For the Glory of Men

Author: Joseph

Date: February 18, 2024

Yeshua spoke to His disciples and the crowds telling them, “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them” (Matthew 23:3). Because the Pharisees were the ones preserving the Scriptures that they had and teaching others to follow them, Yeshua commanded everyone to follow what they said.

The Pharisees, who likely did not understand fully the responsibility they had taken upon themselves, positioned themselves in the “chair of Moses.” This meant that they had to communicate the written words of God to the people and were responsible for anything that they might wrongly say or do as they conveyed the words. Just as Moses spoke to Israel and conveyed all that God said, the Pharisees also bore the responsibility to do so. This is why Yeshua follows His statement by saying, “therefore all that they tell you, do and observe,” because when the Pharisees read the Scriptures to the people and taught them, these words were to be heeded. They were not from the Pharisees, but from God. However, additionally, the people were not to do as the Pharisees did, for they consistently subverted God’s authority and His words for their own interpretations, weighing the people down with their traditions:

“They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger” (Matthew 23:4).

They would add to the text their own traditions, heavy burdens that they themselves could not keep. So those that tried to follow as the Pharisees did would feel overwhelmed and falsely give honor to the Pharisees as the “more righteous” men who were capable of such deeds.

The Pharisees made sure that everyone else would honor them by flaunting their false holiness:

“...for they broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments. They love the place of honor at banquets and the chief seats in the synagogues, and respectful greetings in the market places…” (Matthew 23:5-5).

Wherever the Pharisees went, so did their burdens upon all those who were near them. They even demanded to be called “rabbi” (literally, “teacher”) by those around them and be treated with favoritism because of their position of authority. They were arrogant and abusive with their treatment of the Scriptures.

"...they consistently subverted God’s authority and His words for their own..."

Yeshua rebukes them indirectly by telling the crowds who hear him, “But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your teacher, and you are all brothers” (Matthew 23:8). God is the only One who has the authority to be called “teacher,” for it is by His Word that we learn the unaltered truth. Anyone who speaks His words is merely conveying it, not teaching. No one can claim to be teaching what they themselves have not originated from their own thoughts. But the Pharisees did teach many things – things contrary to God – and so for this they could be “teachers,” but only teachers of error.

Yeshua rebuts a few other names that the Pharisees had been demanding to be called including “father” and “leader.” Again, He points out the truth that God alone belongs in these roles in regards to the believer. God is our Father, our Creator, and He is the one that leads us, He is our shepherd, our King. There is no one who will take away the glory and honor that belongs to God alone. And he will humble anyone who tries to exalt himself:

“But the greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted” (Matthew 23:11-12).

Make sure you also do not seek to glorify yourself as the Pharisees did. God will humble you and you will be made to know that God alone receives honor and praise.

What motivates the way you live out your faith? Do you behave and think a certain way because you want to seem impressive to others? Do you want to be recognized as someone special, even if only by those close to you? Repent from this arrogant way of living. Humble yourself before God and before men so that you will not become a stumbling block and a burden to those around you.

Matthew 23:1-12

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.lockman.org