Saturday, August 21, 2010

A blessed thought from Matthew Henry


No doubt one of the greatest of the commentators of the Scriptures is Matthew Henry (1662-1714).  He began working on his commentary on Nov. of 1704, and ten years later, by the time of his death, he was able to go as far as the book of Acts. The rest (Romans-Revelation) were completed by other ministers and edited by George Burder and John Hughes in 1811.

The main thrust of his commentary seems to be more devotional rather than critical, not that he doesn’t employ some form of criticism or another – but his commentary is unencumbered by such observation and methodology.  He delivers great thoughts that most certainly comes from a heart and mind that is fixed on the Lord and His Word.

As I was reading Henry this morning on Gen. 3:17-19, here is what he said:

“How admirably the satisfaction our Lord Jesus made by his death and sufferings answered to the sentence here passed upon our first parents.  (1.)  Did travailing pains come in with sin?  We read of the travail of Christ’s soul (Isa. 53:11); and the pains of death he was held by are called odinai (Acts 2:24), the pains of a woman in travail.  (2.)  Did subjection come with sin?  Christ was made under the law, Gal. 4:4.  (3.)  Did the curse come in with sin?  Christ was made a curse for us, died a cursed death, Gal. 3:13.  (4.)  Did thorns come in with sin?  He was crowned with thorns for us.  (5.)  Did sweat come in with sin?  He for us did sweat as it were great drops of blood.  (6.)  Did sorrow come in with sin?  He was a man of sorrows, his soul was, in his agony, exceedingly sorrowful.  (7.)  Did death come in with sin?  He became obedient unto death.  This is the plaster as wide as the wound.  Blessed be God for Jesus Christ!”

Now, after reading something like that, I say, wow that was a good read from Matthew Henry.  And somehow in my heart, a prayer flies to Heaven, and with words of gratitude placed upon the Heavenly throne of God, “Amen! Father, Blessed be God for our Lord Jesus Christ.”

2 comments:

commoncents said...

Just a quick note to say I really like your blog! Keep up the good work...

Steve
Common Cents
http://www.commoncts.blogspot.com

Unknown said...

Thanks for stopping by Steve.