What Old Testament passages align with the themes of revelation in Matthew 11:25? Key Themes in Matthew 11:25 • Divine revelation is God’s gracious act, not human achievement. • The self–confident “wise and learned” can miss what the humble receive. • Praise rises to the Father for making truth clear to “little children.” Echoes in the Law (Torah) • Deuteronomy 29:29 – “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and our children forever, so that we may follow all the words of this law.” – Revelation is God-owned; what He discloses is meant for obedient hearts. Voices from the Writings (Ketuvim) • Psalm 8:2 – “From the mouths of children and infants You have ordained praise, on account of Your adversaries, to silence the enemy and avenger.” – God chooses infant praise to confound the proud. • Psalm 19:7 – “The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making the simple wise.” – The “simple” become wise through God’s testimony, mirroring Jesus’ words. • Psalm 25:9, 14 – “He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way… The LORD confides in those who fear Him, and reveals His covenant to them.” – Humility is the posture that receives divine instruction. • Psalm 119:130 – “The unfolding of Your words gives light; it informs the simple.” – Light is given to those who acknowledge need. • Proverbs 2:6 – “For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” – Wisdom’s source is God, not human intellect. • Proverbs 3:34 – “He mocks the mockers, but gives grace to the humble.” – Grace parallels Jesus’ “revealed…to little children.” Highlights from Israel’s History • 1 Samuel 3:10 – “Then the LORD came and stood there, calling as before, ‘Samuel! Samuel!’ And Samuel answered, ‘Speak, for Your servant is listening.’” – A child hears God’s voice while mature Eli struggles, foreshadowing Jesus’ contrast between children and scholars. • Daniel 2:20-22 – “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and power belong to Him.…He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals the deep and hidden things; He knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with Him.” – Daniel praises God for revelation; the wording parallels Jesus’ thanksgiving. Insights from the Prophets (Nevi’im) • Isaiah 29:14 – “Therefore I will again confound these people with wonder after wonder; the wisdom of the wise will perish, and the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish.” – God intentionally overturns human wisdom, as Jesus declares in Matthew 11:25. • Isaiah 66:2 – “This is the one I will esteem: he who is humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at My word.” – Esteem falls on humility, not status. • Jeremiah 9:23-24 – “Thus says the LORD: ‘Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom… but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me.’” – True knowledge is God-given, not self-generated. Summary Connections • Throughout the Old Testament, God delights to disclose Himself to the humble and dependent. • Human wisdom without submission fails to grasp divine truth. • Matthew 11:25 stands firmly on this Old Testament foundation: revelation is a gift, pride blinds, and praise rightly rises to the Father who makes Himself known. |
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