King of The Jews-Matthew 2

 October 4, 2023- Morning Bible Reading and Meditation- Matthew 2KJV

For Mithcah Bible Baptist Church- Bahrain  Morning Devotional Bible Study

 

“1Now 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,

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.”

 

Words to ponder: King of The Jews

 

There are three significant prophecies of the things that must come to happen from this chapter:

 

1. The Godliness of The Gentiles: The Gentiles have come to Jerusalem to worship The King of the Jews; for these wise men travelled long distance riding only on their donkeys to bring their offering; signifying their adoration and wholehearted worship unto The King of the Jews.v.1,2

2. The Godlessness of the ruler of God’s own people. King Herod and his people didn’t know that the promise Savior and Ruler was born. They are not aware of it; they inquire about it, but instead of coming to worship with these wise men, he deceitfully sought to destroy the young King. V. 3,4,12,13

3. The Genuineness of God’s Son’s birth and purpose.v.2, 5,6,10,11

JESUS’ birth is supposed to be for the purpose of saving His people out from bondage; He is born so that the kingdom of GOD will be established in the earth; as this is what John the Baptist, preached, and The LORD JESUS plainly have spoken.

MATTHEW 3KJV 

1 those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,

2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

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

Matthew 6:33 “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Luke 17KJV

20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:

21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

Things we need to decode from this chapter: 

• Significant of The Gift 

a. Gold signifies power, riches and honor: intended offering for a King

b. Frankincense is customarily use for burning incense by the High Priest in their service and worship to GOD

c. Myrrh a perfume or balm use for burial

 

• The Purpose of the Gift:

a. To give honor to the born King of The Jews

b. To make known to Joseph that the birth of The Son of GOD is not only to save the Jews but alsofor the whole world; and that thy should come toknow

c. To provide the needs for Joseph, Marry and the young child JESUS their need while they are securing their refuge from the foreign land; GOD knows that the king of Israel will seek to destroy His Young Son.

 

Things to ponder from this chapter: 

➢ The Consistency of GOD’s plan. All the details are well taken care of by Him. And that whether it is a shame, sacrifices or sufferings, He already preparedways and means.

➢ The Clarity of GOD’S purpose. He sent His Only Begotten Son JESUS to be born in a lowly manger, to a humble and laboring man; to try the heart of the proud and give honor to the humble.

a. King Herod greed for power is pride.

b. The wise men’s diligence and humility to worship the young child Jesus with his mother, is being preach all over the world. We can presume that not only GOD’s guidance and protection goes along with them, but prosperity as well; as this is GOD’S promise to Abraham for all who will blessed his seeds. 

c. Joseph’s full submission and obedience to GOD’S direction. It is not easy for a man to be on the run fearing for his life because of the ministry GOD has entrusted to him in taking care of the mother and God’s dear Child JESUS.

Genesis 12 

“1Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:

2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:

3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.”

➢ The Completeness of GOD’s purpose; His provision and protection- GOD’s direction to Joseph v.19-23. We need not to worry obeying the rerouting of our lives; for in everything, and everywhere, He will surely sustain.

 

So when we are in the brink of confusion of why odd or untoward things are happening in our lives, let us think of Joseph, Mary and the wise men who simply obey the direction of The LORD and follow the guiding star to worship and bring their offerings. Not because we are waiting for some blessings, but because of the promise of GOD for all who believed, obey and take heed to His words. Consider also what happened to Herod and his children for becoming proud and greedy of power and praises of men. No need to care so much about the things of this world; for we are not a permanent residence of just one place. We must be wise to make our way of life lighter; just like what minimalist are doing. Lighter in accumulating baggage of life; having the proper mindset; that is,  we should always be ready to depart. 

So, when it is seemingly as if everything is slipping out of our hand, look up toward heaven; be known that the King of The Jews is seating there and watching. Waiting also for the right timing for the day of His return. 

 

Let us be always reminded of this verse.

Hebrews 12KJV

 “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

        2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

 

Good morning.

 

Matthew 2KJV

1Now 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,

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.

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.

5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,

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.

7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

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.

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.

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.

12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

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.

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.

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.

17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah 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.

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:

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.