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The Heavens are Telling the Glory of God
The Glory of God – written in the Creation on the Heavens and on the earth.

What is the chief end of man?

A. Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever.

1 Cor. 10:31; Rom. 11:36; Ps. 73:25-28.

In our previous PSALM we focused on how a man or woman might best start our day.

And our focus turned from SELF toward the LORD — to rejoice — to experience God’s gladness in His creation and in us.

You might say, by extension, a daily disposition toward JOY becomes our worship in serving the LORD.
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Perhaps you know Beethoven's ODE TO JOY from the finale of the composer's Nineth Symphony. 

Did you know that text of Ode to Joy is taken from Psalms 104 and 145:10? 
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Today’s theme: the GLORY of God

Perhaps you know our PSALM from a scripturally-focused hymnal (of old).

The CREATION

Psalm 19

The heavens, O God, Thy glory tell
Composer: Ludwig van Beethoven
Published in 14 hymnals

The Heavens are telling – Beethoven

Many of you will know another glorious large composition of praise from an oratorio of Haydn near the end of the 18th century

The Heavens are Telling the Glory of God,
(from “The Creation”)

— The Heavens Are Telling.

Hayden: Chorus:

The heavens are telling the glory of God,
The wonders of his work displays the firmament;

Today that is coming speaks it the day,
The night that is gone to following night.

In every land [In all the land] resounds the word,
never unperceived, ever understood.

Music by Josef Haydn
Lyrics translated by Robert Shaw, based on Psalm 19.

What is the GLORY of God?

“You said, ‘Behold, the LORD our God has shown us His glory and His greatness,

and we have heard His voice from the midst of the fire;

we have seen today that God speaks with man, yet he lives.

Deuteronomy 5:25 NASB

By contrast we might ask, ‘What is the glory of man?’

By the weight of your wrath against man’s sin, the glory of his form is wasted away; truly every man is but a breath. (Selah.)

Psalm 39:11 BBE

The glory of the heavens?

The LORD is high above all nations,

and his glory above the heavens.

Psalm 113:4

OR of the firmament?

And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters... And God called the firmament Heaven.

Genesis 1:6,8a KJV

OR

What is the glory of the earth, you might ask?
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But in fact, you cannot find any glory in 'the earth' separate from the glory of the LORD its Creator. 
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- Psalms sing of GLORY in one form or another over 400 times!
– kāḇôḏ כָּבוֹד

Who is this King of glory?

The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory.

Selah.

Psalm 24:10
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(You likely know some contemporary Christian songs expressing these words.)
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Just what does it mean to GLORIFY God?

You who fear Yahweh, praise Him;

All you seed of Jacob, glorify Him,

And stand in awe of Him, all you seed of Israel.

Psalm 22:23 LSB

“The beasts of the field will glorify Me,

The jackals and the ostriches,

Because I have given waters in the wilderness

And rivers in the wasteland,

To give drink to My chosen people.

Isaiah 43:20

Psalm 19:

Let’s take a closer look at this Psalm of David.

The heavens are sounding the glory of God;

the arch of the sky makes clear the work of his hands.

Day after day it sends out its word,

and night after night it gives knowledge.

Psalm 19:1-2 BBE (Bible in Basic English)

Do you see God’s glory?

Look up! o man of dust! you creature beneath the night sky — with eyes to see above,

but not so near to the Lord’s glory.

You cannot deny His glory— ALMIGHTY Hands that formed — HIS fire which will refine your flesh into burned away dross scorched in the daytime sun.

There are no words or language;

their voice makes no sound.

Their line has gone out through all the earth,

and their words to the end of the world.

In them has he put a tent for the sun,

Who is like a newly married man coming from his bride-tent,

and is glad like a strong runner starting on his way.

His going out is from the end of the heaven,

and his circle to the ends of it;

there is nothing which is not open to his heat.

Psalm 19:3-6 BBE

David — the king and Psalmist — proclaims a GLORY of the LORD words cannot convey with pictures that only hint of God’s evident greatness.

Now David proceeds to

the benefits of GOD’s law:

The law of the LORD is perfect,
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We do NOT like the LAW — we resist it— we rebel against it — for the laws and precepts of every mortal man are imperfect. 

AND, by contrast, 

the Law of the Lord— like Almighty GOD — is perfect and good and breathes life into fallen flesh and our impure soul. 
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The law of the LORD is perfect,

reviving the soul;

the testimony of the LORD is sure,

making wise the simple;

the precepts of the LORD are right,

rejoicing the heart;

the commandment of the LORD is pure,

enlightening the eyes;

the fear of the LORD is clean,

enduring for ever;

the ordinances of the LORD are true,

and righteous altogether.

Psalm 19:7-9 RSV

FEAR in the Face of HIS GLORY

the fear of the LORD is clean,

enduring for ever;

the ordinances of the LORD are true,

and righteous altogether.

Psalm 19:9 RSV

fear (of Yᵊhōvâ) -yir’â -יִרְאָה
- fear, terror
- awesome or terrifying thing (object causing fear)
- fear (of God), respect, reverence, piety
- revered
Psalm 2 connects this fear of the LORD not only with trembling, but with rejoicing or reiterating our joy.

Serve the LORD with reverential awe

and rejoice with trembling.

Psalm 2:11 CSB
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David's Psalm becomes practically proverbial in teaching why WE must not only FEAR the LORD, 
but also OBEY his LAW 
and instructions (or ordinances). 
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They [God’s ordinances] are more desirable than gold —

than an abundance of pure gold;

and sweeter than honey dripping from a honeycomb.

In addition, your servant is warned by them,

and in keeping them there is an abundant reward.

Psalm 19:10-11 CSB
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Note that the king (David) humbly proclaims himself — though sovereign over men — as a SERVANT of the LORD. 

MORE fatherly advice: 
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But who can discern their own errors?

Forgive [lit. ‘acquit me – a legal determination] my hidden faults.

Keep your servant also from willful sins;

may they not rule over me.

Then I will be blameless,

innocent [lit. acquitted] of great transgression.

Psalm 19:12-13 NIV

Redeemed for our transgressions

How can a mere man stand before the glory of the Lord our God?

David intercedes in his Psalm on behalf of his loyal subjects. (For his mercy endures forever. – Psalm 136)

transgression (84x), trespass (5x), sin (3x), rebellion (1x). – pešaʿ -פֶּשַׁע

AND you have heard it before — from the later prophesy of Isaiah long after the fall of King David’s chosen nation.

But He was pierced through for our transgressions,
He was crushed for our iniquities;
The chastening for our peace fell upon Him,
And by His wounds we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5 LSB – of the suffering servant

Even Christ JESUS — Son of David; Son of Man — the very Son of the Father — born in the flesh and crucified for the redemption of those chosen to eternal life — will return in his GLORY!!!

David’s familiar benediction:
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a plea of my own heart frequently heard from the pulpit by the flock of Christ as an invitation to receive Scripture into your own heart: 
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Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in your sight,
O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

Psalm 19:14 ESV

Secure Links to sources
June 21, 2025
The Sun and the Moon Stood Still – Why won’t we?
The sun and moon stood still in their habitation:

at the light of thine arrows they went, and at the shining of thy glittering spear.

Habakkuk 3:11 KJV

Sun and moon stood still before God

What’s the picture?

An illustrative celestial EXAMPLE to those created ones of GOD

bowed DOWN before the GLORY of our FATHER

Habakkuk – a Prophet burdened for a people humbled

1:2 עַד־אָנָה יְהוָה שִׁוַּעְתִּי וְלֹא תִשְׁמָע אֶזְעַק אֵלֶיךָ חָמָס וְלֹא תוֹשִׁיעַ׃
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The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see.
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IF you have not already felt the full weight of a Prophet painting a picture for men without eyes to see —

a sun and a moon which had stood still, — then you have sensed a low and quiet place where the Lord has prepared an unseeing Common Era people by a BLINDING LIGHT in the darkness of these last days…

O LORD, how long shall I cry,
And You will not hear?
Even cry out to You, “Violence!”
And You will not save.

Habakkuk 1:2 NKJV

Sound familiar?

(Even from your own arrogant lips?)

Why do You show me iniquity,
And cause me to see trouble?
For plundering and violence are before me;
There is strife, and contention arises.

Therefore the law is powerless,
And justice never goes forth.
For the wicked surround the righteous;
Therefore perverse judgment proceeds.

Habakkuk 1:2-3
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The LAW of which the Prophet speaks 
-- the Commandments of the LORD 
-- NO LAW = No Justice! 

Do we blindly suppose that the righteous are US? 
AND therefore WE the named and claimed PEOPLE of God suffer by His Almighty Hand! 
COULD THAT BE JUST? 
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WHY does this sound so familiar to a Common Era people who rarely read or hear the oracles of WARNING by the Prophets of God?

And what does Habakkuk ask early-on in his plea to the LORD?

Why do You look on those who deal treacherously,
And hold Your tongue when the wicked devours
A person more righteous than he?
14 Why do You make men like fish of the sea,
Like creeping things that have no ruler over them?

Habakkuk 13b-14 NKJV
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IS THIS any way to PLEA to the Lord our God of Whom WE are commanded to 'love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind’ even confirmed by the Messiah and Lord Jesus? 
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More Writing on the wall
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(for those casting a first stone at Habakkuk) 
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Then the Lord answered me and said:

“Write the vision
And make it plain on tablets,
That he may run who reads it.

For the vision is yet for an appointed time;
But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.

Though it tarries, wait for it;
Because it will surely come,
It will not tarry.

“Behold the proud,
His soul is not upright in him;
But the just shall live by his faith.

Habakkuk 2:2-4 NKJV
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Again, what is the picture? 

The SOUL of the proud is fallen. 
AND the soul of the Lord's faithful remains bowed down in the witness of our lives. 
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Therefore, for the hope of the faithful know that the LORD pronounces many woes (and NOT blessings) on the proud who seem to be in charge of our mortal lives. And to name just a few:
- hell שְׁאוֹל
- death מָוֶת
- transgressions (treachery) בָּגַד
- evil רַע
- and the violation of several specific Commandments.
THEN the LORD closes his response to the Prophet with an authoritatively THUNDERING VOICE to humble worshipers bowed down in faithfulness:

“But the Lord is in His holy temple.
Let all the earth keep silence before Him.”

Habakkuk 2:20
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What would happen IF Common Era worshipers would put down our devices and our coffees and entered into WORSHIP like this? 

Let thos whw with eyes to see Christ's writing in the sand see God's zeal for faithful worshipers. 
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and now:

This prayer sung by the prophet Habakkuk:

O Lord, I have heard Your speech and was afraid;
O Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years!
In the midst of the years make it known;
In wrath remember mercy.

Habakkuk 3:2 NKJV

God came from Teman,
The Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah

And the earth was full of His praise.

4 His brightness was like the light;
He had rays flashing from His hand,
And there His power was hidden...

He looked and startled the nations.
And the everlasting mountains were scattered,
The perpetual hills bowed.

from the prayer of Habakkuk

GET THE IDEA?

all bowed down before the Lord – in HIS Presence everything else stood still or was swept away by the hidden power of HIS GLORY!

Your bow was made quite ready;
Oaths were sworn over Your arrows. Selah

The sun and the moon stood still
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Now returning to the context of our opening picture and illustration: 
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You divided the earth with rivers.
10 The mountains saw You and trembled;
The overflowing of the water passed by.
The deep uttered its voice,
And lifted its hands on high.
11 The sun and moon stood still in their habitation;
At the light of Your arrows they went,
At the shining of Your glittering spear.

12 You marched through the land in indignation;
You trampled the nations in anger.
13 You went forth for the salvation of Your people,
For salvation with Your Anointed.
You struck the head from the house of the wicked,
By laying bare from foundation to neck.

Selah

When I heard, my body trembled;
My lips quivered at the voice;
Rottenness entered my bones;
And I trembled in myself,
That I might rest in the day of trouble.

Habakkuk 3:16a NKJV
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Is THIS your reaction -- contemporary christian worshiper? 
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A Hymn of Faith
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NO hymns for OUR praise band! 
NO Old Testament Prophets and their drama that could SILENCE the applause and bring the CROWD to its knees.
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Who remembers Jesus cursing the fig tree as the Lord entered Jerusalem?

The unfamiliar picture and significant symbolism Jesus drew is the same as that of Habakkuk’s hymn of faith.

We examined this great symbolism in an earlier series.

for it was not the season for figs – prologue
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Even if you choose not to read the prologue above you will find these references from Habakkuk below -with which we will conclude.

AND consider our 2025 CE Lenten theme of contrition replanted in the hearts of 21st century worshipers:
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We stood there and did nothing
- Habakkuk and other Prophets of the Lord have warned us to WORSHIP the Lord our God.
- The Messiah JESUS — Son of the Living God — enters Jerusalem cursing a tree that bore no fruit (though thousands applaud Him).
- Crowds of worshipers enter a Common Era gathering little noticing a cursed fig tree as they bring their coffees and distracting devices toward the gate of the grand stage.
- LENT?
  - WE don’t do that anymore…
for it was not the season for figs – 7

O, faithless fig tree, dear dried up vine;

do you believe that you alone have cried out to the Lord for mercy?

Habakkuk 3:

O Lord, I have heard Your speech and was afraid;
O Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years!
In the midst of the years make it known;
In wrath remember mercy.

for it was not the season for figs – 7 – July 9, 2017 TalkofJESUS.com

Comment on Scripture – Share the Gospel
March 13, 2025
Matthias – Scripture fulfilled in Jerusalem – מַתַּתְיָה
Choosing Matthias

And they drew lots for them, and the lot fell to Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.
Acts 1:26 NASB20

Matthias fills a position of an Apostle from off the bench (so to speak) as a substitute for Judas who had betrayed Christ and then took his own life. This new Twelfth Apostle gets little mention as we could readily move on to some of the more miraculous events of Acts. (Luke mentions Matthias only twice in these verses.)

What I missed before Peter’s great preaching at Solomon’s Portico in the Temple was the Apostle’s taking up the mantle of leadership of the Church in an upper room in Jerusalem.

Peter Preaching in the Upper Room

After Ten Days Peter finally Acts: Shepherding Christ’s Flock

Acts 1:

Acts of ALL with one accord

The Apostles & others have waited ten days after Jesus’ ascension.

And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)
Acts 1:15 KJV *Note: μαθητής – mathētēs translated as disciples in the KJV refers to learners of a teacher, not to be confused with Apostles; other versions translate as ἀδελφός adelphos–generally translated as brethren (in Christ)

Why replace Judas?

After a hundred disciples of Jesus returned to Jerusalem and waited together, we can suppose that the Holy Spirit reveals to Simon Peter why Judas must be replaced by a twelfth Apostle.

“Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. For he was counted among us and received his share in this ministry.”
Acts of the Apostles 1:16-17 NASB – Simon Peter preaching to the hundred in Jerusalem

What had David said that applied to Judas now, a thousand years later?

Peter preaches by the same Holy Spirit who inspired David of what is written in the Psalms.

.. the Holy Spirit through the mouth of David foretold about Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus.17 For he was one of our number and shared in this ministry.”

18 Now this man acquired a field with his unrighteous wages. He fell headfirst, his body burst open and his intestines spilled out. 19 This became known to all the residents of Jerusalem, so that in their own language that field is called Hakeldama (that is, “Field of Blood”). 20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms:

Let his dwelling become desolate;
let no one live in it; and
Let someone else take his position.

Recalling Judas’ betrayal in the upper room and in Gethsemane

In his first account Luke records Judas’ betrayal of Jesus nearly two months prior to Peter anointing his replacement shortly after Christ’s ascension into heaven.

Luke 22:

Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve..

“This cup, which is poured out for you, is the new covenant in My blood.

But behold, the hand of the one betraying Me is with Mine on the table. For indeed, the Son of Man is going as it has been determined; but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!”
Gospel of Luke 22:21-22 – Jesus foretells His betrayal by Judas at the last supper

That fateful night two months past in Gethsemane

23 And they began to debate among themselves which one of them it was who was going to do this.

While he was still speaking, suddenly a mob came, and one of the Twelve named Judas was leading them. He came near Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

49 When those around him saw what was going to happen, they asked,

“Lord, should we strike with the sword?” Then one of them struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear.

(We know that it was Peter who cut off the ear of Malchus.)

51 But Jesus responded, “No more of this!” And touching his ear, he healed him.

Preaching Scripture

Peter had learned well from Jesus the lessons of Scripture for three years.

During more than a month following Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection the Lord certainly must have instructed His disciples of the great significance of events recorded in the Bible (their Old Testament or Old Covenant).

Luke records Jesus’ routine of teaching in Jerusalem, which Peter and the Apostles most certainly would have followed during these first days of the Church.

Now [days] during the day [Jesus] He was teaching in the temple, but [nights] at evening He would go out and spend the night on the [hill] mountain that is called [Olive Grove] Olivet.
And all the people would get up very early in the morning to come to Him in the temple to listen to Him.
Gospel of Luke 21:37-38 NASB [incl. footnotes]

Did you miss this during all the times you have heard the gut-wrenching drama of Christ’s Passion during the Lord’s last week in Jerusalem?

I did.

And you may have even wondered about Jesus preaching about David in Psalm 110 from Luke 20.

Peter also points back to David and Psalms in his understanding of replacing Judas recorded by Luke in Acts.

Jesus and Judas, Like David’s enemy

Psalm 41:

All who hate me whisper together against me;
They plot my harm against me, saying,

“A wicked thing is poured out upon him,
So that when he lies down, he will not get up again.”

Even my close friend in whom I trusted,
Who ate my bread,
Has lifted up his heel against me.
Psalm 41:9 NASB

How Peter and the Eleven must have also suffered in failing to discern the betrayal of their fellow Apostle.

Psalm 69:

May their camp be desolated;
May there be none living in their tents.
For they have persecuted him whom You Yourself struck,
And they tell of the pain of those whom You have [pierced] wounded.
according to [lilies] Shoshannim. A Psalm of David. 69:25-26 NASB20

Psalm 109:

A Psalm of David.
God of my praise,
Do not be silent!

.. In return for my love they act as my accusers;
But I am in prayer.

So they have [laid upon me] repaid me evil for good,
And hatred for my love.

May his days be few;
May another take his office.
Psalm 109:8 NASB – quoted by Peter in Acts 1:20

Peter connects David’s Psalm to Judas

Acts 1:

14 They all were continually united in prayer..

Now Peter by the Holy Spirit speaks of replacing the Apostolic office of Jesus’ betrayer.

21 “Therefore, from among the men who have accompanied us during the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us— beginning from the baptism of John until the day he was taken up from us—from among these, it is necessary that one become a witness with us of his resurrection.”

YES, during the three years of Jesus’ earthly ministry MANY disciples followed the Lord, believed His teaching and witnessed His acts of miraculous signs only possible through the Lord God.

So they proposed two: Joseph, called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias.
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A helpful early church history linked below provides insight about casting lots used by the Apostles to choose Matthias over Joseph. 
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Matthias: an Apostle by Providence

“The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.”
Proverbs 16:33

It was crucial to the remaining 11 Apostles that the number 12 Jesus had chosen be completed again. They chose as candidates two equally qualified disciples, prayed, cast lots and Matthias was chosen.
Sandra Sweeny Silver – EARLY CHURCH HISTORY—LIFE IN ANCIENT ROME & THE EARLY CHRISTIANS – CASTING LOTS IN THE BIBLE

24 And they prayed and said,

“You, Lord, who know the hearts of all people, show which one of these two You have chosen to [take the place of] occupy this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.”

And they [gave] drew lots for them, and the lot fell [upon]to Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.
Acts of the Apostles 1:26 NASB – the selection of Matthias as a twelfth Apostle

Matthias

Μαθθίας

Matthias = “gift of God” -the apostle elected to fill the place of the traitor Judas [Acts 1:23, 26]

– apparently a shortened form of G3161; Matthias (i.e. Mattithjah), an Israelite:—Matthias.
- Mattathias = “gift of Jehovah”
  - the son of Amos, in the genealogy of Christ
  - Mattathias was the son of Semei in the genealogy of Christ
LUKE records in his Gospel genealogy, beginning at 3:23

And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli, which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi.. which was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Amos.. which was the son of Maath, which was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Semei.. which was the son of Nathan, which was the son of David.. [ etc.. ] the son of Adam, which was the son of God.

Of Hebrew origin מַתַּתְיָה (H4993)
- Mattithiah = “gift of Jehovah”
- Mattithiah occurs in 8 verses in the KJV, always a son of the priestly line of the Levites.
Matthias – a post script

We do not read of Matthias again in Acts or the pastoral letters; but aren’t you wondering what awaited this important Apostolic ministry for this new twelfth Apostle?

Here is a reliable, little-spoken historical account (though not by Luke).

The Apostles in Jerusalem & all the world
- About two thousand Christians, with Nicanor, one of the seven deacons, suffered martyrdom during the “persecution that arose about Stephen.”
  - God-willing, we will read more about Steven in Acts 7.
- James the son of Zebedee was martyred about ten years later in A.D. 44.
  - As mentioned in my introduction to Acts, Luke had not yet recorded even his Gospel until about A.D. 60.
- Philip thrown into prison [in Phrygia] , and afterwards crucified, A.D. 54.
- The Apostle and Gospel-writer Matthew was slain with a halberd [a two-handed battle axe] in the city of Nadabah, [Ethiopia] A.D. 60.
- At the age of ninety-four [James the Less] was beat and stoned by the Jews; and finally had his brains dashed out with a fuller’s club.
Matthias
Of whom less is known than of most of the other disciples, was elected to fill the vacant place of Judas.

He was stoned at Jerusalem and then beheaded. *

SOURCE: FOX’s BOOK of MARTYRS
https://www.ccel.org/f/foxe/martyrs/fox101.htm
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* Other traditions claim that Matthias was martyred in Cappadocia [modern day Turkey]. 
-- St. Jerome and the early Christian writers Clement of Alexandria and Eusebius of Caesarea attest that Matthias was among the 72 disciples paired off and dispatched by Jesus. - Source: Britannica 

* OR Died	c. AD 80
Jerusalem, Judaea or in Colchis (modern-day Georgia) 
-- The tradition of the Greeks says that St. Matthias planted the faith about Cappadocia and on the coasts of the Caspian Sea, residing chiefly near the port Issus. Source: Wikipedia
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NEXT: The Acts of Pentecost
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To be continued...
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September 30, 2021