The Prophecy Revealed In Matthew
Lesson Forty-Three: by Christina Farris (turtle)

Miracles and why God does not answer our prayers are sometimes the greatest mystery to individuals. If we only see one side of the fence, we might not
see the other side of what God is doing. So often times one can get set in their ways to the point that they think it is in their power to make change. All
things must be done by the leading of the Holy Spirit even fasting and praying. Our fast and our prayers need to be to glorify God not our selves or boast
of how long we are fasting. However the passage we are reading today the disciples want to know why they could not cast out this demon in this child
that roles in the fire.

Matthew 17:14-21 KJV
(14)  And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying,
(15)  Lord, have mercy on my son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the water.
(16)  And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not cure him.
(17)  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.
(18)  And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that very hour.
(19)  Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?
(20)  And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this
mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
(21)  Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

See there is a key word in verse 19 disciples wanted to know why they could not cast the demon out. It not in their power to do so, it has to be done in
the power of God with prayer and fasting. If we are looking for a miracle then we have to ask ourselves when we pray are we seeking glory for the
miracle that is could be done by the power of God.

Moses once struck a rock twice when God said once, Hannah fasted and when Eli saw her thought she was drunk but when she denied it, Eli said may
the Lord grant your request. This is found in I Samuel 1.

There is also something else to note in this passage Jesus speaks of spiritual law of fasting and pray. If one has faith mountains will move. God has not
change but it takes us to believe. However Jesus was a law abiding citizen, yet the next verse sounds like a terrorist act. Yet Jesus being God is speaking
about the things to come in His life. He speaking of the crucifixion.

Matthew 17:22-27 KJV
(22)  And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men:
(23)  And they shall kill him, and the third day he shall be raised again. And they were exceeding sorry.
(24)  And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?
(25)  He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth
take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?
(26)  Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.
(27)  Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast
opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.


Then someone ask if Jesus paid tribute a form of tax. And Jesus performs another miracle by instructing Peter to go down to the water and catch a fish
and look in its mouth and you will find money give it to them. However in the Old Testament money was given in the since of tax or homage to dignitaries.
The first instant record is when Abraham pays a tenth to the King of Salem for helping defeat the Lot’s Abraham nephew enemy where he went to
retrieve Lot and his family.  

Genesis 14:18-20 KJV
(18)  And Melchizedek king of Salem brought forth bread and wine: and he was the priest of the most high God.
(19)  And he blessed him, and said, Blessed be Abram of the most high God, possessor of heaven and earth:
(20)  And blessed be the most high God, which hath delivered thine enemies into thy hand. And he gave him tithes of all.

It important to understand to pay what is due another person or one’s government. To always be fair and just. Keep those things that are God  spiritual
and those things that are government government. Not hard to distinguish. It takes a little learning the difference. America is a land of freedom based on
the principal of separation of church and state. Christ taught it and Israel taught it. Was it God’s original plan, no. However Israel asked for a king and
God anointed Saul for the job.



























































































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