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MATTHEW - Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand!
A Bible Study Course on the Gospel of Christ according to Matthew
PART 1 - The Preliminary Period in the Ministry of Christ (Matthew 1:1 - 4:25)
A - Birth and Childhood of Jesus (Matthew 1:1 - 2:23)

3. Visit and Worship of the Magi (Matthew 2:1-11)


MATTHEW 2:5-6
5 They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for this is written through the prophet, 6 ‘You Bethlehem, land of Judah, are in no way least among the princes of Judah: for out of you shall come forth a governor, who shall shepherd my people, Israel.’”
(Micah 5:2)

King Herod heard the legal opinion about the birthplace of Jesus and of his work in the future. The educated among the Jews knew that Christ would be born in Bethlehem, the city of David of Judea. One thousand years ago, the Lord gave King David a unique promise that one of his sons will live forever (God being his real father), and that his kingdom will have no end. Prophet Micah confirmed this prophecy given to David, with another divine proclamation in which God revealed that Christ did not go forth from heaven for the first time as a child in Bethlehem, but he had many goings forth from eternity past (Micah 5:2). Christ eternally existed and his ability to rule, and his heavenly kingdom, will never end. How astonishing!

The chief priests and scribes kept silent before Herod about the last part of the prophecy, because they pinned hopes on the ground that the Messiah would free them of the Roman nightmare and the tyranny of Herod. They said, "Yes, a king will be born, who will unify the divided tribes of Israel, and rule over them just as the most high rules."

Bethlehem is a little town among the hills about six km southwest of Jerusalem. It was not fertile since the limestone, which is found at the bottom of the soil, is not conducive to store water, therefore the topsoil was dry. It was called Bethlehem of Judea to distinguish it from another town of the same name in the land of Zebulun (Joshua 19:15). Bethlehem in Hebrew signifies the "house of bread." This was a fittest place for his birth since he is the true manna, "the bread which came down from heaven", and was "given for the life of the world." He who comes to him shall never hunger, and he who believes in him shall never thirst (John 6:35).

Observe here how Jews and Gentiles compare notes about Jesus Christ. The Gentiles know the time of his birth by a star, the Jews know the place of it by the scriptures; and so they are capable of informing one another.

Are you satisfied with the bread of God? Does the Lord dwell in you and is your heart a manger for him?

PRAYER: I thank you Lord Jesus Christ because you satisfy my hunger for true life and my thirst for righteousness. You have proclaimed to me the essence of the love of God. That is why I love you and thank you and pray to you for steadfastness in your everlasting life. Please animate me that I may praise you and glorify you forever.

QUESTION:

  1. What are the most important ideas in the prophecy of Micah?What are the most important ideas in the prophecy of Micah?''

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