Not One Stone: Birth Pains and the Land Beyond the River

Supporting Theme: What must be destroyed to make way for what is promised?

Main Text: Matthew 24:1–8 Torah Parallel: Numbers 33:50–53

New Testament | Matthew 24:1–8 (NLT)

Jesus Speaks about the Future

1 as Jesus was leaving the Temple grounds, his disciples pointed out to him the various Temple buildings. 2 But he responded, “Do you see all these buildings? I tell you the truth, they will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!”

3 Later, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives. His disciples came to him privately and said, “Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will signal your return and the end of the world?”

4 Jesus told them, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, 5 for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many. 6 And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. 7 Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. 8 But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come.

Jesus and his disciples stand before the Temple in awe, but Jesus sees something different—an ending, not a monument. The conversation moves from physical destruction to spiritual deception, and climaxes in the warning of coming labor pains. Christ is not just describing collapse—He's preparing us for birth.

Chiastic Structure: Matthew 24:1–8

A. (v1) Disciples focus on the physical Temple
    B. (v2) Jesus prophesies total destruction
        C. (v3) Disciples ask about the sign of the end
            D. (v4) Warning: “Don’t let anyone mislead you”
                E. (v5) Many will come falsely claiming Messiah
                    F. (v6a) You will hear of wars and threats
                        G. (v6b) Don’t panic—these must happen
                    F’. (v7a) Nation will rise against nation
                E’. (v7b) Famines and earthquakes
            D’. (v8) All this is the beginning of birth pains
        C’. (v3) Concern about the “end” is reframed
    B’. (v2) What will fall is not the end but the beginning
A’. (v8) These stones give way to something being born

Torah | Numbers 33:50–53 (NLT)

Instructions Before Inheritance

50 While they were camped near the Jordan River on the plains of Moab opposite Jericho, the Lord said to Moses, 51 “Give the following instructions to the people of Israel: When you cross the Jordan River into the land of Canaan, 52 you must drive out all the people living there. You must destroy all their carved and molten images and demolish all their pagan shrines. 53 Take possession of the land and settle in it, because I have given it to you to occupy. 

Israel is not merely walking into blessing—they are commanded to clear space. The physical conquest is coupled with a spiritual one. The land is given, but it must be purified of pagan shrines and images. Holiness requires both removal and receiving.

Chiastic Structure: Numbers 33:50–53

A. (v50) Israel camped near the Jordan, opposite Jericho
    B. (v51) The Lord speaks to Moses: instructions for entry
        C. (v52a) Drive out the inhabitants
            D. (v52b) Destroy carved and molten images
            D’. (v52c) Demolish all pagan shrines
        C’. (v53a) Take possession of the land
    B’. (v53b) “I have given it to you to occupy”
A’. (v50) The moment before entering the land

Connecting the Two

Jesus (Matthew 24). Moses (Numbers 33)

Foretells destruction of the Temple Commands destruction of pagan shrines

Warns of deception and tribulation Warns to purge idols completely

Speaks of "birth pains" Speaks of "taking possession"

Prepares disciples for transition Prepares Israel for inheritance

Hebrew Word Study

- חֵבֶל (Chevel) – “Birth pains” (Matt. 24:8 root term used in LXX and Hebrew prophecy)
- יָרַשׁ (Yarash) – “To inherit/dispossess” (Num. 33:53)
Both words point to movement with struggle—whether birthing something new or displacing something old.

PARDES Reflection (Four Levels of Study)

Peshat (Simple / Surface Level):

“What physical things have we made sacred that Jesus or Moses might tell us to tear down?”

Think about buildings, traditions, or habits. What are we clinging to that God may be calling us to release?

Remez (Hint / Symbolic):

“How do ‘birth pains’ in Matthew and ‘driving out idols’ in Numbers hint at the hidden cost of transformation?”

What in your life is causing discomfort not because it’s wrong—but because something new is being born?

Drash (Inquire / Interpretive):

“If the land has already been given, why does God require us to fight for it?”

How does this tension show up in our spiritual lives, ministries, or communities? 

What have we inherited that we still need to claim?

Sod (Secret / Mystical):

“What if collapse is not judgment, but mercy?”

When have you experienced something fall apart, only to find out it was clearing space for what God was preparing?