After the wisemen had left, we saw last time that an angel of the Lord had appeared to Joseph, ordering him to take Mary and the young Jesus to Egypt, because King Herod would
seek to kill the child. Remember, Herod had told the wisemen to report back to him, once they found the child. While he claimed that he wanted to worship Him, obviously he was fixing to kill him, out of concern that his throne was in jeopardy. And so, Joseph and his family escape to Egypt by night, and only return, after receiving word from the Lord, following the later death of King Herod.
Now, Matthew tells us what happens after King Herod realizes that the wisemen were not going to return to him. And here too, Matthew will bring forth another OT prophecy that was fulfilled, this time from the Book of Jeremiah, Chapter 31:15. And the profound thing about this recorded event, is that it undeniably affirms, both, what Matthew has recorded about the wisemen, as well as, all that he has stated, surrounding the birth narrative of the Lord Jesus
Christ. As horrible as this event is, it is an extremely important witness, added to the compilation of Matthew's recorded testimony. And so, this is where we will be camping out for this morning, before moving forward in our narrative, next time, Lord willing. |
