Mat 2:22-23 | KingComments | STEP | When Herod, the child murderer, has died, Joseph is given the command to go back to Israel in another dream. God encourages him by telling him that those who were seeking the death of the Child have died (cf. ). God calls the land “the land of Israel” because He has taken up the thread of it again by visiting it. This name recalls the promises given by God. As always Joseph again obeys directly. But when he hears who Herod’s successor is, he becomes afraid. Then God meets him in his fear in another dream with a new instruction. God also meets us in our weaknesses when we are not at the level of His thoughts. This new instruction fits in with His Word and serves to fulfil it, because Joseph will live with the Lord Jesus and Mary in Nazareth, which lies in the regions of Galilee. Now nowhere in the prophets is it written that Christ would live in Nazareth. Several prophets, however, have spoken about the fact that He would be despised. This is fulfilled from the start by living in Nazareth. After the rejected King – He had to flee – He is now the despised One by living in the most despised city in the most despised province ( ). By living in Nazareth he will be called Nazarene. This word is derived from the Hebrew word nezer meaning ‘sprout’ or ‘shoot’. This is the word that the prophet Isaiah uses for the Messiah to announce His birth as the descendant of Jesse, thus as the true David ( ). Also in this sense, His living in Nazareth is a fulfilment of what was proclaimed by the prophets.

‏ Matthew 2:22-23

Back in Israel

When Herod, the child murderer, has died, Joseph is given the command to go back to Israel in another dream. God encourages him by telling him that those who were seeking the death of the Child have died (cf. Exo 4:19). God calls the land “the land of Israel” because He has taken up the thread of it again by visiting it. This name recalls the promises given by God.

As always Joseph again obeys directly. But when he hears who Herod’s successor is, he becomes afraid. Then God meets him in his fear in another dream with a new instruction. God also meets us in our weaknesses when we are not at the level of His thoughts. This new instruction fits in with His Word and serves to fulfil it, because Joseph will live with the Lord Jesus and Mary in Nazareth, which lies in the regions of Galilee.

Now nowhere in the prophets is it written that Christ would live in Nazareth. Several prophets, however, have spoken about the fact that He would be despised. This is fulfilled from the start by living in Nazareth. After the rejected King – He had to flee – He is now the despised One by living in the most despised city in the most despised province (Jn 1:46).

By living in Nazareth he will be called Nazarene. This word is derived from the Hebrew word nezer meaning ‘sprout’ or ‘shoot’. This is the word that the prophet Isaiah uses for the Messiah to announce His birth as the descendant of Jesse, thus as the true David (Isa 11:1). Also in this sense, His living in Nazareth is a fulfilment of what was proclaimed by the prophets.