Matthew handled the mystery better than Mark, having had more time to study after the book of Mark was written. A riddle concerning the lost generation has been observed as well as a demonstration of his use of pattern in the title of Jesus as the Usurping Second Son. In the rest of the genealogy you may find patterns displaying the Un-begotten Son, The Only Begotten Son, and the Forsaken Son. For expediency sake, the Second Son pattern was shown as an example rather than as an exhaustive enumeration into all the riddles. John makes an appeal to the same expediency excuse. [1]
The prostitute/virgin bride
The referent of this pattern is the church which is described as both a prostitute and a virgin. God's people have the sin nature which makes them to be their own god, yet Christ makes the church his spotless bride. Matthew uses Mary as his example since she is a part of the literal life of Christ which is also a prophecy of the bride of Christ. If all things speak of Christ, then they look like each other sometimes.
One, and sometimes two women who are closely associated, participate in the establishment of the prostitute/virgin bride pattern. In this pattern the person may literally be one or both, or either part myay be hinted at by the riddle, the same way that men became the second son.
Mary
- Mary was suspected of adultery, yet was a virgin
- Mary means 'rebelious' yet she was faithful.
Rebekkah
- Rebekkah was a virgin who was 'took/married' [2] by the servant
- Rebekkah was 'uncovered' with the servant, and covered herself when she saw Isaac. This is a riddle hint of he prostitute, while she remained pure.
Leah and Rachel
- Leah sneaked into Jacob's wedding tent, playing the role of the prostitute while Rachel remained the virgin bride.
Tamar
- Tamar played the harlot but was called more honorable than Judah.
Gomer
- Gomer was a prostitute who named her first child "God sows" as a hint of the virgin birth.
Isreal and the church
- Israel was repeatedly chastized for playing the harlot, and the church is described as he virgin bride.
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