His Word Today

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.” (Matthew 2:7–8 ESV)

Herod was a methodical schemer. He was really not what he seemed to be on the surface. While superficially charming, he possessed a deep-rooted hatred for any enemy; real or imagined. This applied to even those within his immediate family. You can be sure that Herod already made his mind up that Jesus was his mortal enemy who he needed to destroy.

Herod summoned the Magi and met with them secretly. Why? Perhaps it was to hide his true intentions and to limit the Magi’s investigation to only him. Regardless, in his meeting with the Eastern visitors he discovered from them how long they had been traveling since they saw the star. Remember, Herod had a reason for everything he asked and did.

“Herod has so far succeeded in his murderous design: he has tracked the spot where lies his victim, an unconscious babe. But he has another point to fix—the date of His birth—without which he might still miss his mark. The one he had got from the Sanhedrim; the other he will have from the sages; but secretly, lest his object should be suspected and defeated. So he inquired of them diligently—rather, “precisely” what time the star appeared—presuming that this would be the best clue to the age of the child. The unsuspecting strangers tell him all. And now he thinks he is succeeding to a wish, and shall speedily clutch his victim; for at so early an age as they indicate, He would not likely have been removed from the place of His birth. Yet he is wary. He sends them as messengers from himself, and bids them come to him, that he may follow their pious example,” Dr. John Walvoord explains.

Herod sent the Magi to Bethlehem to find the Christ child. This ensured safe conduct for the Magi. To search diligently meant to accurately and carefully question and ask for the precise location of the child.

Herod added that the Magi were to return to him with information of where the baby would be found. Herod’s overt reason was to worship the child as the Magi intended. However, Herod’s covert plan was to destroy the child along with anyone who stood in his way.

There are people today who profess religious loyalty to Christ, only to turn against Him and any of His followers when things do not go their way. What about you? Are you a Christ follower or just a pretender?

May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!

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.’” (Matthew 2:4–6)

King Herod wanted to know where the newborn king of the Jews was to be born. What city, town or hamlet? He did not know the answer so he summoned all the chief priest and scribes. Following their arrival to the king’s palace in Jerusalem, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. It is interesting that Herod did not know the biblical answer.

“The chief priests belonged mainly to the wealthy aristocracy of Sadducees. “Scribes” applies to experts in the Jewish law, most of whom were also teachers of the law. Herod exercised a great deal of influence over the prominent leaders of the people, having forcibly removed most of his political opponents,^” the IVP Bible Background Commentary of the New Testament says,

However, the chief priests and scribes certainly did know the biblical answer to Herod’s question. They told Herod that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem, according to the Prophet Micah. They even quoted Micah 5:2 which says, “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.’”

“This ancient prophecy from Micah 5:2 was written in the eighth century B.C. The original prophecy, not quoted in full by Matthew, declared the deity of Israel’s Messiah: “from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.” The other portion of Matthew’s quote actually seems to be a reference to God’s words to David when Israel’s kingdom was originally established (2 Sam. 5:2; 1 Chron. 11:2). The Greek word for “ruler” evokes the image of strong, even stern, leadership. “Shepherd” emphasizes tender care. Christ’s rule involves both (cf. Rev. 12:5),” one commentator writes,

It is ironic that the chief priests and scribes knew the exact answer and location of the Messiah’s birth. What they did not have was even an idle curiosity to travel the distance from Jerusalem to Bethlehem (5 miles) to see if indeed Micah’s prophecy had come true. What a shame.

“The apathy of the teachers and priests s pathetic, but all too typical. “Religious people were often the last to receive Jesus. If the pagans had seen Jesus’ signs, if they had heard His preaching, Jesus says they would have repented (Matt. 11:20-24; 12:41-42). But the religious people saw no need of repentance. It was true then and remains all too true today. Sometimes those who most know the faith in the mind know it least in the heart. They should have joined the Magi and traveled to Bethlehem,” states commentator Daniel M. Doriani.

I Corinthians 2:14 says, “The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.” The chief priests and scribes were religious but apparently, they did not have a heart for the Lord as demonstrated by their inaction.

What about you? Do you only know Christ in your mind? What about your emotions and your will?

May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria! 

“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; “(Matthew 2:1–3 (ESV)

We previously examined the life of Herod the Great. He was a ruthless, paranoid king who was not above killing real, or suspected, rivals to his throne. He would stop at nothing, including eliminating members of his own family, to ensure that he kept his power.

When Herod heard about the Magi’s quest and inquiry into the new born king of the Jews, he was troubled. He quickly paid attention to what was being said and he didn’t like what he was hearing.

The word troubled (ταράσσω; tarasso) means to be disturbed and to experience great mental distress. Herod’s mind was stirred. In fact, the Greek word for troubled can mean a riot going on in one’s mind. Herod experience acute emotional distress and turbulence. In short, Herod was not happy.

The text also says that all Jerusalem was troubled along with Herod. Why? It was because the Jewish populace in Jerusalem knew what Herod was capable of when he suspected his power was threatened. They knew he would do everything and anything he could to destroy any challenger. No one was safe.

Perhaps Herod’s fear and disquieted reaction to the news of the Magi’s search is best explained by one commentator. “It is no surprise that King Herod … was disturbed when the Magi came to Jerusalem looking for the One who had been “born King” (v. 2). Herod was not the rightful king from the line of David. In fact, he was not even a descendant of Jacob, but was descended from Esau and thus was an Edomite. (He reigned over Palestine from 37 b.c. to 4 b.c.). This fact caused most of the Jews to hate him and never truly to accept him as king, even though he did much for the country. If someone had been rightfully born king, then Herod’s job was in jeopardy.”

While 2,000 years separates us from Herod, there remains to this day people of power who will do anything they can to humiliate or destroy those with whom they feel threatened. This can happen not only politically, economically, militarily but also even religiously. This occurs when people who hold sway within an organization will exert their power and influence to hire and fire anyone indiscriminately. This creates an unhealthy environment; whether it is within a business, government, or a local church.

Are there King Herod’s in your life? Are there people who you know who will do anything to justify their behavior and to keep their power and influence over you and others? Remember that their authority, whether real or imagined, is no match for the sovereign God of the universe. What was true in Herod’s day remains so in our own.

May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!

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.” (Matthew 2:1-2)

In Matthew 2:2, we observe from the Magi a question as they searched, a reason behind their search and a purpose for their search. Let’s look at each of these items separately.

What was the Magi’s question as they searched? It was, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews?” This question is what the Magi continued to ask when they arrived in Jerusalem. They must have presumed that a new born king of the Jews would be born in the Jewish capital of Jerusalem. They were mistaken.

The reason behind their search was that they “saw his star when it rose. What was the star of which the Magi referred?

“Astronomers have offered various proposals for the appearance of this star in the first decade b.c. The ancients thought comets and falling stars predicted the fall of rulers; some emperors even banished from Rome astrologers who issued such predictions. By this period many Jewish people accepted the idea that the stars could accurately predict the future. Even though these Magi were pagans, God had chosen to reveal himself to them,” explains one commentary.

“This special revelation may simply have been in the sky, as might be indicated by their title “Magi” (specialists in astronomy) and by the fact they referred to a star which they saw. Or this revelation could have come through some contact with Jewish scholars who had migrated to the East with copies of Old Testament manuscripts. Many feel the Magi’s comments reflected a knowledge of Balaam’s prophecy concerning the “star” that would “come out of ^Jacob” (Num. 24:17). Whatever the source, they came to Jerusalem to worship the newborn King of the Jews, “Dr. John Walvoored speculates.

The word star (ἀστήρ; aster) may refer not only to a physical star, but also a planet or even a supernatural light for leading. This third meaning seems to be the star to which the Magi referred and which Matthew later describes as leading the Magi to the exact location of Jesus and his human parents.

What was the ultimate purpose for the Magi’s search? The text says, “For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” Their purpose was worship. Worship is defined as the action, expressed by attitude and possibly by position, of one’s allegiance to and regard for deity.

The Magi came to worship God. What a wonderful and biblical idea. May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here.

Soli deo Gloria!

“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 (ESV).

Who was Herod the king? What relationship did he have, if any, with the Herod who had John the Baptist beheaded (Mark 6:14-29)? Was he involved in one of the six trials Jesus experienced immediately prior to His crucifixion (Luke 23:6-16)?  

The Herod mentioned in today’s text was also known as Herod the Great. His cumulative reign as King of Judea began in 37 B.C. until 4:B.C. The Jewish historian Josephus referred to Herod as Herod “the great.” This term probably referred primarily to the fact that he was the oldest son of Antipater.

Not only was Herod a shrewd politician, but he was also a great soldier, orator, and a builder. Aside from his appearance in Matthew’s nativity narrative, Herod the Great’s building projects serve as the backdrop for many New Testament events.

“Bethlehem—the birthplace of Jesus—is located near the Herodium. The magnificence of Herod’s temple is clearly displayed in the Gospels. At one point, Jesus’ disciples commented about the architecture of Herod’s temple: “As He was going out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, ‘Teacher, behold what wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left upon another which will not be torn down’” (Mark 13:1–2, NASB). The temple played a significant part in the life and ministry of Christ,” explains one commentator.

Christ came to what is referred to as Herod’s Temple in Jerusalem three times a year, every year, from the time he was 12 years old until He died. During His ministry, Jesus preached in this temple (John 7–10), He celebrated Jewish feasts there and predicted the temple’s destruction (Luke 19:43–44; 21:6).

Many of Herod’s building projects also provide the backdrop for the Book of Acts. This includes the city of Caesarea, which was visited by Peter, Paul, and was the home of Philip (Acts 8; 23:33; 21:8). Paul was also brought to trial in the city of Caesarea, which Herod had built and whose port he had engineered.

There are three significant time periods in Herod’s life. They include the following:

1.  37–27 bc: Consolidation of Power. Herod impressed Rome with his ability to pacify the Jews whose homeland they occupied. Herod was capable at collecting taxes and quelling uprisings.

2.  27–13 bc: Peace and Prosperity. Herod rebuilt forts, instituted Olympic style games, and began rebuilding the Jerusalem temple.

3.  13–4 bc: Domestic Strife.  This period saw trouble within the land along with misunderstandings with Rome. It was a time marked by Herod’s increasing mental instability. He was also plagued by problems with his 10 wives and his children.

Herod became a paranoid tyrant. He constantly worried that he would lose his kingdom. The fortresses he built reflect this paranoia, as they provided refuge when he felt threatened. Herod executed his two sons, Alexander and Aristobulus, due to rumors of their mutiny.

Herod married 10 women and fathered 15 children. At the end of his life, Herod suffered from a severe illness. Josephus described Herod’s symptoms: “For a fire glowed in him slowly, which did not so much appear to the touch outwardly as it augmented his pains inwardly; for it brought upon him a vehement appetite to eating … His entrails were also ulcerated, and the chief violence of his pain lay on his colon; an aqueous and transparent liquor also settled itself about his feet, and a like matter afflicted him at the bottom of his belly” (Josephus, Antiquities, 17.6.5).

Herod was buried in the Herodium. Herod issued two commands to be performed upon his death. First, to have the recently imprisoned Jewish elders executed so that the people would be mourning during his death. Second, to have to have his son Antipater executed.

Upon Herod’s request, his lands were divided among three of his sons:

1.  Archelaus was given the throne.

2.  Antipas was to be Tetrarch of Galilee.

3.  Philip was to be Tetrarch of Gaulanitis.

Herod’s most significant role in the New Testament was his appearance in Matthew’s Gospel (Matt 2). This account reflects Herod’s influence and jealousy. His attempt to discover the rival “King of the Jews” resulted in the murder of innocent children in the Bethlehem region.

Following Herod’s death, his son Antipas served as Tetrarch over Galilee (Mark 14:1; Luke 3:1). He was the Herod most referred to in the Gospels. Antipas reigned during Jesus’ years of ministry. Antipas probably inherited some of his father’s shrewd ways, since Jesus referred to him as a “fox” (Luke 13:32). Herod Antipas was also mentioned at the trial of Jesus (Luke 23:6–12). Herod’s son Philip was also mentioned as the tetrarch of the northern region of the kingdom (Luke 3:1).

It is important for us to understand the historical character of Herod the Great. Otherwise, we may not understand why he does what he does following the news of a child born to be the king of the Jews.

Soli deo Gloria!

“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 ESV).

Matthew. Matthew’s point of view regarding Jesus is that He is the prophesied King of the Jews (Genesis 49:10; Numbers 24:17; Matt. 1:1-17; 18-25). Therefore, it makes logical sense that Matthew would provide the account of the visit from the Magi.

Who were the Magi? There is a lot of speculation regarding their identity and origin. Were they really kings as the familiar Christmas Carol We Three Kings of Orient Are states? What about King Herod. Who exactly was this ruler and what were his feelings; not only about the Magi but also the news regarding the birth of Jesus Christ?

To begin with, the word Magi (μάγος; magos) has various meanings. These include wise man, priest, sorcerer or magician. We do know from the text that there were more than one Magi; the word is in the plural form. They grammar also indicates that they were men.

“‘Magi’ (not “wise men”—KJV) were pagan astrologers whose divinatory skills were widely respected in the Greco-Roman world; astrology had become popular through the “science” of the East, and everyone agreed that the best astrologers lived in the East. The Old Testament explicitly forbade such prognostication from signs (Deut. 18:11; cf. Isaiah 2:6; 47:11–15), prescribing true prophecy instead (Deut. 18:15),” explains Dr. John Walvoord.

“The number of wise men is not given. The traditional notion that there were three stems from the number of gifts they brought. These were not kings, but Magi, magicians, or astrologers—possibly Zoroastrian wise men from Persia whose knowledge of the Hebrew Scriptures could be traced back to the time of Daniel (cf. Dan. 5:11),” Dr. John MacArthur explains.

The Book of Daniel applies the word Magi to a group of wise men who interpreted dreams from the gods (Dan. 1:20; 2:27; 5:15). In the Acts of the Apostles, the title included all who practiced magical arts (Acts 8:1-9; 10-24; 13:1-8).

“The exact identity of the Magi is impossible to determine, though several ideas have been suggested. They have been given traditional names and identified as representatives of the three groups of peoples that descended from Noah’s sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth. More likely they were Gentiles of high position from a country, perhaps Parthia, northeast of Babylon, who were given a special revelation by God of the birth of the King of the Jews. This special revelation may simply have been in the sky, as might be indicated by their title “Magi” (specialists in astronomy) and by the fact they referred to a star which they saw. Or this revelation could have come through some contact with Jewish scholars who had migrated to the East with copies of Old Testament manuscripts. Many feel the Magi’s comments reflected a knowledge of Balaam’s prophecy concerning the “star” that would “come out of Jacob” (Num. 24:17). Whatever the source, they came to Jerusalem to worship the newborn King of the Jews,” Dr. Walvoord concludes.

Why would the Magi come to Jerusalem? To begin with, it was Israel’s capital city. King Herod resided there. As we shall see as we continue in the text, where else would you look for a newborn king then the city where the Jewish king’s palace is located. However, God always defied people’s expectations. He still does!

Soli deo Gloria!   

²⁴ “When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, ²⁵ but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.” (Matthew 1:24-25 ESV)

Faith, or to believe, means to trust in, commit to, depend upon and honor God. The evidence of such faith and belief is obedience. Joseph displays his sincere faith and belief in God, and His Word, by his obedience. Joseph does what God commands him to do.

Immediately after the angel’s message in his dream, Joseph rose from sleeping and “did” (ποιέω poieō) as the angel of the Lord commanded him. Joseph obeyed with a complete compliance to the will of God. There were no heal-hearted measures in this man. He was totally committed. While the circumstances had not changed, his perspective had. His obedience involved not only what he would do, but also what he would not do.

First, he took Mary as his wife. The two of them officially became husband and wife. They participated in the wedding ceremony. “His submission to God was as powerful and complete as that of Mary, who also offered herself as the servant of the Lord (Luke 1:38). Joseph refused to be led by shame or anger. He laid aside the plausible plan of divorce (Matthew 1:19) and took Mary as his wife,” states commentator Daniel M. Doriani.

Second, Joseph did not have sexual relations with Mary until after she had given birth to Jesus. In every aspect, and in every way, Mary remained a virgin.

Third, Joseph named the child Jesus. He did so just as the angel instructed him (Matthew 1:21).

“What a picture of living faith! Mary and Joseph listened to God. They silenced their emotions of fear and shame and obeyed the Lord. Why? Because they understood that God is with His people to save. They show us how to listen and how to obey the voice of God rather than our impulses,” explains Doriani.

May we as believers in Christ receive, submit, and give all of our dreams, plans and hearts to Him. May we trust in, commit to, depend upon and honor the One, True God. This is the essence of saving faith.

Soli deo Gloria!

²² “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: ²³ “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).” (Matthew 1:22-23 ESV)

The phrase, “All this took place to fulfill,” is a recurring literary style of Matthew. “Matthew points out fulfillments of OT prophecies no less than a dozen times (cf. 2:15, 17, 23; 4:14; 8:17; 12:17; 13:14, 35; 21:4; 26:54–56; 27:9, 35). He quotes from the OT more than 60 times, more frequently than any other NT writer except Paul in Romans, explains Dr. John MacArthur.

Nothing concerning the incarnation of Jesus Christ was left to chance, fate or luck. Every detail was with the providence of God the Father.

The prophet of whom Matthew refers is Isaiah. The texts are Isaiah 7:14 and 8:8-10. Not only did the prophet reveal the circumstances surrounding the birth of the Messiah (a virgin incarnation), but also His name (Immanuel); God with us. Even Isaiah noted that gender of the coming Messiah indicating the supernatural, revelatory nature of His birth.

There are those interpreters who state that Isaiah 7:14 applies solely to the Jewish King Hezekiah. This is wrong.

“We expound this (Isaiah 7:14) as relating to Christ in the following manner: You, the whole posterity of David, as far as lies in your power, endeavor to nullify the grace which is promised to you;” (for the prophet expressly call them, by way of disgrace, the house of David, Isaiah 7:13); but your base infidelity will never prevent the truth of God from proving to be victorious. God promises that the city will be preserved safe and unhurt from its enemies. If His word is not enough, He is ready to give you the confirmation of such as sign as you demand. You reject both favors, and spurn them from you; but God will remain steady to His engagement. For the promised Redeemer will come, in whom God will show Himself to be fully present with His people,” comments John Calvin.

But in Christ, the actual presence of God is with His people. He came to His own people, but tragically they did not receive Him (John 1:10-11). He was despised and rejected (Isiah 52:13-53:12).

“His name Immanuel. The phrase, God is with us, is not doubt frequently employed in Scripture to denote, that He is present with us by His assistance and grace, and displays the power of His hand in our defense. But here we are instructed as to the manner in which God communicates with men. For out of Christ we are alienated from Him; but through Christ we are not only received into His favor, but are made one with Him,” concludes Calvin.

The presence of God in the incarnation of Jesus Christ is greater than any other kind of revelation given to the ancient people. God is manifested in the flesh and bone of a human body (I Timothy 3:16). God has given Himself to sinners in Jesus Christ.

Soli deo Gloria!

²⁰ “But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. ²¹ She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:20-21 ESV)

“But as he considered these things.”  Joseph had a lot to think about. Had Mary been unfaithful? Her pregnancy indicated so. How should he respond? The Law was clear. She should be publicly stoned to death as the Mosaic Law prescribed (Deut. 22:23-24). However, Joseph decided to privately divorce her (Deut. 24:1). This would be the gracious thing to do; for all concerned.

We do not know how long Joseph thought about this. What we do know that as he did an “angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream.” This would be the first of five dreams Joseph would have from the Lord (Matt. 1:20; 2:12, 13, 19, 22). The angel is not identified, but is assumed to be Gabriel (Luke 1:18-19, 26-38).  

“But we must understand that dreams of this sort differ widely from natural dreams; for they have a character of certainty engraved on them and are impressed with a divine seal; so that there is not the slightest doubt of their truth. The dreams from God are accompanied by the testimony of the Spirit, which puts beyond a doubt that it is God who speaks,” explains John Calvin.

“Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife.” The angel acknowledged what Matthew already revealed. Joseph was in the lineage of not only Abraham, but also David (Matt. 1:1-17). The angel told Joseph to not be afraid to become Mary’s husband. Why would Joseph be afraid? Embarrassed? Yes! Doubtful? Certainly!

But why does the angel caution Joseph to not be afraid? Perhaps it was because Joseph did not want to violate God’s law (Deut. 22:23-24). This would certainly be an example of him being a just and righteous man. The angel instructed Joseph to complete the betrothal period and then participate in the official wedding ceremony; officially uniting him to Mary as husband and wife.

The reason for this was because “that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.” The angel summarized what Luke in his Gospel revealed in detail (Luke 1:26-38). A divine act occurred. Mary was pregnant with Immanuel; solely by the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit.  

The angel further said, “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”There are three facts to observe in this brief statement.

First, Mary would bear a son. In our day and age of prenatal, ultrasound imagery, an unborn child’s gender can be observed and known prior to their birth. This was not the case 2,000 years ago. The angel’s news spoke of the supernatural event that was unfolding.

Second, the angel directed Joseph to call the unborn boy Jesus. The was significant because the name Jesus means Savior (Luke 1:31). The long-prophesied Messiah was to be the Savior of sinners.

Third, the angel stated the obvious. This son, who was to be named Jesus, will save His people from their sins. He was to be the deliverer of sinners from the penalty, power and eventual presence of their sin.

“When the Son of God came to us clothed in flesh, he received from the Father a name which plainly told for what purpose He came, what was His power, and what we had a right to expect from Him. The name Jesus presents to us the Son of God as the Author of salvation,” states John Calvin.

Soli deo Gloria!