Matthew (Written)

Gold tree.

Monday, 12 August 2024

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. Matthew 2:11

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“And having come into the house, they found the Child with Mary His mother. And having fallen, they worshipped Him. And having opened their treasures, they offered Him gifts: gold, and frankincense, and myrrh” (CG).

The previous verse noted that when the magicians saw the star that stood over where the Child was, they rejoiced greatly. Now, Matthew records, “And having come into the house.”

Being certain that this is where the Child was, they entered. The star, whatever it actually was, indisputably identified this abode. Once inside, it next says, “they found the Child.”

As with previous verses, it is understood that they were looking for a child, not an adult. Depending on where they got their information, they deduced that the sign indicated His coming. Moreover, depending on what Hebrew texts were available to them, they could have a general idea of the time of the Messiah’s coming. That is laid out in Daniel 9.

There was a prophetic timeline given that revealed a certain number of years must pass before the Messiah would come. That timeframe had come to its fullness, and so it was logical that the sign was telling them about the Messiah’s advent.

As for the word “found,” some texts read “saw.” The KJV et al. divert from their source text and say “saw.” There is no need for this. The word is used both literally and figuratively. The sense is no different than Matthew 26:40 where Jesus “found” the men sleeping while on watch. Likewise, these men who had been searching for the Messiah have found Him. Along with the Child, He was “with Mary His mother.”

It is a tender scene carefully included by Matthew. The Messiah of the world was being tended to by His mother. As for ability, He was in a completely subordinate position to His mother. And yet, it next notes, “And having fallen, they worshipped Him.”

Despite Jesus’ reliance on His mother, it is to Him, not to her, that worship is given. He was sent to fulfill a role prophesied in the Hebrew writings. Through the star, these men were assured this was the Messiah, and so as an act of worship of God, they bowed before His Messiah, thus acknowledging God’s hand in the entire affair. With that completed before God, Matthew next records, “And having opened their treasures.”

The Greek word, first used here, is thésauros. It signifies stored up treasure, “including (treasured) thoughts stored up in the heart and mind” HELPS Word Studies. It is the etymological root of our word thesaurus which is a modern storage of treasured synonyms. In opening their treasure, “they offered Him gifts.”

The Greek word is dóron. It signifies a gift, but it is one which is voluntarily given. The focus is on the gift’s free nature. It is used in Ephesians 2:8 when describing the process of salvation which is by grace through faith. The gifts presented by the magicians are “gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.” Their significance is:

1. The Greek is chrusos, being derived from a word signifying to make use of or take advantage of. In other words, it implies profound purchasing power. Gold is considered the finest of the biblical metals. It signifies deity. This is seen in the construction of the Ark of the Covenant. The acacia (shittah) wood pictured Christ’s incorruptible humanity. That was covered in gold, reflecting His deity. It also signifies royalty, something appropriate for the King of the Jews.

2. The Greek is libanos. That is derived from the Hebrew livonah. That, in turn, is derived from lavan, white. One can think of the white smoke of its incense. However, the word lavan is derived from the verb lavan, to be white, a word that is then associated with the Hebrew levenah, a brick, because bricks turn white when fired.

A study of the word in the Old Testament consistently brings one back to the idea of works, meaning human effort. Thus, this is a picture of the works of the Messiah to redeem man from his own futile works that can never satisfy God.

3. The Greek is smurna. One can see the basis for the name of the location Smyrna. It is derived from the Hebrew word for myrrh, mor. That, in turn, comes from marar, bitter. Looking at the uses of myrrh in the Old Testament, the prominent idea is that it symbolizes love, but more especially, love in intimate union, but not necessarily sexual in nature.

The gift expresses the understanding of God’s love for the people of the world which is conveyed in the sending of the Messiah to lead them back to Himself. However, there is also a sense of bitterness in the process. Christ would come and suffer through His earthly existence in order to accomplish God’s purposes.

Life application: The presenting of these gifts, whatever the intent was on behalf of the magicians, is carefully recorded by Matthew, indicating that the Holy Spirit wanted us to research the meaning of them from a biblical perspective. Once such a study is accomplished, we can now see what God wanted us to know.

This is true with every such thing in Scripture. God places real, tangible things into His word that then carry deeper spiritual truths with them. They, in turn, will typologically anticipate other things that will be fulfilled by Christ Jesus, or that will apply to His work on behalf of His people.

The wisdom of God is continually revealed in this manner. He is giving us a map of how to be right with Him and the timing in which things will occur. Likewise, He is giving us a blueprint of how things are structured and ordered within the pages of Scripture.

Reading and contemplating the word of God is how to understand these things. Continue to read and study. And when you come to a commentary, don’t just accept it at face value. Instead, compare what is being said with the rest of Scripture. Too often, unfounded or erroneous conclusions are presented. This can only distract us from what God intends for us to see.

So be diligent and careful as you contemplate God’s precious word.

Lord God Almighty, what an exciting adventure it is to read and consider every detail of Your magnificent word. It is a wonderful testament to Your workings in and through human history, bringing us back to Yourself through the giving of Jesus Christ. Thank You, O God, for Jesus! Amen.

Oleanders.

Sunday, 11 August 2024

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. Matthew 2:10

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“And having seen the star, they rejoiced – joy exceedingly great” (CG).

In the previous verse, it noted that the star the magicians had seen in the east went before them until it came and stood over where the Child was. Now, it says, “And having seen the star.”

As previously noted, the description by Matthew does not leave the possibility of the star actually being in the heavens as we would consider of an actual star. There would be no common reference for it to just stop and remain over a single spot if that were the case.

However, this star guided them and then stopped at a particular spot in a way that they were able to know, with all certainty, it was the location where Jesus was. Because of this, it next says, “they rejoiced.”

The words are short and simple and provide a strong emphasis that follows. Despite this, translations fail to reflect the Greek. Most insert the word “with.” Rather, Matthew offsets the thought and describes the joy itself with an adverb and an adjective. It was “joy exceedingly great.”

The emphatic nature of the words gives the sense of a relief and happiness on their part that is at the very edge of our ability to convey to others. Their minds would have been reeling, their hearts would have been pumping, and their knees would have been trembling at the thought of coming before One who had been prophesied hundreds and hundreds of years earlier.

Their state of awe would have been almost overwhelming as they anticipated the moment when their eyes would behold the King of the Jews.

Life application: Although it is impossible to hold onto an emotional high for even a short amount of time, we can – at any time – contemplate our own moment when we will behold Jesus. And we can do it with the assurance that it will come to pass.

The word promises that at some unknown moment, Jesus Christ is going to return and take His people to Himself. It will be so sudden that there will not be time to even realize it is happening. Paul describes the moment as the blink of an eye, something that occurs in 100–150 milliseconds, or 0.1–0.4 seconds. We will be doing our thing here, and then we will be gone.

Until that day, however, we can (and should!) remind ourselves that this will come about. As we rise, we can remember that Jesus is coming. When we get frustrated while in traffic, we can remind ourselves that it is nothing.

When we stand at the bedside of a dying loved one or at the graveside of one who has passed, we can remember the sure and unchanging promise of God that Jesus is coming again to deliver us from this state of existence we now must endure.

God’s word is written, and it will come to pass. We can, at any moment of our life, and even when things seem completely out of control, remind ourselves that Jesus has something better in store for His people. In our hearts we can then rejoice – joy exceedingly great, even while the other emotions pour out and trouble us.

“Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God;
For I shall yet praise Him,
The help of my countenance and my God.” Psalm 42:11

Lord God, even through the most difficult ordeals, through the most trying of experiences, and through the saddest of moments, we can still retain in our heart a joy that cannot be extinguished when we remember and consider Your promise to us. Jesus is coming again, and He will bring us to our new and forever home. May that day be soon. Thank You for this sure promise, O God. Amen.

Confederate Jasmine.

Saturday, 10 August 2024

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. Matthew 2:9

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“And they, having heard the king, departed. And behold! The star that they saw in the sunrising, preceded them, until, having arrived, it stood above where the Child was” (CG).

In the previous verse, Herod told the magicians to bring back word concerning the Child so that he, too, could come and worship Him. Now, the narrative continues with, “And they, having heard the king, departed.”

There is no indication at this point that they suspected ill motives of the king. He had told them where to go, allowing them to travel within his domain. His having secretly called them to ask them to search carefully for the Child would make sense because Herod was the king.

Honoring the newborn would necessitate knowing all the details in advance. It would make no sense for Herod to go to Bethlehem with a royal entourage and not know exactly where he was going. Thus, the words he told them would not be at all suspect.

As noted, it is just a short distance from Jerusalem to Bethlehem. Despite this, they would not be familiar with the way. However, Matthew next records, “And behold! The star that they saw in the sunrising, preceded them.”

The “sunrising” means in their land to the east. They had seen the star and gone to Israel, knowing it was a sign of the coming of the Messiah. The word star generally refers to the heavenly objects that we call stars today. However, it is used figuratively elsewhere to speak of leaders. It is also used of an object that falls from heaven to earth in Revelation 8:10.

Thus, a literal interpretation of this being a star as we consider them today is not necessary. And, indeed, it hardly seems that this could be the case with the star the magicians were being led by. To be able to perceive a difference in the angle of a real star or a heavenly alignment between Jerusalem and Bethlehem would not be possible. And more, the next words seem to eliminate such a thought. Matthew next says, “until, having arrived, it stood above where the Child was.”

Matthew’s description of this star indicates that it moved as the travelers moved, and it stopped at a certain point. This type of perceived movement will happen with a heavenly body, such as the moon, but only when the point one is going to is known in advance. From our perspective, it can appear the moon is moving with us until we reach home, and then it stops above our house.

However, if the object is actually moving, guiding, and stopping at a previously unknown location, then it means the object itself is not something in the heavens as we would think of it. Rather, it is something much closer.

Today, we can guide lost people with a drone or a helicopter. The object itself moves, guides, and stops. But to use an actual object in the heavens, like a star or the moon, would mean there would never be a logical stopping point.

The main point of this is to tell us that the men were truly being guided by an object called a star, this star was guiding with purpose, and it stopped with precision. Further, this cannot be referring to the Child as the star, even if He is the Star prophesied in Numbers 24.

Life application: Because of how Matthew describes the star, it seems to defy logic in our normal understanding of things. This star cannot be something like a conjunction of planets. Such a reference, as noted above, is impossible to do what Matthew describes.

Likewise, the darkness over the earth at Jesus’ crucifixion cannot be an eclipse, something impossible at that time of the month. Rather, some other phenomena occurred that caused an extended period (three hours) of darkness.

Some things in Scripture are hard to reconcile in our minds, like a donkey speaking. However, Peter confirms that the event actually occurred (2 Peter 1:16). In the case of the donkey, and apparently in the case of the star that guided the magicians, we need to accept the narrative as it is written, even if we do not have all the answers to logically explain the events.

But this is what pleases God. He has given us His word, and He expects us to accept it as true. From there, we can then work to reconcile what it says. For example, God’s word does not allow for evolution. However, we have been conditioned to believe that is the right explanation for how things have developed.

In coming to God through His word, we are directed to accept that Creation is true and then work to discover how what we see is reconcilable with the creation model. People of faith have done just that, finding evidence of a real flood that covered the entire world. Let us be willing to accept Scripture as it is written and then work to see if we can discover how our worldview can then align with it.

In the end, we will someday be glorified. At that time, the things that are still unanswered will be explained. Until then, be people of faith. In this, God will be pleased with us.

Lord God, thank You for Your wonderful word that is filled with treasures to last us a lifetime, even after it has been searched out by innumerable people before us. It continuously provides us with more wonder and revelation as the years pass. May we accept it as Your word, and then search it out trusting that it is so. Amen.

Wax plant.

Friday, 9 August 2024

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.” Matthew 2:8

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen).

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“And having sent them to Bethlehem, he said, ‘Having gone, exactingly inquire about the Child. And when you should find, report to me so I also, having come, may worship Him’” (CG).

Herod had just secretly called the wise men to determine from them what time the star had appeared. With that knowledge obtained, it next says, “And having sent them to Bethlehem.”

Without knowing the layout of the land, one has no idea what this means. Are they going on an extended journey? Will they travel a day or five days? Actually, Bethlehem is about 5 miles from Jerusalem. At the time, by using the donkey express, they would be there in a few hours. Once there, Matthew next records, “he said, ‘Having gone, exactingly inquire about the Child.’”

They have full approval to travel within the land for this purpose. Being so close to Jerusalem, it should not be long before their goal is attained. However, just in case locating Him is purposefully difficult, once in the area of Bethlehem, Herod asks them to make a thorough investigation concerning things.

The word used is exetazó. According to HELPS Word Studies, it is derived from “ek, ‘completely out of’ intensifying etazō, ‘examine’) – properly, inquire (examine) thoroughly; ‘to examine closely, inquire carefully (of).’”

A single word that carries such intent would be “exactingly.” Herod wanted every stone unturned to ensure he had all of the information possible concerning this Child who was born King of the Jews. Armed with the information, Herod then says to them, “And when you should find, report to me.”

Asking for such specific details might arouse the suspicion of the visiting magicians that Herod actually had unseemly designs against the Child. However, to make sure nothing untoward was suspected, he continues by saying, “so I also, having come, may worship Him.”

The words would allay the worries of even the most skeptical of men. Unless they knew the character of Herod in advance, there would be little reason to suspect anything after promises of worship were introduced. It appears this ploy worked because it will not be until verse 12 that the hope of his idea is ended.

Life application: It is human nature to trust authority figures. Half of a nation may put their trust in a person who has spent a lifetime lying openly, ingratiating himself at every opportunity, and constantly changing his stand on moral issues without any compunction at all. And yet, when voting time comes around, because they can benefit from such a despicable person, he is once again elected to office, eventually working his way to the top.

People often associate intelligence with those who are extremely wealthy, deciding that they must be smart because they have amassed such great gain. Because of this, they will trust them with their investments.

Others will trust people they are familiar with from a distance, such as those who go to church once a week and see the pastor saying things that edify and build them up. They may know nothing else about the guy, but because what he says in their presence is appealing, they assume he is a morally upright figure.

That has multiplied in today’s world where people see others on TV or the internet and become familiar with their persona. They begin to trust them simply because what they see in short preset appearances gives the impression of a sound, reasonable person.

The magicians from the east were apparently duped in this manner. They saw a man who seemed reasonable, he was the main civil authority in the land, assigned under the authority of the Roman empire, and his words were carefully structured to be convincing concerning his desire to worship Jesus. And yet, his designs for the information he would obtain were hardly for such a purpose.

Each of us needs to be circumspect in how we perceive others. Until we are closely and intimately familiar with those we encounter, we should not be giving them the benefit of the doubt. Seeing a televangelist each Sunday morning, watching him act piously and authoritatively concerning Christianity, and then sending him gobs of money is not sound.

Get to know who you are dealing with. Your time, efforts, and money are a product of who you are, and how you spend them reflects your priorities. So be wise and discerning in what you do and who you trust. Watch out for the Herod’s of this world who may appear to have all the right checkmarks but who are devils inside, filled with evil intent.

Lord God, guide us so that we do not get duped by others. Give us wisdom and discernment to handle our resources properly. May we be willing to test the waters before diving in and finding out that the pool is tainted. We want to be pleasing to You, and so may our lives and efforts be directed to what is honoring You. Help us in this, O God. Amen.

Bromeliad.

Thursday, 8 August 2024

Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. Matthew 2:7

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“Then Herod, having called the magicians secretly, exacted of them the time of the appearing star” (CG).

In the previous verse, those before Herod cited the words of Micah concerning the birthplace and ruling status of the Messiah. Now, with that information, it next says, “Then Herod, having called the magicians secretly.”

The word is lathra. It is an adverb signifying secretly or privately. It is the same word used in Matthew 1:19 when Joseph thought to put away Mary once he found that she was pregnant. Herod pulled the magicians aside to discern something from them that he wanted to keep from the religious leaders. Having called them secretly, he “exacted of them.”

The word translated as “exacted” is akriboo. It is found only here and in Matthew 2:16. It signifies to learn carefully or inquire with exactness. He was careful to ascertain a particular bit of information that he did not want to become public, which was “the time of the appearing star.”

The verb is a present participle. The star was there. In other words, this wasn’t a star that only appeared in the past, as some translations could be interpreted. It was a star that had appeared and remained in appearance. This will be evident in verse 9. As such, this would dispel several of the “Bethlehem star” theories, which point to an astrological event that took place and then was over.

This lasted long enough for the magicians to see the star, prepare for the journey, travel, seek out the king, and so forth. It appears to be an extended event that took place.

Life application: Ultimately, the Star of Bethlehem is Jesus. That was seen in a previous commentary which cited Numbers 24 –

“I see Him, but not now;
I behold Him, but not near;
A Star shall come out of Jacob;
A Scepter shall rise out of Israel,
And batter the brow of Moab,
And destroy all the sons of tumult.” Numbers 24:17

However, there is also something that directs the magicians to know where to go. This will be seen in verses 9 and 10. Despite this, the magicians needed to ascertain from the chief religious authorities in Jerusalem where the Messiah would be born. If the star guided them all the way, this step would not have been necessary.

Further, as noted above, the star had appeared and continued to appear as indicated in the present participle. Thus, this was not a single, short-term, astronomical event that happened. In the Bible, stars have various connotations, both literal and figurative. Stars can refer to literal stars, people (even bad people, such as in Jude 1:13), messengers (whether human or angelic), and so forth.

The star noted in Matthew is not defined, but it is separate from Jesus. This will become evident in the verses ahead. Suffice it to say that the coming of Jesus was prophesied. The magicians perceived His coming (whether literally or through sacred writings) from their home in the East. Also, the magicians had then traveled to pay homage to the Messiah.

From there, they had to ask where He was to be born. The enigmatic nature of the star calls out for us to know that God is in control of the process, and He alerted these magicians to confirm the words of Scripture and to bring about other events which were necessary to fulfill typology concerning the Messiah and His work.

Therefore, getting overly bogged down in past celestial events that may or may not point to the coming of the Messiah is not something necessary. Matthew has compiled an account of what occurred, it is detailed enough to ensure that we are aware of the coming of the Messiah and that we have our eggs in the right basket.

Beyond that, becoming argumentative over things that are uncertain is unprofitable and divisive. Let us instead focus on what God has done in Christ and rejoice that it leads to our salvation when we put our faith in Him.

O God, we stand in awe of You and what You have done. Your word tells us of the coming of Jesus and of the marvelous work He has accomplished for us. Help us to always consider Him in our daily walk. We are free from condemnation because of our Lord. Praise to You, O God, for Jesus Christ! Amen.