The second chapter of Matthew begins with these words,
"Now after Jesus was born..." The rest of the chapter could easily be
summed up this way, biblical prophecy was fulfilled and God protected his Son.
Micah 5:2 was fulfilled by Jesus when Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Hosea 11:1
was fulfilled when an angel warned Joseph to take his family to Egypt. Jeremiah
31:15 was fulfilled when Herod killed the baby boys. Finally, verse 23 makes
reference to a prophecy regarding Messiah being called a Nazarene. We're not
sure which passage or prophecy this is referring to, but it is fulfilled when
Joseph takes his family to the out of the way place of Nazareth.
Not only was scripture fulfilled, but God protected his Son.
He protected him by warning the Magi not to return to Herod. He protected him
by warning Joseph to take his family to Egypt.
There is a mystery between man's freedom to make choices and
God's sovereignty in accomplishing his purposes. Trying to understand that
mystery has led to all sorts of theology that tends to emphasize one side of
the equation and explain away the other. It has also led to some hard feelings
and division within the Body. That is unfortunate because, both are true. Did
God protect his Son, fulfill prophecy, and accomplish his purposes in this
chapter? Yes. Did God cause Herod to kill those children, or force Joseph to obediently
flee to Egypt? No. That is the mystery and we need to leave it at that.
Father, I am blown away by the fact that you give me the
freedom to make my own choices even in the most critical parts of my life. I am
comforted and assured by the truth that you are sovereign and will accomplish
your purposes in this world. Give me wisdom and discernment, and thank you for
the freedom. I rest in your sovereign grace.
Comments
Post a Comment