Matthew 2: 13 – 23
Bad Intel Causes Collateral Damage
13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you 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 for Egypt, 15 and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt I called My Son.” 16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying:18 “A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.” 19 Now when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the young Child’s life are dead.” 21 Then he arose, took the young Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea instead of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he turned aside into the region 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.”
It is interesting that the disciple Luke after his investigation into the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ only gives one verse in reference to all that we read from Matthew. I think though that the one verse Luke gives is dynamite. Why? Because it explodes everything that we have been taught about our Lord Jesus’ birth. I think you will be amazed at what you are about to see and hear.
The way you were taught the Christmas very interestingly probably wasn’t biblical accurate.
If you are like me you were taught that Mary and Joseph were in Bethlehem when the wise men came. They were led by an amazing astronomical traveling star that led them to the manger where the baby Jesus was. If you went to Sunday School class you might have even been taught how all the babies in Bethlehem were killed. Well you in store for some different teaching from God’s Word.
Chronologically, let us read about this. First let us see what Luke reports in chapter 2 of his Gospel, “2 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. 6 So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
Now where did Joseph and Mary live before the birth of Jesus? The answer is Nazareth. They had to go to Bethlehem because of the order of the Roman Emperor. This is the town where Jesus was born. But he and his family did not stay in Bethlehem for very long. Because we read this also as we continue Luke’s investigation, “22 Now when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord 23 (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the LORD”), 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”
After Mary was strong enough ato travel they took the baby Jesus to Jerusalem to the Temple to have him circumcised. This ceremony had to be done before the 8th day after the birth. At the Temple we read about this situation happening.
“25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27 So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, 28 he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: 29 “Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; 30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation 31 Which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, 32 A light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.” 33 And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. 34 Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against 35 (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.” 36 Now there was one, Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; 37 and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years, who did not depart from the temple, but served God with fastings and prayers night and day. 38 And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
There were two elderly Godly saints who had been encouraged by our Precious Holy Spirit to hang around Jerusalem for they would get to see with their own eyes The Son of God – The Messiah.
Now we come to the amazing verse from Luke chapter 2 verse 39 which says, “Luke 2: 39, “39 So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth.”
Now where did they go to? Joseph took Mary and the baby Jesus back to Nazareth to live in their house.
So, let us pick up the story again in Matthew’s version.
We learn from our last study from Matthew this, “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 have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, 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 inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: 6 ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’” 7 Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.” 9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen 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 exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had 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 gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.’
We need to remember that chapters and verses were not added to the bible until around 1200 to make it easier to find the various Scripture passages. I am thankful for them doing that but if you look again at Matthew instead of a coma, I suggest that it should have been a period which would just say, ““Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king.
Now I strongly believe that there is a gap of about two years before the wise men show up in Israel. Now before you think I am preaching heresy, take a look at the hint our Precious Holy Spirit gives us – “16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men.” Do you catch the clue? Why did Herod order all children two and under to be put to death? Well, look again at the verse -16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men. By the information the Wise Men relayed to Herod and his cronies they calculated that would be the time frame. Yes, we do not know for sure but it is reasonable to at least say that it was over a year since our Lord was brought as a baby to the Temple in Jerusalem.
Now back to the story, “behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”
As I pointed out in our last study, I believe that the ‘star’ was an angel. For in the bible we read in the book of Daniel chapter 8, “And it grew up to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and some of the stars to the ground, and trampled them.”
How about what it says in the book of Revelation chapter 1 verse 20, “The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches.
The wise men showed up with a small army of soldiers to protect them in their travels along with servants. As part of respect they went to first see the head guy, Herod, to let him know why they had come to Israel.
“3 When Herod the king heard this, 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 inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: 6 ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.’” 7 Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.”
In the military old intel is bad intel. Oh, ‘Intel’ stands for intelligence. Remember, Joseph and family are long gone from Bethlehem. Please notice the evil schemes Herod is trying to put together. He meets secretly with the Wise Men. He wants to find out who, what, where, and when. But in his evil plans he lacks total wisdom and understanding. He never thought that the baby and His family are no longer in Bethlehem. Herod is going to think that he is so wise in his scheming that by killing the baby boys in the surrounding towns he will definitely kill the right baby.
“9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen 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 exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had 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 gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.’
Now, we take for granted that the wise men came out from meeting with Herod and the star led them to Bethlehem. Take a look again at what it says. Please notice the Scripture does not say Bethlehem. The star leads them where? – To Nazareth where the family is staying in their house. - ‘9 When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen 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 exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they had 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 gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way.’
If the Lord decides, the Lord provides. With all this going down our Precious Holy Spirit makes available the funds Joseph will need to live in Egypt with Mary and the baby.
13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you 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 for Egypt, 15 and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt I called My Son.” 16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying:18 “A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”
You can just picture Herod’s army on horseback riding to not only Bethlehem and ‘all its districts’. Can you now see the significance of the family living in Nazareth. When the angel told Joseph to flee, it wasn’t as if he could start up the car or catch a train. They had to walk. If Joseph and Mary were living in Bethlehem, they would have been spotted by Herod’s men or someone who would tell on them. If would be possible that Herod could have found out later that the Wise Men in fact did not go to Bethlehem but to Nazareth so maybe all the babies would be slaughter by Herod just to make sure he got the right baby. This is why the angel instructed Joseph to take the family to Egypt.
19 Now when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the young Child’s life are dead.” 21 Then he arose, took the young Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea instead of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he turned aside into the region 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.”
In all these actions please notice how every move, the slaughter of the babies around Bethlehem; The calling of God’s Son out of Egypt; The Messiah would be called a Nazarene, all fulfilled prophecies.
