Matthew 2
Wise Men and the Birth of Christ, Fleeing to Egypt, and the Return
Here we are introduced to the wise men from the east. From where they came, how many, and who exactly they were is not made clear in this passage. Tradition as put them as three Seers from anywhere from current day Iraq to as far as the Western India. All of this speculation, of course, and not essential to understanding their purpose, that God had revealed to these men that a great King had been born. They found their spot, and in verse 1 they seek the current king to inquire whom this Child-King might be (v2). God had used His created universe to show them that this had come to pass. He also revealed that this King was greater than all other kings, because they traveled a great distance to worship one so great. Such a revelation to Gentiles also starts the theme that God’s promised savior was not the Jews alone, but now to the whole entire world.
The current “king” of the Jews, Herod, becomes troubled (v 3), because this all comes as a surprise to him, and to all of Jerusalem. The appearance of these strange men from so far, and their message, would be a strange event indeed. The Jews had such a troubled past, and with current occupation of Rome, another new King would bring uncertainty and fear. Out of Herod’s paranoia and fear, he gathers all the priests and scribes to discover what they might now of the exact location of the Christ’s birth (v 4). Their reply was Bethlehem (v 5), because of Micah’s prophesy (Micah 5:2) quoted in verse 6. Prophesy number 2 fulfilled. Herod is now in full-blown espionage mode. He wants to know how long the star has been shining over Bethlehem, and when it first appeared (v 7). Needing more information about this “usurper”, Herod shrewdly asks the wise men to earnestly search for this King, and bring him word of Him, so that he might worship him too (v 8). Yeah, right… Herod was a power thirsty, ruthless man, and had no interest in worshiping the Christ, but to eliminate him. As soon as Christ was born, Satan and his minions have their target on Jesus, to rid him of as quickly as possible and the threat of his power.
The wise men left Jerusalem, followed the star to where it stopped (assuming that means it was overhead, finally), and rejoiced when they found the spot (v 9, 10). Wouldn’t you if you had walked or rode a camel for thousands of miles, mostly at night? Verse 11 tells of their reaction to the child and his mother, Mary. They bow down, worship him, and present him with very expensive gifts. Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh are not cheap items at this point in history. Gold still isn’t today! Again, God reveals Jesus’ true nature by way of these foreign, Gentile men. The three gifts are commonly why we fall into the idea that there were three wise men. It’s interesting to note, the passage mentions nothing about Joseph.
To protect his son, God informs the wise men to tell Herod nothing, and to go back to their home via a different route (v12).
In verse 13 Joseph has a dream where an angel informs him of Herod’s true intentions: to kill the baby Jesus. To protect him from Herod, the family must move far out his reach, to Egypt. Verse 14 seems to indicate, once again, that Joseph wastes no time in following God’s command. He takes his family that night (or in the night in NKJ) to Egypt. It makes sense; you don’t want to see the soldiers coming down the road for your child and then wait to follow God’s orders. They stayed in Egypt until Herod died, as to make sure that he would not harm Jesus in verse 15. Here, the OT prophesy in Hosea 11:1 was fulfilled. Going back now, Herod becomes furious when the wise men do not return with news about the Christ. (v 16). So what’s his conclusion? Kill all the baby boys in Bethlehem. Truly an evil and sadistic man, but this too was prophesied by Jeremiah (Jeremiah 31:15). A terrible thing to happen, but it was to protect the Christ child. These small children were martyred so that all mankind might know of a savior. God’s plan always has a reason and purpose for ultimate good.
In verse 19 and 20, Joseph receives yet another dream from God in the form of an angel, informing him of Herod’s death. Now the family can safely return home. Once again, this seems to be an immediate action (v 21). Oh, to have that kind of faith and obedience to God! We could all learn a thing or two from this man. The trials of this family are not entirely over, because in verse 22, Herod’s son, Archelaus takes his father’s place. With Herod as a role-model for leadership, you can understand Joseph’s apprehension about returning. God also speaks to Joseph in a dream to direct him to Galilee. In verse 23 another prophesy is fulfilled when the family settles in Nazareth.
Here we are introduced to the wise men from the east. From where they came, how many, and who exactly they were is not made clear in this passage. Tradition as put them as three Seers from anywhere from current day Iraq to as far as the Western India. All of this speculation, of course, and not essential to understanding their purpose, that God had revealed to these men that a great King had been born. They found their spot, and in verse 1 they seek the current king to inquire whom this Child-King might be (v2). God had used His created universe to show them that this had come to pass. He also revealed that this King was greater than all other kings, because they traveled a great distance to worship one so great. Such a revelation to Gentiles also starts the theme that God’s promised savior was not the Jews alone, but now to the whole entire world.
The current “king” of the Jews, Herod, becomes troubled (v 3), because this all comes as a surprise to him, and to all of Jerusalem. The appearance of these strange men from so far, and their message, would be a strange event indeed. The Jews had such a troubled past, and with current occupation of Rome, another new King would bring uncertainty and fear. Out of Herod’s paranoia and fear, he gathers all the priests and scribes to discover what they might now of the exact location of the Christ’s birth (v 4). Their reply was Bethlehem (v 5), because of Micah’s prophesy (Micah 5:2) quoted in verse 6. Prophesy number 2 fulfilled. Herod is now in full-blown espionage mode. He wants to know how long the star has been shining over Bethlehem, and when it first appeared (v 7). Needing more information about this “usurper”, Herod shrewdly asks the wise men to earnestly search for this King, and bring him word of Him, so that he might worship him too (v 8). Yeah, right… Herod was a power thirsty, ruthless man, and had no interest in worshiping the Christ, but to eliminate him. As soon as Christ was born, Satan and his minions have their target on Jesus, to rid him of as quickly as possible and the threat of his power.
The wise men left Jerusalem, followed the star to where it stopped (assuming that means it was overhead, finally), and rejoiced when they found the spot (v 9, 10). Wouldn’t you if you had walked or rode a camel for thousands of miles, mostly at night? Verse 11 tells of their reaction to the child and his mother, Mary. They bow down, worship him, and present him with very expensive gifts. Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh are not cheap items at this point in history. Gold still isn’t today! Again, God reveals Jesus’ true nature by way of these foreign, Gentile men. The three gifts are commonly why we fall into the idea that there were three wise men. It’s interesting to note, the passage mentions nothing about Joseph.
To protect his son, God informs the wise men to tell Herod nothing, and to go back to their home via a different route (v12).
In verse 13 Joseph has a dream where an angel informs him of Herod’s true intentions: to kill the baby Jesus. To protect him from Herod, the family must move far out his reach, to Egypt. Verse 14 seems to indicate, once again, that Joseph wastes no time in following God’s command. He takes his family that night (or in the night in NKJ) to Egypt. It makes sense; you don’t want to see the soldiers coming down the road for your child and then wait to follow God’s orders. They stayed in Egypt until Herod died, as to make sure that he would not harm Jesus in verse 15. Here, the OT prophesy in Hosea 11:1 was fulfilled. Going back now, Herod becomes furious when the wise men do not return with news about the Christ. (v 16). So what’s his conclusion? Kill all the baby boys in Bethlehem. Truly an evil and sadistic man, but this too was prophesied by Jeremiah (Jeremiah 31:15). A terrible thing to happen, but it was to protect the Christ child. These small children were martyred so that all mankind might know of a savior. God’s plan always has a reason and purpose for ultimate good.
In verse 19 and 20, Joseph receives yet another dream from God in the form of an angel, informing him of Herod’s death. Now the family can safely return home. Once again, this seems to be an immediate action (v 21). Oh, to have that kind of faith and obedience to God! We could all learn a thing or two from this man. The trials of this family are not entirely over, because in verse 22, Herod’s son, Archelaus takes his father’s place. With Herod as a role-model for leadership, you can understand Joseph’s apprehension about returning. God also speaks to Joseph in a dream to direct him to Galilee. In verse 23 another prophesy is fulfilled when the family settles in Nazareth.
posted by Ayric Andy | 11:54 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home