Post by foxjj on Jul 6, 2023 7:23:42 GMT
Matthew Chapter 2
In Matthew chapter 2 we read of The Wise Men seeking the new born king of the Jews: “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.”- Matthew 2:1-2
Unlike the popular Christmas Carol, The Bible dose not give names to the Magi, or Wisemen as they are more commonly known. Nor are we told where they actually came from, however, history records that Magi were a class of wise men of the Babylonian and Persion empire’s which lay to the east of Judea. They studied the wisdom of not only their own, but also the other nations consequently, the king and national leaders would consult them when important decisions were required. In the Old Testament book of Daniel, who was a Jewish exile in the Babylonian court, we can read concerning Magi. Daniel recorded prophecy’s from God concerning the rise and fall of mighty nation’s. His prophecy’s included his own nation, which may explain the visit of the Magi in Matthews Gospel because, his writings would have been part of the Persian records read and studied by later Magi.
“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.’” - Matthew 2:3-6
That King Herod knew of Messiah, which is the Hebrew name for Christ, was the Promised One whom Yahweh said would come is apparent when he asked his wise men where Messiah would be born. Sadly this portion of Scripture also tells of the cunning and dark heart of the king:
“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.” - Matthew 2:7-12 (ESV)
Because of the visitors inquiries, and the fact that Herod assembled the leaders of the people asking about the birth of Messiah, it is obvious that the nation was expecting prophecy to be fulfilled. However, none of the leaders or priests from the Temple went to inquire if indeed the long awaited Messiah had indeed been born. The only Jewish people who came to witness the birth of The Lord’s Promised One were lowly shepherds from the fields:
“15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.” - Luke 2:15-18 (ESV)
Following the visit of the Magi, Jesus and His family became refugees because King Herod attempted to have Him murdered: “When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” - Matthew 2:13.
The following verse’s record a sad and dark episode in reign of King Herod who was a hard ruler having no consideration for innocent life. Protecting his crown was of the upmost importance to him:
“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.” - Matthew 2:16-18 (ESV)
The Lords Covenant was being fulfilled in the coming of Messiah. Through the ministry of Jesus, God was inviting not only the Jewish people, but also the Gentiles, into a New Covenant with Him. The visit of the Magi was a foreshadowing of the future, when wise seekers of truth from all nations, will seek and worship Jesus as their Lord and their Savior accepting His gift of Redemption.
Today, let us give thanks for Jesus The Messiah.
John Joseph Fox.
In Matthew chapter 2 we read of The Wise Men seeking the new born king of the Jews: “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.”- Matthew 2:1-2
Unlike the popular Christmas Carol, The Bible dose not give names to the Magi, or Wisemen as they are more commonly known. Nor are we told where they actually came from, however, history records that Magi were a class of wise men of the Babylonian and Persion empire’s which lay to the east of Judea. They studied the wisdom of not only their own, but also the other nations consequently, the king and national leaders would consult them when important decisions were required. In the Old Testament book of Daniel, who was a Jewish exile in the Babylonian court, we can read concerning Magi. Daniel recorded prophecy’s from God concerning the rise and fall of mighty nation’s. His prophecy’s included his own nation, which may explain the visit of the Magi in Matthews Gospel because, his writings would have been part of the Persian records read and studied by later Magi.
“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.’” - Matthew 2:3-6
That King Herod knew of Messiah, which is the Hebrew name for Christ, was the Promised One whom Yahweh said would come is apparent when he asked his wise men where Messiah would be born. Sadly this portion of Scripture also tells of the cunning and dark heart of the king:
“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.” - Matthew 2:7-12 (ESV)
Because of the visitors inquiries, and the fact that Herod assembled the leaders of the people asking about the birth of Messiah, it is obvious that the nation was expecting prophecy to be fulfilled. However, none of the leaders or priests from the Temple went to inquire if indeed the long awaited Messiah had indeed been born. The only Jewish people who came to witness the birth of The Lord’s Promised One were lowly shepherds from the fields:
“15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them.” - Luke 2:15-18 (ESV)
Following the visit of the Magi, Jesus and His family became refugees because King Herod attempted to have Him murdered: “When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” - Matthew 2:13.
The following verse’s record a sad and dark episode in reign of King Herod who was a hard ruler having no consideration for innocent life. Protecting his crown was of the upmost importance to him:
“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.” - Matthew 2:16-18 (ESV)
The Lords Covenant was being fulfilled in the coming of Messiah. Through the ministry of Jesus, God was inviting not only the Jewish people, but also the Gentiles, into a New Covenant with Him. The visit of the Magi was a foreshadowing of the future, when wise seekers of truth from all nations, will seek and worship Jesus as their Lord and their Savior accepting His gift of Redemption.
Today, let us give thanks for Jesus The Messiah.
John Joseph Fox.