Back to the Bible: Matthew 2:1-23
The second chapter of Matthew records events that followed the birth of Jesus. Matthew ties what happens to the fulfillment of the Scriptures.
First, Matthew describes that magi (wise men) came to find the “King of the Jews.” They had seen a star (and perhaps received revelation) that indicated He was born and wanted to worship Him. That bothered Herod. That was his title. He wanted to know where the Christ (the promised King) was to be born. Religious leaders and scholars quoted Micah 5:2. It had been prophesied that He would be born in Bethlehem (six miles southwest of Jerusalem). Herod wanted to use the magi (deceitfully) to find the Child.
The magi found Him and responded with joy, worship, and honor. But, they had been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, so they went home another way.
An angel instructed Joseph to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt because Herod was looking to destroy the Child. Herod was an unhinged man. Joseph followed the instructions. They stayed in Egypt till Herod died. This, too, was a fulfillment of Scripture. Matthew cites Hosea 11:1. Hosea 10 showed that Israel would be judged for sin, but 11:1 promised a coming Son. Israel’s exit from Egypt was a preview.
When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he ordered the execution of all the little boys (two and under) who had been born in or around Bethlehem. This, too, fulfilled a terrible prophecy. Jeremiah 31:15 pointed to a day of Rachel weeping for her children. Rachel, the wife of Jacob (Israel) and the mother of Joseph and Benjamin was buried in Bethlehem. But, the next verse of Jeremiah looked to hope. The One who came to destroy death had escaped Herod’s massacre.
When Herod died, Joseph, Mary, and Jesus were able to return. They returned, not to Bethlehem, but to their hometown of Nazareth. Thus, Jesus fulfilled the Scriptures that said He would be called “a Nazarene.” It is difficult to determine a specific passage Matthew is referring to. The word nazar is connected to the Hebrew word for Branch. Several prophets identified the coming king as “the Branch” (see Isa. 11:1; Zech. 6:12). That may be the connection. Perhaps, the nature of Nazareth as a low-status town may connect to the humility of the Messiah (See Ps. 22:6-8; Isa. 53:2-3).
Lessons to Learn:
God’s word is sure. They knew where the King would be born because they looked to the Scripture.
Evil is real. Since the beginning of time Satan has been trying to destroy God’s purposes. Since Jesus’ birth, Satan has attempted to destroy Him and His work.
Jesus is the answer to God's promises. He is the King Israel had been longing for.
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