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December 31 | Matthew 2:1-23 ISG Guests

Matthew 2 (ESV)


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.” 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.’”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.13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” 14 And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt 15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”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.”19 But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.” 21 And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. 23 And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene.

The Text in Context.

Matthew 2 narrates the political threat that Jesus’ birth creates for Herod and the ensuing need for Jesus’ family to flee the country. After time in Egypt, they return, settling in Nazareth. Themes of God’s protection and direction of Jesus’ family through dreams and angelic guidance are prominent, continuing the scene from 1:18–25, where God uses a dream to guide Joseph’s decision making. As he has already done at 1:22–23, Matthew uses fulfillment quotations to connect Jesus’ story to the Old Testament story of Israel (2:5–6, 15, 17–18, 23). In addition, the theme of Gentile inclusion reappears through the characters of the non-Jewish magi, who seek Jesus and worship him as king.

Theological Insights.
God’s promise for Israel’s return from exile reverberates across the Old Testament prophets, in and around the texts cited in Matthew 2 and beyond (e.g., Isa. 40; Jer. 31; Ezek. 34; Amos 9:11–15). As Matthew picks up this theme and emphasizes that the arrival of Jesus is precisely return from exile (1:11–12, 17; 2:14–15, 19–21; 3:1–3), so also do other New Testament writers (e.g., Mark 1:1–3; Luke 3:4–6; 9:31 [Jesus’ “exodus”]). And yet some New Testament writers also envision the present Christian experience, in the time between the kingdom’s arrival and its consummation, as a time of continuing exile. So the letter of 1 Peter refers to its readers as “foreigners and exiles” (2:11; cf. 1:1, 17).

Magi from the east. The identity of the magi (Gk. magoi) is a matter of debate. Although church history as well as contemporary Christmas scenes and plays depict three opulent wise men of kingly stature, Matthew nowhere indicates the number of magi. Additionally, it is likely that these Gentile star-watchers were servants rather than kings. As Mark Powell indicates, Matthew’s reader would have likely identified the magi as royal servants (e.g., Dan. 2:1–12, with magos used in the LXX at 2:2, 10). If so, the magi in Matthew 2 would have provided a contrast to King Herod. While kings should be expected to pay homage to the Messiah (see Ps. 72:10–11), Matthew instead portrays royal servants (and Gentiles, at that) doing so. These Gentile worshipers provide a stark contrast to Herod who claims an intention to worship Jesus but plots his demise instead.

2:15 Out of Egypt I called my son. Matthew cites Hosea 11:1, providing the first of numerous analogous connections between Israel and Jesus. In the context of Hosea it is clear that Israel is God’s son who is called out of and redeemed from Egypt (Hosea 11:1, 5, 11). Matthew seems to use Hosea intentionally to introduce Jesus as God’s son, who will also go down into Egypt and return to the land of Israel (2:20–21 [repeated for emphasis]). By signaling the story of exile and return, this fulfillment quotation provides a second evocation of return from exile in Matthew 2.
Jesus the Messiah brings the restoration of Israel from exile. The pattern of exile and restoration already established in Matthew 1 continues into chapter 2. This can be seen most clearly in the quotation of Hosea 11:1 in 2:15, where God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt is the prototype for the promise of God’s deliverance of Jesus’ family from the evil intentions of Herod by flight to Egypt and return to Israel. Jesus as God’s son is protected and delivered. The theme of return to the land, as in the story of Israel, is repeated in 2:20–21 (“the land of Israel”) to bring home the point that God is returning his own son, Jesus, from exile as he did for Israel in the time of the exodus. It is significant that the two other specific quotations in Matthew 2 have themes of exile and restoration in their immediate Old Testament contexts (Mic. 5:1–6; Jer. 31:10–17). As we preach and teach this passage, we can offer to our audience the vision of God’s promised restoration of this world having its locus in Jesus. From his birth, Jesus is God’s son, the Messiah, who ushers in redemption and restoration for God’s people.

Financial Report for the month of October.

Giving: $ 13,985.30
Expenses: $ 11,075.00
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Surplus: $ 2,910.30


Financial Report for the month of November.

Giving: $ 8,980.00
Expenses: $ 8,187.50
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Surplus: $ 792.50

Discussion Questions
1. Read Matthew 2 and highlight interesting characters, events, prophecies that may be of further interest in the story of Jesus.
2. Trace the priests and scribes’ interpretation of the prophecy from the Old Testament and compare the difference. What does the phrase, “whose origins are from of old, from ancient times” mean or imply?
3. Why do you think it's significant for Matthew to include the magi in the story? How do you think these magi were able to interpret the meaning of the star? Could there be any connection to Daniel?
4. The last section 2:16-23 was about the massacre of Hebrew boys. What other story can you recall that is similar to this? And what might this imply?
5. Can you recall an incident in your life where God has rescued you from an imminent danger? Could this rescue signal God’s bigger purpose for your life? Can you see yourself in God’s bigger story?

Prayer
Heavenly Father we pray that you open our eyes to see how you are working in our lives, rescuing us from every danger because you have a greater plan that includes us in the story. Teach us to see things with your eyes, feel your heartbeat so we can serve you better in your kingdom. Amen