A Faithless and Perverse Generation
One thing I have noticed as I have been studying my way through Matthew is how often Jesus draws the Scribes and Pharisees’ attention back to Messianic passages of the Old Testament. While this practice likely frustrated the Scribes and Pharisees, it should have enlightened them. Jesus gave them an opportunity over and over again to recognize who He was: the Messiah. Of course, as Jesus says in John 10:27, “My sheep hear my voice and I know them, and they follow me.” Unfortunately, many HEARD the Word, but few LISTENED to the Word.
Admittedly, it is easy to miss these Old Testament Messianic connections if you aren’t looking for them! But remember, nothing Jesus said is in vain. Not one word! In today’s passage in Matthew 17, Jesus uses a simple expression, but its connection to a passage written over a thousand years earlier is fascinating and will deepen our understanding of Christ and who He is.
Matthew 17:14-21
Matthew 17:14-21 details an event where the disciples were attempting to cast out a demon from a child. They were, sadly, unsuccessful. Additionally, Mark 9 tells us that scribes were present and questioning the disciples likely regarding the disciples’ inability to heal the child.
Jesus arrives at the chaotic scene and is immediately confronted by the father of the child who asks for Jesus’ help. Jesus reveals his exasperation with the people present calling them a “faithless and perverse generation.”
Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall i suffer you? bring him hither to me.
Matthew 17:17
The phrase Jesus uses here caught my eye. It seems true and simple enough. Israel was a faithless and perverse generation at that time. It turns out, however, this little phrase holds a lot more meaning than I initially realized because it isn’t the first time that God has used this expression to describe Israel. We can find this same phrase written in Deuteronomy 32:5 over a thousand years prior to this incident!
Deuteronomy 32
Deuteronomy 32 records one of the three ‘songs of Moses’ in the Bible. This ‘song’ was issued just prior to Moses’ death. The fact that Jesus refers back to this passage is NOT an accident. There are a few key points in this passage that we need to highlight.
Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth.
My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass:
Because I will publish the name of the Lord: ascribe ye greatness unto our God.
He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgement: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.
They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of his children: they are a perverse and crooked generation.
Do ye thus requite the Lord, O foolish people and unwise? Is not he thy father that hath brought thee? Hath he not made thee, and established thee?
Remember the days of old…
Rain of Words
The first 6 verses of Deuteronomy 32 speaks of a time when God’s Words will “drop as the rain” and come as “dew.” Basically, it is speaking of a time when God’s Word will ‘rain’ down on the parched human race like never before.
There is no doubt that this is speaking of the Messiah and His message. The old testament prophets such as Isaiah and Hosea uses the same imagery of rain for the Messiah’s coming (see Isaiah 35 & 29 and Hosea 6:1-3 as just two examples). Of course, we know that Jesus is the Messiah. He is the Word of God in the flesh. His presence and ministry fulfills this passage.
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the father, full of grace and truth.
John 1:14
God’s Name is Published
Not only will God’s Word rain down upon thirsty people, but God’s name will be published. The name of the Messiah will be revealed! Once again, Jesus satisfies this prophecy.
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his nmae Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Matthew 1:21
Once Messiah is named, it is up to us to recognize who he is! Verse 3 of Deuteronomy 32 says, “ascribe ye greatness unto our God.” Do you recognize Jesus as the Son of God, the Word of God made flesh?
The Rock
Deuteronomy 32:4 tells us who the Messiah is to the Israelites. He is ‘The Rock.’ While we might think of a ‘rock’ as symbolizing protection, it is better to put ourselves in the shoes of Israel at the time that Moses provided this prophecy. The ‘rock’ that Israel is most familiar with here is what they experienced shortly after escaping their bondage in Egypt. Israel’s experience with ‘The Rock’ occurs two times. The scenarios are recorded in Exodus 17 and Numbers 20 .
In Exodus 17, Israel has just been miraculously redeemed by God from their bondage in Egypt. Despite witnessing many miracles of provision and protection by God (including crossing the Red Sea and the miracle of manna), the people of Israel were angry with Moses. They found themselves in the wilderness with no water to drink. Instead of turning to God for provision, they desired to return to bondage in Egypt. God tells Moses to smite the rock in Horeb and water will come out. Moses complies. Water issues forth from the rock and God calls the place “Masasah and Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel and because they tempted the Lord , saying, Is the Lord among us or not?” (Exodus 17:7).
In Numbers 20, the people were once again angry with Moses and Aaron because they are hungry and thirsty. Furthermore, they wish to return to Egypt. God tells Moses to go to the rock and speak to it and water will be given from the rock. Sadly, Moses, in his frustration, hit the rock twice. Water still gushed forth for the congregation to drink, but Moses and Aaron were punished by for not obeying the Word of God exactly by being unable to enter the promised land with the people. God tells Moses that this water is “Meribah because the children of Israel strove with the Lord, and he was sanctified in them” (Numbers 20:13).
So, notice that Israel encountered two incidents involving a rock that gushed forth life- giving water. Sounds a lot like verse 2 of Deuteronomy 32 right? God’s Word will rain on His people just as the rock issued water to a thirsty Israel in the wilderness. And get this, we are told that ‘The Rock’ represents Messiah! That’s Jesus!
And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.
1 Corinthians 10:4
Without Iniquity
‘The Rock’, a.k.a. the Messiah, is described in verse 4 of Deuteronomy 32 as “perfect,” “God of Truth,” “without iniquity,” “just,” and “right.” These words ALL describe Jesus.
For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
1 Peter 2:22
Perverse and Crooked Generation
Here in Deuteronomy 32:5 we arrive at the very Old Testament phrase that Jesus is quoting in Matthew 17. Those who did not accept ‘The Rock’ are “corrupted” and not counted as God’s children! In fact, the next verse tells us that these people are “foolish” and “unwise.” Why? These people don’t recognize the Messiah (‘The Rock’) as their redeemer and creator! Despite witnessing the water gush forth from the rock, Israel still refused to recognize God’s provision.
Wow! This description is certainly accurate for the scribes and pharisees that Jesus was talking to in Matthew 17:14-21! The scribes and pharisees had the Word of God made flesh standing amongst them, and they missed him. They didn’t recognize him!
He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.
John 8:47
Remember the Old Days
Lastly, Moses tells Israel to remember and consider her past. He goes on to describe how Israel was chosen and blessed, but she “lightly esteemed” and forgot God (Deuteronomy 32:15-18). He prophecies Israel’s future of judgement and condemnation.
It would be accurate to say that the scribes and pharisees of Jesus’ time did not learn from Israel’s past. They are making the SAME MISTAKES that Israel made. They are missing God’s provision! Just as Israel didn’t recognize the source of provision in the wilderness, the scribes and pharisees are not recognizing the Messiah!
Context
We have already learned how the message of Deuteronomy 32 is important to what Jesus is saying in Matthew 17. But there is another important connection between the two passages: the context.
Moses knew that the words of this song were extremely important. He tells all the elders and the officers of Israel to hear these words and to teach them to their wives and children (Deuteronomy 31:28, 32:46). And, at the same time, Moses knows how stubborn and rebellious Israel is. He knows that they sadly will not heed his warning for long.
For I know they rebellion, and thy stiff neck: behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, ye have been rebellious against the Lord; and how much more after my death?
Deuteronomy 31:27
This sounds a lot like Christ when He says, “How long shall I be with you? How long shall I suffer you?” in Matthew 17:17. Jesus is warning the people that He will not be standing physically among them for much longer just as Moses did some 1,400 years before.
So, Moses demonstrates the same type of exasperation with the people of Israel that Christ does in Matthew 17! Moses witnessed the constant rebellion of Israel throughout his life, he knew he was about to die, and he was trying to teach the people as much as he could before he died. Jesus also is witnessing the stubborn rebellious heart of the people of Israel. There is no doubt that this similarity is intentional!
Conclusion
Every single Word that Jesus says in important. When we see Christ refer back to the Old Testament, we need to listen. We should be going back to look at that passage and its context. If we are willing to follow His breadcrumbs, we will learn so much more about Christ.
By the use of the simple phrase, “faithless and perverse generation,” we are able to learn several things about Christ. First, He was clearly claiming to be the Messiah. Second, He was telling the people of Israel that He is God’s Word in the flesh. Third, He is the ‘Rock’ that miraculously provides life to a thirsty people. Fourth, He is righteous and just. Lastly, the wise will recognize Him as their creator and sustainer.
Will you be like the Pharisee and Scribe, the “perverse and crooked generation,” who refused to recognize The Rock for who He is. Or will you be the wise one who “ascribes greatness unto our God?” The signs are all there. The wise will see those signs and follow them to Christ.