Matthew 2:13:23

Sorry it has taken me so long to post the rest of Chapter 2.

I want to begin by saying this. Thank you for visiting this blog. Thank you for your interest in learning more about the Word of God. It is of utmost importance that we flood our minds with the Word of God. So that we might be equipped for every good work. I pray that as you continue to be faithful to the studying of Gods Word, that it will become something so addictive, that you just can't live without it. I know you are just as busy as I am, but lets not let our business be an excuse for not spending a few minutes in the bible everyday. Thanks again for your commitment.

Matthew 2:13-23

It appears in reading these verses that there was an urgency being conveyed to Joseph from the angel of the Lord. This urgency was because of Herod's desire to capture and kill this small child, Jesus. Jesus sure did pose a big threat, even as a small child. Don't be fooled, Herod was surely being influenced by Satan himself. You see, Satan understood what a threat Jesus would be in overcoming his power, the power of sin that had prevailed and wreaked havoc on God's people since the fall.

Remember in the Garden of Eden, when Adam disobeyed God and ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil - something changed. Man was banned from the garden, this very garden where God and man walked together was now off limits to God's precious creation. Also, there became enmity between man and animals, the very creatures that man previously was given dominion over. All this happend because of Adams disobedience. When there is disobedience judgement is sure to follow. Think about how tragic this would have been, not just to man, but to God, who loved his creation so much. God had put everything under the sun at his disposal. Well, everything but the fruit of one single tree.

At this point, God had a plan to restore man back to his original position. To bring man back into fellowship with himself. This plan would be executed by none other than himself, in the person of Jesus Christ. What a loving father we serve!

Well, just as God had a plan to save man, to rescue him, to deliver him from the power of sin. Satan also had a plan, and believe me he will use anything or anyone that will let him. In this instance it's Herod that is being used in an attempt to disrupt God's plans. But God was ready and able, so he sent his angel once again to deliver a message to Joseph. This time the message was one of relocation to Egypt.

Matthew records in the fifteenth verse of this passage that this is to fulfill the prophet: "Out of Egypt I called my son. This is actually the second part of Hosea 11:1. Where God is referring to Israel as his son that he loved. This son that he called out of Egypt. Hosea was actually looking back to Israels Exodus from Egypt, by the hand of God, under the leadership of Moses. It appears that Matthew's use of this verse is to point ahead to Jesus who would take on the role of Israel. To become Israel in person, and succeed where Israel had failed. See Matthew 4:1

The next prophetic quotation in verse 18 is from Jeremiah 31:15. Tom Wright believes that it provides a "prophetic backdrop" to Herods slaughter of the Bethlehem children. To quote Tom Wright "The passage in Jeremiah (31:15) is all about God's renewal of the covenant, bringing Israel back from exile at last. Though Israel must weep and mourn, rescue is on the way. Again, Matthew is hinting that Jesus is bringing deliverance even when everything seems bleak and hoplelss."

At last Matthew links the settling of the family in Nazareth with the prophecy of Isiah 11:1. In Isaiah 11:1 . The word nazir means 'branch' or shoot'. Isaiah is saying, 'A shoot will grow out of Jesse's root stock. Which means, a new beginning will be made for the royal house of David. To quote Tom Wright again" In Jesus, not despite the frantic and tragic events that happened around his birth but because of them, God is providing the salvation and rescue that Israel longed for, and, through that, his justice for the world".

In summary, this small child, that was born such a threat to Herod, was in fact the true king of the Jews. And now has been introduced by Matthew as the one who bears God's salvation, as well as his personal prescence. Remember we learned that Jesus means - he will save us from our sins. And also, Emanuel means - God with us. So there you have it. God with us - will save us from our sins.

Please don't miss the upcoming Power Group meeting this Wednesday @ Starbucks on Riverwind Drive in Pearl @ 5:30. You will be glad you came.