In today’s study we have two titles and they are; Verses 1-12 The visit of three wise men. Verses 13-23 The flight into Egypt. Matthew 2 and verse 1 reads.
Mat.2:1] Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
This only said wise men, it did not say that there were three. But that they came from the East does have meaning. First let’s go to 1 Kings 4 and verse 30 reads.
1K.4:30] And Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt.
[31] For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about.
Ethen the Ezrahite we find is H250, here we find he is a descendant of Chobab or Zerach, H2246 (Reuel) the father in law of Moses. All four listed above are children of Machol H4235 An Israelite. I went there to show you that not all from the East are of Eastern descent. After Persia defeated Babylon those that were in captivity spread out across many nations. Not all returned to Jerusalem. Matthew 2 and verse 2 reads.
Mat.2:2] Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
This also shows that these wise men from the east must have been Levitical Priests. Who else would have known about these prophecies. This prophecy is written in Numbers 24 and verse 17 reads.
Num.24:17] I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth.
Sceptre is King, we are speaking of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament, prophesied that the Messiah would come out of Jacob. This word Sheth should have been transliterated Tumult instead of being translated as the name Sheth. Back to Matthew 2 and verse 3 reads.
Mat.2:3] When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
[4] And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
Why was king Herod troubled? Was it because the wise men called him king? But we see here that king Herod called together the chief priests and scribes and asked them where is this prophecy written. First let’s see who’s side the priest and the scribes are on. Let’s go to Malachi 2 and verse 7 reads.
Mal.2:7] For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.
Speaking of the Christ.
Mal.2:8] But ye are departed out of the way; ye have caused many to stumble at the law; ye have corrupted the covenant of Levi, saith the LORD of hosts.
They have been corrupted, says the LORD, but they will answer the king and Matthew 2 and verse 5 reads.
Mat.2:5] And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
This prophet was Micah and we find the prophecy in 5 and verse 2 reads.
Mic.5:2] But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
Now let’s go back to Matthew and see just how the priest and scribes do when giving king Herod the prophecy.
Mat.2:6] And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
Notice they left off some of the prophecy, remember they have become corrupted. They left off that he was from Of Old, from Everlasting. They didn’t mention to king Herod that he was God with us, Emmanuel. Isa.7:14. Also, Bethlehem means; house of bread. Jesus is our Daily Bread, the Word of God.
Mat.2:7] Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
Remember in Numbers 24:17 the Star is in uppercase.
Mat.2:8] And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
King Herod lied to them, he would never worship the Christ, but intended to kill Jesus.
Mat.2:9] When they had 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.
[10] When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
The star was hidden from those in Jerusalem. But for God’s Elect he can open the eyes of his chosen, and close the eyes of others.
Mat.2:11] And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
Here is where some say there were three wise men because they gave three gifts. But let’s go where it is prophesied, Isaiah 60 and verse 6 reads.
Isa.60:6] The multitude of camels shall cover thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; all they from Sheba shall come: they shall bring gold and incense; and they shall shew forth the praises of the LORD.
One, it says multitude of camels, they brought much. Two, I want you to catch “of Midian and Ephah”. Let’s go to Genesis 25 and verse 4 reads.
Gen.25:4] And the sons of Midian; Ephah, and Epher, and Hanoch, and Abida, and Eldaah. All these were the children of Keturah.
Keturah was Abraham’s second wife after Sarah passed away. This is why we can say that Moses’s father in law was Adamic and why we can say that these wise men are Adamic, from the seed line of Adam. And about “From Sheba” did not God have Philip go into the Eunuch from Sheba’s chariot. I say all this to prove the wise men were Israelites. And Israelites were scattered among many nations. Back to Matthew 2 and verse 12 reads.
Mat.2:12] And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
The LORD protects his Elect.
Mat.2:13] And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
Another prophecy will be fulfilled here, let’s go to Hosea 11 and verse 1 reads.
Hos.11:1] When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.
Back to Matthew 2 and verse 14 reads.
Mat.2:14] When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:
[15] 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.
Hosea 11:1 being fulfilled.
Mat.2:16] 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.
This shows that Herod never intended to worship the Christ, but was going to kill the Christ. Proving he also was a Kenite, offspring of the first murderer, Cain. Satan has been trying to prevent the birth of Christ birth from the beginning. Let’s go to Revelation 12, here we have both the first earth age and the second earth age in verse 4 and it reads.
Rev.12:4] And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.
[5] And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.
What is written will happen exactly as it is written. Now, let’s see more prophecies that will come to pass, Matthew 2 and verse 17 reads.
Mat.2:17] Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,
[18] 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.
Written in Jeremiah 31 and verse 15 reads.
Jer.31:15] Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not.
But weep not sayeth the LORD for all that is written shall come to pass.
Jer.31:16] Thus saith the LORD; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the LORD; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy.
We find this in Genesis 35 and verse 17 reads.
Gen.35:17] And it came to pass, when she was in hard labour, that the midwife said unto her, Fear not; thou shalt have this son also.
[18] And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Ben-oni: but his father called him Benjamin.
[19] And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem.
Rachel was buried in Bethlehem giving birth to Benjamin the youngest of the twelve sons of Jacob. Bethlehem, house of bread for Jesus is the Bread of Life, would suffer many children to be murdered by Herod trying to stop the Word of God from coming to pass. Back to Matthew 2 and verse 19 reads.
Mat.2:19] But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,
[20] 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.
[21] And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.
[22] But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:
Directed by God again to go where the child would be safe.
Mat.2:23] 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.
Note here that it reads, spoken and not written. We find throughout the Old Testament the prophecies of the coming of our Christ. Jesus would say in Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. We see prophecies being fulfilled throughout the New Testament from the Old Testament. Great study today, let’s go to his throne.
Father, we thank you for your word and ask that you bless all that love you in Jesus’s precious name, Amen.
KJV along with The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of The Bible