Our "Target" Book will be the Gospel of Matthew. He quotes the Old Testament profusely. And we're going to concentrate on his second chapter, where four times he employs the Law or the Prophets or the Psalms to prove a vital point about our Lord Jesus Christ!

Matthew uses Micah's Verse about Jesus being born in Bethlehem. And he alludes to Hosea's writings to link Jesus and Egypt, that trip there in our Lord's infancy to escape Herod's wrath.

Matthew continues with a reference to Jeremiah's statement about "weeping in Ramah" and applies those words to the sadness in Bethlehem after the slaughter of those precious little babies. And next, all in a single chapter, he uses the Old Testament's general teaching that Jesus would be called a Nazarene! This last one is the most attacked by so-called scholars today.

Anyone interested in this little "journey" through the mind of Matthew? The Mind of the Holy Spirit, really!

The art of Bible interpretation is called "hermeneutics." There are right ways and wrong ways to explain the Word of God. Matthew is here, in essence, giving us a course in proper sermon preparation!

Amen.

                   --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 2, MATTHEW'S CHANGES TO HOSEA'S TEXT:

Matthew, in his majestic Gospel, is telling us the story of Jesus. Wise men visit our Lord when He was still a baby. In answering a question as to "where" Christ is born, the Magi say: "In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel." Matthew 2:5-6

The Old Testament verse these men are quoting is Micah 5:2. "But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting."

A "problem" has been noticed here by some Bible scholars. Matthew's "quote" is essentially the same as Micah's, but varies in three specifics! Look for yourself to see, folks. Does Matthew have the "right" to change Scripture in any way, any way at all?

First of all let me say this. It's not really Matthew writing here! It is God the Holy Spirit! "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God," says Paul in Second Timothy 3:16. And if God the Holy Spirit wants to "change" or "re-word" something He said five hundred years earlier (Micah was written by Him too) ... He can do whatever His Wisdom dictates!

Next, when translating from Hebrew (Old Testament, Micah here) to Greek (New Testament, Matthew here) exact wording is not always possible! What Matthew has the Wise Men say is virtually identical to what Micah said. God's Word is accurate!

Then thirdly, the three little "changes" everyone in academia is discussing just might be changes for the good! What if Matthew is placing a new emphasis on the Birth of Jesus? What if there is buried "truth" in each of these little nuances of the Matthean Text?

I suggest there are nuggets of silver and gold in Matthew's precise wording of the Magi's response to Herod!

For review: "Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, 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. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel."

More tomorrow, Lord willing.

Specifically why Matthew omits "Ephratah" and includes "in the land of Judah." He is creating a motif here that will glorify our Lord Jesus! What an exciting thought this is.

              --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 3, FROM "EPHRATAH" TO "JUDA:"

Matthew 2:6 quotes Micah 5:2, no doubt about that. But the Holy Spirit, in doing so, has Matthew omit one "key" word and substitute another! Quite frankly, the Divine Author of Scripture has here changed the Micah passage in a dramatic way!

It no longer says, "But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah" ... shall be the birthplace of the Lord Jesus, Micah's words.

It now says, "And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda" ... shall be the birthplace of the Lord Jesus, the Wise Men's words according to the Gospel of Matthew.

Why this editorial emendation?

Mind you, this is not man changing the Bible! Matthew has neither added nor subtracted from the Word of God. He has merely written what he was "inspired" to do, as "moved" by the Holy Spirit.

No longer "Bethlehem Ephratah," but "Bethlehem in the land of Juda." What could this possibly indicate?

The Hebrew word "Ephratah" means "place of fruitfulness." It derives from "parah," a verb simply meaning "to bear fruit." Literally Bethlehem was such an area, an extremely fertile portion of Israel. Truthfully, Jesus was born in a "fruitful" part of that nation and He is the most "fruitful" individual ever to live. He is the Son of God, God the Son, for sure!

But again, the Lord Who wrote the Bible wanted to place here a little different emphasis. He leaves out the word Ephratah and substitutes in its place the land of "Juda." And what does this mean? "Iouda" in Greek signifies "He shall be praised!" In the Old Testament the name Judah, Jacob's forth son by Leah, means just that, "Praise!"

Furthermore, the tribe of Judah is the one from which Israel's Kings will come! It's the ruling tribe! Genesis 49:10 is the classic proof text here: "The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be." The "sceptre" is the rod of authority the King carries! "Shiloh," we believe, is another Name for Jesus, a Title of our dear Lord.

That's why Matthew has so written his quote from the Magi. It's not that God the Father wants Herod to know Jesus will be "fruitful," though our Saviour certainly was and is and shall be forever! It's that Jesus will be King some day! Will rule in Herod's place! In Caesar's place!

Oh, He will indeed! King of kings and Lord of lords! Sitting on the throne of David for a millennium!

Only an ever so slight "change" of emphasis ... has yielded a dramatic, glorious Truth flashing forth from Scripture!

Jesus of Juda!

Amen!

                  --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 4, BETHLEHEM, NO LONGER INSIGNIFICANT:

Matthew the Gospel writer was a tax-collector prior to his meeting Jesus. Matthew 9:9 tells this story, as well as Mark 2:14 and Luke 5:27. After being "saved by Grace" the man continued to have the same skills too! He was a thorough and precise historian. Just like you would have expected of a person who "kept books" for a living!

Here's an example of Matthew's attention to "detail." A little "change of emphasis" that carries a ton of theological significance.

In Matthew 2:6 the Wise Men who came to adore the child Jesus related these very words to King Herod, informing him of the place of Jesus' Birth: "And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel."

This is a quote from Micah 5:2 in the Old Testament. But the Holy Spirit, inserting these words into our New Testament, has altered some words. Look at Micah's exact statement, prophecy: "But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting."

The "change" I'd like to show you today concerns the significance of Bethlehem. Five hundred years earlier the little village was "little among the thousands of Judah." But now, in Matthew's time she is "not the least among the princes of Juda."

Wow!

What a promotion!

From being "one" among "thousands!"

To being "not the least" among all Juda's "princes!"

From being a "nobody!"

To being a "royal descendent!"

What happened to Bethlehem?

JESUS CHRIST THE SON OF GOD was born in her midst!

The greatest Birth to ever occur!

A Virgin Birth nonetheless!

One of a Kind!

The cities of the Bible are interesting. But few can equal the importance of "Bethlehem in Judah," not anymore!

What happened there the night Jesus was born ... has changed the whole wide world forever!

Yes, she produced a Prince!

The King of kings and Lord of lords!

Jesus, God the Son!

                  --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

Matthew's subtle type of writing says a lot ... but in little ways. He is a master at handling the Old Testament Scriptures. Of course he is being superintended by the Holy Spirit too!

LESSON 5, JESUS OUR SHEPHERD:

Matthew, in telling us the story of the Wise Men visiting Jesus and Mary and Joseph, introduces a thrilling new thought to his narrative. Quoting Micah 5:2, Matthew re-emphasizes the fact that baby Jesus will some day be a "ruler," in Hebrew "mashal," or "Governor," in Greek "hegeomai." These are virtually parallel nouns. But then the Gospel adds, "He shall rule my people Israel."

This line seems to be a quote from Second Samuel 5:2, where David also will "feed my people Israel."

The verb in use here, in both its Hebrew ("raah") and Greek forms ("poimaino"), means "to shepherd!"

Little boy Jesus will some day be King, says our Text. And He will also be our Shepherd! As in "The Lord is my Shepherd!"

Wow!

Matthew sure gets right to the point!

I love studying how the New Testament writers use the Old Testament in their material. And Matthew, the former tax-collector, is an expert!

The liberals say this man abused the Old Testament, twisting it to "fit" his own desires. I find no evidence of such activity.

The Bible, New Testament and Old, is a perfect Book! One that points repeatedly to Jesus as Saviour, Shepherd, and Lord!

He Himself claims to be the Good Shepherd in John 10:11.

And the Book of Hebrews labels Him the Great Shepherd, Hebrews 13:20.

With Simon Peter adding later Jesus is the Chief Shepherd, First Peter 5:4.

Truly Bible Prophecy was again right! "And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel."

Jesus, our Shepherd!

               --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 6, MATTHEW QUOTING HOSEA 11:1, ABOUT EGYPT:

Today we begin to notice Matthew's second quotation from the Old Testament, from Matthew chapter two specifically.

Wise Men have just visited Jesus, the young child Jesus. As they depart Bethlehem an angel appears to Joseph. Matthew relates the incident: "The angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt. And was there 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 2:13-15

Again, the direct quote with its accompanying formula: "That it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son."

The Prophet mentioned is Hosea. The introductory clause proving that this is indeed a Scriptural allusion is: "That it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet ...." Often this line is shortened to merely say, "It is written." But not here! This is "of the Lord," a prepositional phrase used for emphasis. Hence, very important!

Jesus, so young, in Egypt!

Yet Jesus, as a Boy, coming out of Egypt when life is again safe in Israel! Mary and Joseph being with Him, of course!

And Matthew strongly feels he must "link" this event with the Old Testament. The Holy Spirit in fact leads him to do so.

Matthew 2:15, using Hosea's words: "Out of Egypt have I called my son."

Now Hosea 11:1, using Hosea's words! "When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt."

Wow!

There's not a lot of similarity!

New Testament quote: "Out of Egypt have I called my son."

Old Testament original: "When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt."

The "heart" of this Matthean literary action will be studied tomorrow, Lord willing. But today I'd at least like to show you how Hosea views this "exit" from Egypt as something that happens to "Israel," to the Nation. And Matthew clearly views it as an Event in Jesus' Life!

Thus, Matthew just gave us permission, Bible authority, to loosely view Jesus as a "Type" or "Symbol" or maybe even "Fulfillment" of certain aspects of the Nation Who birthed Him!

Let me now reverse that too. Maybe it's better said that Israel is a type of Jesus Christ, the Son of God! In some ways at least!

Some examples ...

Israel had a miraculous beginning, a supernatural birth! Isaac from aged Abraham and Sarah! So did Jesus, a Virgin Birth in fact!

Israel had a protected childhood, harbored in Egypt for safety until she grew in population and could exist on her own! So was Jesus safely embedded in Egypt for a while, until Herod's death!

Israel suffered because of her relationship with God! So Jesus suffered because He was the Son of God! He still is the Son of God, for that matter! Always will be!

Israel was created to be a "light" to this dark world! Jesus was born to be the "Saviour" of this world!

Israel will be hated by the anti-christ, yet will ultimately be victorious over him! So Jesus is hated by the devil, by Satan himself. A devil who will be punished eternally!

Israel, because of God's Grace, has a bright and eternal future! Jesus, because He is God, has an everlasting future as our great High Priest and as King of all kings!

The very name "Israel" means "a prince with God!" The name "Jesus" means "One Who saves!" Similarity, parallelism again!

"That it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son."

Amen!

                --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 7, THE "NEW" EXODUS:

Matthew's Gospel, in a rather obscure move, quotes Hosea 11:1 in reference to Joseph's and Mary's trip to Egypt when Jesus was a little Boy. They "fled" there in order to escape King Herod's wrath. The wicked tyrant later killed the youngest boys in Bethlehem, a massacre aimed at Jesus in reality.

This whole event, their escape to Egypt and the subsequent return after Herod's death, is linked by Matthew to a Hosea 11:1. "When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt."

The correlation of this verse to Matthew's narrative has been a point of discussion for many years. Matthew's exact quote: "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

"Out of Egypt," what a captivating phrase! One day twenty-five hundred years earlier God called His people Israel "out of Egypt!" Is Jesus here being likened to them? Is this Matthew 2 incident being painted as a new "Exodus?" If so, Matthew's reason for quoting Hosea has not only become more understandable, but also theologically beautiful!

When Israel came out of Egypt in Moses' day, a LAMB had to be slain! That little lamb pictured their salvation, their deliverance from death! And with Mary and Joseph ... they had a little LAMB with them too! The True Lamb of God! Who had come to die for the sins of the world.

Long ago when the Jewish nation exited Egypt a journey was begun, one designed to spread to the whole world the "light" of the Glory of God! God the Father to that little nation: "And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation," word for word Exodus 19:6. When little Jesus came out of Egypt He too was set to spread "light" to the whole world! In fact, Jesus is the Light! See John 9:5, one of our Lord's great "I am" statements.

Furthermore, when Israel left Egypt behind they did so in order to go live in a "promised land," one flowing with "milk and honey!" A better way of life! Jesus too left Egypt, though still under His parent's watchcare, and eventually made possible to us all a new life! The opportunity to be born-again! To live a Spirit filled existence, full of love and joy and peace!

Wow!

I'm so glad Matthew was led of the Lord to quote the Hosea passage! This thought alone opens many lovely vistas, many spiritual parallels, to the whole Redemption/Exodus Story!

By the way, Moses led that first Exodus.

Jesus is the Cause of the second!

Like John 1:17 says: "The law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ."

Amen!

                --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 8, MATTHEW 2 AND "JEREMY" THE PROPHET:

Matthew chapter two quotes the Old Testament, distinctly so, four times. Each in reference to the Life of Jesus as a young Child.

Today we have arrived at Matthew's third instance of Biblical exposition. "Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not. But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life. And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel." Matthew 2:16-21, giving you some of the context for the "Jeremy" quotation.

Sadness invades the Story.

Grief and pain.

Mass murder!

Babies and infants and children, all boys, dead!

A maniac on the throne!

Yet in it all Matthew sees the Scripture being fulfilled. "Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet ...." Then the Text inserts the words of Jeremiah 31:15.

At least ... we are being shown that in the Christian life, through the "good" times and the "bad," somewhere there exists Scripture to bolster us! To help explain what we're enduring. To aid us in "filtering" our specific situation through the "lens" of God's Word! To live via the Wisdom of God!

The verse to which the Holy Spirit led Matthew is one that again links Jesus to Israel. "Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not." Jeremiah 31:15, where Jeremiah is quoting even older Biblical history.

Ramah, this is apparently near where Rachel, wife of Jacob, died giving birth to little Benjamin. But she, in her pain and sorrow, really named the little baby "Benoni." It was his father who later changed the name to "Benjamin." And here's a picture of Jesus! "Benoni" means "son of my sorrow!" While "Benjamin" means "son of my right hand!" Yes, Jesus is the "Man of Sorrows!" He died on that Cross to save us from sin! But He is also, now, the "Son of God's Right Hand!" Sitting there interceding for us, praying on our behalf, day by day!

Maybe little "hints" like these are what Matthew has in mind anyway. Slight "clues" pointing to Jesus, correlating our Saviour and Old Testament prophecy, however faint!

Weeping over slain babies, how sad!

Yet Jesus is spared, to later die a substitutionary Death on Calvary, as Redeemer of mankind. How wonderful!

Through these lessons we should be learning how the New Testament uses the Old Testament to explain and illuminate its teachings. And if we do gather some consistent principles here, we will have become better students of Bible interpretation, of hermeneutics, of sharing God's Word with others.

Amen!

               --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

I think I see a couple of other interesting "points" Matthew might have been teaching here. More tomorrow, the Lord willing. And no doubt Matthew has "layered" his Text with various "shades of meaning," from "surface" truths to the "deeper" facts, waiting for the discerning heart to discover!

LESSON 9, RAMA:

The Gospel of Matthew actually "quotes" the Old Testament more than sixty times, sixty-seven by one count! This number is considerably more than any of the other Gospels. In fact, more than any other Book in the whole New Testament! Hebrews is the runner-up, with fifty-nine.

For example, Matthew 2:18 uses Jeremiah 31:15 to illustrate a point. When the baby boys of Bethlehem are slain by wicked King Herod, when that kind of sorrow descended upon the ancient world, Matthew "remembers" the tears shed by another Jewish lady. Rachel, weeping over her children! "Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rachel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not."

The "meaning" and "application" of Jeremiah's words, really God's Words, are not totally clear. But this much we do know. "Ramah" was a city near which Rachel died. And from there she is "pictured" as "weeping" over lost Jewish boys and girls. Maybe over young people taken into captivity, made slaves, or worse ... even murdered by God haters. It is this "linkage" Matthew uses to illustrate how Baby Jesus, the young Child Jesus by now, was the "Target" of such a massacre!

Another thing about Ramah, staying with the Book of Jeremiah, it's the place from which the Jews were exported, deported, removed ... to be force marched into captivity! "The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, after that Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had let him go from Ramah, when he had taken him being bound in chains among all that were carried away captive of Jerusalem and Judah, which were carried away captive unto Babylon." Jeremiah 40:1

Weeping in Ramah!

Ramah, the launching place geographically for a nation's journey to Babylon, seventy years of alienation!

Perhaps Matthew is leaving with us the "hint" that just as Israel at Ramah entered into asylum, so Jesus guarded by His parents, had to "flee" to Egypt!

Babylon hated Israel.

And Herod hated Jesus. The whole world despised and rejected our Lord before His thirty-three years of life on earth were completed. They crucified Him!

Our Lord, as a Lad, in a foreign Nation!

In Exile!

Oh, what He suffered for you and me! Not only in His vicarious Death on Calvary, but even in His Life as He lived those years approaching His Death!

Weeping, yes that's the word.

                   --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 10, LEVELS OF MEANING IN THESE QUOTATIONS:

One more Lesson about "Ramah," an ancient Bible city. It's the location the author of the Gospel of Matthew chose to name in reference to Jesus' exile in Egypt. When our Lord was less than two years old!

They, Joseph and Mary and Jesus, are already in Africa when Matthew takes up here. "Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not. But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life." Matthew 2:16-20

The reference to "Rama" is part of a quotation from the Old Testament, Jeremiah 31:15. "Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rachel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not."

By the way, "Ramah" in Hebrew means "hill, high place, height." It's derived from the verb "rum," meaning "to rise, to go up, to be exalted." The definition alone "hints" at something about Jesus. He is a Boy, though the very Son of God, Who was born to "poor" parents. He is a not a Member of society's "high and mighty" class. He has been rushed to Egypt by His parents because the King hates Him!

But some day He, this little Boy, will be exalted! He will rule this world, as King of kings and Lord of lords! No wonder "Rama" has entered Matthew's vocabulary in this context!

Furthermore, the "setting" in Jeremiah 31 is unique too. Verse 31, Matthew's Spirit guided "choice," is one of the few "sad" places in the whole chapter! Everything else is bright, victorious! As if to say, "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." Psalm 30:5

In other words, with the young Jesus in Egypt, things are dangerous, secretive, bleak! But in time, when God fulfills His Plan for Israel and the Nations of the world, "joy" will indeed flood the land!

As I said earlier in this series of lessons, Matthew seems to be writing material that has several "layers" of meaning! That may be true of everything the Holy Spirit composes! "Rama," I'm amazed at what the name of that little place implies!

And hopefully we have all learned fresh truths about how the New Testament employs, both by directly quoting and by obliquely alluding, the Old Testament so successfully!

Wow!

               --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 11, JEREMY THE PROPHET:

I really am trying to end this section of "How the New Testament Uses the Old Testament" as soon as possible! I thought yesterday's Article would be the last about "Rama." About Herod's slaying of the innocent children of Bethlehem when Jesus was a young Child.

But late last night I noticed an additional fact that might have prompted Matthew to include this Story in his Life of Christ.

As soon as Matthew tells us Joseph, being warned of God in a dream, took Mary and the Child to Egypt, he adds this interpretive fact: "Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying ...." Matthew 2:17, Jeremy being Jeremiah of course, just a different spelling.

I remembered that Jeremiah himself was "exiled" in Egypt! In fact that may have been where the great Prophet died!

Here's the exact story from history, in the Prophet's own words. "But Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces, took all the remnant of Judah, that were returned from all nations, whither they had been driven, to dwell in the land of Judah. Even men, and women, and children, and the king's daughters ... and Jeremiah the prophet, and Baruch the son of Neriah .... So they came to the land of Egypt ... thus they came even to Tahpanhes." Jeremiah 43:5-7

Jeremiah in Egypt!

Jesus in Egypt!

"Linkage" in Matthew's mind, the Holy Spirit's too!

Folks, much of the Old Testament lays a foundation for even brighter Truths in the New Testament!

No wonder, come to think of it, that when Jesus asked people Whom they thought He was ... some responded "Jeremiah" ... or one of the Prophets, Matthew 16:14.

Both spent time in Egypt!

Both wept copious tears for their people!

Both were hated by their countrymen!

Both were ordained prior to birth!

Both told of a bright future for the children of God!

I am beginning to realize what a great Old Testament scholar the former tax-gatherer Matthew really was!

"Egypt, Rama, Bethlehem," Matthew also knew his geography!

What a great Volume to study, the Bible!

Especially it seems when one learns it by its natural divisions, Book by Book. Currently I am in the Book of Philippians again, an Epistle that shines more gloriously every time it is read!

Wow!

              --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 12, THE NAZARENE:

The last Old Testament quotation in Matthew chapter 2, each centering on the Life of Jesus in some way, is as follows: "And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene." Matthew 2:23, where the pronoun "he" refers to Joseph, of course along with Mary and Jesus.

Mathew seeks to Biblically authenticate our Lord's upbringing in the city of Nazareth, obviously. He wants to show us that such a fact was predicted in the Old Testament Scriptures. Thus our thorough Gospel writer uses a "formula" suggesting that he is directly "borrowing" a line or two from the Prophets of  Israel, again from the Word of God, "that which was spoken by the prophets."

The biggest "issue" as we study this verse, the most prominent topic of theological discussion, is this question, "Where exactly is Matthew quoting?" No precise verse can be found, it seems!

Thus the "liberals" question, once again, the accuracy of the New Testament Gospels! But ... wait a minute! Maybe Matthew knew the Bible better than we thought! In fact we all know he, aided by the Holy Spirit, did!

If Matthew knew Hebrew, and what Jew didn't, and if his readers did too, after all he's apparently writing particularly to Israelites, he may have been quoting from the Old Testament ... in its original language! In the language of the synagogue!

If so, here's our verse, "Messianic" to the core! "

The location of such an Old Testament quotation, about Jesus being a "Nazarene" is elusive. In our last lesson I suggested, and believe, that the best possible source is Isaiah 11:1. In this our last lesson in the "Matthew 2" series of studies I'd like to share with you one more idea about Matthew's literary foundation.

Judges 13:5 may help us here. The inspired historian there is telling us about Samson. Now Samson was a Nazarite. His parents were told, before he was even born, "For, lo, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and no razor shall come on his head: for the child shall be a Nazarite unto God from the womb: and he shall begin to deliver Israel out of the hand of the Philistines." The word used for "Nazarite" here is "naziyr," very close to "Nazarene" in Greek!

Is the Holy Spirit here "linking" Jesus in some way to "Samson?" Certainly not in any weak or sinful sense! But again Judges 13:5 does say that Samson would "deliver" his people from their chief enemy, the Philistines! And the verb "deliver" there is "yasha," meaning "to be saviour!" Or even, "to rescue!"

Yes, Jesus indeed came from Nazareth. He lived His early years there. That's a fact of history. But also Jesus was called a "Nazarene" because like Samson before Him ... our Lord was "deliverer" to an enslaved people!

In Greek "Nazarene" is "nazoraios."

In Hebrew "Nazarite" is naziyr."

Close!

Jesus ... our Deliverer!

Jesus, our Saviour!

Jesus, Victor over all our enemies!

This could have also been a subordinate thought in Matthew's mind, and the Holy Spirit's, as this fact about our Lord was being recorded. But it's a fundamental face nonetheless.

"And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene."

Amen!

                --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

LESSON 13, CONCLUSION:

The Gospel of Matthew is a jewel! Here's its opening verse: "The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham." Matthew 1:1, King James Version.

Any reader can immediately discern the fact that Matthew planned, under the Guidance of the Holy Spirit of God, to write about "Jesus Christ," our Saviour. Then follows the longest Gospel we possess! One of only four authentic Biographies of our Lord.

This opening verse also tells us the man Matthew intends to link the Story of Jesus to His Jewish heritage, to men like David and Abraham. This goal will demand that the Book be "heavy" with Old Testament data. Quoting the Jewish Scriptures freely!

And that's exactly what Matthew does.

In fact, four times in his second chapter, four times folks, Matthew uses Old Testament Material, quoting from the Bible, to validate events in the Life of Jesus ... before our Lord reaches maturity! From the time of the Virgin Birth of Jesus until He is settled with His Mother and Joseph as a young Boy, to be reared in the city of Nazareth!

And here's the thrilling part, each time Matthew utilizes one of those Old Testament references, He "layers" truth. He carefully says things so that every category of Bible student can acquire and learn precious Scriptural knowledge!

Just like First John 2:13 addresses spiritual "fathers" and "young men" as well as the "children" ... so does Matthew in his amazing hermeneutical method! I really believe that not only a sermon, but a series of sermons can be preached from Matthew's second chapter!

Matthew, the teacher!

An instructor in the science, in the art of Bible Interpretation!

Thank God Jesus was born in Bethlehem!

And that He was taken to Egypt for safety!

And even that sadness and crying evidenced Satan's hate for the Child!

And that He became a citizen of Nazareth!

Four facts not particularly thought full of preaching material!

Until Matthew wrote that Gospel!

Because of the first Book in the New Testament, we have a much better idea of how the Lord fulfilled dozens of Old Testament prophecies!

Praise God!

                  --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

THANK THE LORD FOR THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW!