Genesis 17, Matthew 17

DateVersionReading Plan
January 17, 2025ESV (2016)OT/NT Plan 2025 – 2027

Genesis 17

The theme of covenant is significant in this chapter: its establishment with Abram by God, the changing of names of Abram to Abraham and Sarai to Sarah as well as its signification through circumcision of all males. The TGCBC elaborates on some particularly important aspects of this covenant:

[The covenant established in Gen. 17 is a] new and broader covenant that subsumes the covenant made in chapter 15…Whereas the covenant in chapter 15 is restricted to Abraham being the father of one nation, this new covenant extends Abraham’s fatherhood to embrace other nations…In contrast to the covenant of chapter 15, God describes this covenant as “an everlasting covenant”

Prior to today’s reading of the chapter and of the TGCBC, I had understood the Abrahamic covenant to be of only one that God established with Abraham.

Key Takeaways and Application

A couple of takeaways are as follows. First, this new covenant made by God with Abraham establishes the precedent that God may and does supersede a previously-created covenant. It is within God’s domain to do this and we see its culmination in the new covenant established in Jesus’ blood (see Luke 22:20).

Secondly, God established a covenant with a fallen, sinful human being. The very fact that He would do this demonstrates God’s immeasurable grace. We would do well to pay this its due acknowledgement and, with humility, rejoice in our LORD who extends His steadfast love toward us despite our radical rebellion against Him.

Matthew 17

A number of events are recorded in this chapter with perhaps the most frequently-expounded being Jesus’ transfiguration on a high mountain. However, it was the occurrence of the payment of the temple tax that seemed worthy of exploring a bit further. When in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma tax approached Peter and asked him if Jesus paid the tax. For context, this tax was not required but was used support the temple, priests and services and “The amount was was roughly two days’ wages.” (ESVEC)

Peter responded with “Yes”, that Jesus does pay the tax, and when he came to the house, Jesus spoke first. As the ESVEC explains, “[Jesus] waits for Peter to arrive in their house and then forestalls comment from him by asking, ‘From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tax? From their sons or from others?’ The answer is obvious: ‘From others.’ Jesus concludes, ‘Then the sons are free’ (vv. 25b–26).” The ESVEC continues by saying that, “Jesus seems to assert that he is the son of the king and therefore free of obligations to pay the tax. Yet Jesus says ‘sons,’ not ‘son.’ This could mean that kings exclude all of their sons. It could also signify that Jesus is calling his disciples ‘sons of God.’ Both are plausible.”

Key Takeaways and Application

There are at least three things we can draw from this scene. First, Jesus paying the non-compulsory tax showcases H\is gracious character and respect for the temple authorities. He did not have to, but does so in order to avoid unnecessary offense. Second, paying the tax using money obtained in mouth of a fish exhibits His divinity, His complete dominion over creation and that He is able to fulfill payment through supernatural means.

Lastly, the amount of payment—enough to cover both Himself and Peter—”shows how Jesus cares for his children” and that “We can afford to be generous because the King cares for his family.” (ESVEC)

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