BIBLE IN TEN

Matthew 2:9

Saturday, 10 August 2024
 
When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. Matthew 2:9
 
“And they, having heard the king, departed. And behold! The star that they saw in the sunrising, preceded them, until, having arrived, it stood above where the Child was” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, Herod told the magicians to bring back word concerning the Child so that he, too, could come and worship Him. Now, the narrative continues with, “And they, having heard the king, departed.”
 
There is no indication at this point that they suspected ill motives of the king. He had told them where to go, allowing them to travel within his domain. His having secretly called them to ask them to search carefully for the Child would make sense because Herod was the king.
 
Honoring the newborn would necessitate knowing all the details in advance. It would make no sense for Herod to go to Bethlehem with a royal entourage and not know exactly where he was going. Thus, the words he told them would not be at all suspect.
 
As noted, it is just a short distance from Jerusalem to Bethlehem. Despite this, they would not be familiar with the way. However, Matthew next records, “And behold! The star that they saw in the sunrising, preceded them.”
 
The “sunrising” means in their land to the east. They had seen the star and gone to Israel, knowing it was a sign of the coming of the Messiah. The word star generally refers to the heavenly objects that we call stars today. However, it is used figuratively elsewhere to speak of leaders. It is also used of an object that falls from heaven to earth in Revelation 8:10.
 
Thus, a literal interpretation of this being a star as we consider them today is not necessary. And, indeed, it hardly seems that this could be the case with the star the magicians were being led by. To be able to perceive a difference in the angle of a real star or a heavenly alignment between Jerusalem and Bethlehem would not be possible. And more, the next words seem to eliminate such a thought. Matthew next says, “until, having arrived, it stood above where the Child was.”
 
Matthew’s description of this star indicates that it moved as the travelers moved, and it stopped at a certain point. This type of perceived movement will happen with a heavenly body, such as the moon, but only when the point one is going to is known in advance. From our perspective, it can appear the moon is moving with us until we reach home, and then it stops above our house.
 
However, if the object is actually moving, guiding, and stopping at a previously unknown location, then it means the object itself is not something in the heavens as we would think of it. Rather, it is something much closer.
 
Today, we can guide lost people with a drone or a helicopter. The object itself moves, guides, and stops. But to use an actual object in the heavens, like a star or the moon, would mean there would never be a logical stopping point.
 
The main point of this is to tell us that the men were truly being guided by an object called a star, this star was guiding with purpose, and it stopped with precision. Further, this cannot be referring to the Child as the star, even if He is the Star prophesied in Numbers 24.
 
Life application: Because of how Matthew describes the star, it seems to defy logic in our normal understanding of things. This star cannot be something like a conjunction of planets. Such a reference, as noted above, is impossible to do what Matthew describes.
 
Likewise, the darkness over the earth at Jesus’ crucifixion cannot be an eclipse, something impossible at that time of the month. Rather, some other phenomena occurred that caused an extended period (three hours) of darkness.
 
Some things in Scripture are hard to reconcile in our minds, like a donkey speaking. However, Peter confirms that the event actually occurred (2 Peter 1:16). In the case of the donkey, and apparently in the case of the star that guided the magicians, we need to accept the narrative as it is written, even if we do not have all the answers to logically explain the events.
 
But this is what pleases God. He has given us His word, and He expects us to accept it as true. From there, we can then work to reconcile what it says. For example, God’s word does not allow for evolution. However, we have been conditioned to believe that is the right explanation for how things have developed.
 
In coming to God through His word, we are directed to accept that Creation is true and then work to discover how what we see is reconcilable with the creation model. People of faith have done just that, finding evidence of a real flood that covered the entire world. Let us be willing to accept Scripture as it is written and then work to see if we can discover how our worldview can then align with it.
 
In the end, we will someday be glorified. At that time, the things that are still unanswered will be explained. Until then, be people of faith. In this, God will be pleased with us.
 
Lord God, thank You for Your wonderful word that is filled with treasures to last us a lifetime, even after it has been searched out by innumerable people before us. It continuously provides us with more wonder and revelation as the years pass. May we accept it as Your word, and then search it out trusting that it is so. Amen.

Matthew 2:8

Friday, 9 August 2024
 
And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.” Matthew 2:8 
 
“And having sent them to Bethlehem, he said, ‘Having gone, exactingly inquire about the Child. And when you should find, report to me so I also, having come, may worship Him’” (CG).
 
Herod had just secretly called the wise men to determine from them what time the star had appeared. With that knowledge obtained, it next says, “And having sent them to Bethlehem.”
 
Without knowing the layout of the land, one has no idea what this means. Are they going on an extended journey? Will they travel a day or five days? Actually, Bethlehem is about 5 miles from Jerusalem. At the time, by using the donkey express, they would be there in a few hours. Once there, Matthew next records, “he said, ‘Having gone, exactingly inquire about the Child.”
 
They have full approval to travel within the land for this purpose. Being so close to Jerusalem, it should not be long before their goal is attained. However, just in case locating Him is purposefully difficult, once in the area of Bethlehem, Herod asks them to make a thorough investigation concerning things.
 
The word used is exetazó. According to HELPS Word Studies, it is derived from “ek, ‘completely out of’ intensifying etazō, ‘examine’) – properly, inquire (examine) thoroughly; ‘to examine closely, inquire carefully (of).’”
 
A single word that carries such intent would be “exactingly.” Herod wanted every stone unturned to ensure he had all of the information possible concerning this Child who was born King of the Jews. Armed with the information, Herod then says to them, “And when you should find, report to me.”
 
Asking for such specific details might arouse the suspicion of the visiting magicians that Herod actually had unseemly designs against the Child. However, to make sure nothing untoward was suspected, he continues by saying, “so I also, having come, may worship Him.”
 
The words would allay the worries of even the most skeptical of men. Unless they knew the character of Herod in advance, there would be little reason to suspect anything after promises of worship were introduced. It appears this ploy worked because it will not be until verse 12 that the hope of his idea is ended.
 
Life application: It is human nature to trust authority figures. Half of a nation may put their trust in a person who has spent a lifetime lying openly, ingratiating himself at every opportunity, and constantly changing his stand on moral issues without any compunction at all. And yet, when voting time comes around, because they can benefit from such a despicable person, he is once again elected to office, eventually working his way to the top.
 
People often associate intelligence with those who are extremely wealthy, deciding that they must be smart because they have amassed such great gain. Because of this, they will trust them with their investments.
 
Others will trust people they are familiar with from a distance, such as those who go to church once a week and see the pastor saying things that edify and build them up. They may know nothing else about the guy, but because what he says in their presence is appealing, they assume he is a morally upright figure.
 
That has multiplied in today’s world where people see others on TV or the internet and become familiar with their persona. They begin to trust them simply because what they see in short preset appearances gives the impression of a sound, reasonable person.
 
The magicians from the east were apparently duped in this manner. They saw a man who seemed reasonable, he was the main civil authority in the land, assigned under the authority of the Roman empire, and his words were carefully structured to be convincing concerning his desire to worship Jesus. And yet, his designs for the information he would obtain were hardly for such a purpose.
 
Each of us needs to be circumspect in how we perceive others. Until we are closely and intimately familiar with those we encounter, we should not be giving them the benefit of the doubt. Seeing a televangelist each Sunday morning, watching him act piously and authoritatively concerning Christianity, and then sending him gobs of money is not sound.
 
Get to know who you are dealing with. Your time, efforts, and money are a product of who you are, and how you spend them reflects your priorities. So be wise and discerning in what you do and who you trust. Watch out for the Herod’s of this world who may appear to have all the right checkmarks but who are devils inside, filled with evil intent.
 
Lord God, guide us so that we do not get duped by others. Give us wisdom and discernment to handle our resources properly. May we be willing to test the waters before diving in and finding out that the pool is tainted. We want to be pleasing to You, and so may our lives and efforts be directed to what is honoring You. Help us in this, O God. Amen.

Matthew 2:7

Thursday, 8 August 2024
 
Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. Matthew 2:7
 
“Then Herod, having called the magicians secretly, exacted of them the time of the appearing star” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, those before Herod cited the words of Micah concerning the birthplace and ruling status of the Messiah. Now, with that information, it next says, “Then Herod, having called the magicians secretly.”
 
The word is lathra. It is an adverb signifying secretly or privately. It is the same word used in Matthew 1:19 when Joseph thought to put away Mary once he found that she was pregnant. Herod pulled the magicians aside to discern something from them that he wanted to keep from the religious leaders. Having called them secretly, he “exacted of them.”
 
The word translated as “exacted” is akriboo. It is found only here and in Matthew 2:16. It signifies to learn carefully or inquire with exactness. He was careful to ascertain a particular bit of information that he did not want to become public, which was “the time of the appearing star.”
 
The verb is a present participle. The star was there. In other words, this wasn’t a star that only appeared in the past, as some translations could be interpreted. It was a star that had appeared and remained in appearance. This will be evident in verse 9. As such, this would dispel several of the “Bethlehem star” theories, which point to an astrological event that took place and then was over.
 
This lasted long enough for the magicians to see the star, prepare for the journey, travel, seek out the king, and so forth. It appears to be an extended event that took place.
 
Life application: Ultimately, the Star of Bethlehem is Jesus. That was seen in a previous commentary which cited Numbers 24 –
 
“I see Him, but not now;I behold Him, but not near;A Star shall come out of Jacob;A Scepter shall rise out of Israel,And batter the brow of Moab,And destroy all the sons of tumult.” Numbers 24:17
 
However, there is also something that directs the magicians to know where to go. This will be seen in verses 9 and 10. Despite this, the magicians needed to ascertain from the chief religious authorities in Jerusalem where the Messiah would be born. If the star guided them all the way, this step would not have been necessary.
 
Further, as noted above, the star had appeared and continued to appear as indicated in the present participle. Thus, this was not a single, short-term, astronomical event that happened. In the Bible, stars have various connotations, both literal and figurative. Stars can refer to literal stars, people (even bad people, such as in Jude 1:13), messengers (whether human or angelic), and so forth.
 
The star noted in Matthew is not defined, but it is separate from Jesus. This will become evident in the verses ahead. Suffice it to say that the coming of Jesus was prophesied. The magicians perceived His coming (whether literally or through sacred writings) in the East. Also, the magicians had then traveled to pay homage to the Messiah.
 
From there, they had to ask where He was to be born. The enigmatic nature of the star calls out for us to know that God is in control of the process, and He alerted these magicians to confirm the words of Scripture and to bring about other events which were necessary to fulfill typology concerning the Messiah and His work.
 
Therefore, getting overly bogged down in past celestial events that may or may not point to the coming of the Messiah is not something necessary. Matthew has compiled an account of what occurred, it is detailed enough to ensure that we are aware of the coming of the Messiah and that we have our eggs in the right basket.
 
Beyond that, becoming argumentative over things that are uncertain is unprofitable and divisive. Let us instead focus on what God has done in Christ and rejoice that it leads to our salvation when we put our faith in Him.
 
O God, we stand in awe of You and what You have done. Your word tells us of the coming of Jesus and of the marvelous work He has accomplished for us. Help us to always consider Him in our daily walk. We are free from condemnation because of our Lord. Praise to You, O God, for Jesus Christ! Amen.

Matthew 2:7

Thursday, 8 August 2024
 
Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. Matthew 2:7
 
“Then Herod, having called the magicians secretly, exacted of them the time of the appearing star” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, those before Herod cited the words of Micah concerning the birthplace and ruling status of the Messiah. Now, with that information, it next says, “Then Herod, having called the magicians secretly.”
 
The word is lathra. It is an adverb signifying secretly or privately. It is the same word used in Matthew 1:19 when Joseph thought to put away Mary once he found that she was pregnant. Herod pulled the magicians aside to discern something from them that he wanted to keep from the religious leaders. Having called them secretly, he “exacted of them.”
 
The word translated as “exacted” is akriboo. It is found only here and in Matthew 2:16. It signifies to learn carefully or inquire with exactness. He was careful to ascertain a particular bit of information that he did not want to become public, which was “the time of the appearing star.”
 
The verb is a present participle. The star was there. In other words, this wasn’t a star that only appeared in the past, as some translations could be interpreted. It was a star that had appeared and remained in appearance. This will be evident in verse 9. As such, this would dispel several of the “Bethlehem star” theories, which point to an astrological event that took place and then was over.
 
This lasted long enough for the magicians to see the star, prepare for the journey, travel, seek out the king, and so forth. It appears to be an extended event that took place.
 
Life application: Ultimately, the Star of Bethlehem is Jesus. That was seen in a previous commentary which cited Numbers 24 –
 
“I see Him, but not now;I behold Him, but not near;A Star shall come out of Jacob;A Scepter shall rise out of Israel,And batter the brow of Moab,And destroy all the sons of tumult.” Numbers 24:17
 
However, there is also something that directs the magicians to know where to go. This will be seen in verses 9 and 10. Despite this, the magicians needed to ascertain from the chief religious authorities in Jerusalem where the Messiah would be born. If the star guided them all the way, this step would not have been necessary.
 
Further, as noted above, the star had appeared and continued to appear as indicated in the present participle. Thus, this was not a single, short-term, astronomical event that happened. In the Bible, stars have various connotations, both literal and figurative. Stars can refer to literal stars, people (even bad people, such as in Jude 1:13), messengers (whether human or angelic), and so forth.
 
The star noted in Matthew is not defined, but it is separate from Jesus. This will become evident in the verses ahead. Suffice it to say that the coming of Jesus was prophesied. The magicians perceived His coming (whether literally or through sacred writings) in the East. Also, the magicians had then traveled to pay homage to the Messiah.
 
From there, they had to ask where He was to be born. The enigmatic nature of the star calls out for us to know that God is in control of the process, and He alerted these magicians to confirm the words of Scripture and to bring about other events which were necessary to fulfill typology concerning the Messiah and His work.
 
Therefore, getting overly bogged down in past celestial events that may or may not point to the coming of the Messiah is not something necessary. Matthew has compiled an account of what occurred, it is detailed enough to ensure that we are aware of the coming of the Messiah and that we have our eggs in the right basket.
 
Beyond that, becoming argumentative over things that are uncertain is unprofitable and divisive. Let us instead focus on what God has done in Christ and rejoice that it leads to our salvation when we put our faith in Him.
 
O God, we stand in awe of You and what You have done. Your word tells us of the coming of Jesus and of the marvelous work He has accomplished for us. Help us to always consider Him in our daily walk. We are free from condemnation because of our Lord. Praise to You, O God, for Jesus Christ! Amen.

Matthew 2:5

Tuesday, 6 August 2024
 
So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: Matthew 2:5
 
“And they said to him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus has it been written through the prophet’” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, Herod inquired of the chief priests and scribes concerning where the Messiah would be born. With that, Matthew now continues, “And they said to him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea.’”
 
The name Bethlehem comes from the Hebrew words beith, house, and lekhem, bread. Thus, it means House of Bread. However, it has a secondary meaning which is derived from the Hebrew lakham, to fight or do battle. Thus, it can mean House of War. The connection between the two is that the word lakham figuratively means to consume. Just as man consumes bread, war consumes soldiers engaged in battle.
 
Judea is derived from Judah, Praise. This is where the term Jew is derived. This same sentiment concerning the birthplace of the Messiah was held by the common people as well. This is evidenced many years later in John 7 –
 
“Therefore many from the crowd, when they heard this saying, said, ‘Truly this is the Prophet.’ 41 Others said, ‘This is the Christ.’But some said, ‘Will the Christ come out of Galilee? 42 Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?’” John 7:40-42
 
As such, it was commonly understood by the people, whether they knew the source of this information or not, but it seems likely they would have. As for that source, the men before Herod next say, “for thus has it been written.”
 
The verb is in the perfect tense. As such, the words that were written describe a completed action producing results that were still in effect. It had been written and what the word said remained true. In other words, it reveals the unchanging nature of the word that was given “through the prophet.”
 
Many translations read “by the prophet.” The word is dia. It signifies through (think of diameter: through a circle). The word “by” can have that connotation, such as “His words were written by a scribe, Jeremiah,” but it can also mean that a person did the writing on his own, “This was thought of, written by, and paid for by Jeremiah.”
 
In the case of Scripture, it is the word of the Lord written through Jeremiah. Saying “by” could lead one to a wrong impression unless he understood the doctrine of inspiration –
 
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16, 17
 
&
 
“...knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:20, 21
 
Life application: One could ask if inspiration means that the word of God is solely derived from Him without any input from the prophet. In some cases, this may be the case when the Lord speaks out exactly what He wants written down.
 
However, at other times, the personality of an individual shines forth along with the clear understanding that it is the word of God that is being conveyed. Luke’s style in the Gospel of Luke and Acts is quite noticeable. And yet, the structure and patterns clearly reveal a divine inspiration that Luke probably didn’t even know existed.
 
In fact, many patterns in his writings, some of which fit in harmony with other books of the Bible, have only been found in recent years. New patterns continue to be found as well.
 
Paul used a scribe, Tertius, to pen the book of Romans (Romans 16:22). Anyone who knew Tertius’ handwriting would say, “This was written by Tertius.” And yet, the letter was dictated by Paul. Anyone who was (or is) familiar with Paul’s thoughts as expressed in his epistles would say, “Paul said these things.” And so, there is harmony between the two, even though the traits of both are evident.
 
And yet, anyone who is familiar with the Bible will know that it perfectly expresses the thoughts of God. They are consistent with what is seen from Him throughout Scripture. And more, innumerable patterns between the typology presented in the Old Testament and the fulfillment of those types is expressed in Romans, demonstrating that God was completely involved in the process of inspiring Romans.
 
Likewise, studies have been conducted on the words used by Paul in all of his epistles. For example, rich and certain numerical patterns are to be found within the number of uses of various words, far too many to be by random chance.
 
Take time to consider the doctrine of inspiration and how it then forms an integral part of what God is presenting through the people He has selected to give us His word. With this divine/human touch, the word of God becomes an intimate love letter to those who will receive it.
 
Also, as you read it, pray for wisdom in what it is telling you. Ask Him to make you a part of the divine inspiration of Scripture by disclosing to you its hidden secrets. If you find a pattern that no one has ever seen there before, it is because God has chosen that particular moment in time to uncover it. And more, He has chosen you to be a part of the unfolding of that pattern in this marvelous tapestry that reveals His goodness to the people of the world.
 
Glorious Lord God, what a treasure Your word is. It has been read, contemplated, studied, explored, and analyzed for thousands of years. And yet, You are still revealing its hidden mysteries to Your people. How can we not stand in awe of You? And how can we not tremble at Your word as we contemplate what it is telling us? Praises to You, O God, for Your wonderful word. Amen.
 

Matthew 2:4

Monday, 5 August 2024
 
And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. Matthew 2:4
 
“And having convened all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ is born” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, it noted that Herod and all in Jerusalem were troubled at the news of the birth of the King of Israel. Matthew next says, “And having convened all the chief priests.”
 
The chief priests are those who held the office of the high priest. Aaron was the first high priest, and the designation was to last throughout his life. One could expect this to be true with all subsequent high priests unless he was unable to perform his duties due to health, a state of uncleanness, or something similar.
 
However, it later came about, especially under the rule of the Romans, that the office of high priest became a political tool. High priests were appointed for a period of time. This is seen, for example, in John 11 where it appears to have been an annual appointment –
 
“And one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, ‘You know nothing at all, 50 nor do you consider that it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish.’ 51 Now this he did not say on his own authority; but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, 52 and not for that nation only, but also that He would gather together in one the children of God who were scattered abroad.” John 11:49-52
 
Some believe the term “chief priests” also extends to the leader of the twenty-four courses of priests originally designated by David in 1 Chronicles 24. There is nothing in Scripture to agree with this, but it is a possibility, nonetheless. At this time, it is generally accepted that these chief priests mostly fell under the class known as Sadducees. Next, Matthew says, “and scribes.”
 
The Greek word is grammateus. It signifies those learned in Jewish law, teachers, town clerks, and so forth. One can see the etymological root of the word grammar in the name. It answers to the Hebrew word saphar, to count, recount, relate, etc. That is the verbal root of sepher, a book or writing document.
 
These men would speak of the law, maintain the scrolls and parchments, recopy documents, and so forth. It is believed that many of these were of the class known as the Pharisees. These are next noted as “of the people.”
 
The Pulpit Commentary says, “In the absence of the article before γραμματεῖς [grammateis: scribes] we must take the words, ‘of the people,’ as belonging to both terms. Both classes, chief priests and scribes, served the people.” As such, the information found in Scripture was available to the people concerning whatever matter they desired to know.
 
For example, concerning the place where the Messiah would be born, it would have been available to any who wanted to search the matter out. As for Herod, Matthew next says, “he inquired of them where the Christ is born.”
 
The Greek word Christ answers to the Hebrew Messiah. Both mean Anointed One. He is the One prophesied in the Hebrew Scriptures that would fulfill all of the messianic promises noted in the Law, Prophets, and Writings.
 
As for the words “is born,” the Greek is present tense. As such, it is a certainty that it was as the magicians had said. The Christ is born and among His people. Herod had called this gathering of priests and learned men together to determine where the birthplace of this “King of the Jews” was. The magicians from the east had talked about it based on a sign, thus it was certain to have come to pass.
 
Life application: To this day, there are scribes of the word in the sense that they carefully review source texts, look for texts that were previously unknown, determine exact translations or transliterations of words, seek to understand the exact context of what the word is telling us, and so forth.
 
One might use the term “scholar.” The word was received, compiled, and kept for the people of Israel to refer to. However, that has continued into the church age. The New Testament was received, compiled, and it has been kept by learned men throughout the millennia.
 
The vast number of source documents including commentaries, archaeological finds of ancient texts, and continuous training in the original languages has secured and protected the word throughout all of this time.
 
When erroneous translations are made, they can be identified and called out. When non-canonical documents are brought forth as supposed “additions” to Scripture, they can be dismissed for not bearing the proper safeguarding, transmission, and/or illumination of what is clearly inspired.
 
All in all, we have a sure word in what is considered by protestant churches as the Holy Bible. The Roman Catholic Church, without sufficient reason, added the apocryphal books into their cannon during the Council of Trent in 1546. This was done in an attempt to justify unjustifiable practices being carried out within the church.
 
These books, though being important historical documents, are not to be considered inspired. The sixty-six books of the protestant Bible bear the stamp of inspiration in innumerable ways. They reveal the light of God in Christ to His people, and they are given by God to allow us to understand everything necessary to be saved and then to walk faithfully in our salvation.
 
Let us be grateful to God for His superior word, which is a light and a lamp for our spiritual lives.
 
Heavenly Father, truly Your word is a great blessing to our souls. We are so thankful to You for those who have received it, compiled it, maintained it, and who also instruct us in it. Because of Your word, we know what You are doing in redemptive history, and we can walk properly before You all our days. Thank You, above all, for Jesus who is so carefully revealed in Your word. Amen.
 

Matthew 2:3

Sunday, 4 August 2024
 
When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Matthew 2:3
 
“And Herod the king, having heard, he was agitated, and all Jerusalem with him” (CG).
 
The previous verse noted that the magicians had seen the star of the King of the Jews in the direction of the sunrising and they had come to worship Him. With that noted, Matthew now records, “And Herod the king.”
 
Herod was a power-hungry king who feared any challenge, real or imagined, to his reign. Of him, Charles Ellicott writes –
 
“The old king (the title had been given by the Roman Senate in B.C. 40) was drawing to the close of his long and blood-stained reign. Two years before he had put to death, on a charge of treason, his two sons by Mariamne, his best-loved wife, through sheer jealousy of the favour with which the people looked on them. At the time when this history opens, his eldest son, Antipater, was under condemnation.”
 
So fearful was he of any challenge to his throne that he had his own sons executed for simply being popular. Understanding his personality, Matthew next records, “having heard, he was agitated.”
 
Herod certainly questioned how magicians from the East could come looking for the King of the Jews but not be looking for him. He sat on the throne over the Jewish people! Because of this, Matthew notes that he was agitated.
 
The word is tarassó. HELPS Word Studies says it means to “put in motion (to agitate back-and-forth, shake to-and-fro); (figuratively) to set in motion what needs to remain still (at ease); to ‘trouble’ (‘agitate’), causing inner perplexity (emotional agitation) from getting too stirred up inside (‘upset’).”
 
One can see Herod standing there beside himself, distraught with the thought of a challenge to his throne. Certainly because of this, it next says, “and all Jerusalem with him.”
 
The word “all” is used in a comparative sense. An important point in Scripture is that not every “every” means “every,” and not all “all’s” mean “all.” There were certainly people sitting in local cafes that had no idea what was transpiring in the royal hall. There were servants tending to the homes of their masters who would have no idea about the coming of the magicians. In all, probably very few of the people in the city had an inkling about the report.
 
Rather, in this case, Jerusalem stands for the seat of power. Therefore, it is referring to those who were in the royal court with Herod. They would have certainly been agitated, knowing his proclivity for harming others, and they would be walking on eggshells at the thought of what he might do in this instance.
 
Life application: Herod was an Idumean by birth, meaning an Edomite. Idumean is simply the Greek form of the word. Of this people group, the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus says that about 129 BC John Hyrcanus –
 
“...subdued all the Idumeans; and permitted them to stay in that country, if they would circumcise their genitals, and make use of the laws of the Jews; and they were so desirous of living in the country of their forefathers, that they submitted to the use of circumcision, and of the rest of the Jewish ways of living; at which time therefore this befell them, that they were hereafter no other than Jews.” Antiquities, Book 13 Chapter 9 Section 1
 
What this means is that the Edomites were brought into the nation of Israel, becoming Jews. This is no different than an Arab or a Japanese person today converting to Judaism. They become a part of the Jewish people. Whether their origins are remembered and held against them by other supposedly pure-blooded Jews or not is irrelevant. They are now Jews.
 
The line of Herod was a part of this conversion, but the racial animosities obviously remained, and despite being a Jew, it is obvious from historical records that he was remembered for his ancestral heritage more than his acceptance into the Jewish culture.
 
In the Bible, there are references to Edom, Moab, Ammon, etc., that are contained in prophecies that extend even beyond our time. And yet, there is no nation of Edom, Moab, etc. What this means is that the Bible is using the lands, once inhabited by those people groups, as emblematic of the people in those lands today.
 
Thus, when a future prophecy refers to Philistia, it is speaking of the modern-day Gazans, not Philistines. In referring to Ammon, Edom, or Moab, it is generally speaking of the Arabs who occupy Jordan. In other words, the lands that were originally settled by these people retain those name designations in Scripture.
 
This is important to understand because the Edomites of the past are now incorporated into the Jews of today. When the Romans exiled the Jews, those Edomites (Idumeans) who had assimilated into the Jewish people were a part of that exile. There are no “Edomites” today in a real sense. The nation does not exist. Instead, only the lands where they were are considered Edom.
 
Remember this as you read the Bible. There is a baseline for what is presented. That baseline does not change unless the change is recorded in Scripture. But whatever the final designation in Scripture is, that is what is to be considered when analyzing the world today.
 
Understanding this, the biblical model which refers to Christians is one that is set and unchanging. Jesus came, fulfilled the law, and introduced the New Covenant. Entry into what God is doing now takes place through the baseline that has been set because of Jesus Christ.
 
Being “Jewish” is no longer what designates a person who is in a right standing with God. Jews may be in a right standing, or they might not be. But the standard that makes it so is by coming to God through Christ Jesus. This is what God is doing in the world. The pattern is set because the Bible is complete.
 
And for those who have come to Christ, there are no longer any distinctions that should separate us. Herod may have been considered an Edomite even though he was a Jewish convert. However, such designations are no longer to be looked down on as if one group is better than another.
 
A Japanese, a Kenyan, and a Jew all walked into a church...
 
When they got there, they were (and remain) on an equal footing before God because of faith in Jesus Christ –
 
“For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Galatian 3:26-29
 
Lord God, how grateful we are for what Christ has done for us. We are all one in Him through faith in His completed work. We are granted access to Your heavenly throne where You hear us regardless of who we once were. Thank You for the wonderful blessing of being Your child through simple faith in Him. Hallelujah and Amen.

Matthew 2:2

Saturday, 3 August 2024
 
saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” Matthew 2:2
 
“Saying, ‘Where is He having been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the sunrising, and we came to worship Him’” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, the magicians had come from the sunrisings to Jerusalem. Now, Matthew continues with the words, “Saying, ‘Where is He?’”
 
The words of the magicians are in the form of a question, but they are also just as much an assertion. By stating “Where is He,” they are proclaiming that they are certain that the person they are looking for exists. This is understood. The question isn’t, “Has He come?” but rather, “Where is He?” Understanding this, they continue with, “having been born?”
 
Again, it is an assertion. They do not ask, “Where is the King who has been coronated?” Nor do they ask, “Where is the King who has been appointed by Rome?” Instead, the question is about a birth. Therefore, something prompted them to accept that a divinely appointed birth had taken place for one who was to be “King of the Jews.”
 
The answer is to be found in Daniel 9:24-27 where a timeline of prophetic events was to take place –
 
“Seventy weeks are determinedFor your people and for your holy city,To finish the transgression,To make an end of sins,To make reconciliation for iniquity,To bring in everlasting righteousness,To seal up vision and prophecy,And to anoint the Most Holy.25 “Know therefore and understand,That from the going forth of the commandTo restore and build JerusalemUntil Messiah the Prince,There shall be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks;The street shall be built again, and the wall,Even in troublesome times.26 “And after the sixty-two weeksMessiah shall be cut off, but not for Himself;And the people of the prince who is to comeShall destroy the city and the sanctuary.The end of it shall be with a flood,And till the end of the war desolations are determined.27 Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week;But in the middle of the weekHe shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering.And on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate,Even until the consummation, which is determined,Is poured out on the desolate.”
 
The words of Daniel may be confusing without understanding the greater context of the Bible, but they clearly and precisely state when the Messiah would come, what would happen to Him, and what would happen afterward. For example, it is understood from the words that the sanctuary, meaning the temple in Jerusalem, would be destroyed.
 
Of this expectation of the coming Messiah, Albert Barnes writes –
 
“This personage, they supposed would be a temporal prince, and they were expecting that he would deliver them from Roman bondage. It was natural that this expectation should spread into other countries. Many Jews at that time lived in Egypt, in Rome, and in Greece; many, also, had gone to Eastern countries, and in every place they carried their sacred writings, and diffused the expectation that some remarkable person was about to appear. Suetonius, a Roman historian, speaking of this rumor. says: ‘An ancient and settled persuasion prevailed throughout the East that the Fates had decreed some one to proceed from Judea who should attain universal empire.’ Tacitus, another Roman historian, says: ‘Many were persuaded that it was contained in the ancient books of their priests, that at that very time the East should prevail, and that some one should proceed from Judea and possess the dominion.’ Josephus also, and Philo, two Jewish historians, make mention of the same expectation. The fact that such a person was expected is clearly attested. Under this expectation these wise men came to do him homage, and inquired anxiously where he was born?”
 
The reason for paying homage to Him is next explained by them, “For we saw His star.” This “star” is referred to in the Book of Numbers –
 
“I see Him, but not now;I behold Him, but not near;A Star shall come out of Jacob;A Scepter shall rise out of Israel,And batter the brow of Moab,And destroy all the sons of tumult.18 “And Edom shall be a possession;Seir also, his enemies, shall be a possession,While Israel does valiantly.19 Out of Jacob One shall have dominion,And destroy the remains of the city.”  Numbers 24:17-19
 
The Jews, attempting to hide the fact that Jesus fit the biblical narrative, hid a significant period of time in the chronology of the Old Testament. By doing this, they then made the assertion that another person, Simon bar Kokhba, was the anticipated Messiah. His name means “Simon son of a Star.” They claimed he was the fulfillment of the Numbers prophecy.
 
However, he came after the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem. Thus, he could not be the Messiah as indicated in the Daniel timeline. As for the Numbers prophecy, it was understood that One would arise and subdue the surrounding nations. But in the greater context of Scripture, much more was understood about this coming One.
 
As for seeing His star, the word can mean literally seeing, as in a visible star, or it can mean to perceive, as in “the magicians perceived the star from a reading of sacred texts.” Thus, it is a seeing with the mind. This explanation of the word may help understand later verses. Or it may be that they have seen a literal event that alerted them to the coming of the Messiah. Understanding that, it next says, “in the sunrising.”
 
It is the same word used in the previous verse. It indicates “east,” but it means “rising of light.” This does not mean that they saw the star to their east but that they were east of Israel and saw the star rising from there, knowing that the heavenly sign prophesied for Israel had come to pass. Therefore, with this information clearly known by them, it next says, “and we came to worship Him.”
 
Of these words, Albert Barnes says, “This does not mean that they had come to pay him religious homage, or to adore him They regarded him as the King of the Jews, but there is no evidence that they supposed that he was divine. They came to honor him as a Prince, or a king, not as God.”
 
Barnes’ words, though dogmatic, are not necessarily correct. Depending on the knowledge of the Hebrew Scriptures, one could clearly determine that this coming One was, in fact, divine. At a minimum, it would be understood He was divinely appointed by God. He had been anticipated since the time of the first man on earth. He was spoken of throughout the historical writings and prophets of the Jews, etc.
 
Therefore, whether mere obeisance or worship, these magicians had come to bow before this coming King.
 
As for the star that anticipated the coming of Christ, the number of theories concerning planetary alignments, the position of constellations, particular comets, and so forth go on and on. Everyone who has a theory dogmatically claims his presentation is correct. Those who hear one claim or another will hold fast to the one they find most convincing and dogmatically avow that they are right as to what is being referred to.
 
In the end, these things are not necessary to determine when Christ came. The years of Herod’s life and the prophecy of Daniel sufficiently tells us by what time Jesus had to be born and by what time He would be crucified. And more, the fact that these magicians saw a divinely appointed star tells us that it was there.
 
As such, determining the particular star that heralded in the coming of Jesus, whatever it was, is not necessary, even if it is fun to consider.
 
Life application: As noted, there are many theories about the star in the skies which point to the coming of Jesus. Some say it is a conjunction of Saturn and Jupiter, which took place in May to July and again in September of 7BC. Others say it was the rising of Sirius which occurred on the same day in four subsequent years from 5-2BC. Many other speculations have been set forth as well.
 
A video that has gotten jillions of social media views and sold innumerable CDs by Rick Larsen makes certain assertions about the star of Bethlehem. He goes on to cite details about the cosmic event at Christ’s cross as well. The problem with his analysis is that after all of his calculations and details, he assertively places Christ’s crucifixion at the time of a particular solar eclipse.
 
The problem with this is that it is impossible to have a solar eclipse at the time of the Passover. The moon is full at the Passover. Thus, it is on the other side of the earth when the sun is in the sky. With such an obvious error in his presentation, it then calls into question all of his other assertions as well. The house of cards comes crashing down.
 
It is best to not get caught up in such hype. If the Bible does not provide the particular details concerning things like this, it is because God is not interested in telling us about those things. Rather, He is directing our attention to Jesus, not a star that served a purpose in telling eastern magicians about the coming of Jesus.
 
Let us not get overly distracted from the biblical text. It is good to research extra-biblical history, which can confirm many aspects of the Bible but when something is so unreasonably argued over, like the Star of Bethlehem, we have lost focus of the main Subject. Eyes to Jesus. In this, we will do well. The Bible records the facts, and they are sufficient for us to know that Christ has come according to the plan and purposes of God.
 
Lord God, before Jesus came, we were given the timeline to tell us that He would come at a certain time. As we can rely on Your word, we can also be certain that He is the Messiah. No other person can make the claim because the time for His coming is past. With that, we can read the New Testament and discover what He did and how it has changed all of human history. Thank You, O God, for the coming of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
 

Matthew 2:1

Friday, 2 August 2024
 
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, Matthew 2:1
 
“And Jesus, having been born in Bethlehem Judea, in days Herod the king: Behold, magicians from sunrisings – they came unto Jerusalem” (CG).
 
Chapter 1 ended with the note that Joseph refrained from having physical relations with his wife, Mary, until she had brought forth Jesus. Now, the narrative continues in Chapter 2, beginning with, “And Jesus, having been born in Bethlehem Judea.”
 
The words are stated to confirm the prophecy of the Lord through Micah –
 
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,Though you are little among the thousands of Judah,Yet out of you shall come forth to MeThe One to be Ruler in Israel,Whose goings forth are from of old,From everlasting.” Micah 5:2
 
Matthew will deal with this prophecy in a few verses, but this confirms another prophecy that had to be fulfilled concerning Israel’s true Messiah. Next, it says, “in days Herod the king.” He is known as Herod the Great. Of him, Albert Barnes says –
 
“Judea, where our Saviour was born, was a province of the Roman Empire. It was taken about 63 years before his birth by Pompey, and placed under tribute. Herod received his appointment from the Romans, and had reigned at the time of the birth of Jesus for 34 years. Though he was permitted to be called king, yet he was, in all respects, dependent on the Roman emperor. He was commonly called ‘Herod the Great’ because he had distinguished himself in the wars with Antigonus and his other enemies, and because he had evinced great talents in governing and defending his country, in repairing the temple, and in building and ornamenting the cities of his kingdom. He was, however, as much distinguished for his cruelty and his crimes as he was for his greatness.”
 
It was at this time that Matthew next records, “Behold, magicians.” The Greek word is magos, a magician, astrologer, wizard, etc. HELPS Word Studies says of them, “one of a sacred caste, originally Median, who seem to have conformed to the Persian religion while retaining some of their old beliefs.”
 
Various opinions have been given concerning who exactly these magicians were and where they came from. What is possibly the case is that they were from the area of Iran. It is to the east of Israel, and it is where the great empire that replaced the Babylonians was. Daniel and others were exiled to Babylon. However, Babylon was destroyed by the Medes and Persians. This is detailed in Daniel 5, which ends with –
 
“That very night Belshazzar, king of the Chaldeans, was slain. 31 And Darius the Mede received the kingdom, being about sixty-two years old.” Daniel 5:30, 31
 
When Babylon was destroyed, the new empire would have received all of the ancient writings of the Chaldeans. They also acquired their wise men, such as Daniel. This body of knowledge would have been incorporated into their empire, and it is possible that this included all of the Jewish prophetic writings.
 
It appears from Isaiah 44 that they possessed the book of Isaiah. If so, it may be that they had copies of all of the writings. The coming verses will show that there was an awareness of the book of Daniel and Numbers. Thus, it seems that all of the Jewish writings were maintained in the archives of this eastern empire.
 
Therefore, the ancient prophecy of a coming Messiah would be known to these magicians. The word magos is likely connected to the Aramaic name of the Rabmag [Great Mag] found in Jeremiah 39.
 
This would confirm that these people once were a part of the Chaldeans and were assimilated into the empire of the Medes and Persians. Because of their libraries and training, these men were alerted to the ancient prophecies of the Hebrew Scriptures. Of them, Matthew next notes that they were “from sunrisings.”
 
Most translations say, “from the east.” However, the word is anatolé, a rising of light. In this case, it signifies the rising of the sun. Further, it is plural. Thus, these magicians are “from sunrisings,” and thus east of Israel. Whoever they were and wherever they were from, it next notes that “they came unto Jerusalem.”
 
These men had traveled from outside of the land of Israel. They had a specific knowledge from prophecy concerning the coming of Christ, and they came to behold what they were certain of. As Jerusalem is the seat of government, they first came there to proclaim what they knew and to ask for further details. This will be seen as the verses continue.
 
Life application: One interpretation of who these men were that has arisen is that these Magi were Jewish Rabbis who had remained a part of the exile. This has become a point of boasting among Jewish believers in recent times, but it hardly seems likely.
 
These Magi will ask about the King of the Jews, not specifically the Messiah. It is unlikely they would ask about a king first and foremost. Likewise, they will ask where the King would be born. However, a Jewish rabbi would know where to look for such information, as is evidenced by the verses ahead.
 
But most notably, if these were Jews, the text would have said so. The problem with this type of analysis is the same as with much else that is ascribed to the Jewish people today. Since the return of Israel to the land and with the modern messianic movement, everything Jewish has become fashionable.
 
Many deceitful people have arisen because of this, profiting off of their heritage. Many of them do not hold to the grace of God in Christ, but to their traditions and to law observance, in part or in whole. What has been sound theology, and a proper interpretation of Scripture for millennia has been upended by such unsound teaching. The Judaizers Paul warned of have come back like an overflowing flood.
 
Be sure to not get caught up in the hype of genealogy, culture, or tradition. Hold fast to the word of God as it has been revealed. And that revelation is one of God’s grace being bestowed upon undeserved sinners, not man’s effort to reconcile himself through an obsolete law that only God in Christ could (and did) fulfill.
 
To return to what is fulfilled is to say to God, “I know you did Your best, but I will take it from here.” What a slap in the face of God, who has done it all for us. Let us never mar the grace of God in Christ. To Jesus alone is to be our hope, and He alone is our place of refuge.
 
Lord God, may we hold fast to the grace of God in Christ, never trusting in our own merit. We have no standing before You without Jesus. Help us to recognize this and to exalt You for what You alone have done for us in the coming of our Lord. All hail the glorious and exalted name of JESUS! Amen.
 

Matthew 1:25

Thursday, 1 August 2024
 
and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus. Matthew 1:25
 
 “And he knew her not until that she brought forth the Son, her Firstborn. And he called His name JESUS” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, it said that after his visitation by the messenger, he thoroughly aroused from his sleep and did as the angel commanded him, taking to him his wife. Now, Matthew continues the narrative, saying, “And he knew her not.”
 
This is a biblical euphemism, meaning that he did not have intercourse with her. The first of many times this is mentioned in Scripture is in Genesis 4 –
 
“Now Adam knew Eve his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, and said, ‘I have acquired a man from the Lord.’” Genesis 4:1
 
Joseph refrained from consummating his marriage to Mary until a certain point. However, at some point after that time, they would have come together as husband and wife. That is seen in the next words, “until that.”
 
The Greek says heós hu, until that. Thayer’s Greek Lexicon says of this concerning the word heós, “with the genitive of the neuter relative pronoun οὗ [hou] or ὅτου [hotou] it gets the force of a conjunction, until, till (the time when).” In other words, up until a certain point, Joseph did not know his wife intimately. However, that certainly changed after the time “she brought forth the Son.”
 
The birth of Jesus was untainted by any hint of sexual intercourse between Joseph and Mary. She was a virgin, and her virginity remained until the birth of her Son, “her Firstborn.”
 
The words are a standard designation. They do not imply she had other children. It simply calls out that this Child, regardless of whether He had siblings or not, was the Firstborn of Mary. As He is also God’s only begotten, Jesus is also the Firstborn of God –
 
“For to which of the angels did He ever say:
‘You are My Son,Today I have begotten You’?
And again:
‘I will be to Him a Father,And He shall be to Me a Son’?
6 But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says:
‘Let all the angels of God worship Him.’” Hebrews 1:5-6
 
Of this, the words of Exodus 4:22 should be reviewed –
 
“Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the Lord: “Israel is My son, My firstborn.”’”
 
Israel, the nation, is said to be the Firstborn of the Lord. This means through adoption. God selected them to carry out His purposes, leading to the coming of the Messiah. However, Jesus is the Firstborn in the sense of being begotten.
 
A couple who could not have their own children might adopt a child who becomes their firstborn. However, later that condition could change, and they beget a child through the life-generative process. This is the difference between the two.
 
Next, and in accordance with the words of the messenger, Matthew notes, “And he called His name JESUS.”
 
It is Joseph who named the Child in accordance with the divine instructions. Mary was also told that His name was to be Jesus, but the text records that Joseph is the one who is credited with following through with what he was instructed. Mary, though the human mother of Jesus, is seen to otherwise portray a minor role in the events that take place in the gospel records.
 
Life application: Although the biblical record does not speak of any future intimacy between Joseph and Mary, the way that Matthew writes of Joseph’s keeping separate from Mary until a certain point is a strong indication that their refraining from intercourse was only temporary. For example, this is recorded in Genesis 38 –
 
“So Judah acknowledged them and said, ‘She has been more righteous than I, because I did not give her to Shelah my son.’ And he never knew her again.” Genesis 38:26
 
When something is set and final in this manner, the Bible generally says so to highlight the matter. Not only is there no such statement concerning Joseph and Mary, but exactly the opposite is the case. This is contrary to the aberrant teaching of Roman Catholicism, which dogmatically states that Mary was a perpetual virgin.
 
There is no biblical support for this. The teaching was only decided upon in the year 553, hundreds of years after anyone could have known whether this was the case or not. In other words, it was a decision based on vapor and nothing else.
 
But why would the church want to make this claim? It is the same reason for innumerable decisions in the Roman Catholic Church: to direct people’s attention away from Jesus. Contrary to Scripture alone, the RCC holds to the Bible, plus the authority of the church. Contrary to Christ alone, the RCC holds to the mediation of Christ, plus the intercessory ability of Mary, the Pope, etc. Contrary to faith alone, the RCC holds to faith plus works in the process of justification. Contrary to grace alone, the RCC teaches merit apart from the grace of God. Contrary to the glory of God alone, the RCC uses exalted titles for the dead (such as Mary) and the living (the living pope at any given time), etc.
 
There is nothing acceptable about the doctrines of the RCC. Everything taught is tainted with the machinations of man. Whether Joseph and Mary came together or not after the birth of Jesus is not specifically addressed in Scripture because it has no bearing on where our eyes should be directed, which is to Jesus. Let us not get caught up in strange teachings that misdirect us from this key doctrine.
 
Lord God, may we be faithful to hold to Scripture alone for our doctrine concerning You and the theology that we pursue. Keep us from those who would misdirect us and confuse us in our walk. Thank You for Your word which is sufficient to instruct us. And thank You for Jesus who is the central figure presented in Your word. Amen.
Mathew 1
 
1 Scroll: Genealogy Jesus Christ, Son of David, Son of Abraham.
 
2Abraham begot Isaac, and Isaac begot Jacob, and Jacob begot Judah and his brothers. 3And Judah begot Perez and Zerah from Tamar, and Perez begot Hezron, and Hezron begot Ram. 4And Ram begot Amminadab, and Amminadab begot Nahshon, and Nahshon begot Salmon. 5And Salmon begot Boaz from Rahab, and Boaz begot Obed from Ruth, and Obed begot Jesse. 6And Jesse begot David, the king.
 
And David, the king, begot Solomon from the of Uriah. 7And Solomon begot Rehoboam, and Rehoboam begot Abijah, and Abijah begot Asa. 8And Asa begot Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat begot Joram, and Joram begot Uzziah. 9And Uzziah begot Jotham, and Jotham begot Ahaz, and Ahaz begot Hezekiah. 10And Hezekiah begot Manasseh, and Manasseh begot Amon, and Amon begot Josiah. 11And Josiah begot Jeconiah and his brothers upon the Babylon deportation.
 
12And after the Babylon deportation, Jeconiah begot Shealtiel, and Shealtiel begot Zerubbabel. 13And Zerubbabel begot Abiud, and Abiud begot Eliakim, and Eliakim begot Azor. 14And Azor begot Zadok, and Zadok begot Achim, and Achim begot Eliud. 15And Eliud begot Eleazar, and Eleazar begot Matthan, and Matthan begot Jacob. 16And Jacob begot Joseph, the husband of Mary, from whom birthed Jesus, being called the Christ.
 
17Therefore, all the generations from Abraham until David, generations fourteen. And from David until the Babylon deportation, generations fourteen. And from the Babylon deportation until the Christ, generations fourteen.
 
18And the birth of Jesus Christ was thus: For his mother Mary, having been betrothed to Joseph, rather before they came together, she was found – from Holy Spirit – having in womb. 19And Joseph, her husband, being righteous and not willing to expose her to disgrace, intended to send her away secretly. 20And him, having pondered these, behold a messenger of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, you should not fear to receive Mary your wife, for that having been begotten in her – from Holy Spirit is. 21And she will bring forth a son, and you will call His name JESUS. For He will save His people from their sins.”
 
22And this all has come to pass that may be fulfilled that having been spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, 23“Behold, the virgin will have in womb, and will bring forth a Son, and they will call His name Emmanouél,” which is being translated, “With Us: The God.”
 
24And Joseph, having thoroughly aroused from the sleep, did as the messenger of the Lord commanded him, and received his wife. 25And he knew her not until that she brought forth the Son, her Firstborn. And he called His name JESUS.
 

Matthew 1:24

Wednesday, 31 July 2024
 
Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife, Matthew 1:24
 
“And Joseph, having thoroughly aroused from the sleep, did as the messenger of the Lord commanded him, and received his wife” (CG).
 
The previous verse finished the explanation of the words of the messenger that Joseph received as he dreamed. With these things complete, Matthew now records, “And Joseph, having thoroughly aroused from the sleep...”
 
There is a slight difference in texts here. Some use the word diegeiró, to arouse completely. Others use the word egeiró, to arouse. The difference is the prefix dia, or through, which intensifies the word egeiró.
 
Further, the Greek has an article before the word “sleep.” It wasn’t just a regular sleep but a personal sleep that included a formal visit from the messenger of the Lord. As such, it seems likely that Joseph wasn’t just aroused but fully aroused from the sleep in order to take the next action recorded by Matthew. He “did as the messenger of the Lord commanded him.”
 
In the words of the angel, Joseph was told to take Mary as his wife and to name the child Jesus. Implied, although not specifically recorded, was that he was not to consummate the marriage until after the birth of Jesus. That will be seen in the next verse. For now, it records, “and received his wife.”
 
Joseph had thought to put away Mary secretly for what he supposed she had done. Now, he rather openly confirms the marriage, ensuring that those who are close to Mary would not inappropriately judge her for being pregnant before the marriage was formalized.
 
The message of the dream was sufficient for Joseph to know for certain that the hand of the Lord was involved in what was taking place. Therefore, he obediently complied with all that he was instructed to do.
 
Life application: Since the time of Christ’s incarnation, other women have made similar claims concerning being pregnant without male involvement. No such claims are to be accepted. At one point in human history, God directly intervened in the human experience by uniting with His creatures in the Person of Jesus.
 
Today, women can be artificially inseminated, but this still means that a man is involved in the process. The generation of human life is not possible without this, except in the case of Jesus.
 
What God has done in Christ is the single most important aspect of human existence. From the conception and birth of Jesus to His crucifixion and resurrection, nothing in all of history even comes close to this. Without Jesus, we are fallen and separate from God, condemned by the sin we have inherited.
 
However, in the coming of Christ, the line of sin is cut. We can now have full restoration with God through simple faith in what He has done. If Mary’s child was not born of God, there would be no hope for humanity. To deny the virgin birth is a point of heresy that cannot be overcome by those who hear and accept it.
 
Either Christ Jesus is God, or we stand condemned. When Paul says in Romans 10:13, “For ‘whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved,’” he is not saying “Lord” meaning “Master.” He is telling us that Jesus Christ is the Lord, Yehovah, of the Old Testament. Thus, to not call on Jesus as the incarnate Lord God means you will not be saved.
 
Calling on a created savior is idolatry. It is placing a part of the creation as the means of salvation, but we are told that “salvation is of the Lord (Yehovah)” (Jonah 2:9) and that Yehovah is Israel’s Savior (Isaiah 43:3 & 45:15). Be confident in your understanding of who Jesus is. He is the Lord God, our Savior.
 
Glorious Almighty God, thank You for what You have done to bring us back to Yourself. It is incredible, and yet it is certain: You have come in the Person of Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, honor, and power to You alone. Thank You, O God, for Jesus. Amen.

Matthew 1:23

Tuesday, 30 July 2024
 
“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.” Matthew 1:23
 
“‘Behold, the virgin will have in womb, and will bring forth a Son, and they will call His name Emmanouél,’ which is being translated, ‘With Us: The God’” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, Matthew noted that the things that were conveyed by the messenger to Joseph were done in order that a prophecy of the Lord through the prophet would be fulfilled. Now, Matthew cites that prophecy so that we can understand what is being referred to. And so, he writes –
 
“‘Behold, the virgin will have in womb, and will bring forth a Son, and they will call His name Emmanouél,’ which is being translated, ‘With Us: The God.’”
 
It is a literal translation of the name and the title. In a case like this, the article before “God” does not need to be included as it is understood that there is one God. Further, the prophecy from Isaiah doesn’t include any article. However, because of the words of Isaiah to the House of David, the One true God, Yehovah, was understood to be who he was referring to. He said –
 
“Then he said, ‘Hear now, O house of David! Is it a small thing for you to weary men, but will you weary my God also?’” Isaiah 7:13
 
Isaiah had just cited the words of the Lord (Yehovah) in verse 7:10. Therefore, the inclusion of the article from the Greek is not inappropriate. Yehovah is the One and only true God. This is why Isaiah said, “weary my God.” A point is being made about the nature of the One to come. After saying his words to the house of David, Isaiah continues with his words of prophecy –
 
“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel.”
 
The name Immanuel comes from im, with, and el, God. The form of the word Immanu, having a pronominal suffix, indicates a plural marker. Thus, it means With Us, God. Matthew gives a direct transliteration from the Greek – Emmanouél.
 
In the words of Isaiah, he uses the term almah, translated as “virgin.” That signifies a young woman. Using this word generally signifies a virgin, such as in the account of Rebekah in Genesis 24, but it does not necessarily mean it is so. It is the feminine form of elem, a young man. Because of this, Jewish rabbis and scholars dismiss that this is a future prophecy of the coming of Christ Jesus.
 
However, this flies in the face of Jewish history, which always understood it to refer to a virgin who would bear a child. This is confirmed by the Greek translation of the Old Testament, the Septuagint, which predates the coming of Christ by about two hundred and fifty years –
 
ἰδοὺ ἡ παρθένος ἐν γαστρὶ ἕξει, καὶ τέξεται υἱόν, καὶ καλέσεις τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ ᾿Εμμανουήλ (LXX).
 
Idou hē parthenos en gastri hexei kai texetai huion kai kaleseis to onoma autou Emmanouēl.
 
In their translation, the rabbis used the word παρθένος, parthenos, a virgin. It is this translation that Matthew refers to for his words. His citation is almost a letter for letter translation of Isaiah 7:14.
 
His use of parthenos was to clear up any ambiguity in what was being conveyed. Even if a young woman in Isaiah’s time was used as a reference to the fulfillment of the immediate prophecy given by the Lord, the rabbis clearly understood that a greater fulfillment of the prophecy was ahead in the coming of the Messiah.
 
As human biology demands that virgins cannot have a child on their own, then there must be something coming that defied the understanding of those who anticipated their Messiah. Only in the pronouncement to Mary in Luke 1 can the concept of a virgin bearing a child without the seed of a man be understood –
 
“And the angel answered and said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.’” Luke 1:35
 
As Mary will be the mother of the Child, and because she is a human, the Child will be a human male. As God is the Father of the Child, the Child will be The God. Thus, the pronouncement of the prophet of the words of the Lord finds its ultimate fulfillment in the coming of the Messiah – Immanuel: God With Us.
 
Because Isaiah referred to his God, Yehovah, then the words of Matthew are fulfilled – Meth’ hēmōn ho Theos: With us: The God. Though the Hebrew word elohim can mean God, god, gods, or even spirits or people, the term ha’elohim, the God, is only used when referring to the true God. Jesus Christ is very God of very God. He is the Incarnation of Yehovah in human flesh.
 
Life application: Despite two thousand years of Jewish attempts to deny the incarnation of God in Christ, this is exactly what their own Scriptures speak of from beginning to end. If you encounter a Jewish rabbi or scholar who adamantly denies that Jesus is the Lord, you have your work cut out for you. But if you know what you are talking about, you can easily defend the truth of Scripture.
 
Others, such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses, deny that Jesus is God. In this, they proclaim another (a false) Jesus (2 Corinthians 11:4), and thus they proclaim a false gospel (Galatians 1:6-9). Therefore, they stand accursed before God.
 
Be sure to speak about what you know to be true. And be firm in your convictions. God has come to dwell among us! All hail the name of our Lord, our Savior, and our God – JESUS!
 
Lord God, may we continue to pursue a right understanding of who Jesus is all our days. We proclaim Jesus is Lord! Our God is among us, having come in human flesh. Praise You, O God, for what You have done for us. Hallelujah and Amen.