January 3rd, 2023
by Jon Welch
by Jon Welch
Read Matthew 2:1-20
Joseph and Mary took the baby Jesus and went to look for a place to settle down in the hills of Bethlehem. Remember that this is where their family is from because that is where they had returned for the worldwide census, issued by Caesar Augustus. We know they remained there for a while because when the wise men came, they found the Child and not the baby, in a house, not a stable (Matt.2:11)
What are the gifts they brought Jesus?
Why would the gifts be approbate for a king?
How do we see Gods provision and protection in this passage?
The night Jesus was born, God the Father placed a new star in the sky. This star would eventually lead the wise men from the east to the place where Jesus was living. This journey was a long journey and would have taken them months to prepare for. In these days they would have brought servants, guards, and no telling what else with them; camping gear, water for them and the livestock, food, first aid, extra clothes?
It would have taken them months to prepare and make this journey and we know this because they found Jesus in a home, not a stable and that he is called a child, not a baby. Some suggest that a baby becomes a child when he/she stops breast feeding, others believe that it was when a baby turns 2. Either way, there is little possibility that Jesus is in a stable, like most Christmas time pictures depict.
Why did God send Jesus the gifts of Gold, incense and myrrh? What are your thoughts?
Some have suggested that the gifts were used to make the family trip to Egypt to flee from Caesars rampage against children under 2 years old. After all, how could a young family afford to make such an expensive journey to a distant land? Some have wondered if this money wasn't used by Mary and Joseph to give Jesus a top notch education at the University of Alexandria in Egypt. Jesus could read, write, and speak at least 3 languages. Where did he learn this, if not in Egypt?
Regardless of what the gifts were used for I think its important to see the fact that God always provided for His Son Jesus. God always provides for his children. Sometimes the provision comes the night before you need it, sometimes days before, and sometimes as we are walking by faith where God is leading. God always provides.
Who in the Old Testament was saved from a childhood slaughter in Egypt? How does his life parallel that of Jesus? (Exodus 2:1-10)
Take some time and think about How God has provided for you throughout your life. How is he providing for you right now? Today? Make a list and thank God for always providing what we need.
Feel free to share how God has provided for you in the comments below!
Joseph and Mary took the baby Jesus and went to look for a place to settle down in the hills of Bethlehem. Remember that this is where their family is from because that is where they had returned for the worldwide census, issued by Caesar Augustus. We know they remained there for a while because when the wise men came, they found the Child and not the baby, in a house, not a stable (Matt.2:11)
What are the gifts they brought Jesus?
Why would the gifts be approbate for a king?
How do we see Gods provision and protection in this passage?
The night Jesus was born, God the Father placed a new star in the sky. This star would eventually lead the wise men from the east to the place where Jesus was living. This journey was a long journey and would have taken them months to prepare for. In these days they would have brought servants, guards, and no telling what else with them; camping gear, water for them and the livestock, food, first aid, extra clothes?
It would have taken them months to prepare and make this journey and we know this because they found Jesus in a home, not a stable and that he is called a child, not a baby. Some suggest that a baby becomes a child when he/she stops breast feeding, others believe that it was when a baby turns 2. Either way, there is little possibility that Jesus is in a stable, like most Christmas time pictures depict.
Why did God send Jesus the gifts of Gold, incense and myrrh? What are your thoughts?
Some have suggested that the gifts were used to make the family trip to Egypt to flee from Caesars rampage against children under 2 years old. After all, how could a young family afford to make such an expensive journey to a distant land? Some have wondered if this money wasn't used by Mary and Joseph to give Jesus a top notch education at the University of Alexandria in Egypt. Jesus could read, write, and speak at least 3 languages. Where did he learn this, if not in Egypt?
Regardless of what the gifts were used for I think its important to see the fact that God always provided for His Son Jesus. God always provides for his children. Sometimes the provision comes the night before you need it, sometimes days before, and sometimes as we are walking by faith where God is leading. God always provides.
Who in the Old Testament was saved from a childhood slaughter in Egypt? How does his life parallel that of Jesus? (Exodus 2:1-10)
Take some time and think about How God has provided for you throughout your life. How is he providing for you right now? Today? Make a list and thank God for always providing what we need.
Feel free to share how God has provided for you in the comments below!
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18 Comments
As I look back over life I'm amazed to see how faithfully God has provided... even when I didn't realize it. There have been times when the need simply was provided. But the times that amaze me the most are the times when I was being provided for and was unaware. Then, upon looking back, to see Gods faithful hand!
Thankful for you all!
This is HUGE! Especially when we are teenagers and college years. He was always there, even though we weren’t.
Looking back at my life I can see God was there throughout… even in the times I had walked away from Him. I am not deserving of the life He has blessed me with. I know that. But God is so good to take my life from ashes to beauty.
God brought me out of the very worst marriage and gave me a husband who loves Him, and cherishes me.
He took me from meaningless jobs that pay the bills to a career that glorifies Him while I use the gifts He gave me.
He gave me the opportunity to work mostly from home so that I can homeschool my children.
He has provided financially that I never have a need.
I was just driving into Lexington this morning and thanking God for all He has provided! God has perfect His timing over my life, and I am so grateful!
I’m gonna sing of the goodness of God- all my days he has been faithful!
This is beautiful, Amanda!! Love it. God is SO FAITHFUL, even when we are far away.
I’ve been in quite a few car accidents, not only did God protect me I also got another car (usually a better one).
When Larry n I worked on the horse farm making minimum wage God worked in a way for us to get cheaper health insurance and a housing allowance.
I’m grateful that He never gives up on me, never leaves me, always loves me, because I have been known to slide in the ditch and stay there awhile. But God. He is good all the time
He really is!
Hindsight is 20/20. There have been lots of times I didn’t realize God was providing finances, opportunities, community, maturity. I thought I was just doing the best I could to be obedient, God’s hand was on it all.
Way to many amazing stories, all the absolute Miracles from eternal damnation which i so deserve to the most Amazing of all which is His Salvation and The opportunity to Serve Him and His Church, and then there is my friend and and amazing wife and mother of our 4 children. I still often wonder why, so so eternally Grateful Thank you Lord.
🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
Everyday I am amazed at how God provides, then and now. How his hand was everywhere and at the time I didn’t really understand or put much thought into it.
He has provided so many things that only he could do, that I could never do on my own. Our health is huge, our finances, food and drinks, a home, wonderful healthy children and so many things.
Sometimes when your in a crazy season, you don’t see it, until you reach the other side. Then you are truly amazed at how he provided.
When we first got married, money was tight but God always provided especially because of tithing and then my husband agreed to tithing and God really showed up. He provides even more when we are Faithfully. Sometimes it’s so hard to continue but when we obey, we will eventually see the reward.
He loves to give to us and he loves Praise! So, let’s praise Him for all he provides 🎶🙌🏻🎶🙌🏻
For a long time in my life I was not following a Godly path. When I think back on that time I can see how I kept being lead toward the right direction, the only thing stopping me was myself. I am so grateful for God opening my eyes and showing me all he could do and all the obstacles I came across as I turned my life toward him were handled with ease. He has always provided
I am similar to Jenna Reed. God has always been with me guiding me in the right direction. I am so thankful for his continued love and guidance.
God provided for his young son, Jesus, in a number of ways. One, he made sure Jesus would be born to earthly parents that were devoted and faithful. Two, he provided him a way out of Israel to save him from an earthly death by guiding the three wise men to Bethlehem. Upon arrival they presented him with gifts that allowed the family to escape.
God provides for us in many ways. Just think of the way he guides us to a church family that is faithful and is generous in its help to others. He guides us in our daily walk. He listens to our prayers. He answers those prayers even though sometimes there is no answer. God knows what we need.
Throughout my life God has been there to provide for me. He placed me in a loving family. He provided for my education. He gave me a beautiful, loving wife. He gave me great kids and grandkids. And, throughout my married and working life, God has always provided a job and the ability to get the bills paid. He truly is an awesome, loving God.
God has always provided for me and my family even when I wasn’t close to him as I should have been. Times when we thought we didn’t know how we would get by we always did. He continues to provide for us, just this past year allowing me to finally get a job working at home so I was here more for my kids. Sometimes I feel guilty because I feel so undeserving. I recently lost my mamaw who was a HUGE part of my life and an amazing Christian woman, I think if I hadn’t been close to God during her passing I would have handled it way worse. It makes my heart so happy knowing she’s up there rejoicing so in a way he provided me with that comfort too.
Especially this year and the end of last year, he has provided so much. My husband and I were able to move here, now we live in our own place, we have a wonderful family, jobs, a wonderful church to attend. We are so thankful!
Many times we had bills come up and some one would call and want us to play music. Most of the time it was a church function and they would take up a live offering, it would always be enough to cover the bill.
He has given me everything. My life, my salvation, my husband, my two sons and 4 grandchildren, God fearing parents, grandparents, my ancestors, brothers and sisters who come from different parents but love me more than my immediate family, the very clothes on my back, the food I eat, my warm house, everything I have is His, my long life, my nursing career, my sweet and loving patients I cared for over the years who have gone on ahead of me, my health. What hasn’t He done for me? Nothing! The greatest gift is His only son! Thank you my God and Saviour. Now He has given me the greatest church I have attended. Thank you to each one in the ministry here. Love to all
I believe Jesus was given the gifts for practical use. Frankincense and myrrh were used to treat sickness and wounds. Gold so they could buy things.