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| Matthew 2:3-6 |
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Lesson # Matthew 2:3-6 Study Material - Matthew, book introduction and outline You must be in fellowship prior to your Bible study, so that the spiritual information you receive can become a source, of blessing to your soul and produce spiritual growth. Matt. 2:3-6 3 And when Herod the king heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he began to inquire of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 And they said to him, 'In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it has been written by the prophet, 6 'And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the leaders of Judah; For out of you shall come forth a Ruler, who will shepherd My people Israel.' ' So now Herod and all of Jerusalem, those now hearing of the inquiries being made by prominent foreigners, were alarmed. Why would they be alarmed? The Christ, the savior of the world and of humanity was now among them, yet their focus was on the perceived threat to their established power, their perks and benefits they enjoyed because of their present political positions. This was a threat to their existing way of life and now a child, no less an infant, was going to take away all of the attention they thought they were enjoying. Arrogant people look to themselves and consider themselves first above all else. When something or someone else comes along that threatens their position, their career, their perceptions of their success and what they think they deserve, then that threat becomes confrontational, an adversary. It makes no difference what or who it may be, anything that threatens ones way of life is an adversary and needs to be put down or eliminated. The negative believer or an unbeliever, do not see the profitable possibilities of this new king just born, they see only the threat. Note, that Jesus has already been born. So where were all the priests with their day timers, their date books? Why didn't the chief advisors to the king know of the birth before the birth? Why didn't they know of the star? The Magi knew of it and they weren't even Jewish. Yet the keepers of the scriptures were in the dark. That is until Herod made his inquiry as to where the Christ was to be born. The birth that had already taken place. Now Herod asks where is it to take place. Once the question was asked then the research was easy. Oh Ya! In Bethlehem. Golly gee how did we miss that one!! Mal. 2:7 tells us that out of the mouths of the priests should come the wisdom of God. These were the priests of the high court, and the custodians of the scriptures. Yet they were unbelievers. They had the words, but lacked the wisdom. They knew of the prophecy because they found it quickly, but it had no meaning for them. It was an event in the scrolls, recorded centuries before by Mic. 5:2, but these men enjoyed their positions in government, in the social circles, their high salaries, and most likely their fine homes, their upper class status. Their focus was on themselves not on their responsibility to teach the general population the content of scripture. So Christ is already here in the flesh and these royal palace types did not know of it. Only when the street talk came to the attention of Herod did this issue of the birth of the King of the Jews become an alarming problem. It was only alarming because these people did not understand the purpose or plan of God with respect for mankind in the bigger picture of the angelic conflict. They did not understand that it was Jesus who was the perfect sacrifice, the reality, which would replace and eliminate the shadow offerings and sacrifice rituals, permanently. Instead of making plans for celebrating the advent of Christ, the seeds for the plan to eliminate Him were hatched. Herod was up in years, and should have accumulated a great deal of wisdom. He should have had enough self esteem to not be threatened by anyone much less an infant. But when the next king was going to be God, and you were going to be the last king prior to that event, then that should be considered a great honor. But Herod was selfish, and in his arrogance sought to set into motion a plan to get rid of the Christ child. He had declared war in a very deceitful way, against God. Arrogance is a very powerful delusion. The sin nature is extremely powerful in its ability to distract from the truth and steer one on an untrue course. It is very deceptive and it can be very subtle as well. When we focus on the world that we see, totally ignoring the spiritual side of life, then we miss important events in history for sure, but we also miss out on the opportunity to shape our own destinies. Herod and his advisors sought only their worldly positions. Within a few years Herod will be dead along with those who conspired to kill Jesus, thus ending his eternal options. As long as we are alive we have the opportunity to secure our destinies, and not only secure them but secure them in such a way that is compatible with God's plan for each of our lives. Only by being positive toward God's word and by studying daily and advancing slowly but steadily toward maturity in our respective spiritual lives, will we secure the correct future with benefits and blessings beyond anything that we could attain in this world. Herod missed the boat. He had the opportunity to get straightened out, but he used the knowledge of the birth of Christ for his purpose of evil rather than for good. 
Now is the time to post a prayer. End Of Lesson Study to show thyself approved (mature) unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing (studying/discerning), the Word of truth. |
