TODAY'S LESSON ...

Today we begin to notice Matthew's second quotation from the Old Testament, from Matthew chapter two specifically.

Wise Men have just visited Jesus, the young child Jesus. As they depart Bethlehem an angel appears to Joseph. Matthew relates the incident: "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. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt. 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." Matthew 2:13-15

Again, the direct quote with its accompanying formula: "That it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son."

The Prophet mentioned is Hosea. The introductory clause proving that this is indeed a Scriptural allusion is: "That it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet ...." Often this line is shortened to merely say, "It is written." But not here! This is "of the Lord," a prepositional phrase used for emphasis. Hence, very important!

Jesus, so young, in Egypt!

Yet Jesus, as a Boy, coming out of Egypt when life is again safe in Israel! Mary and Joseph being with Him, of course!

And Matthew strongly feels he must "link" this event with the Old Testament. The Holy Spirit in fact leads him to do so.

Matthew 2:15, using Hosea's words: "Out of Egypt have I called my son."

Now Hosea 11:1, using Hosea's words! "When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt."

Wow!

There's not a lot of similarity!

New Testament quote: "Out of Egypt have I called my son."

Old Testament original: "When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt."

The "heart" of this Matthean literary action will be studied tomorrow, Lord willing. But today I'd at least like to show you how Hosea views this "exit" from Egypt as something that happens to "Israel," to the Nation. And Matthew clearly views it as an Event in Jesus' Life!

Thus, Matthew just gave us permission, Bible authority, to loosely view Jesus as a "Type" or "Symbol" or maybe even "Fulfillment" of certain aspects of the Nation Who birthed Him!

Let me now reverse that too. Maybe it's better said that Israel is a type of Jesus Christ, the Son of God! In some ways at least!

Some examples ...

Israel had a miraculous beginning, a supernatural birth! Isaac from aged Abraham and Sarah! So did Jesus, a Virgin Birth in fact!

Israel had a protected childhood, harbored in Egypt for safety until she grew in population and could exist on her own! So was Jesus safely embedded in Egypt for a while, until Herod's death!

Israel suffered because of her relationship with God! So Jesus suffered because He was the Son of God! He still is the Son of God, for that matter! Always will be!

Israel was created to be a "light" to this dark world! Jesus was born to be the "Saviour" of this world!

Israel will be hated by the anti-christ, yet will ultimately be victorious over him! So Jesus is hated by the devil, by Satan himself. A devil who will be punished eternally!

Israel, because of God's Grace, has a bright and eternal future! Jesus, because He is God, has an everlasting future as our great High Priest and as King of all kings!

The very name "Israel" means "a prince with God!" The name "Jesus" means "One Who saves!" Similarity, parallelism again!

"That it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son."

Amen!

                --- Dr. Mike Bagwell

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