What is fascinating to me regarding chapter two is that there are four prophecies given, in which Matthew remarks in his standard way: “This fulfilled what the prophets had said.”
2:6 = Micah 5:2; 2 Samuel 5:2
2:15 = Hosea 11:1
2:18 = Jeremiah 31:15
2:23 = ?????
There are question marks because no OT text seems to overtly predict that Jesus would be called a Nazarene. Makes me wonder if there was some set of prophecies that we just don’t have access to anymore. I trust that we have what we need - but it’s interesting to me nonetheless.
Chapter two is heart-breaking: Herod is insecure and doesn’t want to lose his position to this new king - so he kills all the boys who are two-years-old or younger in and around Bethlehem. SH mentions that this story should rock the sentimental nature of Christmas. A great tragedy occurred around Jesus’ birth. Liturgical church traditions commemorate this tragedy through a feast day in late December (most of them). We should not forget that Jesus’ birth lead to great anguish - but it also should not surprise us that this would be so. There is a battle going on - and as Matthew will illustrate through the teachings of Jesus - the kingdom of Jesus stands in direct opposition and contrast to the way a sinful world chooses to operate.
One other thing that SH mentions is that Jesus’ flight to Egypt and back should sound really familiar - because it mirrors the Israelites Exodus from Egypt. “(Jesus) is also the new Moses called to lead his people to the land of faithfulness” (p.40). So now Jesus has been connected to Moses, Abraham and David: Jesus truly came to fulfill the OT - and in doing so - he completes the various functions of the key players. I’m sure this will come up more as we explore Matthew.
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