Noah’s Blessing and Yeshua’s Prophecy
Rabbi Yehudah ben Shomeyr
This Roman Centurion, though occupying Capernaum due to his enlistment and rank in the Roman Army, was not an oppressor, but a person who held the Jewish People, but a person who help the Jewish People and their faith in reverence. He was not the type to “compel” a Jew to carry his gear a mile or two (Matt. 5:41).
Because of the parallel passage in Luke 7:1-10, it is very likely this high ranking and powerful Roman Centurion was not only generous to Israel through charitable means but possibly a Gentile looking into conversion. He was knowledgeable enough that he had to go through the proper channels in order to seek an audience with Rabbi Yeshua (Luke 7:3) as well as knowing, due to the possibility of becoming ritually unclean and causing a Jew not to be permitted to participate in worship at the Temple, the Roman Centurion would not allow Yeshua to come to his home despite Yeshua’s willingness to go. This showed that the Roman Centurion had great respect for and extensive knowledge on Jewish rituals and customs. These passages possibly hint that the Roma Centurion was on the path toward Torah Observance, but knew his home was not 100% kosher for a Jewish Rabbi to enter.
Matt. 8:9 For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.
This verse shows this potential converts zealous and remarkable faith that few homegrown Jews have.
Matt. 8:10 When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.
This passage shows Yeshua the Messiah affirming that Torah Obedience and the “Jewish Faith” is for Gentiles as well as Jews.
Matt. 8:11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.
This verse remind me of Noah’s prophetic blessing concerning his sons (Gen. 9:27) Shem (Hebrews/Jews), Hamm (Gentiles of color) and Japheth (Gentiles of fair complexion). The verse (Gen. 9:27) tells us that Japheth will come to study with Shem and Hamm will assist Shem in teaching Torah.
Gen. 9:27 God shall enlarge Japheth, and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem; and Canaan shall be his servant.
Matt. 8:11 And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.
East and west is used for two reasons. First off, it is to imply a people without number. Why? Because you can measure north to south. You travel north long and far enough and eventually you will find yourself traveling south. But if you head in the direction of east or west, you will travel in that direction forever. Secondly it speaks of the Gentiles of the west, what would be considered the Roman and Greek Empire, and the east, implying the Middle Eastern and Asian cultures. North may have not been mentioned by the Messiah because people were not yet known to live much further north than they were in know to live in Yeshua’s time as well as west and east encompassed north if one were to sweep across the globe like a curtain. South was not mentioned probably because this spoke of Hamm serving Shem in the capacity of helping teach Japheth (Gentiles west and east).
The Israeli Patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob are mentioned to imply that the innumerable Gentiles of the west and east seek a Torah based faith. The Kingdom of Heaven implies the body of believers, both Jew and Gentile.
Matt. 8:12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
This mention of the “children of the kingdom” speaks of the children of Israel in Matthew 3:9
Matt. 3:9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
More specifically, because of the Assyrian Captivity of Israel this “children of the kingdom” was referring to the children of Judah, the children of David, the Jews who returned form the Babylonian Captivity. For by this time many of the lost tribes of Israel were considered “gentilized”. (Matt. 3:9, 8:12) These are Jews who lack the type of faith of the Roman Centurion, but think they are “safe” because they are physical descendants of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Judah.
John the Baptist said it before Yeshua did here in our focus text of Matthew 8; what the fate of such children of Abraham would be, them that remain unrepentant and faithless.
John the Revelator listed what it will take to make it into the Lake of Fire and it was similar to that which was mentioned above; the fearful and unbelieving, which represents faithlessness (Rom. 14:23b) and the “unrepentant”. What follows is a litany of who will be in that Lake of Fire that is to come.
Rev 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
Matt. 8:12 But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Outer darkness is what ignorance and rebellion attracts and deserves.
Matt. 8:13 And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.
This mustard seed faith, this faith that could move mountains (Matt. 17:20) This faith that made Yeshua willing to become temporarily ritually unclean is what this Roman Centurion was praised for. It was the faith Yeshua’s own brother James mentions (James 1:5-6) that Yeshua praise this Roma Centurion for. It was the faith of the Roman Centurion that Yeshua hoped would provoke the “children of the kingdom” the unbelieving and unrepentant children of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Judah to jealousy (Rom. 10:19, 11:11) and repentance.
