(The life of our Savior) From Egypt to Nazareth Chapter 2.4

Matthew 2:19-23, Luke 2:39

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Our last study we went over Joseph and Mary getting out of town and fleeing for Egypt by the voice of God telling Joseph to leave, because Herod was going to be looking to kill the baby Messiah. Furthermore, Herod the Great killed all the male babies in that region where he thought the baby boy would be, being that the wise men didn’t return as he wanted to tell him exactly where Jesus was.

Sometime has went by, we aren’t sure how long exactly but we do know it’s before Jesus turning 12 years old, but in Matthew chapter 2:19 the Bible reads, But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, and said. 20 “Get up, take the Child and His mother, and go into the land of Israel; for those who sought the Childs life are dead.”

21 So Joseph got up, took the Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel.

22 But when he heard (Joseph) that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Then after being warned by God in a dream, he left for the regions of Galilee,

The region of Galilee is about 65 miles north of Jerusalem.

23 and came and lived in a city called Nazareth. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophets: “He shall be called a Nazarene.”

Nazareth was a rather obscure town, not one that was considered a great town by any means. It was a small town way north of the big city Jerusalem.

Nazareth is nowhere mentioned in the Old Testament writings, Matthew wrote in verse 23 that he lived in Nazareth to fulfill what was spoken by the prophets. Not singular but plural. But there are several places in the Old Testament where it refers to the Messiah being despised. Not by one prophet but by many, just as Matthew has said by the “prophets”.

Something to take note of, Jesus was a fairly common name in these days, so by placing Jesus name “the Messiah” with a place, Nazareth an actually town, where He grown up helped people to know truly who they were talking about as well as all the things we are going to look at below.

David wrote a Psalm with the same parallels to the suffering Savior.

Psalm 22:6 David wrote “a reproach of men and despised by the people.”

Psalm 69:10, when I wept in my soul with fasting, it became my reproach.

This chapter in Isaiah is subtitled “the suffering servant”

Isaiah 53:3 He was despised and forsaken by men, A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; And like one from whom men hide their face, He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.

Isaiah 49:7 thus says the Lord, the Redeemer of Israel and its Holy One, to the despised One

Micah 5:1 now muster yourselves in troops, daughter of troops; They have laid siege against us; With a rod they will smite the judge of Israel on the cheek.

Nazareth held Roman garrison for the northern areas of Galilee. Therefore the Jews would have little to do with Nazareth and largely despised it.

It was like Matthew was referencing this town and the Messiah because they were looked at in the same way by almost everyone, as nothing good.

Jumping a little into the Bible a few studies ahead in John 1:46 Nathanael says when he hears of the Messiah, the One talked about by the prophets, Jesus of Nazareth.

Nathanael reply is priceless in a way…..

John 1:46 Nathanael said to him, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Philip said come and see.

Just thinking about how I think as a human and how off I am in my silly short minded ways just as Nathanael was here. But the greatness that comes from reading this verse and saying to yourself as you read it, oh yes, something great can come from Nazareth.

Jesus of Nazareth is one of many names used in reference to Jesus of the New Testament. It is packed with meaning that held much relevance in His day and in ours. Jesus of Nazareth highlights both Has prophetic fulfillment as the divine Messiah and His human nature as One who lived among humanity.

Luke adds one verse about Jesus and His parents returning to Nazareth. Luke 2:39 when they had performed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to their own city of Nazareth.

Recall Luke had read all the other letters (Gospels) and wanted to cover different stuff than the other three writers.