Jesus fulfils Messianic prophecies.
v1-2 The wise men came looking for Jesus because they had been waiting in expectation for His star. They were Gentiles from Persia and Babylon who knew the scriptures through Daniel and the exiles (Daniel 1:3-4). They saw Jesus’ star as the fulfillment of Numbers 24:17 which says “a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel”. After years of anticipation and watching the night sky, they finally saw the star that led them to the first coming of Christ. In the same way, are we waiting and watching for the second coming of Christ?
v3 The arrival of Jesus threatened Herod’s political power. Herod the Great was an Idumean, appointed by the Roman government to ruler over Israel and Judah. Jesus was the fulfillment of God’s promise and confirmed by a heavenly sign. Herod was thus afraid of losing his power and authority to Jesus.
Question for Bible Study
What part of your life do you struggle with giving control to Jesus?
v6 Jesus was not born in a palace and yet the heavens declared His coming. His birth in a small town of Bethlehem fulfills yet another prophecy in Micah 5:2 that the Messiah will come out of Bethlehem. Bethlehem is significant for three reasons.
- In Hebrew, the name Bethlehem (בֵּית לֶחֶם) means “house of bread”.
- Bethlehem was King David’s hometown (1 Samuel 17:12).
- David was anointed king by the prophet Samuel in Bethlehem (1 Samuel 16:13).
This points to Jesus as the faithful shepherd of Israel who comes from the lineage of David. Jesus has come to bring blessing, peace and security, not through war but by His obedience to God.
v7-12 The wise men traveled a great distance to worship the King of Heaven. The gifts that they lavished on Jesus point to His identity and ministry.
- Gold is not only a gift worthy of Kings but a symbol of God’s Holiness. Gold is associated with the furniture, utensils and walls of the Holy place (2 Chronicles 3:80). This points to Jesus as both King and High Priest who is worthy to enter into the Most Holy Place.
- Frankincense was used to make the incense that was to be offered exclusively to God (Exodus 30:34).This points to Jesus as the one who offered Himself to God as the perfect sacrifice for our sins.
- Myrrh was used to make the sacred anointing oil for consecrating the priests and furnishings in the tabernacle (Exodus 30:22-25). It points to Jesus as our high priest who washes us and makes us Holy unto God.
Question for Bible Study
What do the gifts show us about Jesus and the kind of worship He deserves?
Jesus fulfils Israel’s prophecies
v13-14 There are times when following God comes at the cost of inconvenience. Joseph had to uproot his family to Egypt to protect Jesus. This event is a parallel of Joseph’s journey to Egypt in Genesis 37. Despite the danger, God continues to protect Joseph.
Question for discussion
Can you recall a time when your decision to follow God was inconvenient?
v15 This prophecy is found in Hosea 11:1 and in it,the nation of Israel is referred to as God’s “Son”. Hosea proclaims that God will rescue and deliver Israel, His “Son”. In Matthew, Jesus is the “Son” who God sends to rescue and deliver the world.
v16-18 Herod’s command to kill the male children reminds us of Pharaoh’s command to kill all the male Hebrew babies (Exodus 1:22). Despite Pharaoh’s scheme, God preserves Moses and uses him to deliver the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. Moses is a foreshadow of Jesus who has come to deliver us from slavery to sin (Romans 6:16).
The words of Jeremiah are found in Jeremiah 31:15. It expresses the deep grief over the exile of the Israelites from the land of Israel. In the same way, Herod’s attempt to kill Jesus is an attempt to wipe out the chosen one of God. God’s protection over Jesus’ life shows us that there is no scheme of Satan or men that can destroy the plans of God.
v19-23 God continues to lead Joseph step by step, protecting him from harm. Even though Joseph was afraid to return to Judea, he only withdrew to Galilee after he was warned in a dream. Joseph did not act first until he received instruction from God.
Joseph’s reluctance to go to Judea may seem like he no longer trusted God. But that detour was all part of God’s plan. At times we may feel like failures because we repeatedly deviated from God’s plan. But when we put our lives in God’s hands, He will use our detours to accomplish His plan.
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. – Romans 8:28 (NASB)
Questions for Bible Study
Where do you sense God is leading you in your life right now?
Can you recall a detour in your life that God turned around for your good?
Are there any areas in your life right now that feel like a detour?
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