Pay Attention To Your Dreams:
They May Be Messages From God, Or Messages From The Devil
06-06-10
Sorry, you must have Windows Media Player 9 or higher. <Audio available after service and may be Monday 6/7/10> This is a large file which may take a few seconds to start MP3 Click here, or scroll down to view today's diagram <diagram available after service and may be Monday 6/7/10> (Mat 2:1,2) Now when Jesus [Heb: Joshua; Jehovah saves] was born in Bethlehem [Heb: house of bread] of Judaea in the days of Herod [Heb: hero, heroic /// a view: appearance, fashion, shape, sight] the king, behold, there came wise men [Gk: Magians, i.e. Oriental scientists] from the east [Iraq, Babylon, 500+ miles] to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. 1. Commentary: We may assume that the “wise men” were astrologists, men who studied the stars, the study or science of which professes to interpret the influence of heavenly bodies on human affairs, practical astronomy being the earliest form of this science. Astronomical configurations were the first pictorial Bible attainable to men. 2. Commentary: Herod the Great was a descendant of Esau, an Edomite, and thus not truly a Jew. He was a suspicious and brutal man. To assure his continued rule, he murdered all the male infants who could possibly be considered legal heirs to his precious throne, including two of his own sons, and also his wife. 3. Commentary: These two verses present the ultimate juxtaposition between good and evil. Jesus the Christ, King of Faith, has come to dethrone Herod the Great, King of Sight, i.e., Spirit vs. flesh. a. (2 Cor 5:7) (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) 4. worship = Gk: (mean. to kiss, like a dog licking his master's hand); to fawn or crouch to, i.e. (lit. or fig.) prostrate oneself in homage (do reverence to, adore):--worship. (Mat 2:3-6) When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled [i.e., greatly disturbed], and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ [Gk: anointed, the Messiah] should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet [Mic 5:2], And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. 1. Commentary: “where Christ should be born” = Herod first calls him “Christ” indicating biblical familiarity, and imperatively turns to learned men of the Bible demanding more information; yet he did not believe the Scriptures wholly, but only those parts that were acceptable and convenient to him. Herod positions himself as the center of his universe and all else is peripheral, minor, secondary. 2. rule = Gk: to tend as a shepherd (or fig. superviser): feed (cattle), rule /// a shepherd: pastor. 3. (Micah 5:2) But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah [Heb: fruitfulness], though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. (Mat 2:7,8) Then Herod, when he had privily [Gk: privately] called the wise men, inquired of them diligently [with all sweetness and humility] what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently [Gk: exactly: perfectly] for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. (Mat 2:9-12) When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, [appeared again and] went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house [versus a stable: Luke 2:7], they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down [through the idea of kneeling, humility], and worshipped him [complete submission]: and when they had opened their treasures [sacrificial gifts of great value: love], they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream [first dream] that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. 1. Commentary: “gold, and frankincense, and myrrh” = These three gifts are highly symbolic representing the nine manifestations of the Spirit (1 Cor 12:7-11) in three inner-associated packages of three gifts each: the three gifts of revelation [gold = Urim (Heb: Lights)], the three gifts of inspiration [frankincense = Thummim (Heb: Perfections)], and the three gifts of power [myrrh = Thummim (Heb: Perfections)]. These gifts were given to the infant Jesus by the Holy Spirit through the agency of “wise men,” and were instrumental in sustaining Joseph, Mary, and Jesus during their sojourn in Egypt. 2. (Job 33:14-18) For God speaketh once [orally, the words of the Bible which is an oral tradition], yea twice [i.e., God speaketh twice (orally)], yet man perceiveth it not. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction, That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man. He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword. (Mat 2:13-15) And when they [the wise men] were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream [second 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. 1. (Hosea 11:1) When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt. (Mat 2:16-18) Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth [Heb: enraged], and sent forth, and slew all the [Gk: male] children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not. 1. (Jer 31:15-17) Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not. Thus saith the LORD; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the LORD; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy. And there is hope in thine end, saith the LORD, that thy children shall come again to their own border. (Mat 2:19-23) But when Herod [the Great] was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream [third dream] to Joseph in Egypt, Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life. And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream [fourth dream], he turned aside into the parts of Galilee: And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth [an uncertain derivation]: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets [indirectly in types and shadows: Judg 13:5 ref. Samson (King); 1 Sam 1:11 ref. Samuel (Priest)], He shall be called a Nazarene [not in flesh, but in spirit]. Amen Click here, or on the diagram for a printable (PDF) version. <diagram available after service and may be Monday 6/7/10> Previous Chapter Table Of Contents Next Chapter Click here to download a printable version of this message Click here to download a DOC version of this message
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(Mat 2:1,2) Now when Jesus [Heb: Joshua; Jehovah saves] was born in Bethlehem [Heb: house of bread] of Judaea in the days of Herod [Heb: hero, heroic /// a view: appearance, fashion, shape, sight] the king, behold, there came wise men [Gk: Magians, i.e. Oriental scientists] from the east [Iraq, Babylon, 500+ miles] to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
1. Commentary: We may assume that the “wise men” were astrologists, men who studied the stars, the study or science of which professes to interpret the influence of heavenly bodies on human affairs, practical astronomy being the earliest form of this science. Astronomical configurations were the first pictorial Bible attainable to men.
2. Commentary: Herod the Great was a descendant of Esau, an Edomite, and thus not truly a Jew. He was a suspicious and brutal man. To assure his continued rule, he murdered all the male infants who could possibly be considered legal heirs to his precious throne, including two of his own sons, and also his wife.
3. Commentary: These two verses present the ultimate juxtaposition between good and evil. Jesus the Christ, King of Faith, has come to dethrone Herod the Great, King of Sight, i.e., Spirit vs. flesh.
a. (2 Cor 5:7) (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
4. worship = Gk: (mean. to kiss, like a dog licking his master's hand); to fawn or crouch to, i.e. (lit. or fig.) prostrate oneself in homage (do reverence to, adore):--worship.
(Mat 2:3-6) When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled [i.e., greatly disturbed], and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ [Gk: anointed, the Messiah] should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet [Mic 5:2], And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
1. Commentary: “where Christ should be born” = Herod first calls him “Christ” indicating biblical familiarity, and imperatively turns to learned men of the Bible demanding more information; yet he did not believe the Scriptures wholly, but only those parts that were acceptable and convenient to him. Herod positions himself as the center of his universe and all else is peripheral, minor, secondary.
2. rule = Gk: to tend as a shepherd (or fig. superviser): feed (cattle), rule /// a shepherd: pastor.
3. (Micah 5:2) But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah [Heb: fruitfulness], though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
(Mat 2:7,8) Then Herod, when he had privily [Gk: privately] called the wise men, inquired of them diligently [with all sweetness and humility] what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently [Gk: exactly: perfectly] for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
(Mat 2:9-12) When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, [appeared again and] went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house [versus a stable: Luke 2:7], they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down [through the idea of kneeling, humility], and worshipped him [complete submission]: and when they had opened their treasures [sacrificial gifts of great value: love], they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream [first dream] that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
1. Commentary: “gold, and frankincense, and myrrh” = These three gifts are highly symbolic representing the nine manifestations of the Spirit (1 Cor 12:7-11) in three inner-associated packages of three gifts each: the three gifts of revelation [gold = Urim (Heb: Lights)], the three gifts of inspiration [frankincense = Thummim (Heb: Perfections)], and the three gifts of power [myrrh = Thummim (Heb: Perfections)]. These gifts were given to the infant Jesus by the Holy Spirit through the agency of “wise men,” and were instrumental in sustaining Joseph, Mary, and Jesus during their sojourn in Egypt.
2. (Job 33:14-18) For God speaketh once [orally, the words of the Bible which is an oral tradition], yea twice [i.e., God speaketh twice (orally)], yet man perceiveth it not. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction, That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man. He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.
(Mat 2:13-15) And when they [the wise men] were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream [second 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.
1. (Hosea 11:1) When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.
(Mat 2:16-18) Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth [Heb: enraged], and sent forth, and slew all the [Gk: male] children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.
1. (Jer 31:15-17) Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not. Thus saith the LORD; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the LORD; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy. And there is hope in thine end, saith the LORD, that thy children shall come again to their own border.
(Mat 2:19-23) But when Herod [the Great] was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream [third dream] to Joseph in Egypt, Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life. And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream [fourth dream], he turned aside into the parts of Galilee: And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth [an uncertain derivation]: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets [indirectly in types and shadows: Judg 13:5 ref. Samson (King); 1 Sam 1:11 ref. Samuel (Priest)], He shall be called a Nazarene [not in flesh, but in spirit].
Amen
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