Bible Pathways - October 1, 2005

October 1

Read Matthew 1

In Today's Reading:

Ancestry of Jesus; His birth; wise men; flight into Egypt; ministry of John; baptism of Jesus; first apostles called

The birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise (as follows): When as His mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:18).

The wise men from the east, perhaps from Babylon, were led amazingly by a star to Jerusalem, where they inquired: Where is He that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen His star in the east, and are come to worship Him (2:1-2). It is probable that these men had studied the prophecies of Daniel who, during the Babylonian captivity, gave a detailed explanation of the number of years before the Messiah would be born (Daniel 9:25-26).

It must have taken the wise men some length of time after the birth of Christ to arrive in Bethlehem, since we read: When they were come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down, and worshipped Him (Matthew 2:11). Finding the prophesied King in the house as a young Child rather than as a babe lying in a manger (Luke 2:16) indicates several months or more had passed since the birth of Jesus.

The wise men had come to worship Him. Their worship recognized the diety of the Christ Child and included three costly gifts (2:11). First, they offered gold, the most fitting gift for the King of kings, and Lord of lords (I Timothy 6:15). Then, they offered frankincense, a sweet perfume used on the Altar of Incense in the Temple, which was symbolic of prayer ascending to God. It was a fitting gift for a priest, for this King would be our great High Priest (Hebrews 4:14), who also maketh intercession for us (Romans 8:34) before God. They also offered myrrh, implying that He was destined to die since myrrh was often used as a burial spice (John 19:39-40).

In the providence of God, their gifts also provided adequate resources for Joseph and Mary's journey and stay in Egypt, where they remained until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called My Son (Matthew 2:15; Hosea 11:1). Then they dwelt in . . . Nazareth where Jesus lived until He was about 30 years old (Matthew 2:23; Luke 3:23).

Word Studies:

1:18 espoused = engaged; came together = had physical relations, she was a virgin; 2:16 mocked of = deceived; coasts = surrounding regions; 3:8 fruits meet for repentance = a life that proves your change of heart; 3:15 suffer it to be = allow it to be; it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness = it is necessary for us to do all that God requires.

Cross References:

For Matthew 1:23: See Isaiah. 7:14. Matthew 2:6: See Micah 5:2. Matthew 2:15: See Hosea 11:1. Matthew 2:18: See Jeremiah 31:15. Matthew 3:3: See Isaiah 40:3.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for our Military worldwide · The English International Shortwave Radio Broadcast sponsored by a family that loves Jesus and David & Toni Frankenburg; The Arabic Broadcast sponsored by Mary Hoffmeyer and an anonymous donor · Government Officials (Listed on their Birthdays): Rep. Devin Nunes (CA) and Justice William Rehnquist · Country: Taiwan, Republic of China (22 million) 77 islands off the southeastern coast of Red China · Major language: Mandarin Chinese · Religious freedom · 70% Chinese folk-religions/Buddhism; 3% Protestant; 1.5% Roman Catholic · Prayer Suggestion: Ask for the blessings of God upon your family and home (II Samuel 7:29).

Memory Verse for the Week: Titus 2:14