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24HourForums.com > The Top 10 Supported Forums > The Christian's Straight and Narrow Path > Bible Study > Bible Study: MATTHEW CH2 |
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DesertRat Forum-Blogger© Pioneer100© Member 
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MATTHEW CH 2
2:3-8. It is no surprise that King Herod . . . was disturbed when the Magi came to Jerusalem looking for the One who had been “born King” (v. 2). Herod was not the rightful king from the line of David. In fact he was not even a descendant of Jacob, but was descended from Esau and thus was an Edomite. (He reigned over Palestine from 37 b.c. to 4 b.c. See the chart on the Herods at Luke 1:5.) This fact caused most of the Jews to hate him and never truly to accept him as king, even though he did much for the country. If someone had been rightfully born king, then Herod’s job was in jeopardy. He therefore called the Jewish scholars together and inquired where the Christ was to be born (Matt. 2:4). Interestingly Herod connected the One “born king of the Jews” (v. 2) with “the Christ,” the Messiah. Obviously Israel had a messianic hope and believed that the Messiah would be born. The answer to Herod’s question was simple, because Micah the prophet had given the precise location centuries before: the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). This answer from the people’s chief priests and teachers of the Law (scribes, kjv) was apparently carried back to the Magi by Herod himself. Then Herod asked them when they had first seen their star (Matt. 2:7). This became critical later in the account (v. 16); it showed that Herod was already contemplating a plan to get rid of this young King. He also instructed the Magi to return and tell him the location of this King so that he might come and worship Him. That was not, however, what he had in mind. 2:9-12. The journey of the Magi from Jerusalem wrought a further miracle. The star they had seen in the East now reappeared and led them to a specific house in Bethlehem where they found the Child Jesus. Bethlehem is about five miles south of Jerusalem. “Stars” (i.e., planets) naturally travel from east to west across the heavens, not from north to south. Could it be that “the star” which the Magi saw and which led them to a specific house was the Shekinah glory of God? That same glory had led the children of Israel through the wilderness for 40 years as a pillar of fire and cloud. Perhaps this was what they saw in the East, and for want of a better term they called it a “star.” All other efforts to explain this star are inadequate (such as a conjunction of Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars; a supernova; a comet; etc.). (i.e. id est, that is) Nevertheless they were led to the Child and going in, they worshiped Him. Their worship was heightened by the giving of gifts . . . gold . . . incense and . . . myrrh. These were gifts worthy of a king and this act by Gentile leaders pictures the wealth of the nations which will someday be completely given to the Messiah (Isa. 60:5, 11; 61:6; 66:20; Zeph. 3:10; Hag. 2:7-8). Some believe the gifts had further significance by reflecting on the character of this Child’s life. Gold might represent His deity or purity, incense the fragrance of His life, and myrrh His sacrifice and death (myrrh was used for embalming). These gifts were obviously the means by which Joseph took his family to Egypt and sustained them there until Herod died. The wise men were warned by God not to return and report to Herod, so they returned to their homes by another route. b. In Egypt (2:13-18). 2:13-15. After the visit of the Magi, Joseph was warned by an angel of the Lord to take Mary and Jesus and flee to Egypt. This warning was given in a dream (the second of Joseph’s four dreams: 1:20; 2:13, 19, 22). The reason was Herod would be searching for the Child to kill Him. Under cover of darkness, Joseph obeyed, and his family left Bethlehem and journeyed into Egypt. Why Egypt? The Messiah was sent to and returned from Egypt so that the prophet’s words, Out of Egypt I called My Son, might be fulfilled. This is a reference to Hosea 11:1, which does not seem to be a prophecy in the sense of a prediction. Hosea was writing of God’s calling Israel out of Egypt into the Exodus. Matthew, however, gave new understanding to these words. Matthew viewed this experience as Messiah being identified with the nation. There were similarities between the nation and the Son. Israel was God’s chosen “son” by adoption (Ex. 4:22), and Jesus is the Messiah, God’s Son. In both cases the descent into Egypt was to escape danger, and the return was important to the nation’s providential history. While Hosea’s statement was a historical reference to Israel’s deliverance, Matthew related it more fully to the call of the Son, the Messiah, from Egypt. In that sense, as Matthew “heightened” Hosea’s words to a more significant event—the Messiah’s return from Egypt—they were “fulfilled.” Egypt has been both a refuge and a prison for God’s people in the past. Here Moses escaped death when a tyrant Pharaoh was murdering the Hebrew babies. From here God rescued the Hebrew slaves to make them a nation and give them a land. Jesus is retracing his people’s steps. He is the one who is greater than Moses. 2:16-18. As soon as Herod learned that the Magi had not complied with his orders to give him the exact location of the newborn King, he put into action a plan to kill all the male children in Bethlehem. The age of two . . . and under was selected in compliance with the time . . . the Magi saw “the star” in the East. Perhaps this time reference also indicated that when the Magi visited Jesus, He was under two years of age. This slaughter of the male children is mentioned only here in the biblical record. Even the Jewish historian Josephus (a.d. 37=?100) did not mention this dastardly deed of putting to death innocent babies and young children. But it is not surprising that he and other secular historians overlooked the death of a few Hebrew children in an insignificant village, for Herod’s infamous crimes were many. He put to death several of his own children and some of his wives whom he thought were plotting against him. Emperor Augustus reportedly said it was better to be Herod’s sow than his son, for his sow had a better chance of surviving in a Jewish community. In the Greek language, as in English, there is only one letter difference between the words “sow” (huos) and “son” (huios). This event too was said to be the fulfillment of a prophecy by Jeremiah. This statement (Jer. 31:15) referred initially to the weeping of the nation as a result of the death of children at the time of the Babylonian Captivity (586 b.c.). But the parallel to the situation at this time was obvious, for again children were being slaughtered at the hands of non-Jews. Also, Rachel’s tomb was near Bethlehem and Rachel was considered by many to be the mother of the nation. That is why she was seen weeping over these children’s deaths. c. In Nazareth (2:19-23). 2:19-23. After Herod died . . . Joseph was again instructed by an angel of the Lord. This was the third of four times an angel appeared to him in a dream (cf. 1:20; 2:13, 19, 22). He was made aware of Herod’s death and told to return to the land (v. 20). Joseph obediently followed the Lord’s instruction and was planning to return to the land of Israel, perhaps to Bethlehem. However, a son of Herod, Archelaus, was ruling over the territories of Judea, Samaria, and Idumea. Archelaus, noted for tyranny, murder, and instability, was probably insane as a result of close family intermarriages. (He ruled from 4 b.c. to a.d. 6. See the chart on the Herods at Luke 1:5). God’s warning to Joseph (again in a dream, Matt. 2:22; cf. 1:20; 2:13, 19) was not to return to Bethlehem, but instead to move back to the northern district of Galilee to the town of Nazareth. The ruler of this region was Antipas, another son of Herod (cf. 14:1; Luke 23:7-12), but he was a capable ruler. (cf. = confer, compare) The fact that the family moved to Nazareth was once again said to be in fulfillment of prophecy (Matt. 2:23). However, the words He will be called a Nazarene, were not directly spoken by any Old Testament prophet, though several prophecies come close to this expression. Isaiah said the Messiah would be “from [Jesse’s] roots” like “a Branch” (Isa. 11:1). “Branch” is the Hebrew word ne?er, which has consonants like those in the word “Nazarene” and which carry the idea of having an insignificant beginning. Since Matthew used the plural prophets, perhaps his idea was not based on a specific prophecy but on the idea that appeared in a number of prophecies concerning Messiah’s despised character. Nazareth was the town which housed the Roman garrison for the northern regions of Galilee. Therefore most Jews would not have any associations with that city. In fact those who lived in Nazareth were thought of as compromisers who consorted with the enemy, the Romans. Therefore to call one “a Nazarene” was to use a term of contempt. So because Joseph and his family settled in Nazareth, the Messiah was later despised and considered contemptible in the eyes of many in Israel. This was Nathanael’s reaction when he heard Jesus was from Nazareth (John 1:46): “Can anything good come from there?” This concept fit several Old Testament prophecies that speak of the lowly character of the Messiah (e.g., Isa. 42:1-4). Also the term “Nazarene” would have reminded Jewish readers of the similar-sounding word “Nazirite” (Num. 6:1-21). Jesus was more devoted to God than the Nazirites. (e.g. exempli gratia, for example) [1] Discuss 1. “Jesus’ first coming did literally fulfill prophecy. But the people of His day did not realize it until later, because they had developed false expectations. How likely are we to be similarly mistaken about features of His second coming? Can we be sure that when Jesus returns He will do exactly what modern writers on prophecy say He will do? Why, or why not?” 2. Jesus is contrasted with Herod in Matthew 2. Each seems to have a very different view of what is involved in “dominion”—e.g., in power, authority, rule. What are the differences between Herod’s and Jesus’ views of dominion? For instance, Herod saw it as power over others. He saw it as something to be maintained by fear and murder. He saw it as outward glory. What does the life of Jesus suggest about Christ’s view? Apply Identify one area in your life in which you are satisfied that your attitude is more like Jesus’ than like Herod’s. Pray and ask the Lord to help you experience dominion over your own passions rather than over others. [1]Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-c1985). The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures (2:20). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
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Vrtech Original500© Member  Bubba
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 HI DR!!!!!!!!! Nice thread!!!!!!  
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1jester Pioneer100© Member  Pilgrim Sojourner
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I agree wholeheartedly!!! And it's nice to see ya, Bubba!
 Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. -Matthew 22:37-39 |
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JustifiedByFaith Pioneer100© Member  Searching The Hearts Of Man
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DesertRat wrote: Discuss Many still don't realize it today. The gentiles are still coming into His kingdom but the door will be shut when He comes in "Power and Glory". They will know whom was pierced when He comes. They were thinking He would "fix" everything and bring about "peace" in His first coming but He brought "divison". When He comes a second time, He will be coming without sin and will bring about peace the peace the world and Jewish people despirately need after He subdues all powers and establishes His kingom here on earth. Yes indeed He will then be the called "Prince of Peace", "King of Kings and Lord of Lords".
Jesus said, "Take heed that no one deceives you." Matthew 24:4 |
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1jester Pioneer100© Member Pilgrim Sojourner
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I like the examples of all the prophecies that were fulfilled with Jesus' birth. The author of this text does a good job of relating old testament verses to the birth of Jesus.
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. -Matthew 22:37-39 |
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24HourForums.com > The Top 10 Supported Forums > The Christian's Straight and Narrow Path > Bible Study > Bible Study: MATTHEW CH2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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