This chapter contains the fulfillment of four prophesies.
“But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, ‘Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.’ And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene.” (v19-21,23)
The four prophesies fulfilled in this chapter are:
– Jesus was to be born in Bethlehem (v5-6, Mic 5:2)
– God calls His son Jesus out of Egypt (v15, Hos 11:1)
– Jesus would survive a tragic killing of ‘Rachel’s children’ (v17-18, Jer 31:15)
– Jesus would be called a Nazarene (v23)
Though scholars are not completely sure how Matthew determined the Nazarite upbringing was a fulfillment prophesy, the main trend is clear – no matter what people do (eg. Herod slaughtering all males two and under) we cannot prevent God from fulfilling His word / promises.
Our disobedience can be a barrier to God’s blessing, and our failure to uphold agreements may result in God cancelling His end of an agreement, but God never breaks His word no matter how badly we intentionally / unintentionally screw things up.
This chapter also shows that the entire OT points to Jesus – and I don’t mean just the prophetic books. The entire Bible tells the tragic story of our sin, and God’s loving promise to cleanse our sin, fulfilled through the birth and death of Jesus His son.
I want to encourage us in this prolonged time of emotional, physical and spiritual turmoil, as we continue facing this global pandemic. May we never forget that God is faithful to fulfill His promises. May we remember Jesus died to destroy sin and this curse of which we’re still suffering. May our hearts praise God for the end of this present suffering has been prophesied and promised, and Jesus will be coming back ‘soon’. In the mean time we can take God at His word that He is still present, powerful, and knowledgeable in our situation, and we are in His hands.
Father God, our Wise and Trustworthy Lord, we praise Your holy and magnificent name. Father You have never broken a promise, or left a commitment unfulfilled. May we ready our hearts for Your return King Jesus, and praise Your name to all who will listen. May You be glorified in our words and actions, until we see You face to face. You alone are worthy of our devotion, from this day forward, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training