August 1, 2024
DAILY BIBLE READING – Matthew Chapter 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,
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.
3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
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.
5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
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.
7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
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.
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.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
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.
12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
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.
14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:
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.
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. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying,
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.
19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,
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.
21 And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.
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:
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.
King James Version. Public Domain
Commentary
Introduction:
Matthew Chapter 2 recounts the events following the birth of Jesus, including the arrival of the wise men from the East, the flight to Egypt, the massacre of the innocents by King Herod, and the return of Jesus and his family to Israel. These events demonstrate the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and highlight the divine guidance and protection over Jesus’ life.
The Wise Men from the East (Verses 1-12)
After Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem during the time of King Herod, wise men from the East arrive in Jerusalem asking about the newborn King of the Jews. They have seen his star and have come to worship him. This news alarms Herod and all of Jerusalem. Herod gathers the chief priests and scribes, who inform him that the Christ is to be born in Bethlehem, as prophesied. Herod secretly questions the wise men and sends them to Bethlehem, pretending that he also wants to worship the child. The wise men follow the star to the house where Jesus is with Mary. They worship him and present gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they depart for their country by another route.
The Flight to Egypt (Verses 13-15)
After the wise men leave, an angel of the Lord appears to Joseph in a dream, warning him of Herod’s plan to kill the child. Joseph is instructed to flee to Egypt with Mary and Jesus and stay there until further notice. Joseph obeys, and the family remains in Egypt until Herod’s death, fulfilling the prophecy: “Out of Egypt I called my son.”
The Massacre of the Innocents (Verses 16-18)
Realizing that he has been outwitted by the wise men, Herod becomes furious and orders the killing of all boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who are two years old and under. This fulfills Jeremiah’s prophecy about Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted because they are no more.
The Return from Egypt (Verses 19-23)
After Herod’s death, an angel of the Lord appears again to Joseph in a dream, instructing him to return to Israel, as those seeking the child’s life are dead. Joseph obeys and returns with Mary and Jesus. However, fearing Archelaus, Herod’s son, who rules in Judea, Joseph is warned in a dream to go to Galilee. The family settles in Nazareth, fulfilling the prophecy that Jesus would be called a Nazarene.
Summary:
Matthew Chapter 2 reveals the divine guidance and protection over Jesus from his birth. It shows the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and how Jesus is recognized from the beginning as the promised Messiah, both by the wise men from the East and through divine interventions ensuring his safety. These events emphasize the importance of obedience to divine instructions and the fulfillment of the divine plan in the history of salvation.
WEEKLY SPIRIT OF PROPHECY READING – Ellen White | The Desire of Ages Chapter 51: The Light of Life
This chapter is based on John 8:12-59; John 9.
Read online here
Commentary
Introduction: Jesus as the Light of the World (John 8:12)
Jesus declares in the temple that He is the light of the world and promises that those who follow Him will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life. This statement is made during the Feast of Tabernacles, where large lamps in the temple courtyard illuminate Jerusalem and remind the people of the pillar of fire that guided Israel in the wilderness. Jesus uses this symbol to highlight His mission as a spiritual light meant to illuminate the darkness of the world.
The Significance of Light in the Bible
Light is a recurring symbol in the Bible for God’s presence and revelation. From the light of creation to the pillar of fire that guided Israel in the wilderness and the light that accompanied the dedication of Solomon’s temple, light stands for God’s guidance and proximity. Jesus, as the light of the world, embodies God’s essence and His relationship with humanity. He is the true light that enlightens every person (John 1:9).
Jesus and Abraham (John 8:56-58)
Jesus emphasizes His eternal existence and His relationship with Abraham, which the Pharisees perceive as presumptuous. He explains that Abraham rejoiced at the prospect of Jesus’ day. By saying, “Before Abraham was, I am,” Jesus claims divine existence and identity, which the Pharisees see as blasphemy and therefore want to stone Him.
The Healing of the Man Born Blind (John 9)
In John 9, Jesus heals a man who was born blind. This healing demonstrates that God’s works are revealed through Jesus. The disciples and the Pharisees inquire about the cause of the blindness, but Jesus shifts the focus to the outcome: the revelation of God’s power and grace. This healing occurs on the Sabbath, prompting the Pharisees to again condemn Jesus as a lawbreaker.
The Pharisees’ Reaction
The Pharisees attempt to deny the miracle and intimidate the healed man and his parents. However, the formerly blind man bravely defends Jesus and points to the obvious divine origin of his healing. This defense leads to his expulsion from the synagogue. Jesus seeks him out and fully reveals Himself to him, whereupon the man worships Jesus as the Son of Man.
Spiritual Blindness of the Pharisees
Jesus uses the healing of the man born blind to highlight the spiritual blindness of the Pharisees. They claim to see, but they reject the true light that Jesus offers. Their self-righteousness and pride prevent them from recognizing the truth, thus their sin remains.
Summary
Chapter 51 underscores the profound significance of Jesus’ declaration, “I am the light of the world.” Jesus brings not only physical but also spiritual light into the world, revealing God’s truth and saving people from the darkness of sin. The healing of the man born blind serves as a practical example of Jesus’ mission and the necessity of accepting spiritual light. The Pharisees, however, remain trapped in their self-righteousness and reject the life-changing light that Jesus offers.
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