This Wednesday, March 14, we will continue with our study of Matthew 2. Last week we completed Matthew 2:1-12, which is concerned with the visit of the magi, so this Wednesday we will Lord willing cover the rest of Matthew 2. Here are some thoughts/comments/observations to aid you as you prepare for this upcoming study.
1) Matthew 2 is the more unfamiliar, perhaps darker, story in regard to the birth narrative of Jesus Christ. How often we hear messages of our Lord's birth from Matthew 1-2:12 but when is the last time you heard a message from Matthew 2:12-23? Is it or is it not just as relevant and important for us to study and seek to understand? I fear we often avoid these final verses of Matthew 2 because it presents the "ugly side" of Christ's birth. We always want to present the beautiful side of Christ's birth to the world. Matthew saw fit to include both the beautiful and the ugly together. To what purpose has Matthew done this?
2) Matthew quotes Hosea 11:1 in Matthew 2:15. Read Hosea 11 now (I say Hosea 11, not just Hosea 11:1 because they did not have chapters and verses in Matthew's time so when Matthew quotes what is to us Hosea 11:1 it was to the original readers a cause to read the entire context or passage from which this quotation comes)! Hosea 11 describes the history of the nation of Israel at the time of the Exodus as well as the succeeding events. Hosea's focus is on the nation and not the Messiah. In fact, there is no reason at all in reading Hosea 11 to think of the Messiah. Yet when Matthew quotes this passage he relates it as being fulfilled by the events in Christ's life! Matthew connects these two completely unrelated events! How and on what basis has Matthew made this connection?Does this quotation trouble you? Does this use of the Old Testament in the New Testament shake your hermeneutics? It should! How are we to understand Matthew's use of the Old Testament in his book? Does he understand Hosea 11:1 as predictive prophecy? As Sensus Plenior? As typological? Or in some other manner?
3) Matthew 2:16-18 really brings to light the darker side to the story of Christ's birth. Again I ask why has Matthew included this? How is this related to his quotation of Jeremiah 31:15?
4) Who is Archelaus and why is Joseph afraid of him? Josephus discusses him in some length in his works. See "Antiquities of the Jews" Book 17, the last few chapters.
5) What is the significance of Jesus residing in Nazareth?
Showing posts with label Matthew 2. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Matthew 2. Show all posts
Monday, March 12, 2007
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Matthew 2 Study Guide PT. 1
Tomorrow night, March 7th, we will begin studying chapter two for our Matthew bible study. Here are some thoughts, observations, and questions to help you along with your preparation for tomorrow night.
1. Matthew 2:1, 6 mentions Jesus being born in Bethlehem. Bethlehem, though a small and insignificant city compared to Jerusalem, has played an important part in the history of the Kingdom of Israel. One would do well to find out what Bethlehem means. Furthermore, can you remember who was married in Bethlehem in the OT and who was born and anointed King there?
2. Matthew 2 also has the all too familiar story of the magi. I ask you to please disabuse yourselves of any notions you may have regarding these magi and reconsider what you may have been taught about them in Sunday School. Along these same lines, stop and think if these magi have any connection to the magi in the Babylonian Kingdom (Daniel 2:48) or to Balaam' s prophecy in Numbers 24:15-19, specifically Numbers 24:17. Perhaps these three magi are Jewish proselytes?
3. King Herod is a prime figure in this narrative. One would do well to pick up a good bible dictionary and read about the life of King Herod. Often in this narrative we just blow by his name and don't think twice about him. Here is an opportunity to stop and read up concerning him. If you want even more detail concerning his life, read the accounts of Josephus in Antiquities Books 14-16 here
4. In Matthew 2:6 Christ is referred to as Ruler and Shepherd. Stop and think upon the significance of Christ as Shepherd. Can you think of Christ being referred to as Shepherd in any other passages of Scripture?
I hope this helps you. Please, as always, take your time reading this passage of Scripture. There is no reason to be in a rush. As you read stop and pray to God for help understanding the passage and to thank him for his glorious actions through history.
1. Matthew 2:1, 6 mentions Jesus being born in Bethlehem. Bethlehem, though a small and insignificant city compared to Jerusalem, has played an important part in the history of the Kingdom of Israel. One would do well to find out what Bethlehem means. Furthermore, can you remember who was married in Bethlehem in the OT and who was born and anointed King there?
2. Matthew 2 also has the all too familiar story of the magi. I ask you to please disabuse yourselves of any notions you may have regarding these magi and reconsider what you may have been taught about them in Sunday School. Along these same lines, stop and think if these magi have any connection to the magi in the Babylonian Kingdom (Daniel 2:48) or to Balaam' s prophecy in Numbers 24:15-19, specifically Numbers 24:17. Perhaps these three magi are Jewish proselytes?
3. King Herod is a prime figure in this narrative. One would do well to pick up a good bible dictionary and read about the life of King Herod. Often in this narrative we just blow by his name and don't think twice about him. Here is an opportunity to stop and read up concerning him. If you want even more detail concerning his life, read the accounts of Josephus in Antiquities Books 14-16 here
4. In Matthew 2:6 Christ is referred to as Ruler and Shepherd. Stop and think upon the significance of Christ as Shepherd. Can you think of Christ being referred to as Shepherd in any other passages of Scripture?
I hope this helps you. Please, as always, take your time reading this passage of Scripture. There is no reason to be in a rush. As you read stop and pray to God for help understanding the passage and to thank him for his glorious actions through history.
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