A Sudden Trip to Egypt

Posted on August 6, 2024 by Don Merritt

Matthew 2:13-23

When we left off, the Magi, because of a message from God in a dream, left the house where the infant Messiah was staying in Bethlehem and returned home without going back to tell Herod where the child could be found. It would seem that almost immediately after they departed, Joseph had another word from an angel in a dream telling him to flee from Bethlehem with his family and go directly to Egypt, because of the plot of Herod to kill the baby.

Joseph obeyed without hesitation.

Matthew doesn’t give us any more detail than that. I too have traveled from Bethlehem to Egypt; I took a bus. What method of travel did Joseph employ – a bus, a train… or maybe a donkey or a camel or on foot? Where did they end up in Egypt? I went straight to Cairo; Egypt is a pretty big place, but we have no information from Matthew…

What we should remember is that Matthew is not writing a travel story, he’s showing us who the baby was, for He was a rather special little Person. Egypt had long been a place for political refugees in Israel to go to when in danger (cf. 1 Kings 11:40; 2 Kings 25:26; Jer. 41:16-18; 26:21; 43:1-7). We begin to see what Matthew is up to in verse 15, for rather than tell us any details of their flight; he tells us that this fulfills the words of Hosea:  “Out of Egypt I called my son.” (Hos. 11:1).

Next, in verse 16, we find out how terrible a plot Herod had in mind; he would have all boys 2 and under murdered… in fulfillment of yet another prophecy, this time it’s Jer. 31:15:

“A voice is heard in Ramah,
    weeping and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children
    and refusing to be comforted,
    because they are no more.” (v. 18)

Do you see what Matthew is doing here? He really isn’t giving us a historical narrative of the life of a very young Christ at this point; he is pointing out who He is.

In the remaining verses, verses 19-23, we discover that upon the death of Herod, Joseph has yet another angelic visit in a dream in which he is given the “all clear” to return home, and once again, Joseph complies promptly, ending up in the dusty town of Nazareth of Galilee. Joseph seems to have gone there to avoid the new king who happens to have been Herod’s son, a little tidbit he seems to have acquired in yet another dream. Nazareth must have seemed perfect to Joseph, being very remote and off the beaten path as it was (and still is), but it just happens to fulfill more prophecy, although Matthew cites none in particular, preferring to use the plural; “prophets”.

In fact, the word “Nazarene” is not found in the Old Testament, and this gives scholars a bit of a research problem. As you might guess, there are many theories resulting from this issue, ranging from the suggestion that Matthew’s work is unreliable to some others that are rather fantastic. Personally, after studying and reflecting on many of the ideas out there, I think the solution is something along these lines:

Matthew is playing on words, for there is an interesting similarity between the Hebrew word for “branch” and the Greek for “Nazarene”. There is a phonetic word play there… and if this is what Matthew was thinking, then the Hebrew word in question tsemach צֶמַח  is found in some interesting places (cf. Is. 4:2; 11:1; Jer. 23:5; 33:15; Zech. 3:8; 6:15) in which strong emphasis is placed upon Jesus’ Davidic roots in a clear messianic context. However you might interpret this, Matthew in both the first and second chapters has been very keen to demonstrate the identity of Jesus as the son of David and His inherent characteristic as Son of God.

Next time, we’ll begin chapter 3, and as you will see, Matthew skips over about 30 years and resumes with the story of John the Baptist: Does anyone expect to see a prophecy f or two being fulfilled in that story?

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Truth

Posted on August 6, 2024 by Don Merritt

Does the truth really count for anything anymore? Does anybody really care, or is the truth just whatever it seems like to me?

Does government tell us the truth about anything?  Do athletes tell the truth about steroids? How about the news media, are they telling the truth about the stories they report?

Well, I can’t say, for there is clearly enough falsehood flying around out there that when people do tell the truth you really have to wonder…

So, what is truth?

We aren’t the first people to ask this question; in fact, it’s as old as the Scriptures.  It’s a question that Pilate asked Jesus two thousand years ago. (John 18:38) Jesus told Pilate that He “came into the world to testify to the truth.” He also taught us  that He is “The way, the truth and the life”  (John 14:6)

As Christians there is one thing that we can be certain of: Jesus is Truth; His words are true.  We need to keep this in mind as we see and hear the world around us proclaim “alternate” truths.  If these “truths” are in conflict with the teachings and person of Christ, they are falsehoods. As we listen to newscasts talk about things that are in conflict with what Jesus taught… we know what to conclude.

The truth is that very little in this world is what it appears to be! This is the lesson of Scripture and it is the lesson of history, and it is the first rule of understanding our world.  

We can place our faith and our trust in Jesus− all else is questionable.

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The Infancy of Jesus

Posted on August 5, 2024 by Don Merritt

Matthew 2:1-12

As we have already seen, Matthew ties his story of Jesus together with Israel’s past in a variety of ways in his account of Jesus. Clearly in today’s passage, we can see that, but he does so throughout the first two chapters in which no fewer than five human decisions are the result of a dream, reminiscent of many stories of Israel’s past events (1:20; 2:12, 13, 19, 22). Four times in chapter 2 alone, Matthew concludes a scene by telling his readers that it is a fulfillment of prophecy (2:6, 15, 18, 23) giving his readers the clear impression that after a long period of silence, God is once again busy at work in the midst of His people. The two parts of this chapter give us therefore, a deeper look at the whole character of Jesus’ messianic role as well as His relationship with the Father.

As the first scene opens, Matthew sets time and place as “after” Jesus’ birth and in Bethlehem once again reinforcing Jesus as son of David. By mentioning that this scene takes place during the reign of Herod, Matthew is giving his Jewish readers a clue that there is about to be trouble. Herod, half Jew, had gained power in 40 BC through shrewd political moves that enabled him to gain favor with the Romans. However, he was never accepted as a legitimate king by the Jews, and as time went on, he had become more and more paranoid about threats not only to his person but to his throne. He was known for wild fits of rage and anger and making rash or violent decisions, so receiving news that a true Davidic king had recently been born in Bethlehem was bound to set him off.

Most scholars agree that the “Magi” were likely astrologers from Persia or Arabia; they are Gentile, not Jewish, and we must not miss the irony that they are the ones who bring the news of the birth of the “king of the Jews” to Jerusalem. Their pilgrimage to Jerusalem and their worship at the scene also tells us that they obviously were aware of the universal implications of this birth, quite a contrast to the unbelief and complacence of Israel. When they told Herod about the birth, we might understand why he was “disturbed” but notice in verse 3 that “all Jerusalem” was disturbed along with him; shouldn’t there have been dancing in the streets?

They were “disturbed” instead.

Herod assembles the religious experts and asks where the messiah is to be born, and they tell him that it is to be in Bethlehem, quoting from Micah 5, sort of… Micah actually said:

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
    though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me
    one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
    from ancient times.”

He will stand and shepherd his flock
    in the strength of the Lord,
    in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they will live securely, for then his greatness
    will reach to the ends of the earth. (Micah 5:2, 4)

Matthew completely leaves out verse 3:

Therefore Israel will be abandoned
    until the time when she who is in labor bears a son,
and the rest of his brothers return
    to join the Israelites.

I know that there are teachers and scholars who have explanations of exactly why verse 3 is omitted from Matthew’s text either by Matthew himself, or by the Jewish authorities when they quoted it to Herod. However, since as of the date of this writing, I have not had the opportunity to ask them myself, all I will say here is that this strikes me as a very interesting omission. In any event, you no doubt noticed that Matthew’s account includes a little change or two from Micah. First, Ephrathah becomes in the land of Judah which underscores once again that Jesus is from the tribe of Judah, which is the tribe David came from. Second, instead of describing Bethlehem as though you are small among the clansof Judah, it receives special attention asby no means least among the rulers of Judah. Finally, Matthew adds a line that comes from 2 Sam. 5:2 where the Lord tells David that he will “shepherd my people Israel”: All of these serve to highlight the messianic implications of this mysterious birth in Bethlehem. 

After this, Herod’s plot begins to unfold. In a secret meeting, he seeks to trick the Magi by sending them on their way to Bethlehem, and asking them to provide him with the location of the child. They follow this very odd star, and from Matthew’s description, it would seem to be something that is not described by any natural phenomenon, and considering the intrigues and reactions we’ve already read about, I wonder if anyone else could see it at all. Whatever the explanation, they arrived at the “house” where they found Jesus and Mary; note that it isn’t a manger at this point, for it would have taken these men a considerable amount of time to arrive at the palace of Herod from Persia or Arabia. The story of what happened next is familiar to all, and the scene closes with one more twist; the men receive a dream in which they are told not to return to Jerusalem, and they return home by another route. Their obedient spirit along with their true worship leaves us with grave doubts about the religious leaders of Jerusalem.

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The Path and the Narrow Door

Posted on August 5, 2024 by Don Merritt

The path of life is not a wide one that is full of traffic and congestion, it is quieter than that.  It isn’t a great highway, it’s more like a quiet country lane…

Maybe if your life’s path is full of noise and traffic you should take the next exit and get on that other road.

As you walk along, you come across many things, some are beautiful, some not.  There are turns, twists, hills and dips. Sometimes you come across a cool and refreshing stream, other times you go a long way in the hot sun, with dust and bugs all around.  As you move along you come across places where you can’t see much because of the high brush on either side… and then there’s a fork and you must decide which way to go.

On such a lane you might want to notice the footprints of those who’ve gone before.  If they have gone one way at the fork in the path, you get the idea that this is the way to follow…

There have been many who have gone down the path of life before us, and the legacy they left for us was to follow the footprints of the One who made the path in the first place; following those footsteps will get us to the end of life’s path, right where there is a little narrow gate: Go through that gate and enter in to eternal life, for Jesus has told us all about it:

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Matt. 7:13-14

Yes, when you get to the gate go right on in, those who have gone before, and the One who made the path will be glad to see you’ve made it home.

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An Empowering Relationship

Posted on August 4, 2024 by Don Merritt

Our relationship with Jesus Christ is an empowering relationship.  This relationship provides us with all that we need to walk with Him through this life, and no matter what may happen to us along the way, no matter how many trials we might endure, to go through this life with Him victoriously.

Good and upright is the Lord;
    therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.
He guides the humble in what is right
    and teaches them his way.
All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful 
    for those who keep the demands of his covenant. 

Psalm 25:8-10

Our Lord empowers us by giving us comfort in rough times. Our Lord leads us in His ways, He is merciful and quick to forgive when we ask, and all of this is incredibly empowering.  It empowers us to live as God would have us to live.  It empowers us to live free from sin and shame, and it sets us free from the traditions and ways of this world.  Finally, it changes our entire outlook on life and our priority system.

There is no greater blessing in all the universe than to live in relationship with Jesus Christ and living according to his leading will surely improve all of our human relationships.

Why would we ever wish to neglect this relationship?

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A Merciful Relationship

Posted on August 3, 2024 by Don Merritt

Our relationship with Jesus Christ is a merciful one, in fact it is based upon mercy.  Jesus Himself saw to that by going to the cross so that our sins might be forgiven.  He is the one who made it possible for us to draw near to God; to approach His throne.

Remember, O Lord, your great mercy and love, 
    for they are from of old.
 Remember not the sins of my youth 
    and my rebellious ways; 
according to your love remember me,
    for you are good, O Lord.

Psalm 25:6-7

In many relationships, we have difficulty approaching others because we have hurt or offended them… how will they react?  In relationship with Jesus, He has already forgiven us; we can approach in praise and thanksgiving.

We may approach Him for His guidance, His mercy and His love… we will truly be missing out if we neglect such a great relationship.

May we never neglect our relationship with Him, that relationship which is so very wonderfully merciful.

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Matthew’s Interesting Use of Isaiah 7:14

Posted on August 2, 2024 by Don Merritt

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Isaiah 7:14

As a Christian reading this verse as translated in the NIV, and then seeing Matthew’s reference to it in Matthew 1:22-23, it is very easy to say that this is really cool, and then just keep on going. If we do that, we miss something that is both problematic and fascinating. Here is Matthew’s statement:

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).

This is the first time Matthew cites the fulfillment by Jesus of an Old Testament prophecy, but scholars have struggled with it for centuries because the original Hebrew of Isaiah doesn’t exactly say what we have just read. In fact, there really isn’t any record of a messianic interpretation of this verse prior to Matthew. There are two reasons for this: First, as I mentioned, the Hebrew doesn’t quite say anything about a virgin, for the Hebrew word Isaiah used was “’almah” which means a young woman of marriageable age; she may or may not still be a virgin. This ambiguity is important to us because Mary’s virginity is the point of the exercise in our Matthew passage.

The second problem for scholars is the fact that this verse falls within the larger context set in Isaiah 7:1-2:

When Ahaz son of Jotham, the son of Uzziah, was king of Judah, King Rezin of Aram and Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel marched up to fight against Jerusalem, but they could not overpower it.

Now the house of David was told, “Aram has allied itself with Ephraim”; so the hearts of Ahaz and his people were shaken, as the trees of the forest are shaken by the wind.

Here’s what happens in Isaiah 7: The kings of Syria and Israel (Northern Kingdom) join in league together to oppose the Assyrians. They ask King Ahaz of Judah (Southern Kingdom) to join with them, but he refuses, so they march on Jerusalem to dethrone him and put a favorable king on the throne (Is. 7:6). God dispatches Isaiah to Jerusalem to tell Ahaz that the two kings will fail if Ahaz will believe God (Is. 73-9). Ahaz doesn’t take Isaiah’s advice, and even considers an alliance with the Assyrians (cf. 2 Kings 16:5, 7; Is. 7:17). The Lord sends Isaiah to Ahaz a second time, this time offering to give Ahaz a sign so that he will believe God, and once again Ahaz refuses (Is. 7:10-12). In 7:14, God, through Isaiah, gives him a sign anyway.

The sign God gave Ahaz in 7:14 that Matthew quotes is explained further in Isaiah 7:16:

for before the boy knows enough to reject the wrong and choose the right, the land of the two kings you dread will be laid waste.

The prophet goes on to explain that their lands will be laid waste by the king of Assyria, which is what happened, and Ahaz and his kingdom were saved from the threat. Thus, it probably never occurred to Isaiah, or anyone else for that matter, that the son of 7:14 was the future Messiah at all; that is until Matthew got it.

What Matthew saw was a broader meaning that applied to the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promises; consider the larger context of Isaiah 7-11: It is full of the theme of exile (7:18-25; 8:1-10, 19-22) right beside the theme of God’s presence (Immanuel, 8:8, 10) and the clear promise of a great son of David (9:6-7; 11:1). What Matthew understood was that there may well have been a fulfillment in Isaiah’s time of certain prophetic promises, and that those early fulfillments might very well foreshadow an ultimate fulfillment by the Person of Jesus Christ, which is an important concept for us to keep in mind as we go forward in his Gospel.

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An Instructive Relationship

Posted on August 2, 2024 by Don Merritt

Our relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ is an instructive one, for He leads us in His ways.

Show me your ways, O Lord,
    teach me your paths; 
 guide me in your truth and teach me,
    for you are God my Savior, 
    and my hope is in you all day long.

Psalm 25:4-5

It is so very important for all of us to focus on our relationship with our Lord, and to remain focused on it.  The obvious reason is that this is an instructive relationship; how can it remain instructive if we are not paying attention to it?

Yes, I know it is so easy to get off track; every day there are distractions and things that pull us away, things that demand our immediate attention.  These are the times that we must remain focused on our relationship with Christ!

Here are a few suggestions to help:

1. Set aside a time at the beginning of the day for prayer and Bible reading.

2. Take a lunch break with Jesus and ask Him to be with you the rest of the day; spend a few moments in His Word.

3. Pray all of the time; ask Him for guidance in everything you do and as you do it.

You will likely be led in His ways!

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The Genealogy of Jesus Christ: Matthew 1:6-17

Posted on August 1, 2024 by Don Merritt

Matthew continues his genealogy as he moves from the first group of 14 names to the next. The first group culminates in King David, that glorious figure who is “a man after God’s own heart”, with whom God made a covenant that one of his descendants would always be on his throne, and quickly the second group of 14 comes along, ending with no one on David’s throne. This scenario underscores the failure of the people of the Abrahamic covenant, and the lack of fulfillment of their covenant.

We can see Matthew’s historic vision in this sequence, a vision of election and high privilege followed by human failure and lost opportunity. It would seem that this is a preview of what would follow in Matthew’s story as the pattern of Israel’s rebellion and subsequent judgment unfolds in Israel’s rejection of Jesus, and Israel’s loss of kingdom (21:33-22:10) the destruction of the nation (21:41; 22:18; 23:29-24:3) and eschatological destruction (8:10-11; 22:11-14).

The final group of 14 is an interesting one for several reasons. For the most part, the names found in the first two thirds of the genealogy can be found in the Septuagint, but the nine names in vv. 13-15 don’t follow any Old Testament genealogy. In addition, Matthew uses only nine names to cover about 500 years, while Luke uses 18, and of these, only four are in both lists; two of the four are Joseph and Jesus. To be fair, this is not uncommon in comparing genealogies, as we have mentioned, and neither Matthew nor Luke are recording genealogies as  strict historical pedigrees.  Finally, Matthew’s progression from father to son is suddenly broken when there is no direct link between Joseph and Jesus, leaving the father of Jesus not strictly identified (see verse 16). Notice that Matthew instead shifts our attention from Joseph to Mary as “mother of Jesus”.

Matthew will answer the obvious questions about this ambiguity in the next scene, and the implications of that answer will be the subject of the entire story… and to say that those implications are huge, would be an understatement, to say the least.

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Relationships

Posted on August 1, 2024 by Don Merritt

Life is full of relationships, they are with family, friends, associates, coworkers and others, but none of these relationships are as vital as our relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ.

Our relationship with our Lord is one that is comforting, instructive, merciful and empowering. Have you ever just thought about these things? This morning, let’s consider how our Lord brings us comfort:

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul; 
in you I trust, O my God.
Do not let me be put to shame,
    nor let my enemies triumph over me.
No one whose hope is in you
    will ever be put to shame, 
but they will be put to shame
    who are treacherous without excuse.

Psalm 25:1-3

It makes a difference where we put our trust.  Do we trust in people or institutions?  Do we trust in ourselves… or do we trust in God?

No person is perfect; no person is strong enough to always be reliable, even if they desire to be.  God is perfect and strong enough; we can always rely upon Him.  Jesus has conquered sin and death; He has conquered the Devil.  He is the one in whom we can always place our trust, and the result of this trustful awareness is that we will be comforted in times of trial.

Things may not always turn out the way we desire, but when we place our trust in our Lord and draw close to Him through times of trial, we can be secure in the knowledge that He will see us through, and that in the end we will spend eternity with Him.  The things of this earth, even when they seem really difficult, are but a passing storm when we place ourselves in His loving arms.

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