CONTENTS.
We have here related to us the birth of Christ; the visit of the Wise Men from the East, led by a star to worship him; the consternation induced in the minds of Herod, and the whole city of Jerusalem, at the event of Christ's birth; the ministry of an angel to Joseph, and the flight of Joseph, with his family, into Egypt.
Matthew 2:1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
I detain the Reader at the very entrance on this Chapter, to remark several very interesting particulars in this short, but sweet account of the birth of the LORD Jesus after the flesh. Bethlehem, which signifies the house of bread, had been expressly declared by one of the Prophets to be the place which should be rendered sacred to this great event. Micah 5:2. And what place so proper to give birth to Jesus, who is himself the bread of life and the living bread? John 6:41-58. And as our misery and leanness arose from originally leaving this Bethlehem, as was typified. Ruth 1:1-6. So the LORD JESUS, CHRIST begins his salvation at the very spot where our ruin began. Moreover, the humbleness of the place became most highly suited for the humble SAVIOR to make his first appearance, in substance of our flesh. For this Bethlehem was about five or six miles from Jerusalem, and a little city in Judah. Joshua 17:7. There was another Bethlehem in Zebulon. Joshua 19:5. But as our Lord sprang out of Judah, so from Judah, in the midst of the tribes, he will arise. It was said of him, that he should grow out of his place. Zechariah 6:12. And here it is. I should not forget also to observe, that some have called Bethlehem the house of flesh; for Lechem may be so rendered. And if so, the beauty of the expression is doubled. CHRIST calls his body the flesh, which he wilt give for the life of the world. And both John and Paul, use the same. Joh 1:14; 1 Timothy 3:16. Reader! shall not you, and I, join the disciples' prayer! LORD! evermore give us this bread! 2 Samuel 23:15; Luke 2:4-20; Haggai 2:7-9; Malachi 3:1; John 6:51-57.