Weeping and Mourning for Children Matthew 2:18

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,”, and in chapter two and verse eighteen of his book, Matthew referred to Jeremiah's prophesy, “In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping...for her children” where we read:

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.

The verse reads, “ In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, ...” Matthew began with the words, “In Rama” which refers to “a town of the tribe of Benjamin, situated about 5 miles (8 km) north of Jerusalem on the road to Bethel and means a hill” “was there a voice heard” or “was a tone and sound of uttered words perceived, understood and attended to”, “lamentation” or “wailing”, “and weeping” which means “intense crying and sobbing”, “and great mourning” or “and much moaning”. Matthew quoted Jeremiah's prophesy concerning the “intense wailing and moaning” that was to be within the city of Bethlehem.

The verse continues, “... Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.” Matthew added the word, “Rachel” which refers to “the wife of Jacob who was later named Israel whose name means ewe or sheep” “weeping” or “intense crying and sobbing” “for her children” which means “on behalf of and for the cause of Rachel's little offspring and toddlers”, “and would not be comforted” which means “could not be consoled, appeased or encouraged by consolation”, “because” or “since, for the cause and account that” “they are not” which means “the little children no longer are alive and exist”. Jeremiah referred to the way mothers could not be “consoled” because of their “intensely crying and sobbing” over their children who were no longer alive.

When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we can only imagine the intense grief that was upon the mothers and fathers of the children who were killed by Herod the king. Jeremiah was given this prophesy some seven hundred years before this event occurred, and it pointed once again to the fact that Jesus the Son of God is the Messiah. Herod wanted to destroy Jesus before He could be the “King of the Jews”, and the spiritual implication of this is that Satan himself wanted Jesus dead so He could not be the “Savior” of man. Satan and Herod's plan failed, and Jesus remained alive even though many children under two years old at that time did not. God had His plan of salvation, and those who consider all these prophesies concerning the preservation of Jesus should know God was intentional in His plan to “seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10).

Next time Matthew shares how the “angel” appeared to Joseph again after, “Herod was dead”, 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.

Jeremiah the Prophet's Words Fulfilled Matthew 2:17

Matthew shared what happened when the “wise men” were, “warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be there until I bring you word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt. And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son. Then Herod, when he 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”, and in chapter two and verse seventeen of his book, Matthew referred to Jeremiah's words, “then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah” where we read:

Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying,

The verse reads, “ Then was fulfilled that which was spoken ...” Matthew began with the words, “then was fulfilled” which means “therefore and at that time was completed, accomplished and carried out” “that which was spoken” or “which was uttered, proclaimed and declared”. Matthew referred to the “completion and accomplishment” of prophesy.

The verse goes on to say, “... by Jeremiah the prophet, saying.” Matthew added the words, “by Jeremiah” which means “through Jeremiah whose name means whom Jehovah has appointed and was the son of Hilkiah of the priests that were in Anathoth” “the prophet” or “one who was 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”, “saying” or “uttering, declaring and proclaiming”. Matthew began to share what “Jeremiah” the prophet declared concerning the death of the children in Bethlehem.

When we meditate upon Matthew's words in this verse, we see how he referred to yet another Old Testament prophesy concerning Jesus. God design His plan to “save” people and declared it through His prophets over and over again. Jeremiah gave this prophesy over five hundred years before Jesus was born, and it was “fulfilled” exactly as he prophesied. Let all who read these words consider how God had a plan for His Messiah Son, and His plan extends to everyone who will yield their lives to Him.

Next time Matthew shares Jeremiah's prophecy, “In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning”, 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.

Herod's Wrath and Death Decree Matthew 2:16

Matthew shared what happened when the “wise men” were, “warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be there until I bring you word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt. And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.”, and in chapter two and verse sixteen of his book, Matthew shares how Herod, “sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem...from two years old and under” where we read:

Then Herod, when he 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 enquired of the wise men.

The verse reads, “Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, ...” Matthew began with the words, “then Herod” which refers to “therefore and at the time Herod whose name means heroic and is 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”, “when he saw” or “at the time and moment Herod perceived, noticed, discerned and discovered” “that he was mocked” or “that Herod was trifled with, deluded and deceived” “of the wise men” which means “by the oriental astrologers who having discovered by the rising of a remarkable star that the Messiah had just been more and came to Jerusalem to worship him”, “was exceeding wroth” or “was greatly and beyond measure provoked to anger and incensed”, “and sent forth” which means “and ordered, appointed, set and sent”, “and slew” or “abolished, did away with, abrogated, killed and slayed” “all the children” which means “each, every, the whole and everyone of the infants and toddlers” “that were in Bethlehem” or “who were located in Bethlehem which means house of bread and was a village about six miles south of Jerusalem ”. Matthew shared how “king Herod” gave an order that “every one” of the children that were in “Bethlehem” should be killed.

The verse continues, “... and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.” Matthew added the words, “and in all” which means “and within each, every, the whole and everyone of”” “the coasts thereof” or “the boundaries, regions, districts and territories”, “from two years old” or “that were two years of age” “and under” which refers to “and below and downwards”, “according to” which means “down from, throughout and toward” “the time” or “the length and space of time” “which he had diligently inquired” which means “that Herod investigated to know exactly and accurately” “of the wise men” or “pertaining to the oriental astrologers who having discovered by the rising of a remarkable star that the Messiah had just been more and came to Jerusalem to worship him”. Because Herod learned from the “wise men” about the timing of the “star in the east” , he killed all the children who were “two years old” and younger.

When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we discover just how paranoid and evil king Herod was. When he discovered the “wise men” avoided and deluded him, Herod was infuriated and had all the “children” who were “two years old and younger” killed. God was not without knowledge of this evil man Herod, and though this is a horrific event, it coincided with God's plan to “save” mankind eternally. Unless Jesus came, lived and was preserved as the “King of the Jews” and the Christ, man would be eternally lost and no one could be “saved”. May all who read these words consider the lengths to which God has gone to keep His Son from evil including the wicked king “Herod”.

Next time Matthew shares how scripture, “was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet”, 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.

Son Called Out of Egypt Matthew 2:15

Matthew shared how the “wise men” were “warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be there until I bring you word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt”, and in chapter two and verse fifteen of his book, Matthew shares how Joseph, “took the young child and his mother by night … into Egypt” where we read:

And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

The verse reads, “And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, ...” Matthew began with the words, “and was there” which means “and stayed in Egypt” “until the death” or “till the end of life and decease” “of Herod” or “of Herod the king which 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”: “that it might be fulfilled” which means “so it would be completed, consummated, carried into effect and brought to realization” “which was spoken” or “that which was uttered, proclaimed and declared” “of the prophet” which refers to “pertaining to one who was 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”. Matthew shared how Joseph stayed in Egypt till king Herod died, and this was another fulfillment of scripture.

The verse goes on to say, “... saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.” Matthew continued with the word, “saying” which means “uttering, declaring and proclaiming”, “Out of Egypt” or “away from Egypt which means double straits and is a country occupying the northeast angle of Africa” “have I called” or “has God given a name to and saluted” “my son” which refers to “God's offspring and descendant”. Matthew referred to Hosea chapter eleven and verse one to share God's prophecy concerning God's Son Jesus Christ coming away from “Egypt”.

When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we see how he referred to yet another reason why Jesus is the Messiah. The book of Hosea was written more than seven hundred years before Jesus was born, and chapter eleven and verse one says, “When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt”. Matthew was familiar with this prophesy, and he shared it with everyone who read his words. Jesus Christ came to “save” people from their sins, and everyone who carefully considers the prophesies within the scriptures shall find Him to be the Messiah and “Savior” of the world.

Next time Matthew shares how Joseph stayed in Egypt, “until the death of Herod”, 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.

In Egypt Till the Death of Herod Matthew 2:15

Matthew shared what happened when the “wise men”, “ heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshiped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be there until I bring you word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt”, and in chapter two and verse fifteen of his book, Matthew how Joseph stayed in Egypt “until the death of Herod” where we read:

And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

The verse reads, “And was there until the death of Herod:” Matthew began with the words, “and was there” which means “Joseph was in the land of Egypt” “until the death” or “till the decease and end of the life” “of Herod” or “belonging to 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, and he at length overcame the great opposition which the country made to him and took possession of the kingdom B.C. 37”. Matthew shared how Joseph and his family stayed in Egypt until “Herod” died.

The verse goes on to say, “that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.” Matthew added the words, “that it might be fulfilled” which means “so that it would complete, render full, consummate, accomplish and carry out” “which was spoken” or “that ordered, uttered, proclaimed and declared” “of the Lord” which means “through he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding; master and the title given to God the Messiah” “by the prophet” or “by way of the one who was 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”, “saying” which means “uttering, declaring and proclaiming”, “Out of Egypt” which refers to “away from the country occupying the northeast angle of Africa and means double straits” “have I called” or “has God invited and bid forth” “my son” which means “God's offspring and descendant”. Matthew shared how scripture was once again “fulfilled” when God's Son Jesus was “called out” of “Egypt”.

When we meditate upon Matthew's words in this verse, we see how he employs yet another prophesy concerning Jesus. Hosea the prophet wrote, “When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt” (Hosea 11:1), and God insured that which was written came to pass. God desired redemption and “salvation” for mankind, and He provided specific prophesies including how His Son Jesus would spend in Egypt to prove it. Those who believe these things shall yield their lives to Him and find complete fulfillment not only in God's intentions, but also in His determination to validate that which He has declared.

Next time Matthew shares how “Herod” reacted “when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men”, 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 and His Family Fleeing to Egypt Matthew 2:14

Matthew shared what happened when the “wise men”, “ heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshiped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be there until I bring you word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him”, and in chapter two and verse fourteen of his book, Matthew shares how Joseph, “took the young child and his mother by night … into Egypt” where we read:

When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:

The verse reads, “When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, ...” Matthew began with the word, “when” which means “at the time and moment” “he arose” or “Joseph awoke, rose and erected from his dream”, “he took” or “Joseph carried and transmitted” “the young child” which means “the little boy or toddler” “and his mother” or “and the child's mother Mary” “by night” which means “in the nighttime”. Matthew shared how Joseph awoke from his dream, obeyed the angel and took his wife Mary and Jesus away during the nighttime.

The verse goes on to say, “... and departed into Egypt.” Matthew continued with the words, “and departed” which means “and withdrew, left and retired”, “to Egypt” or “to the country occupying the northeast angle of Africa whose name means double straits”. Joseph left with his little family to “Egypt”.

When we consider Matthew's words in this verse, we see how Joseph obeyed the “dream” the “angel” gave him. God was preserving Joseph, Mary and Jesus by sending them to “Egypt” before Herod killed Jesus. God's desire is to “save” every person, and He insured His Messiah would be preserved from any attempt to destroy Him. Though the enemies of God might attempt to “destroy” the Messiah Jesus, they shall always fail. God wants a relationship with everyone who will yield their lives to His Son Jesus, and those who are wise shall not only consider the direction of God to preserve Him, but also submit their lives to His “Lordship” today.

Next time Matthew shares how Joseph stayed in Egypt, “until the death of Herod”, 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.