Matthew (Written)

Plumeria.

Wednesday, 14 August 2024

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.” Matthew 2:13

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“And they having withdrawn, behold, a messenger of the Lord – he appears in a dream of Joseph, saying, ‘Having arisen, take the Child and His mother, and flee to Egypt. And you are there until if I should tell you. For Herod is about to seek the Child to destroy Him’” (CG).

In the previous verse, the magicians had been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod. Therefore, they returned home by another route. Now, Matthew continues with, “And they having withdrawn.”

With the departure of the magicians behind them, another dream will now be recorded. As such these dreams did not occur on the same night. Whether this is during an afternoon nap, the next night, or some period of time later isn’t stated. But the time would not be too long. Herod would have deduced rather quickly that the magicians intentionally did not come back. However long it was, the narrative next says, “behold, a messenger of the Lord.”

It is the same three Greek words as in Matthew 1:20 when Joseph was informed concerning the state of Mary and that he should not be afraid to take her as his wife. As before, “he appears in a dream of Joseph.”

The words are most literally translated as, “he appears in dream the Joseph.” The article is unnecessary in the English and the brevity of the Greek necessitates some minor insertions to make sense. The intent is that Joseph had a dream in which he is again being given divine instruction.

When this happened before, the subject was Mary, but the main focus of the words concerned the Child. The same is true concerning the main focus this time as well. Thus, the messenger was “saying, ‘Having arisen, take the Child and His mother.’”

The priority is the Child who is placed first in the divine instruction. He along with Mary are to be taken by Joseph “and flee to Egypt.” The fact that this instruction comes only after the magicians had left shows us that this was not done by their advice, nor did they have any idea about this plan of God to secret Jesus away to Egypt.

Instead, their part in the unfolding drama was completed, and then the next step began. As for the distance they would have to travel, it all depends on where in Egypt they traveled to. There is nothing in Scripture to indicate where they went. Thus, to assume it was Alexandria, where there was a large Jewish settlement, is just speculation. Albert Barnes, however, gives a reasonable commentary on this journey –

“Egypt is situated to the southwest of Judea, and is distant from Bethlehem perhaps about 60 miles. It was at this time a Roman province. There were many Jews there, who had a temple and synagogues, … and Joseph, therefore, would be among his own countrymen, and yet beyond the reach of Herod. The jurisdiction of Herod extended only to the River Sihon, or ‘river of Egypt,’ and, of course, beyond that Joseph was safe from his designs. … It is remarkable that this is the only time in which our Saviour was out of Palestine, and that this was in the land where the children of Israel had suffered so much and so long under the oppression of the Egyptian kings. The very land which was the land of bondage and groaning for the Jews, became now the land of refuge and safety for the new-born King of Judea. God can overturn nations and kingdoms, so that those whom he loves shall be safe anywhere.”

Barnes’ note about this being the only time that Jesus was outside of “Palestine” is incorrect. He also visited the regions of Tyre and Sidon and the Decapolis. However, his thoughts about the ironic safety provided by Egypt are well stated. As for their time in Egypt, the messenger’s words continue, saying, “And you are there until if I should tell you.”

They were to remain until they again received divine instruction. As for the word translated as “if,” it is left out of most translations, and it does not mean that it might never happen. Rather, it is a disjunctive particle “denoting supposition, wish, possibility or uncertainty” (Strong’s).

There was no uncertainty on the part of God, however. Instead, it is a condition placed upon Joseph, whose uncertainty would remain until the time of God’s choosing. Understanding this, the messenger next explains why this trip was necessary, saying, “For Herod is about to seek the Child to destroy Him.’”

Herod, though an Idumean by ancestry, was a Jew. Thus, the irony of a complete contrast to the narrative so far shines through. It is the Gentiles who welcomed the Messiah of Israel, while the leadership of the Jewish people rejected Him. This pattern will continue throughout the biblical narrative, and it continues to this day. It is the very reason that Jesus spoke these words to Israel’s leaders later in Matthew –

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! ³⁸ See! Your house is left to you desolate; ³⁹ for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’” Matthew 23:37-39

Jerusalem represents the seat of power in Israel. Thus, it extends to mean the leaders themselves. Jesus told the nation by speaking to Jerusalem (meaning its leaders) that He will not return until they, as the leaders of the people, acknowledge Him as Yehovah incarnate, as implied in citing the psalm which speaks of Yehovah.

While Israel has gone after two millennia of chasing falsity, the Gentile world has openly embraced Israel’s true Messiah. However, despite being a bit slow on the uptake, Israel today is beginning to embrace their long-rejected King.

Life application: The wisdom of God is seen time and again in the minute details found in Scripture. Egypt was the crucible from which Israel was brought in order to mold them as a people in the desert of Sinai. And yet, it took a return to Egypt by Israel’s Messiah to explain to us other truths concerning redemptive history.

It cannot be truthfully said, even if it is at times claimed, that Jesus was only taken to Egypt because of Herod, but if there was other leadership, they would have accepted their Messiah. This is borne out in the rest of the gospel accounts and Acts. At every turn, the leadership of Israel saw Jesus as a threat, and they continuously rejected Him, meaning they rejected the wisdom of God that had already been prophesied in the word they were the stewards of.

That word continues to reveal Jesus today, and the people of the world, like the people of Israel, continue to reject what it proclaims. It is true that the Gentile world openly embraced Jesus, but the scale of converts, in comparison to the total population, is not overwhelming.

People seem to want anything other than what God offers. And an actual understanding of what the word grace means is almost completely lacking, even in the church. And yet, it is a key point of a right relationship with God. It is not by our efforts that we are saved, and it is not by our efforts that we continue to be saved. God has done the work. We believe and are saved.

But what God has done is then fully sufficient to carry us all the way through to the end. Let us not diminish the significance of the cross. It is all that is needed for our return to glory as God’s people.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the cross of Jesus Christ our Lord. We know that through what He has done, we have complete and eternal restoration with You. May we never presume that it is we who must work to save ourselves or continue to retain our salvation. It is Your gift, and it is all-sufficient. Hallelujah and Amen.

Hibiscus.

Tuesday, 13 August 2024

Then, being divinely warned in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed for their own country another way. Matthew 2:12

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 been admonished in a dream not to return to Herod, through another way, they withdrew into their country” (CG).

The previous verse noted that the magicians had appeared before the Child, worshipped Him, and presented gifts to Him. With that done, they apparently spent the night in the same area. Their charge from Herod in verse 8 was that they were to learn the location of the Child and then return to him with that information. However, Matthew next records, “And having been admonished in a dream.”

Without being certain, it appears to be the same night they appeared before Jesus. After they did, they eventually slept. While sleeping, they were given an admonishment, obviously from God, “not to return to Herod.”

Unlike some other dreams recorded in Scripture, nothing of what was said is conveyed. It thus smacks of a true narrative. They probably arose, returned to the location where Joseph, Mary, and Jesus were, and told them they had been admonished not to return to Herod. That was sufficient for Mary to remember and later tell Matthew this basic information. Due to the divine word, it next records, “through another way, they withdrew into their country.”

As we don’t know what country they came from originally, it is hard to know which way they would now return. They may have even traveled the same route that brought them to Israel in the first place, but they had gone out of their way to visit Jerusalem. Thus, the words “another way” would simply mean “not through Jerusalem.” Whatever the case, Herod was denied the information he desired.

As a useful point for considering commentaries on this verse, various scholars say that the verb translated as “admonished” means to give a response to one who asks. Following the uses of the verb in the New Testament demonstrates that this is not necessarily correct. It may be the case, but it is not the usual meaning. Further, because the verb is passive, it is then claimed that this admonishment is the answer to consultation.

In other words, it is claimed that these men sought God’s counsel, and He then responded to them. There is nothing to suggest this. The Greek middle/passive form simply reveals the subject (in this case, the magicians) as receiving or benefiting from the verb that is being expressed.

They went to bed, fell asleep, and in a dream, they were divinely admonished to not return to Herod. There is no need to go beyond this.

Life application:  Many people claim to have divinely inspired dreams or visions. This is not unique to Christianity either. One can go to YouTube and see hundreds and hundreds of such claims lined up for the gullible viewer to waste his time over.

A recent one claimed that a person had a vision of a particular political figure being shot and the bullet just missing his ear, but the noise from the bullet blew out his eardrum. A few months later, the political figure was shot in the ear and his eardrum did not blow out. Despite the obvious inaccuracies (along with others in the video), the person has been proclaimed a prophet.

However, the old saying, “Close only counts in hand grenades and horseshoes,” certainly applies here. The prophecy is inaccurate. God does not provide inaccurate anything. Hence, this person has made a false prophecy. He should be disregarded and rebuked openly for claiming something that was false, not coddled to, and put on a pedestal.

Be wise and discerning. There is no reason for God to speak to us apart from His word today. The believer is told that he lives by faith and not by sight. To have visions and dreams from God would negate this. What we need to do is to read the Bible, contemplate what we have read, and ignore people who make fanciful claims that place the attention on them and not on the Lord.

Lord God, what do we need in our walk with You today? We need to know Your word! That is what You have left for us to know You, to see what You have been doing and are doing, and to see what lies ahead for Your people. Help us to stay focused on Your word and not to be distracted from that noteworthy task. To Your glory, we pray. Amen.

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.