Scripture with the Fathers

Esau's anger at his brother Jacob morph's into a plot to kill him. Jacob's mother Rebekah petitions to Isaac to have Jacob sent away to save his life and to gain a wife. The Father St. John Chrysostom's commentary gives great insight and we see the Sermon on the mount explaining this event. Jacob's Ladder comes to fruition as Jesus calls Nathaniel a true Israelite.

St. Joseph the just man, and how that relates to Mary's Perpetual Virginity. St. Joseph the most Chaste spouse of the Blessed Mother. The Church Fathers describe St. Joseph's reverence in approaching the Blessed Mother whom he knew to be chaste. St. Joseph trembles in light of the tremendous task before him to be the steward of God's Masterpiece and His only begotten Son, the Savior of the world.

We turn to St. Augustine and St. Cyril of Alexandria for their interpretation of Jacob usurping the elder brother, Esau in obtaining the blessing. Was it guile or divine providence to point to a greater reality that would come to pass in Jesus Christ and His Church?

St. Joseph is described in the Gospel according to St. Matthew as a "Just or Righteous Man." But how is that so, considering that St. Joseph decided to divorce her quietly. Jesus prohibited divorce, and in Malachi 2:16, it is written that "For I hate divorce, says the Lord the God of Israel,"

Jacob lives up to his name as the usurper by obtaining the blessing from Isaac. Rebekah insures that Jacob obtains the blessing from Isaac and foreshadows how the Queen mother of the Davidic Kingdom is the one person who determines heirship of the king.

Why the genealogy of Joseph although he was not the Father of Jesus? Augustine discusses the virginal birth, the Incarnation of the Divine Person and refutes certain Heresies that came up in the early history of the Church. We also begin the discussion of betrothal of Mary to Joseph.

Isaac follows in his father Abraham's footsteps and is blessed by God for the sake of Abraham his father and is blessed abundantly. Esau's carnal character is further displayed.

We explore the genealogy of Jesus according to Matthew and the message conveyed by Matthew recalling the audience to whom he is writing. Within this listing of names beginning with Abraham and specifically noting David as one of Jesus' forefathers, Matthew is affirming that Jesus is in fact the long awaited messiah.

What's the big deal with a birthright? Why would Jacob desire this such that he would be willing to purchase it with an oath from his brother. St. Augustine comments on the superstition of astrology, St. Cyril of Alexandria comments on the meaning of Esau being of the earth and Jacob being spiritual.

The structure of the Gospel according to Matthew shows how Jesus is the long promised prophet that Moses promised, Jesus is the New Moses and also the son of David the rightful king. The genealogy of Jesus is not just a list of names, but rather the bone fides to prove that Jesus is the rightful heir to the kingdom of David.