Matthew 1-2

Matthew chapter

1, the first part is the Heritage of Generations from Abraham to Jesus is 42 Generations.

This is significant because the old testament God promises Abraham that ALL the people of the world will receive a blessing through his off spring Gen: 22-18

The blessing of forgiveness and Jesus dying on the cross. As we read later on, but in order for God to prove his promise, the heritage of Abraham to Jesus is written out in the very beginning of the new testament.

After the lineage of Jesus. Mary and Joseph who were to be married when she found out she was pregnant with Jesus. Joseph was doubtful of her purity at this point as they had not consummated marriage.

an angel of the Lord appeared and told Joseph that the baby Mary carries is of the Holy spirit and that her purity is intact, He is to take the child and call him Jesus. Joseph obeyed and they did not consummate the marriage until after Jesus was born to fulfil prophecy that the Son of God would be born to a virgin.

Joseph is described as a "just" man the lineage prior confirms he grew up in a home where God was Known. Knowing God, He likely Prayed for guidance in his troubling situations (1:19 "...had in mind to divorce her quietly" and 2:22 "... he was afraid to go there") through his prayers he received Guidance accordingly in troubling situations. It is important to cry out to God and ask him for help when we are afraid, unsure, or unruly about things. We need to lean on God for his Guidance in our lives because we don't always see the big picture.

Chapter 2

The Magi, 3 men called wise men. Were on their journey to see newborn Jesus and bring him Gifts. They ran into Herod (the king) and told him of their journey.

Herod tried to Bait the wise men into providing the location of Jesus as a Guise to go kill him 2:8 "he sent them to Bethlehem and said, "go and search carefully for the child. as soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go worship him". the wise men went to Jesus and were warned in a dream not to return to Herod. So, they returned home a different way avoiding the King as they were instructed. When Herod learned he had been fooled he tried to kill Jesus through mass execution of all boys, newborn to 2 years old in Bethlehem. God knew what was going to happen, so He sent an angel in a dream to Joseph and told him to take his family and flee to Egypt to save them from the slaughter of the babies/children about to take place.

Joseph obeyed and left immediately, Had he not listened to the calling from God the story could've been much different or we may not have this to hold onto at all.

Sometimes if we obey instead of trying to understand. it could be life saving decision for us.

after the King died. Joseph again in a dream was called back to Isreal, however on his journey home he was informed of danger to them in Isreal and was directed to Nazareth to stay

Again Joseph obeyed the commands to leave and then obeyed the alteration of his course and destination keeping his family out of harms way because of his obedience.