Apr
06
Matthew 2:16–23
16Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent and slew all the male children who were in Bethlehem and all its vicinity, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the magi. 17Then what had been spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: 18 “A voice was heard in Ramah, Weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children; And she refused to be comforted, Because they were no more.” 19But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, and said, 20“Get up, take the Child and His mother, and go into the land of Israel; for those who sought the Child’s life are dead.” 21So Joseph got up, took the Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel. 22But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Then after being warned...
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05
Matthew 2:13–15 cont.
Yesterday, my study of Matthew 2:13–15 led me to look at the birth account of Jesus in chronological order. I will continue to look at the story chronologically today and then we’ll go back to Matthew. Yesterday, I concluded by looking at Luke 2:19, “But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Focused Thinking: Luke’s Account: 2:21—After eight days were completed for circumcision, His name was called Jesus. 2:22–24—After the days of purification, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord. The Purification would have been forty days after Jesus’ birth: seven days after birth, circumcision: thirty-three days after circumcision, purification. 2:25–35—Simeon took the Child, blessed God and said, “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your Word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation (Isa 40:5) which You have prepared before the face of all peoples (Isa...
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04
Matthew 2:13–15
13Now when they had gone, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him.” 14So Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night, and left for Egypt. 15He remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called My Son.” Focused Thinking: Can you imagine the whirlwind of activity going on in Joseph and Mary’s minds? This question led me to retrace God’s process for Mary and Joseph. I’m taking the time to do this because I want to put myself in the shoes of Mary and Joseph and try to understand the magnitude and majesty of this story from their perspective. Luke’s Account: The angel Gabriel visits Mary. (Lk 1:26–27) Gabriel tells Mary that she...
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03
Matthew 2:7–12
7Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star appeared. 8And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him.” 9After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. 10When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way. Focused Thinking: Why did Herod secretly call the magi and ask about the exact time the star appeared? Herod was...
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02
Matthew 2:1–6
1Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, 2“Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” 3When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet: 6‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, Are by no means least among the leaders of Judah; For out of you shall come forth a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’” Focused Thinking: What is the significance of Jesus being born in Bethlehem of Judea? Are there prophecies about Bethlehem? What do the cross references reveal? Micah 5:2 But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among...
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01
Matthew 1:22–25
22Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23“Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call his name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.” 24And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took Mary as his wife, 25but kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus. Focused Thinking: What other scriptures speak to specifics of this story? 22Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 23“Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call his name Immanuel,” which translated means, “God with us.” What are all the prophecies of Christ? I’ve copied a list of fulfilled prophecies at the end of this journal entry. I want to study all the prophecies of Christ and all the birth accounts through the gospels...
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