Jesus the Nazarene Matthew 2:23

Matthew shared what happened when Herod the king, “saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not. But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life. And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee”, and in chapter two and verse twenty-three of his book, Matthew shared how Joseph, “came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth” where we read:

And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

The verse reads, “And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth:” Matthew began with the words, “and he came” which means “and Joseph arose and appeared” “and dwelt” or “and lived, settled and inhabited” “in a city” which means “within a town and dwelling place” “called” or “affirmed and maintained in name as” “Nazareth” which refers to “a place in Palestine whose name means the guarded one”. Matthew shared how Joseph came back to Israel and lived in the “city of Nazareth” which was in Galilee.

The verse goes on to say, “that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.” Matthew continued with the words, “that it might be fulfilled” which means “and completed, rendered full and consummated”, “which was spoken” or “that was uttered, declared and proclaimed” “by the prophets” which refers to “pertaining to ones who were moved by the Spirit of God and hence his organ or spokesman, solemnly declares to men what he has received by inspiration especially concerning future events and in particular such as relate to the cause and kingdom of God and to human salvation”, “He shall be called” or “Jesus will be saluted and bear the name of” “a Nazarene” which means “and inhabitant of Nazareth which means one separated”. Matthew shared how Joseph moving himself and his family to Nazareth was also a fulfillment of scriptures.

When we meditate upon Matthew's words in this verse, we see him refer to another prophesy concerning Jesus. The “prophets” spoke of Jesus, God's Son, growing up as one who was “despised” like the “Nazirites” who were thought of as despicable, uneducated, poor and contemptible. Amos the prophet wrote, “and I raised up of your sons for prophets, and of your young men for Nazarites. Is it not even thus, O you children of Israel? says the LORD” (Amos 2:11-12), and Isaiah the prophet wrote, “he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he has no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him” (Isaiah 53:2). God allowed His Son Jesus to grow up in a small, nondescript town because people needed a “Savior”. Those who think through God's purpose in the plan for Jesus' upbringing will acknowledge His purpose to “seek and to save that which was lost”.

Next time we begin a new chapter and see Matthew begin to share about “John the Baptist”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Joseph Afraid to Go to Israel Matthew 2:22

Matthew shared what happened when Herod the king, “saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not. But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life. And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel”, and in chapter two and verse twenty-two of his book, Matthew shared how Joseph was, “afraid to go” to Israel where we read:

But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:

The verse reads, “But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there:” Matthew began with the word, “but” which means “moreover and” “when he heard” or “at the time that Joseph was given the faculty for hearing, perceiving, noticing and discerning” “that Archelaus” which means “prince of the people” who was “a son of Herod the Great by Malthace, the Samaritan woman. He and his brother Antipas were brought up with a certain private man in Rome. After the death of his father, he ruled as ethnarch over Judaea, Samaria and Idumaea” “did reign” or “ruled, exercised kingly power, influence and control” “in Judea” which refers to “within the southern portion of Palestine lying on this side of the Jordan and the Dead Sea, to distinguish it from Samaria, Galilee, Peraea, and Idumaea whose name means he shall be praised” “in the room” or “instead and in the place” “of his father” which means “belonging to his male ancestor and generator” “Herod” or “the name of a royal family that flourished among the Jews in the times of Christ and the Apostles. Herod the Great was the son of Antipater of Idumaea. Appointed king of Judaea B.C. 40 by the Roman Senate at the suggestion of Antony and with the consent of Octavian, he at length overcame the great opposition which the country made to him and took possession of the kingdom B.C. 37 whose name means heroic”, “he was afraid” which means “Joseph feared, was terrified and struck with alarm and fear” “to go there” or “to depart and turn aside in Israel”. Matthew shared how the news of “Archelaus” ruling after his father “Herod” made Joseph afraid to return to Israel.

The verse continues, “notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:” Matthew added the word, “notwithstanding” which means “moreover and”, “being warned” or “since Joseph was advised, consulted and divinely commanded” “of God” which refers to “the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit” “in a dream” or “within a mental imagery”, “he turned aside” which means “Joseph returned and departed” “into the parts” or “in the lot, destiny and measure” “of Galilee” which refers to “that belonged to the name of a region of northern Palestine, bounded on the north by Syria, on the west by Sidon, Tyre, Ptolemais and their territories and the promontory of Carmel, on the south by Samaria and on the east by the Jordan whose name means circuit”. Matthew shared how God calmed Joseph's fears in another “dream”, and he venture into “Galilee”.

When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we might be able to identify with Joseph. Sometimes when we hear news of a relative replacing a person who did wickedly, we might assume that person will be just as evil as the first. God had His plan for His Son Jesus, and though Joseph was “afraid”, God was not. God calmed Joseph's fears by reassuring him it would be safe to move to “Galilee”. Let us be reminded that nothing and no one who causes fear shall alter God's plan, and Jesus regardless of who “rules” is God's intentional plan to “save” mankind from their sinful ways.

Next time Matthew shares how Joseph, “came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth” to Israel, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Back to Israel Matthew 2:21

Matthew shared what happened when Herod the king, “saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not. But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life”, and in chapter two and verse twenty-one of his book, Matthew shared how Joseph, “arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel” where we read:

And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.

The verse reads, “And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, ...” Matthew began with the words, “and he arose” which means “Joseph aroused from sleep, rose and was raise up”, “and took” or “carried away” “the young child” which means “the little boy and toddler” “and his mother” or “and Jesus' mother Mary”. After the “dream” came from the “angel”, Joseph took Jesus and Mary away from Egypt.

The verse continues, “... and came into the land of Israel.” Matthew added the words, “and came” which means “became known and established” “into the land” or “in the arable land, country, territory and region” “of Israel” which refers to “belonging to Israel which means he shall be prince and was the name given to the patriarch Jacob”. Matthew shared how Joseph took his family back to the “land of Israel”.

When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we see how Joseph was compliant and obedient to the “angel” and his direction. God's plan was to preserve His Son Jesus, and when Herod and his comrades of evil were dead, it was clear for Joseph to return to Israel. God sent His Son Jesus to save people from their sins, and when those who were wicked attempted to stop Him, God protected His Son until they died. Let all who read these words consider the great lengths to which God has gone to bring a “saving” Messiah to mankind.

Next time Matthew shares how Joseph, “was afraid to go” to Israel, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Arise and Go to Israel Matthew 2:20

Matthew shared what happened when Herod, “saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not. But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt”, and in chapter two and verse twenty of his book, Matthew shared how the “angel” told Joseph, “arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel” where we read:

Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life.

The verse reads, “Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: ...” Matthew began with the word, “saying” which means “uttering, proclaiming and declaring”, “arise” or “rise, arouse from sleep and raise up”, “and take” or “and carry” “the young child” which means “the little boy or toddler” “and his mother” or “and the little child's mother Mary”, “and go” which means “and lead and depart” “into the land” or “to the arable land, ground, country and region” “of Israel” which refers to “belonging to Israel which means he shall be prince”. Matthew shared how the “angel” instructed Joseph to “take” Jesus and Mary back to the “land of Israel”.

The verse goes on to say, “... for they are dead which sought the young child's life.” Matthew added the word, “for” which means “because, since and on account that” “they are dead” or “the people who are deceased, not living and without life” “which sought” or “that looked for, craved, demanded and endeavored to destroy” “the young child's life” which means “the little boy or toddler's vitality and breath”. Matthew shared how the “angel” informed Joseph that the people who were seeking to kill Jesus were now “dead”.

When we meditate upon Matthew's words in this verse, we see how God preserved His Son Messiah Jesus in Egypt until the people who were attempting to “kill” Him were “dead” themselves. God had a plan to “save” people from their sins, and when He kept Jesus alive by sending His angel to Joseph in a dream, He knew those opposing His Son would soon die and Joseph and His family would return to Israel. God knew “salvation” was necessary for mankind if they were going to live with Him forever, and as He kept Joseph, Mary and Jesus alive in Egypt, He also knew Herod and His cohorts would die and Jesus would remain alive. Let God be praised who has done all things well!

Next time Matthew shares how Joseph to, “arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Imprisoned

Who hath me here

this prison place

this trap that hath me hold?

Whose caged bars

and steel born rims

each day that I behold?

The fallen here

both rich and poor

the educate and not

The languish of

a broken heart

from plans now made distraught

Direction cast

now made a mist

a foggy tempt display

And none relieve

or burden bear

that brought me thus this way

But cast I shall

this burden borne

on sacred arms I'll lean

Till his release

hath set me free

the path that He hath seen

Herod Dead and Another Dream Matthew 2:19

Matthew shared what happened when Herod, “saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not”, and in chapter two and verse nineteen of his book, Matthew shared how, “an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph” again where we read:

But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,

The verse reads, “ But when Herod was dead, ...” Matthew began with the word, “but” which means “moreover and” “when Herod” or “at the time and moment Herod whose name means heroic and was the name of a royal family that flourished among the Jews in the times of Christ and the Apostles. Herod the Great was the son of Antipater of Idumaea. Appointed king of Judaea B.C. 40 by the Roman Senate at the suggestion of Antony and with the consent of Octavian, he at length overcame the great opposition which the country made to him and took possession of the kingdom B.C. 37” “was dead” or “was decease and no longer living and finished in life”. Matthew began to present what happened when “Herod” died.

The verse continues, “... behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,” Matthew added the word, “behold” which means “lo and see”, “an angel” or “a messenger, envoy or one sent” “of the Lord” or “belonging to he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master and the title given to God the Messiah” “appeared” which means “was resplendent, exposed to view and able to be seen” “in a dream” or “in mental imagery” “to Joseph” which refers to “to the husband of Mary whose name means let him add” “in Egypt” or “within the country occupying the northeast angle of Africa which means double straits”. Matthew shared how “an angel” from God “appeared to Joseph” while he and his family were living in “Egypt”.

When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we see how God had a plan for the preservation of His Messiah Son Jesus by fleeing from Herod in Egypt, but when Herod died, “an angel” appeared to give His earthly father further direction. God desired to “save” mankind from the penalty of death which is the result of sin, and when Jesus was to be the “Savior and Lord” to all who believe in Him, nothing and no one who would alter God's plan. Let all who read these words think about how far God has gone to bring and keep His Messiah Son Jesus in the world.

Next time Matthew shares how the “angel” told Joseph to, “Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.