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,
It just states wise men...it is NOT clear there were 3 or 4 or just 2...but only 3 gifts were given which is understood there were 3 supposedly...gold, myrrh, & frankincense ...
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.
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.
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.
But Herod lied and sought out to kill Baby Jesus...this looks familiar when it was announced when Mary, his mother, was with child...many sought and consulted if they should stone her....
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.
I can hardly imagine the feeling in their hearts for they knew they would see the Almighty robed in flesh...to know it was Him it is mind blowing...the One who wrote the 10 Commandments and the Burning Bush and so on...it is an amazing thing, and so humble and perfect birth for GOD's will is Perfect in ALL diver Manners...
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.
Now GOD warns them not to basically inform Herod and they Obeyed...
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.
NOW even, Jesus Christ had to wait in Egypt until the Evil King Herod was dead before He could return...The Old Testament constantly testifies and records His coming...All on God's ways NO WHERE NEAR Man's ways...
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.
Just Because Herod was in fear of one succeeding him in his place He kills all these children, due to HIS fear only, How He feared Him...in the wrong way... but It was a prophecy of Jeremiah...Rachel is Weeping for her children...Rachel was beautiful but barren and only had 2 sons, Joseph and Benjamin...and she weeps for them in the Cry of the Mothers of Zion...and this is a great ponder...still
19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,
I love how God sends His Messengers over His Awesome World Changing Events....
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.
Without Quesiotn Joseph arose and did as so...a STRONG man Indeed...
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:
Now had Joseph not paid attention to his fear in v22, he would have been in the wrong place...study and always seek God and He will Direct your paths...
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.
