Matthew 2:1-23
(2:1) Jesus is born in Bethlehem during the reign of a weakling king, Herod.
(2:1) Jesus is born in Bethlehem during the reign of a weakling king, Herod.
(2:2) These wise men are probably so named because they were wise enough to be vigilant for this tot's (Christ's) birth. Even now we should be vigilant of futuristic scripture to be fulfilled that we might be contributors to protecting or carrying out God's will.
(2:3) Herod and his cronies are terrified because their authority will be challenged by the arrival of this Divine One. Herod loves and craves power and feels threatened by the arrival of such an entity with the predicted ability to take away and overrule Herod's measly power.
(2:4) He wants to find out where this Child is and quickly. He naively believes that he can "nip in the bud" so to speak.
(2:5-6) They know where to look for Christ because scripture is always clear and honest. Notice the reference to Micah 5:2.
(2:7-8) Herod deceptively calls for the wise men and inquires the time in which they believe Christ was born. He behaves as though his question is innocent in nature, but he actually has plans to kill Christ. It would be difficult to get the help of the wise men if he were honest so he lies and pretends that he wants to worship Christ and requests that they bring the baby to him.
(2:9-11) The wise men set out with the intention of carrying out the command of the king but even upon simply arriving at the place where Christ the Child was, they are overwhelmed with joy and most likely have the king's request far from their mind. They immediately fall before the Child in worship and offer Him their greatest treasures - for surely whatever they give Him cannot possibly equate what He will give them. They are not protective of earthly wealth and jewels because this Child represents so much more than they are worth.
(2:12) God intercedes here again. Maybe the wise men had been duped by Herod, but God definitely was not. God is going to protect this Child's life with the help of faithful, honest people.
(2:13-15) God arranges the relocation of Christ to Egypt.
My conception of God is that he shares the beautify of His power with humanity. He allows us to have a major part in bringing forth His will. It truly is humbling and exciting that God entrusts us with being instruments in building His House. This is what He allows in Mary and Joseph. Surely God can do anything He wants, whenever and however but it is so much more special to Him if his children can be and have a part in His will. Our respect and work in His name, if true and unwavering, is the very definition of His ultimate plan. To love and to be loved truly, purely, faithfully, selfishly. We each are given opportunities to prove that we are sincere souls (and though many of our tasks are not as mighty as the task of Joseph protecting baby Jesus or Mary delivering Him into the world) our own tasks in life are tailored to our souls. We can find hope and redemption in the same way as Mary and Joseph did.
(2:16) Herod is an unstable, wicked man and ruler evidenced by his decision and command to have all babies in Bethlehem killed. He is so insecure of himself and so desperate for power (power which was only a delusion as God is the true power!) that he orders such a horrid thing to be done. How arrogant of him to think that he could supersede God's plan. Yes, he seems to have believed in God because if he truly did not, he would not have interpreted the birth of Christ to be a threat to his reign. Herod chose corrupt power to be his god and will therefore fail exceedingly against the true God.
(2:17-18) Scripture again predicted and fulfilled by the Old Testament. Indeed there was lamenting over all of the deaths of those children.
(2:19-23) Jesus continues to be moved by Joseph and Mary first from Bethlehem to Egypt and then to Nazareth. God instructs through a dream again to move the baby to the land of Israel but quickly redirects the family out of Israel as another threat to Christ the Child came into power. I personally think that God knew the land of Israel would not work out but instructed Joseph to go there to highlight that Israel is where Jesus was meant to eventually be (a study for another day). Nevertheless, the arrive in Nazareth.
