Check out the series on Jesus’ birth and childhood from Matthew 1-2
The Genealogy: 1:1-17 – Jesus is qualified to be the Messiah and sit on David’s throne.
A. Jesus’ birth and name: 1:18-25
dream: Joseph should keep Mary and own Jesus
prophetic connection: Isaiah 7:14 – Jesus is like Hezekiah who was born to a young woman and who was a sign that God remembered his promise to David for a son to rule. Jesus is not illegitimate (John 8:41). He is the true fulfillment of Isaiah 7:14 – born of a virgin.
B. Gentile Magi honor Jesus as king: 2:1-12
prophetic connection: Micah 5:2 – Jesus is the promised ruler born in Bethlehem.
dream: The Magi should not return to Herod
C. Jesus is taken to Egypt: 2:13-15
dream: Joseph should take his family and flee
prophetic connection: Hosea 11:1 – Jesus is connected to Israel in going into and coming up out of Egypt.
`B. Judean Herod tries to kill Jesus: 2:16-21
prophetic connection: Jeremiah 31:15 – refers to the exile into Babylon. “Rachel” weeps for those who are no more – taken into captivity. Jesus’ exile to Egypt and the weeping for those killed by Herod are linked to this.
dream: Joseph can come back since Herod has since died
`A. Jesus’ home and name: 2:22-23
dream: Joseph should go to Galilee
prophetic connection: Isaiah 11:1 (Jeremiah 23:5; 33:15; Zechariah 3:8; 6:12). Jesus is again connected to Hezekiah. Jesus is the true fulfillment of the prophecy of a branch that will come from David. This is a Hebrew word-play between “Branch“: NSR and “Nazareth“: NSRT. Jesus’ home of Nazareth does not make him insignificant (John 1:46; 7:41-42;52), it ties him to the prophetic promises of the branch of David.
