Welcome to our new project, the Daily Bible Devotional. The goal is to help you understand and

apply scripture as you go through a New Testament Bible read five days a week, Monday through

Friday as we move from Matthew straight through to Revelation. In just three minutes each morning, we will recap the chapter,

make some application, present thought questions for the day, and offer a prayer together.

I'm excited about exploring God's Word with you, so let's get started.

Hey, welcome. Let's look at Matthew Chapter 2 together today. Here's a recap. Matthew documents the

events immediately following Jesus' birth. From the worshipping Magi to the conniving Herod to the angels

sending the family to Egypt, everything culminates in the murderous rampage of the king, killing all of the young boys in Bethlehem.

Following Herod's death, an angel directs Jesus family back to Nazareth.

The significance of this chapter is found in the prophecies.

Micah states, a ruler will come from Bethlehem.

Hosea tells of God's son coming from Egypt.

Jeremiah teaches there will be weeping at the loss of children.

An unnamed prophet predicts that the Messiah will be called a Nazarene.

Matthew is aligning the story of Jesus with the prophets of old.

This would carry tremendous weight for the Jew

and should demonstrate God's design and control to us as well. Here are some potential benefits

from this chapter for us. God controls how things come together for the good of his will and his

people. Before Jesus was born, God knew all things. He used prophets

to confirm his power to us. Life was not easy for those whom God chose to be a part of his

incredible story. Circumstances were hard for Joseph and Mary, and certainly for families who lost

their children to Herod's wrath. But God was working on something beautiful and eternal.

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