The Voice of One Crying in the Wilderness Matthew 3:3

Matthew shared how Joseph after being in Egypt with Mary and Jesus, “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.” Matthew continued, “in those days came John the Baptist, and saying, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”, and in chapter three and verse three of his book, Matthew referred to a prophesy of Isaiah the prophet where we read:

For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

The verse reads, “For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, ...” Matthew began with the word, “for” which means “because, since and on account of”, “this is he” or “this is the certain one” “that was spoken of” or “who was poured forth, uttered and declared” “by the prophet” which means “through the one who moved by the Spirit of God and hence his organ or spokesman and 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” “Esias” or “Isaiah” which means “Jehovah's help” and was “a famous Hebrew prophet who prophesied in the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah”, “saying” or “uttering, declaring and proclaiming”. Matthew referred to another prophesy of “Isaiah the prophet”.

The verse goes on to say, “the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.” Matthew continued with the words, “the voice” which means “the sound and tone of uttered words” “of one crying” or “belonging to a certain one who raised a cry of joy, pain or a strong voice” “in the wilderness” which means “within the solitary, lonely, desolate and uninhabited place which was deserted by others”, “prepare” or “ provide, make ready and fit” “the way” which means “the traveled road, journey and course of conduct” “of the Lord” which refers to “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”. Matthew referred to Isaiah's prophesy concerning John the Baptist as the “voice” who was “crying out” in the deserted place, and his assignment was to “prepare” the way for the Messiah Jesus.

When we meditate upon Matthew's words in this verse, we see how he referred again to an Old Testament prophesy concerning the Messiah. John the Baptist was to be the “fore-runner” of the Messiah, and he fulfilled Isaiah's prophesy given over seven hundred years earlier. God had His plan to bring “salvation” to mankind, and when He sent His Son Jesus, God previewed His coming by the “voice” of John the Baptist. Proof after proof of Jesus being the Messiah was fulfilled and shown by Matthew, and those who are wise shall not only consider these things but also yield their lives to Him as “Savior and Lord”.

Next time Matthew shares about John the Baptist's, “raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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