrating that even after the Babylonian exile, God's royal covenant line remained intact.
3. **The Arrival & Threat of the Promised King (Matthew 2):**
* Wise men from the East recognize Jesus as the born "King of the Jews," while King Herod—a ruthless ruler representing the politically compromised Herodian dynasty—feels threatened and seeks to destroy Him.
* Jesus’ birthplace in Bethlehem fulfills Old Testament prophecy regarding the humble shepherd-ruler of Israel.
4. **Anointed as the Righteous Son of God (Matthew 3):**
* At His baptism by John, Jesus demonstrates a desire to *"fulfill all righteousness."*
* The Father's voice from heaven (*"This is my beloved Son"*) confirms Jesus as the divine King prophesied in Psalm 2—a stark contrast to the corrupt and unrighteous kings of Israel's past.
Outline
I. Introduction & Narrative Framework
* **Class Objective:** Seeing the "forest for the trees"—understanding the single, continuous story of Scripture.
* **The Creation Bookends:** Creation in Genesis vs. Restored Creation in Revelation.
* **The Need for Restoration:** Human sin and the tragic pattern of downfall following the Fall.
II. Review of Old Testament Covenants
* **Abrahamic Covenant:** A covenant of people and blessing via lineage/seed.
* **Mosaic Covenant:** A covenant of law governing life in the land (conditional).
* **Davidic Covenant:** A covenant of an everlasting king and kingdom.
* **Seed Promises:** Why lineage matters for both Abraham and David, but not Moses.
III. Matthew 1: The Royal Genealogy
* **The Gospel as Fulfillment:** Bridging the gap between Old and New Testaments.
* **Opening Declaration (Matthew 1:1):** Identifying Jesus as Son of David and Son of Abraham.
* **Structure of 14 Generations:**
* Symbolic emphasis on David's name ($D-V-D = 14$).
* Tracing the line through the crisis of the Babylonian captivity.
* Explicitly highlighting *"David the King"* (v. 6).
IV. Matthew 2: The Arrival of the True King
* **Magi vs. Herod:** Genuine worship from afar versus fear and rivalry from political rulers.
* **The Herodian Dynasty:** Contrast between corrupt earthly rulers and God's true King.
* **Prophetic Fulfillment:** Bethlehem as the birthplace of Israel's shepherd-ruler (Micah 5:2 / Matt 2:6).
V. Matthew 3: The Righteous Son of God
* **John the Baptist's Message:** Proclaiming the arrival of the Kingdom of Heaven.
* **Jesus’ Baptism:** Fulfilling all righteousness rather than exploiting power.
* **Divine Affirmation:** God declaring Jesus as His beloved Son (Psalm 2 connection).
VI. Conclusion & Key Takeaway
* **Core Theme:** Jesus is not merely David’s descendant; He is the righteous, divine King who fulfills God's covenant promises to restore humanity.
* **Class Objective:** Seeing the "forest for the trees"—understanding the single, continuous story of Scripture.
* **The Creation Bookends:** Creation in Genesis vs. Restored Creation in Revelation.
* **The Need for Restoration:** Human sin and the tragic pattern of downfall following the Fall.
II. Review of Old Testament Covenants
* **Abrahamic Covenant:** A covenant of people and blessing via lineage/seed.
* **Mosaic Covenant:** A covenant of law governing life in the land (conditional).
* **Davidic Covenant:** A covenant of an everlasting king and kingdom.
* **Seed Promises:** Why lineage matters for both Abraham and David, but not Moses.
III. Matthew 1: The Royal Genealogy
* **The Gospel as Fulfillment:** Bridging the gap between Old and New Testaments.
* **Opening Declaration (Matthew 1:1):** Identifying Jesus as Son of David and Son of Abraham.
* **Structure of 14 Generations:**
* Symbolic emphasis on David's name ($D-V-D = 14$).
* Tracing the line through the crisis of the Babylonian captivity.
* Explicitly highlighting *"David the King"* (v. 6).
IV. Matthew 2: The Arrival of the True King
* **Magi vs. Herod:** Genuine worship from afar versus fear and rivalry from political rulers.
* **The Herodian Dynasty:** Contrast between corrupt earthly rulers and God's true King.
* **Prophetic Fulfillment:** Bethlehem as the birthplace of Israel's shepherd-ruler (Micah 5:2 / Matt 2:6).
V. Matthew 3: The Righteous Son of God
* **John the Baptist's Message:** Proclaiming the arrival of the Kingdom of Heaven.
* **Jesus’ Baptism:** Fulfilling all righteousness rather than exploiting power.
* **Divine Affirmation:** God declaring Jesus as His beloved Son (Psalm 2 connection).
VI. Conclusion & Key Takeaway
* **Core Theme:** Jesus is not merely David’s descendant; He is the righteous, divine King who fulfills God's covenant promises to restore humanity.
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