Matthew Chapter Two Study

 

The Visit of the Wise Men

1 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

 

6 “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,

are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;

for from you shall come a ruler

who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

 

7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

 

The King mentioned in this text is Herod I or Herod the Great and lived from 72 BCE to 4 BCE. He was a Jewish Roman client king who ruled the Herodian Kingdom of Judea.  He was known for the extensive building projects that he completed in the region, such as, the renovation of the second temple in Jerusalem, the construction of the defended fort at Masada and his palace Herodium.

 

The wise men who travelled from the East looking for the Messiah. Matthew calls them Magi and little else is known of their origins. It may be surmised that they had great wisdom and were aware of the prophecy of the coming of Messiah and also were aware of signs in the Heavens that indicated that the time was nigh. In this case a star of Jesus. They came to Jerusalem and enquired widely enough about the birth of Messiah to alert King Herod of the impending event and assembling his priests and scribes he ascertained that the birth of the ruler to come would happen in Bethlehem of Judah.

 

The prophecy that Messiah would be born in Bethlehem of Judah quoted in Matthew chapter two verse six is found in the Old Testament book of Micah in chapter five verse two. It seems almost certain the wise men were aware of at least a part of this prophecy and knew to watch for the star. It must have been important to them as they embarked on a significant journey to see the Messiah and brought expensive gifts for the coming King.

 

Herod sought to craftily have the wise men locate the new born Jesus for him and return to with news of that location. Such, that he could move against the Messiah. The wisemen followed the star and found Jesus with His mother Mary and rejoicing they fell down and worshipped Him and gave Him the gifts they had brought with them. They were warned in a dream to avoid King Herod and returned to their country by another route. I perceive that these were not just magi but Men of Yahweh. The devil would not have sent righteous men to find and worship Jesus nor would he have warned them in a dream to avoid King Herod. They were obviously followers of Adonai Elohim (The Almighty Creator God), and when He gave them the dream, they obeyed him, avoided Herod and made their way home by a different route.

 

The Flight to Egypt

13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” 14 And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt 15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfil what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”

 

Knowing the threat that Herod meant to the child Jesus. God made plans to move Jesus, Mary and Joseph to safety. With this in mind he sent an angel to Joseph in a dream instructing him to move his family to Egypt and to remain there until he was told it was safe to return to Israel. Joseph did as he was told and took Mary and Jesus by night. He remained in Egypt until the death of Herod which fulfilled the prophecy from Hosea 11:1 'When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.' ESV

 

Notice, that God took care not to use overtly super natural methods to protect Jesus from the attacks of the devil. Rather, he warned using dreams and caused both the magi and Joseph to simply walk out of harm's way. He allowed nothing that would draw unwanted attention to the child beyond initially announcing that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem.

 

Herod Kills the Children

16 Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah:

 

18 “A voice was heard in Ramah,

weeping and loud lamentation,

Rachel weeping for her children;

she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.”

 

Herod was well known to be jealous for his throne. Apparently killing family members and anyone that he felt represented a threat to his reign. There is a story that he gathered people of note to be killed after his death to ensure that he would have mourners for his funeral.

So, it is certainly not out of character for him to have ordered the slaughter of the innocents in an attempt to kill the baby Jesus. It is understood he did this after ascertaining the age of the Messiah from the wisemen. Apparently, he had all of the boy babies killed under the age of two in the Bethlehem and the surrounding region. The non-Christian writer Macrobius quoted Augustus Caesar as saying 'It’s better to be Herod’s pig, than his son' claiming one of his Herod's own children was put to death at the time as the slaughter innocents in Bethlehem.

 

Once again this event was described in prophecy in Jeremiah chapter 31 verse fifteen "Thus says the Lord: “A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are no more.” Thus the event which is from the time of the captivity of Israel is also applied in this case by Matthew.

 

The Return to Nazareth

19 But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.” 21 And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. 23 And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene

 

In due time Herod the Great died and God sent and angel to Joseph once again in a dream to take Mary and Jesus back to Israel because those who sought Jesus life were dead. Joseph obeyed God once again and took Mary and Jesus back to Israel. He was intending to go to Judea but heard that Archelaus was King there and so retreated to settle in the area of Galilee after once again being warned in dream of the danger. So, they settled in Nazareth and Jesus became a Nazarene or as He is better known as Jesus of Nazareth. 

 

Reference List

 

Is there secular evidence Herod killed babies under the age of two? From <https://www.neverthirsty.org/bible-qa/qa-archives/question/is-there-secular-evidence-herod-killed-babies-under-the-age-of-two/> 12/10/24

 

Jeremiah Chapter Thirty One verse Fifteen From <https://www.biblegateway.com/verse/en/Jeremiah%2031%3A15>

 

Matthew Chapter Two From <https://www.blueletterbible.org/esv/mat/2/1/s_931001> 12/10/24

Oh! I'm a Sheep…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John 10:14 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father.”

 

From <https://www.blueletterbible.org/esv/jhn/10/1/s_1007001>

 

I have always struggled to understand how God could care about me. How I a sinner, a fallen man, could ever be desirable to Adonai Elohim. What is there about me that merits His love and forgiveness. Especially, when you factor in that repentance is a daily struggle for me and one that I am seldom the victor in.

 

I have always appreciated that Jesus said He was the good shepherd in a kind of 'That's so cool God kind of way.' You know, soft woolly feelings of cuteness and warm fuzzy hearts. I just didn't understand what He was actually saying here. I almost completely missed the most important thing in John's gospel.

 

You see Jesus is saying here He is the Good Shepherd. He's saying I know my sheep and they know me. We're talking people with sheep like characteristics. If you know sheep they have many endearing characteristics. Lambs are cute and playful. Ewes are maternal, protective and loving of their offspring and family groups. Rams are dominant and show leadership of the flock. Sheep are loyal and loving and can be wise, gracious, obedient and worthy of admiration just like people.

 

Sheep can also be rebellious, obstinate, independent, arrogant, angry, violent, aggressive, impulsive, unwise, foolish and stupid creatures, just like people. If God can love sheep so completely that he would give His life to find one of the flock that is lost. I can finally understand how God can love me. I completely associate with all of the characteristics of sheep. I can be stupid and sinful and make the worst and most impulsive decisions and yet Jesus Christ is my Lord, my Savior and my Good Shepherd. I am His sheep and I know Him and He knows me. He loves me and I love Him. My beloved Adonai Elohim. I'll be a sheep in His flock any day and forever.

 

Sin and Salvation

 

 

Romans 6:23

'For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.' ESV

 

Every human being has sinned and all have fallen short of the glory of God.

 

Definition of Sin in Merriam Webster

 

1         a : an offense against religious or moral law

 b : an action that is or is felt to be highly reprehensible

it's a sin to waste food

 c : an often serious shortcoming : fault

2         a : transgression of the law of God

           b : a vitiated state of human nature in which the self is estranged from God

 

From <https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sin>

 

The impact of sin and need for reconciliation with the Creator God - Yahweh Elohim.

 

Colossians 1:20-22

'And through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him…'

 

From <https://www.openbible.info/topics/the_impact_of_sin_and_the_need_for_reconciliation_with_god>

 

All of creation bares the effects of sin and needs to be reconciled to God whether here on Earth or in Heaven. Christ Jesus has made peace through the blood of His cross and has made a path to salvation and reconciliation firstly through the justification of those who believe on Him unto eternal life. Then, through the sanctification of those same believers in the waters of baptism in the name of Jesus Christ. So that, they might have the forgiveness of sins and receive the Holy Spirit who puts God's Law in their hearts and minds while working in their hearts a process of life long sanctification.

 

Thus, the impact of sin from the Garden of Eden and the fall of Adam and Eve and subsequently all of mankind is atoned for in the sacrifice of Christ Jesus on the cross at Calvary. This is through the shedding of His blood for the sins of all men. So, that those who believe on Him are cleansed of sin, atoned for, receive salvation in His name, Jesus Christ, and are reconciled unto the creator God, Yahweh Elohim.

 

In the future that God has planned for mankind there can be no sin and no sinners. Therefore it remains up to you that when you hear the gospel of salvation in Jesus Christ. When you understand that He shed His, pure and perfect, blood on the cross as the Lamb of God. He did this that you might be saved and receive eternal life. Your purpose in this life is to choose. Will you believe on Jesus Christ, the Messiah and the Savior or, will you perish out of eternity and die in your sins?

Matthew Chapter One Study

 

The Genealogy of Jesus Christ

1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.

2 Abraham was the father of Isaac, and Isaac the father of Jacob, and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers, 3 and Judah the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, and Perez the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram, 4 and Ram the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon, 5 and Salmon the father of Boaz by Rahab, and Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse, 6 and Jesse the father of David the king.

And David was the father of Solomon by the wife of Uriah, 7 and Solomon the father of Rehoboam, and Rehoboam the father of Abijah, and Abijah the father of Asaph, 8 and Asaph the father of Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat the father of Joram, and Joram the father of Uzziah, 9 and Uzziah the father of Jotham, and Jotham the father of Ahaz, and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah, 10 and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amos, and Amos the father of Josiah, 11 and Josiah the father of Jechoniah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon.

12 And after the deportation to Babylon: Jechoniah was the father of Shealtiel, and Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel, 13 and Zerubbabel the father of Abiud, and Abiud the father of Eliakim, and Eliakim the father of Azor, 14 and Azor the father of Zadok, and Zadok the father of Achim, and Achim the father of Eliud, 15 and Eliud the father of Eleazar, and Eleazar the father of Matthan, and Matthan the father of Jacob, 16 and Jacob the father of Joseph the husband of Mary, of whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ. 17 So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen generations. ESV

 

Verse One to Seventeen: This genealogy is the family tree of Jesus adoptive father Joseph and primarily addresses prophecy regarding the lineage of Jesus as a descendant of King David of Israel. This line of family also establishes Jesus legal right to claim to be the Messiah through the genealogy of His adoptive father Joseph.

 

The genealogy is notable in that it includes women in line of descent which was unusual but shows God's mercy and intent to include women and gentiles in the lineage of Jesus the Messiah. Indicating perhaps, that God always had a greater scope in mind for the redemptive work of Jesus Christ on the Cross at Calvary.

 

The genealogy mentions the generational duration from His promise and covenant with Abraham through to David ascending the throne of Israel. Then from David to the deportation to Babylon where Israel were taken as punishment for taking on other Gods. after seventy years in captivity, Israel were restored to their homeland. Then from the restoration in Israel to the birth of the Messiah, Christ Jesus. The period between each event being fourteen generations and the total length from the promise to Abraham to the birth of Jesus being forty two generations. This shows God's faithfulness to His people as He honored the promises He made and the covenants that He set in place culminating in the birth of the Messiah.

 

The Birth of Jesus Christ

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfil what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 23 “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus. ESV

 

Verses Eighteen to Twenty Five: This section of the passage tells the story of Jesus birth. The important facts are that Mary was a virgin; That the baby was conceived of the Holy Spirit; That God appeared to Joseph, Mary's betrothed, and told him not to fear to marry Mary as the baby in her womb was conceived of the Holy Spirit; The baby would be a son and Joseph was to name Him Jesus; Jesus would save His people from their sins; That the prophecy that a virgin shall conceive and they shall call His name Immanuel would be fulfilled (Isaiah 7:14); Joseph did as the angel commanded and did not sleep with Mary until after the baby was born; He called the child Jesus.

Walking With Jesus – Matthew Chapter Three Verses One to Ten

 

John the Baptist Prepares the Way

1 In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” 3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said,

 

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:

‘Prepare the way of the Lord;

make his paths straight.’”

 

4 Now John wore a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, 6 and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 10 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

 

From <https://www.blueletterbible.org/esv/mat/3/1/s_932001>

 

Verses One to Four: John the Baptist came to Judea and preached the gospel of the Kingdom. This was a gospel of repentance and the coming Kingdom of God. John preached that this was spoken of by Isaiah the Prophet when he spoke of one crying in the wilderness crying ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’ By saying this he proclaimed the coming of the Messiah. The Lord Jesus Christ.

 

Verse Five to Six: All of the peoples from the region of Jerusalem and Judea came to hear John preach and were baptized by him in the river Jordan. They confessed their sins unto repentance. By preaching repentance John was instructing them to turn from unrighteousness and to stop sinning. Instead to obey the Law and to walk in righteousness in obedience to God.

 

Verses Eight to Ten: The Pharisees and Sadducees came out to observe John, probably to see what all the commotion was about and whether John represented a threat to their rule. He immediately confronted them accusing them of being a brood of vipers and expressing dismay that they would come to hear him preach that they might escape the wrath of God. He noted that they claimed to be the children of Abraham but because they were not repentant and did not truly understand the Law the rulers were not really truly the sons of God. John told them God could raise children for Abraham from the stones around them. He told them that if they were not careful God would take the axe and cut them out of spiritual Israel.

 

John's preaching in here matches the preaching of Jesus Christ to the rulers of Israel in Matthew chapter twenty three verses thirteen to thirty six and his preaching about the vine dresser in John chapter fifteen verses one to ten. The apostle Paul also speaks of the olive tree and the unproductive branches being torn out and new Christian branches being grafted in Romans chapter eleven verses seventeen to twenty four. John the Baptist was laying a common foundational theme for how God viewed the Pharisees, Sadducees and other rulers of Israel at the time of Christ and what God would achieve through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ on the Cross at Calvary. 

The Rapture

 

Hebrews 9:28 ESV

 

So Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

From <https://www.openbible.info/topics/the_rapture>

There is so much controversy about whether there will be a Rapture. The Rapture is an event which will take place to remove the Christians who would otherwise go through the coming time of Tribulation that is to happen at the end of the Church Age.

 

A lot of Christians do not believe that such an event will happen. The scriptures are not really very clear about the matter.  It is one of those topics where there are scriptures and theological opinions which can be used to make a case for, or against, the Rapture.

 

I think myself, that Hebrews 9 verse 28 is one of the stronger verses in support of the Rapture. It tells us that Christ having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for Him.

 

Now many would say that Christ will appear a second time to resurrect that living, and the dead, saints of the Church Age. This will occur, I believe, immediately at the end of Tribulation Judgement. No question about it and it is not the Rapture.

 

The Rapture, is to evacuate the living saints before the Tribulation begins. The reason is to spare them the time of judgement (Revelation 3:10). Another reason is found in Revelation 7:1-8, where God is consecrating 144,000 Jewish persons, 12,000 of each of the twelve tribes of Israel. This group of people are set aside to take the gospel to the nations in the Tribulation time along with the Two Witnesses.

The question here is why? Where is the Church? I would suggest that there are three possibilities. First, the Church for some reason no longer exists, second, all of the Christians have been martyred, third, the Church has been raptured to allow Israel to take the batten back. Messianic Jewish Christians consecrated to take the gospel to nations in the Tribulation.

 

So, whatever you believe about the Rapture. There is a valid argument that it will happen and it could be said that the literal fulfillment of several prophetic scriptures depend upon the Rapture taking place. It could also be said the parable of the Foolish Virgins would not even make sense unless Jesus was returning to take his Church out of harm's way. My thoughts only but I believe there will be a Rapture.

 

A John 3:16 Christian

 

How getting saved works for me.

 

 So, attending a Calvinist Church I have struggled for a while to accept the idea that God elects each Christian and through Grace Alone. That the whole process takes place automatically. No personal input required. As you can imagine this created a backlash back in the day. It created and entire counter movement called Arminianism which completely opposes Calvinism. Instead of Grace doing it all, Grace enables YOU to do it all. Prevenient Grace enables you to accept or reject the gospel and then it enables you to accept or reject the sanctifying acts of the Holy Spirit on a piece by piece basis.

 

Honestly, my opinion of all of this is that Calvinism has some of it right. We are elected from the foundation of the world and we are totally depraved. We are justified by our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus. We are entirely sanctified by the Holy Spirit over the course of our lives and presented to the Almighty God perfect in the resurrection.

The Arminians also have some of it right that we are elected by being foreseen rather than predestined. We are drawn to Christ through the hearing of the gospel under the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Through grace we have the choice to believe on Christ Jesus or to reject Him as our Savior. As to whether we are sanctified on choice by choice basis. I don't believe so personally. As I mentioned before I believe the Holy Spirit sanctifies us during the course of our lives. We don't inherently have that ability as fallen men ourselves

 

However, other than justification in Christ Jesus and sanctification by the Holy Spirit. I don't really think the contentions of the Calvinists and the Arminians matter all that much. Some people get very agitated over it all and I have to confess to being profoundly caught up in the controversy about election and double predestination myself but it is just a storm in a tea cup compared to the real battle for the hearts and minds of men and women, between God and Satan.

 

Hence the great commission of Matthew 28 verses 19-20 "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."

 

From <https://www.blueletterbible.org/esv/mat/28/1/s_957001>

 

So, in the end I'm just a John 3:16 Christian, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." I believe in the redemptive work of Christ Jesus on the Cross and I shall not perish but inherit eternal life. My sins are washed away by His blood, the blood of the Lamb of God shed on that Cross at Calvary.

 

From <https://www.blueletterbible.org/esv/jhn/3/16/p0/t_bibles_1000016>

 

It's a simple gospel and a simple faith both of which are gifts of God. You should try it.