Matthew 2 - Response to Christ' Birth

 

Matthew 2 -Response to Christ’ Birth

 

Creation responded by putting a miraculous star in the heavens to tell the world a King had been born (Num.24:17).

 

The Gentiles worshipped Him and brought gifts. Matthew shows early in his book that Jesus came to save Gentiles as well as the Jews. The wise men studied the heavens, and the star led them to the scriptures, and the scriptures led them to the Savior.

 

Herod responded with fear and deception. He wanted no new King to threaten his reign. By the time of his death, he had murdered his wife and at least two of his sons to protect his throne. When Herod felt troubled the entire city was troubled.

 

The Chief priests and scribes gave the right information but the wrong response. They were only a short distance from the Messiah, yet they refused to go see Him!

 

In Micah 5:2, two names are given for the village where the Messiah would be born: Bethlehem which means the “house of bread,” and Ephrathah which means “to be fruitful.” Into a hungry and thirsty world came the Bread of Life, who teaches human beings to have a fruitful life. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords (Rev. 19:16).

 

For the second time, God spoke to Joseph in a dream. As instructed Joseph fled with his family to Egypt, outside of Herod’s control.

 

Rachel, who was buried in Bethlehem, is pictured as weeping from her grave as Herod’s edict to kill the male children was carried out. She also wept for her children when they were carried into captivity by the Babylonians. (Jer. 31:15).

 

Later, Joseph moved his family to the safety of the region of Galilee. Nazareth where Jesus would grow up, was a place “despised and rejected” (John 1:46).

 

Please read the chapter listed so that you can understand God’s Word better.

If you have missed any lessons, you can go to: God Plans for You at https://sherrysouthard.blogspot.com. Nelson’s Quick Reference Commentary.

Dr. David Jeremiah Study Bible. Through the Bible by J. Vernon McGee.