What Jesus Did : Matthew 2:7-10 - Of Deceit and Joy
by Phil Ware
Of Deceit and Joy - Matthew 2:7-10
Then Herod had a secret meeting with the wise men from the east. Herod learned from the wise men the exact time they first saw the star. Then Herod sent the wise men to Bethlehem. Herod said to the wise men, "Go and look carefully to find the new baby. When you find the baby, come tell me. Then I can go worship him too." The wise men heard the king and then left. They saw the same star they had seen in the east. The wise men followed the star. The star went before them until it stopped above the place where the baby was. The wise men were happy to see the star. They were very excited. (ERV) Full TextKey Thought
Herod is that great reminder of Satan's design for us: he is a liar and murderer, and has been since the beginning! (See John 8:44.) Under the pretense of worship, Herod seeks to eliminate God's choice for the throne Herod thinks he himself occupies. Satan had so blinded Herod that he would even use the truth of prophetic Scripture to kill God's chosen Messiah. Thwarted only because of God's timing and will, Herod anticipates Judas, who will betray the Lord for another type of personal gain. A question we need to ask is this: "How many times have I betrayed him for nothing?"
Today's Prayer
Holy and Righteous Father, in the power of Jesus' name, please drive the influence of Satan's deceptions from my mind and heart. Give me the ability to see your truth and be protected from Satan's schemes to destroy me, my faith, and those I love. In Jesus' powerful name I pray. Amen.
Today's Verses in Context
Jesus was born in the town of Bethlehem in Judea. He was born during the time when Herod was king. After Jesus was born, some wise men from the east came to Jerusalem. The wise men asked people, "Where is the new baby that is the king of the Jews? We saw the star that shows he was born. We saw the star rise in the sky in the east. We came to worship him." King Herod heard about this new king of the Jews. Herod was troubled about this. And all the people in Jerusalem were worried too. Herod called a meeting of all the leading Jewish priests and teachers of the law. Herod asked them where the Christ would be born. They answered, "In the town of Bethlehem in Judea. The prophet wrote about this {in the Scriptures }: 'Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, you are important among the rulers of Judah. Yes, a ruler will come from you, and that ruler will lead Israel, my people.'" Then Herod had a secret meeting with the wise men from the east. Herod learned from the wise men the exact time they first saw the star. Then Herod sent the wise men to Bethlehem. Herod said to the wise men, "Go and look carefully to find the new baby. When you find the baby, come tell me. Then I can go worship him too." The wise men heard the king and then left. They saw the same star they had seen in the east. The wise men followed the star. The star went before them until it stopped above the place where the baby was. The wise men were happy to see the star. They were very excited. The wise men came to the house where the baby was. They saw the baby with his mother Mary. The wise men bowed down and worshiped the baby. The wise men opened the gifts they brought for the baby. They gave the baby treasures of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. But God warned the wise men in a dream. God warned them not to go back to Herod. So the wise men went home to their own country a different way.-- Matthew 2:1-12 (ERV)
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