Transcript Document

Mathew
Chapter 2
Integrated Design
• 66 Separate Books
- Penned by over 40 different individuals
- Over several thousand years
• Design anticipates, in detail, events before
they happen
- From outside our dimension of time
and space
Epistemological Approach
Establish
the Integrity
of Design
Establish
the Identity of
Jesus Christ
Authentication
Chapter 2
1.
2.
3.
4.
Visit of the Magi
Massacre at Bethlehem
Flight to Egypt
Return into Nazareth
2:1-15
2:16-18
2:19-22
2:23
Magi of Medo-Persia
Magi of Medo-Persia
• Oneiromancy, not astrology, was their key
skill
Herodotus 1.107, 120; VII.19
• Established as the state religion of Persia
by Darius the Great, after some Magi who
were considered to be expert in interpretation
of dreams had been attached to the Median
court.
• (Not originally followers of Zoroaster)
Encyclopedia Britannica 7:691
Magian Religion vs. Judaism
• Each had its monotheistic concept of one beneficent
creator of all good who in turn was opposed by a
malevolent evil spirit.
• Each had its hereditary priesthood which became
the essential mediator between God and man by
virtue of blood sacrifice.
• Each depended upon the wisdom of the priesthood
in divination.
• Each held concepts of clean and unclean forms of
life.
• Magi were priestly caste during Seleucid, Parthian, and
Sasanian periods.
Political Background
• Since the days of Daniel the fortunes of both the Persia
and the Jewish nation had been closely intertwined.
• Both nations had in their turn falling under Seleucid
domination in the wake of Alexander’s conquests.
• Both had regained their independence:
- the Jews under Maccabean leadership
- the Persians as the dominating ruling group within the
Parthian empire.
• It was at this time that the Magi in their dual priestly
and governmental offices composed the upper house of
the council of the Magistrates whose duties included the
absolute choice and election of the king of the realm
Magistrates
• It was in a dual capacity of priest and counselor
whereby civil and political counsel was invested with
religious authority
• thus, the Magi became the supreme priestly caste of
the empire.
The Inscription of Bisitun
• Darius
I (The Great) (522-486 BC)
• Three languages
- Elamite
- Akkadian / Babylonian
- Old Persian / Aramaic
• Speaks of his speady and final triumph over a
revolt of Magi in 522 BC
Matthew 2:1
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,
Family Tree of Herod
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.
Matthew 2:2
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.
Numbers 24:17
I shall see him, but not now: I
shall behold him, but not nigh:
there shall come a Star out of
Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise
out of Israel, and shall smite the
corners of Moab, and destroy all
the children of Sheth.
st
1
Questions
• The 1st question of the New Testament:
“Where is he that is born King of the Jews?”
• The 1st question of the Old Testament:
God called to Adam “Where art thou?”
• The first question in the Old Testament deals
with the first Adam;
• The first question in the New Testament deals
with the last Adam.
Matthew 2:3
When Herod the king had heard
these things, he was troubled,
and all Jerusalem with him.
Matthew 2:4
And when he had gathered all
the chief priests and scribes of
the people together, he demanded
of them where Christ should be
born.
Matthew 2:5
And they said unto him, In
Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it
is written by the prophet,
Matthew 2:6
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.
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.
Matthew 2:7
Then Herod, when he had privily
called the wise men, inquired of
them diligently what time the
star appeared.
Matthew 2:8
And he sent them to Bethlehem,
and said, Go and search
diligently for the young child;
and when ye have found him,
bring me word again, that I may
come and worship him also.
Matthew 2:9
When they had heard the king,
they departed; and, lo, the star,
which they saw in the east, went
before them, till it came and
stood over where the young child
was.
Matthew 2:10
When they saw the star, they
rejoiced with exceeding great
joy.
“Star” of Bethlehem ?
Balaam’s prophecy?
- not quoted by Matthew: Numbers 24:17
- Conjunctions?
Isaiah 60:3
Kepler suggested the conjunction of Jupiter
and Saturn in the constellation of Pisces in
7 BC from an erroneous inference from
Josephus. (wrong date: 2BC -4BC)
Not a natural phenomenon: it settled over a
specific location
Shekhinah ?
• The Creation
• The Abrahamic Covenant
• Burning Bush
• Pillar of fire by night
• Flames at Pentecost
• Why not here?
Gen 1
Gen 15
Ex 3
Ex 13
Acts 2
Matt 19
Matthew 2:11
And when they were come into
the house, they saw the young
child with Mary his mother, and
fell down, and worshipped him:
and when they had opened their
treasures, they presented unto
him gifts; gold, and frankincense,
and myrrh.
Gifts
• Not necessarily all gifts are mentioned.
These mentioned because they are
prophetic:
- Gold = deity
- Frankincense = priesthood (mixed into
the shewbread by the priests)
- Myrrh = when crushed, an ointment
for burial
• Prophet; Priest; and King
Isaiah 60:6
The multitude of camels shall
cover thee, the dromedaries of
Midian and Ephah; all they from
Sheba shall come: they shall bring
gold and incense; and they shall
show forth the praises of the
LORD.
Matthew 2:12
And being warned of God in a
dream that they should not
return to Herod, they departed
into their own country another
way.
Matthew 2:13
And when they were departed,
behold, 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.
Matthew 2:14
When he arose, he took the young
child and his mother by night,
and departed into Egypt:
Matthew 2:15
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.
Hosea 11:1
When Israel was a child, then I
loved him, and called my son out
of Egypt.
Journeys of Jesus’ Birth
Matthew 2:16
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
inquired of the wise men.
Matthew 2:17
Then was fulfilled that which
was spoken by Jeremy the
prophet, saying,
Matthew 2:18
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.
Jeremiah 31:15
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.
Matthew 2:19
But when Herod was dead,
behold, an angel of the Lord
appeareth in a dream to Joseph
in Egypt,
Matthew 2:20
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 2:21
And he arose, and took the young
child and his mother, and came
into the land of Israel.
Matthew 2:22
But when he heard that
Archelaus did reign in Judaea in
the room of his father Herod, he
was afraid to go thither:
notwithstanding, being warned
of God in a dream, he turned
aside into the parts of Galilee:
Matthew 2:23
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.
Isaiah 11:1
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.
End of Matthew
Chapter 2