Who was Moses? How was he saved despite the edict of Pharaoh to kill all the male children? The continuity of Exodus with Genesis is displayed in the ark of Noah and the ark which saved Moses. We look to Josephus, Acts of the Apostles, and Ian Shaw (author of "The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt") and the Catholic Study Bible by Ignatius Press. Using these sources, we can understand how the Hebrews (Abiru) went from Joseph who was exalted to being enslaved. Moses' rescue is seen in continuity with Noah and foreshadows Jesus.
We look to the book of Wisdom, the Psalms and Micah to gain understanding of the price of living accoding to the commandments of God and disciples of Jesus. We hear from St. John Chrysostom, St. Jerome and Bishop Hilary of Pointers to gain insight into the division that Christ speaks about.
The Israelites in Egypt fulfill the command of God to "be fruitful and multiply". Pharaoh becomes afraid of the Israelites as they grew rapidly in number and so deals shrewdly with them by putting them to work in rigor. This situation sets up the book of Exodus as the struggle of the Israelites to become liberated from Pharaoh so that they could worship God in freedom. This struggle is true for man in himself as well by detachment from things of this world, our idols so we can worship God in true freedom.
In the Gospel according to Matthew, Jesus begins the second of the five discourses Matthew records. In this discourse, Jesus gives the Apostles a mission and tells them what they are to do and how. He further tells them of what they should expect as a result of preaching the Gospel. We should not be surprised to receive the same. For if we do, Jesus has called us as well.
Who was the Pharaoh at the time of the Exodus? When did the Exodus happen? We discuss the written and archeological evidence within the Sacred Scriptures and from extra-biblical sources. In this episode we look at the background information of that time period of the XVII and XVIII Dynasty in which the Egyptian Empire reached its height. We look at the religious and military practices of the Egyptians during that time period.
Jesus cures two blind men and drives out a mute demon; Miracles 9 and 10. Matthew shows How Jesus fulfills the covenant God made with King David through the prophet Nathan and how God fulfills His promise to come and shepherd his people as foretold in Ezekiel in the person of Jesus. In the curing of the blind and loosing the tongue of the mute, Matthew is declaring that, Yes, Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. Yet even in the light of this, those in power accuse Jesus of acting on behalf of demons.
Jacob prophetically tells the outcome of each of the tribes of Israel. In this, Jacob foretells of the coming of Christ out of the tribe of Judah which will be the royal tribe. Jacob dies and is buried by his sons in the land of Canaan. Israel returns to Egypt and all in the land mourn for Jacob. We hear from Dr. John Bergsma and Dr. Brandt Pitre in discussing the overarching theme of the "Joseph Cycle." We turn to St. John Chrysostom to see the foreshadowing of Jacob's last words for each of the tribes of Israel.
What can we learn from the woman suffering from a Hemorrhage for twelve years and a twelve year old girl brought back to life? Why are these significant and what do they tell us about who Jesus is? We look to Leviticus, Jonah, Mark and 2 Corinthians, St. John Chrysostom and St. Remigius of Anxerre to gain insight into these two events, that Matthew has linked together.
Jacob/Israel blesses Joseph's two sons Ephraim and Manasseh as Jacob would bless his other sons and grants them lands in the land of Canaan. Jacob blesses the younger to be greater than the older. St. Augustine and St. Cyril comment on the meaning of this blessing. We discuss Haydock's commentary as well.
"The disciples of John came to him, saying, "Why do we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?" Seems like Jesus could have answered straight away and in brief, but as He is like to do, he answers in a way that invites John's disciples and us as well, to look into Scripture (meaning, "Moses, the writings and the prophets"). Beginning with Leviticus and the prophets and announced in the Gospel of Luke, we see Jesus not just declaring He is the Bridegroom of Israel as God refers to Himself, but ushers in the Great Jubilee with His Incarnation and thus the festal gathering of a (the) wedding.
We hear from St. John Chrysostom, St. Cyril of Alexandria, St. Augustine, and Haydock's Catholic Biblical Commentary to gain an understanding in the literal, moral and end times all found within this chapter 47 of Genesis. The Fathers gives us the tools to see the Scriptures in the fullness of the light of Jesus Christ.
Jesus calls Matthew, a tax collector to be one of the twelve. Jesus then sits down and dines with the other tax collectors and "sinners." The Pharisees are scandalized by this and attempt to divide the disciples from Jesus. This again displays their malice. Jesus quotes the prophet Hosea to them in an attempt to move them from their self righteousness. Matthew in his humility, does not hide that he was a tax collector, considered a traitor to the Jewish people. Jesus calls fishermen and tax collectors as disciples. What solice can we gain from this.
Joseph's Prudent Stewardship separates his family into the fertile Nile Delta where they are fruitful and multiply. Even though the famine becomes more and more intense in its effect, Joseph is able to provide food and grain to the Egyptians in exchange first fore their money, then their animals, land and lastly themselves, becoming slaves (serfs) to Pharaoh. Joseph institutes a flat 20% tax of harvest. Joseph's prudence saves Egypt and they recognize Joseph as a savior and not just for Egypt, but Canaan as well. Jacob blesses Pharaoh?
Jesus returns to Caparaum, "His own city." While at Peter's home he heals a paralytic, but not before forgiving his sins. But who can forgive sins, but God alone? For the Scribes, within their own hearts questioned the words of Jesus and accuse him of blasphemy, but within their own hearts. What is Matthew declaring (Mark and Luke as well) about Jesus? Who and what He is? What is scripture saying about the Scribes? Who are they? We look to the Old Testament and the Fathers to find out.
Jacob revives at the news and proof of the wagons and gifts that Joseph his beloved son is alive. Jacob first goes to Beersheba to offer sacrifice and to worship the God of his father Isaac. The prayer to God in worship, (which always involves sacrifice) comes first before Jacob sets out to go to Egypt. God reiterates the promise he made to Abraham and Isaac that Israel would become a great nation, Joseph rushes to meet his father and falls on his neck, and weeps a flood of tears in joy, for words have no ability to express this joy at Joseph seeing his father and Israel seeing his beloved son! Jacob's life is complete, seeing his son, whom he thought was dead is alive.
Miracles number four and five: Jesus speaks and the storm ceases, and drives out the demons from the two men among the tombs. Jesus displays His divine power in commanding the winds and seas. We look at the Old Testament to gain insight into what it means that Jesus commands the winds and seas.
Joseph makes himself known to his brothers after Judah's supplication to sacrifice himself for his younger brother Benjamin's sake. Joseph is reduced to tears at God's providence and mercy.
Jesus cures many at Peter's house, beginning with Peter's mother-in-law. After having cured many, including driving out demons with a word, (i.e. Because Jesus' divine authority, He commands all things and creatures, including demons). From witnessing these miracles, some wish to follow him, but are they (and we) ready to give up everything to follow Jesus. Discipleship is not for the faint of heart. If we approach with humility and docility, Jesus will come to rest in our hearts.
Joseph puts his elder brothers to the test to gain information about where their true hearts are. Recalling how he was treated with envy and contempt, Joseph tests his brothers to see if their disposition has changed toward their father, to whom they must have lied to and toward their younger brother Benjamin. Are they still envious of the younger? Do they still hid their evil or will they come to the truth in humility. Repentance comes from humility in a trial. Judah, although not the eldest acts as the goel or redeemer of the youngest brother Benjamin.
Jesus heals a Centurion's servant without touching the ill person, but simply by his word by the intercession of the servant's master. This master, a pagan Roman and a soldier, shows great faith, even more so than what Jesus finds among the sons of Israel. Jesus goes further that those other nations that were former enemies of Israel, the Egyptians, Babylonians, and Persians. This healing, Jesus' admonition to the Israelites/Judeans/Jews, and the promise to the Gentiles is foretold in Genesis.