Gospel of Matthew Chapter 2 Vs. 15

 The Flight to Egypt

Matthew 2:15 “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.”

death of Herod... Recent scholarship sets this date at 4 B.C. It is probable that the stay in Egypt was very brief – perhaps no more than a few weeks.

Out of Egypt... The 3rd Old Testament prophecy fulfilled in Matthew (Mat. 2:15; Hos. 11:1). Next, Mat. 2:18. This quotation is from Hos. 11:1, which speaks of God’s leading Israel out of Egypt in the Exodus. Matthew suggests that Israel’s sojourn in Egypt was a pictorial prophecy, rather than a specific verbal one such as verse 6 (1:23). These are called “types” and all are always fulfilled in Christ, and identified clearly by the New Testament writers. Another example of a type is found in (John 3:14).

Every detail of prophecy was fulfilled, as we said in the earlier lessons. It is interesting to note, again, that Joseph, (the coat of many colors Joseph), who was a type and shadow of Jesus, was a refugee in Egypt as well.

Why Egypt? The Messiah was sent to and returned from Egypt so that the prophet’s words, Out of Egypt I called My Son, might be fulfilled. This is a reference to Hos. 11:1, which does not seem to be a prophecy in the sense of a prediction. Hosea was writing of God’s calling Israel out of Egypt into the Exodus. Matthew, however, gave new understanding to these words. Matthew viewed this experience as Messiah being identified with the nation. There were similarities between the nation and the Son. Israel was God’s chosen “son” by adoption (Exo. 4:22), and Jesus is the Messiah, God’s Son. In both cases the descent into Egypt was to escape danger, and the return was important to the nation’s providential history. While Hosea’s statement was a historical reference to Israel’s deliverance, Matthew related it more fully to the call of the Son, the Messiah, from Egypt. In that sense, as Matthew “heightened” Hosea’s words to a more significant event — the Messiah’s return from Egypt — they were “fulfilled.”

Book of Joel Chapter 2 Vs. 13

Return to the Lord

 

And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. Joel 2:13

And rend your... The Lord Himself urged the people to repent with genuine sincerity (cf. with all your heart and rend your heart and not your garments) accompanied by fasting and weeping and mourning. Repentance is the desired outcome of the Lord’s judgments (cf. Deut. 4:30; 30:1-2; Hos. 3:4-5; Amos 4:6-11). That is, "not your garments only". The rending of the clothes was an expression of extraordinary uncontrollable emotion, chiefly of grief, of terror, or of horror. At least, in Holy Scripture it is not mentioned as a part of ordinary mourning, but only upon some sudden overpowering public or private grief.

and turn unto... Consider him not as an absolute God, and as an angry one, wrathful and inexorable; but as your covenant God and Father. As your God in Christ, ready to receive backsliding sinners and prodigal sons; yea all sinners sensible of sin that flee to him for mercy through Christ.

for he is... He is the God of all grace, and has laid up a fullness of it in Christ. And he gives it freely to them that ask it of him without upbraiding them with their sins. He is rich and plenteous in mercy, and ready to forgive; he delights in showing mercy and in them that hope in it. And this is no small encouragement to turn to the Lord, and seek mercy.

slow to anger... He is not hasty to stir it up, and show it. He bears with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath; and his longsuffering to his own people issues in their salvation. He waits to be gracious to them; and, though he may seem to be angry, he does not stir up all his wrath their sins deserve nor does he retain anger for ever.

and of great... Both in a providential way, and in a way of special grace through Christ. Whom he has provided as a Savior, and sent him into the world as such, and saves sinners by obedience sufferings, and death.

These characters of God are taken (out of Exodus 34:6); and are admirably adapted to engage and encourage sensible souls to turn to the Lord by acts of faith in him, and repentance towards him (see Isa. 55:7).

repenteth him of... Changes His mind because of Israel coming back to Him. Which the sins of men deserve; and he has threatened on account of them there sin against Him. Not that he ever changes the counsels of his will, but alters the course of his providence, and the manner of his conduct towards men, according to his unalterable repentance otherwise does not properly belong to God (Num. 23:19).

But is ascribed to him after the manner of men; and is used to express his compassion. How ready he is to receive and forgive returning sinners and not execute the threatened and deserved evil of this terrible adversary ready to pounce on them, but to bestow all needful good to them (see Jon. 3:10).

There are several instances in the Bible, where God changed His mind and reversed a curse. True repentance would bring this for Joel's prophecy and even for ours.

Exo. 32:14 "And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people."

Mic. 7:18 “Who [is] a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth [in] mercy.”

The Motivation

A recognition of the nation’s relationship to the Lord her God and of His gracious nature should have motivated His people to repent. The expression “the Lord your God” was well known to Israel (this phrase occurs 263 times in Deut.) and testified to the covenantal relationship between God and the nation. The words gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love (ḥeseḏ, “loyal love”) recall Exo. 34:6 (cf. Neh. 9:17; Psm. 103:8; 143:8; Jon. 4:2), where the same affirmation preceded the renewal of the covenant after the sin of the golden calf. Because God’s character is merciful, He often relents from sending calamity. Again the golden calf episode is recalled. On that occasion Moses begged the Lord to “relent” and “not bring disaster” on His people (Exo. 32:12). The Lord responded favorably to his request (Exo. 32:14).

Gospel of Matthew Chapter 2 Vs. 14

 

The Flight to Egypt

Matthew 2:14 “When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:”

by night, and... Indicating haste, proving the visit of the magi was at Nazareth. If they had been at Bethlehem the family would not have gone to Nazareth to live before going into Egypt, as in Luke 2:39. In no place is it stated that the magi went to Bethlehem, that they obeyed Herod, that the visit was immediately after His birth, or that the star led them to a manger. All these are traditions passed on to us.

Joseph heeded God’s warning. They left in the darkness, so that no one would be aware of which direction they went. Most people did not travel by night, and Herod would not expect them to travel at night either.

After the visit of the Magi, Joseph was warned by an angel of the Lord to take Mary and Jesus and flee to Egypt. This warning was given in a dream (the second of Joseph’s four dreams: Mat. 1:20; 2:13, 2:19, 2:22). The reason was Herod would be searching for the Child to kill Him. Under cover of darkness, Joseph obeyed, and his family left Bethlehem and journeyed into Egypt.

Book of Joel Chapter 2 Vs. 12

 

Return to the Lord

Verses 12-14: Even in the midst of judgment, opportunity to repent was given. If they would demonstrate genuine repentance, the Lord stood ready to forgive and bless.

Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: Joel 2:12

Therefore also now... The 3rd section of the prophecy of Joel (Joel 2:12-32, unfulfilled; will be fulfilled in the restoration). Next, Joel 3:1.

Thirty-two Predictions—Unfulfilled:

1. Then (when Israel repents as commanded in Joel 2:12-17) the Lord will be jealous for His land, and pity His people (Joel 2:18).

2. The Lord will answer and say unto His people, Behold, I will send you corn, wine, and oil (Joel 2:19).

3. You will be satisfied with it.

4. I will make you a reproach among the heathen no more.

5. I will remove the northern army (antichrist) far off from you (Joel 2:20).

6. I will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face to the east sea, and hinder part toward the utmost (Mediterranean) sea.

7. His stink and ill savor will come up (Joel 2:20; Eze. 39:11-16).

8. The land will be glad and rejoice, for the Lord will do great things (Joel 2:21).

9. The pastures of the wilderness do spring up (Joel 2:22).

10. The trees will bear their fruit.

11. He will give you the former rain moderately (Joel 2:23).

12. He will cause the rain, the former rain and the latter rain, to come down for you in the first month.

13. The floors will be full of wheat.

14. The fats (vats) will overflow with wine and oil (Joel 2:24).

15. I will restore the years that the locust, the cankerworm, the caterpillar, and the palmerworm have eaten (Joel 2:25).

16. You will eat in plenty (Joel 2:26).

17. You will be satisfied.

18. You will praise the name of the Lord your God.

19. My people will never be ashamed (Joel 2:26-27).

20. You will know that I am in the midst of Israel (Joel 2:27).

21. You will know that I am the Lord your God, and none else.

22. It will come to pass afterward (after the restoration of Israel) that I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh (Joel 2:28).

23. Your sons and your daughters will prophesy.

24. Your old men will dream dreams.

25. Your young men will see visions.

26. Upon the servants and handmaids I will pour out My Spirit (Joel 2:29).

27. I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, fire, and pillars of smoke (Joel 2:30).

28. The sun will be turned into darkness.

29. The moon will be turned red like blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord (Joel 2:31).

30. It will come to pass that whosoever will call on the name of the Lord will be delivered (Joel 2:32).

31. In Mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as God has said.

32. There will be deliverance in the remnant of Israel whom the Lord will call.

Before this terrible and intolerable day, which is near at hand, comes. Before these judgments and calamities threatened take place, though just at hand; serious repentance is never too late, now is the accepted time (see Luke 19:42).

turn ye even... In the day when He will come with His army to take over the kingdoms of the world, turn to Him with all your heart, and rend your heart with fasting, weeping, and mourning, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness; and He repents (changes His mind) regarding the evil He has done to you (Joel 2:12-14). Against whom they had sinned, and who had prepared his army against them, and was at the head of it, just ready to give the orders, and play his artillery upon them.

And yet suggests, that even now, that if they turned to the Lord by true repentance, not, feignedly and hypocritically, but cordially and sincerely, with true hearts, and with their whole hearts, he was ready to receive and forgive them.

The Targum is, “turn ye to my worship with all your heart”.

with all your... In view of this the elders, priests, ministers, children, and entire congregation were called to fast and pray for mercy (Joel 2:15-17). External signs of inward grief and sorrow, testifying their hearty return to the Lord; which, though, without the heart, signify nothing, yet should be shown where hearty repentance is, for the honor and glory of God.

This is for the near time of Joel, and for now, as well. God’s people must fast and pray in sincerity. The prayers must come from our hearts, and God will hear and answer our prayers.

There is such a spread of A.I.D.S & COVID that it threatens to wipe out many of our children and grandchildren. This, in my opinion, is a judgment of God upon a society that has gone mad. Only God can stop it. We must call our nation to true repentance now.

Renewed Call to Repentance

 

Before such an invincible army the nation’s only hope was to turn immediately (“even now,” Joel 2:12) to the Lord in repentance. This section contains two formal appeals for repentance (Joel 2:12-14, 2:15-17). The first concludes with a motivational section (introduced by “for,” Joel 2:13-14).

An appeal for a sincere change of heart

The Appeal

The Lord Himself urged the people to repent with genuine sincerity (cf. with all your heart and rend your heart and not your garments) accompanied by fasting and weeping and mourning. Repentance is the desired outcome of the Lord’s judgments (cf. Deut. 4:30; 30:1-2; Hos. 3:4-5; Amos 4:6-11).

Gospel of Matthew Chapter 2 Vs. 13

 

The Flight to Egypt

Matthew 2:13 “And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a 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.”

angel of the... Gabriel (Luke 1:26). Four such appearances to Joseph (Mat. 1:20, 1:24; 2:13, 2:19). Angels are ministering spirits, and God sent a message to Joseph by this “angel of the Lord”. You see, God knows everything even before it happens. This is called foreknowledge, not predestination.

flee to Egypt... As we said before, “Egypt” has always been a refuge. Here, Joseph would hide Jesus, until the danger was over.

for Herod will... The 2nd New Testament prophecy in Matthew (Mat. 2:13, fulfilled). Next, Mat. 3:10.

to destroy him... Satan knew that this "seed of the woman" was to crush his head and restore man’s dominion (Gen. 3:15; 1Jhn. 3:8), so he tried many times to kill Him before He could get to the cross to defeat him (Mat. 26:3, refs.; Col. 2:14-17; 1Pet. 2:24).

In Egypt

After the visit of the Magi, Joseph was warned by an angel of the Lord to take Mary and Jesus and flee to Egypt. This warning was given in a dream (the second of Joseph’s four dreams: Mat. 1:20; 2:13, 2:19, 2:22). The reason was Herod would be searching for the Child to kill Him.

Book of Joel Chapter 2 Vs. 11

 The Day of the Lord

And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it? Joel 2:11

for the day... The prophet concluded with a rhetorical question (Who can endure it?), to suggest that no one can endure this great and dreadful day (cf. Mal. 3:2; Mal. 4:5).

and who can... Question 3. Next, Joel 2:14.

shall utter His... Nature has not gone awry; the locusts are not beyond God’s control. They move at His specific command.

for His camp... These creatures are certainly at his beck and command: He can command the locust to devour the land (Chr. 7:13); which may be meant by his uttering his voice here; though Jarchi and Kimchi interpret it of the Lord’s giving notice of this judgment by his prophets before it was known.

for He is... For the Day of the Lord is great and very terrible, and who can abide it? The day appointed by the Lord to take vengeance on the Jews for sin. And this, being the day of his wrath, is very dreadful and intolerable.

So any season may be called, in which God remarkably pours down his wrath on men because of their sins (see Rev. 6:17). Such was the time of Jerusalem’s destruction, both by the Chaldeans and Romans.

This could be the army of the locusts, or the army of the LORD that is made up of all the believers in Christ. The weapon that each of them use, is the Word of God (two-edged sword). This army is obedient to the wishes of the LORD. The answer is no one can abide against God.

Rev. 17:14 “These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him [are] called, and chosen, and faithful.”

Rev. 19:11 “And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him [was] called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.”

The prophet concluded this with a rhetorical question (Who can endure it?), to suggest that no one can endure this great and dreadful day (cf. Mal. 3:2; 4:5). If the army in Joel 2:1-11 was in Joel’s day, it may foreshadow the army in Joel 3:1-21.

Gospel of Matthew Chapter 2 Vs. 12

 The Visit of the Wise Men

Matthew 2:12 “And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.”

dream that they... Second of six dreams in the New Testament (Mat. 1:20).

These wise men heeded the warning of God. God does speak in dreams sometimes. We must be able to follow God’s instructions, and not man’s. They did not even go back to Jerusalem.

Again, The wise men were warned by God not to return and report to Herod, so they returned to their homes by another route.

Book of Joel Chapter 2 Vs. 10

The Day of the Lord

 

The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining: Joel 2:10

earth shall quake... The ground trembles as dust flies along with the growing devastation. Earthquakes and cosmic disruptions are well attested elsewhere as signs accompanying divine appearances (Jud. 5:4; Psm. 18:7; Jer. 4:23-26; Nah. 1:5-6; Mat. 24:7). Joel later refers to these signs (2:31; 3:15).

This is still speaking of the terror the locusts put into the hearts of men. It is also, speaking of the time of the end, when the sun and the moon do not shine. At that time, there will be an earthquake felt around the entire world. This near devastation that Joel is speaking of here, is a type and a shadow of that great and terrible day at the end of the age. The Day of the Lord.

Mark 13:24-25 “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light,” “And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.”

Luke 21:25-26 “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;” “Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.”

The army’s approach is accompanied by cosmic disorder. The entire area of the ten kingdoms of the antichrist, from earth below to sky above, quivers (cf. shakes and trembles) before the thunderous battle cry of the divine Commander. This cosmic response is a typical poetic description of the Lord’s theophany as Warrior (cf. Jdg. 5:4; Psm. 18:7; 77:18; Isa. 13:13; Joel 3:16). The darkening of the heavenly bodies (cf. Joel 2:2, 2:30; 3:15) is another characteristic of the Lord’s day (cf. Isa. 13:10; Eze. 32:7; Zec. 14:6-7; see also Isa. 34:4).

Gospel of Matthew Chapter 2 Vs. 11

 The Visit of the Wise Men

Matthew 2:11“And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.”

into the house... By the time the wise men arrived, Mary and Joseph were situated in a house, not a stable (Luke 2:7). Not in the stable at Bethlehem where He was born, but in "the house" at Nazareth where He had lived since being presented to the Lord 41 days after His birth (Luke 2:7, 2:21-39). He was about 2 years old by now.

and worshipped him... Since only God is to be worshiped, the deity of Christ is emphasized here (Rev. 19:10; 22:8-9; Luke 2:13).

the young child... Whenever Matthew mentions Mary in connection with her Child, Christ is always given first place (verses 13-14, 20-21).

and when they... I guess, because there were three types of gifts mentioned, people erroneously believe in three wise men.

they presented unto... The three gifts brought were spiritual meanings of who Jesus is, was, and always will be. The “gold” recognized Jesus as God. The “frankincense” recognized Jesus as the perfect Lamb sacrifice.

The “myrrh” recognized Jesus as the groom of the bride of Christ. “Gold” spiritually means purity of God. “Frankincense” accompanied the lamb offering in the temple sacrifice, and “myrrh” was the sweet aloe for the wedding bed. Do you see the spiritual meaning?

The “gold” was not just a piece of gold, but enough for Jesus, Mary, and Joseph to live on while they were in exile.

We might learn a lesson from the wise men. When they were in the presence of Jesus, they “fell down, and worshipped him”.

These gifts were obviously the means by which Joseph took his family to Egypt and sustained them there until Herod died.

Book of Joel Chapter 2 Vs. 9

 The Day of the Lord

They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up upon the houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief. Joel 2: 9

They shall run... Leap about from place to place, as locusts do (see Isa. 33:4).

they shall run... Which before they climbed; now they shall run upon, and go from tower to tower.

Joel had described their approach; they had come over “the tops of the mountains,” those which protected Jerusalem; and now he describes them scaling the walls, mounting the houses, entering the windows, running to and fro in the cities.

Here the description has reached its height. The city is given over to those who assault it. There remains nothing more, save the shaking of the heaven and the earth.

They shall climb up upon the houses, and enter in at the windows, like a thief; so the locusts entered into the houses of the Egyptians (Exo. 10:6); and Pliny says, they will eat through everything, and even the doors of houses.

Their houses were not airtight, and these locusts got into the houses, as well. There will be nothing safe before them.

Once more the relentless advance of God's army is emphasized (cf. Joel 2:4-5). They run like mighty men (supernatural beings), climb walls with no effort. They will stay the battle for God. Both advance in orderly fashion (Joel 2:7-8), plunge through defenses (Joel 2:8), and enter walled cities and homes.

As elsewhere in this section (cf. Joel 2:6), Joel seemingly alluded to Exo. 10:1-29.

Gospel of Matthew Chapter 2 Vs. 10

 The Visit of the Wise Men

Matthew 2:10“When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.”

When they saw... Stars (i.e., planets) naturally travel from east to west across the heavens, not from north to south. Could it be that “the star” which the Magi saw and which led them to a specific house was the Shekinah glory of God? That same glory had led the children of Israel through the wilderness for 40 years as a pillar of fire and cloud. Perhaps this was what they saw in the East, and for want of a better term they called it a “star.” All other efforts to explain this star are inadequate (such as a conjunction of Jupiter, Saturn, and Mars; a supernova; a comet; etc.).

Book of Joel Chapter 2 Vs. 8

 The Day of the Lord

Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his path: and when they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded. Joel 2:8

Neither shall one... Press upon another, thrust him out of his place, or push him forward, or any ways straiten and distress him, or in the least hinder him in his progress.

they shall walk... or “highway”; Everyone should have his path, and keep in it, and it should be as roomy to him as if he had a highway to walk in by himself, and in which he could not err.

and when they... On which they would fling themselves without any fear or dread of it:

they shall not... Or “cut to pieces” by it; it not being easy for the sword to pierce and cut them, through the smoothness and smallness of their bodies (see Rev. 9:9). They have hard scales like a coat of mail; but the expression refers to the utter uselessness of all means to prevent their plundering.

Normal weapons of war will be no help against these locusts. They are so well organized; they do not destroy each other in their conquest.

Again, Both the Locusts/Army advance in orderly fashion (Joel 2:7-8), plunge through defenses (Joel 2:8), and enter walled cities and homes.

Gospel of Matthew Chapter 2 Vs. 9

 The Visit of the Wise Men

Matthew 2:9 “When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.”

They followed the star, not prophecy, to where He was born. The star led them to Nazareth as we saw above.

These wise men of old followed the star in the east and they were led to Him.

The journey of the Magi from Jerusalem wrought a further miracle. The star they had seen in the East now reappeared and led them to a specific house where they found the Child Jesus.

Book of Joel Chapter 2 Vs. 7

 The Day of the Lord

They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks: Joel 2:7

They shall run... Alas for the... The 2nd section of the prophecy of Joel (Joel 1:15-2:11, unfulfilled; will be fulfilled in the day of the Lord, the battle of Armageddon, and the second coming of Christ). Next, Joel 2:12.

Forty-four Predictions—Unfulfilled:

1. The day of the Lord is at hand (Joel 1:15).

2. It will be a day of destruction from the Almighty.

3. All worship and rejoicing will be cut off from the temple (Joel 1:16).

4. There will be a crop failure (Joel 1:17).

5. The garners will be desolate.

6. The barns will be broken down.

7. There will be a great drought (Joel 1:18)

8. The pastures and trees will be destroyed (Joel 1:19).

9. The beasts of the field will cry to God because the waters are dried up (Joel 1:20).

10. Fire will devour the pastures of the wilderness.

11. The day of the Lord is near (Joel 2:1).

12. A day of darkness and gloominess.

13. A day of clouds and thick darkness.

14. There will come a great and strong people upon the land (Joel 2:2)

15. There never has been nor ever will be again, even for many generations, a people coming into the land like this.

16. A fire will devour before them (Joel 2:3).

17. Behind them a flame will burn.

18. The land before them will be like the garden of Eden; and what they have gone over will be like a wilderness.

19. Nothing will escape them.

20. Their appearance is like horses and horsemen; so shall they run (Joel 2:4).

21. Their noise will be like chariots on the tops of the mountains (Joel 2:5).

22. It will be like the flame of fire that devours stubble.

23. They will be as a strong people in battle array.

24. Before their face the people will be much pained (Joel 2:6)

25. All faces will gather darkness.

26. They will run like mighty men (Joel 2:7)

27. They will climb the wall like men of war.

28. They will march every one on his ways.

29. They will not break their ranks.

30. They will not thrust one another (Joel 2:8).

31. They will walk every one in his path.

32. When they fall upon the sword they will not be wounded.

33. They will run to and fro in the city (Joel 2:9).

34. They will run upon the wall.

35. They will climb upon the houses.

36. They will enter the windows.

37. The earth will shake before them.

38. The heavens will tremble (Joel 2:10).

39. The sun and moon will be dark.

40. The stars will withdraw their shining.

41. The Lord will be their commander and utter His voice before His army (Joel 2:11).

42. His camp will be very great.

43. He is strong that will execute His word.

44. The day of the Lord will be great and very terrible.

Like men of war, in a hostile way, as soldiers run upon their enemy with undaunted courage and bravery. Bochart from Pisidas describes the locusts’ manner of fighting, who says, they strike not standing, but running.

they shall climb... Scale the walls of cities as besiegers do; walls and bulwarks cannot keep them out; all places are accessible to them, walled cities, towns, yea, even houses (Exo. 10:6).

they shall march... In his proper path, following one another, and keeping just distance.

and they shall... Or “pervert their ways”, as the word signifies in the Arabic language, as Aben Ezra, Kimchi, and Ben Melech, observe; that is, decline not from their paths, as the Septuagint version; proceed in an orderly way, keep rank and file.

So they are said to go forth in bands (Pro. 30:27); and to encamp (Nah. 3:17).

Jerom on the text relates what he saw with his own eyes: “this we lately saw (says he), in this province (Israel); for when swarms of locusts came, and filled the air between heaven and earth.

They flew in such order, by the disposition and command of God, that they kept their place like checkered squares in a pavement fixed by the hands of skilled craftsmen; so as not to decline a point, nor even I may say a very small measure.

This is speaking of them being in swarms that do not separate out, but move as a unit. A wall would be nothing to them. They would just go over it and destroy behind it. The wall might slow down a natural army, but not these locusts. The movement across the land is swift, and their destruction is total. Gods army on the move.

Once more the relentless advance of the army is emphasized (cf. Joe. 2:4-5). Again the language applies both to locusts (cf. Driver, The Books of Joel and Amos, pp. 54-5; and Keil, “Joel,” in Commentary on the Old Testament in Ten Volumes, 10:193, n. 1) and to a literal army.

Gospel of Matthew Chapter 2 Vs. 8

 The Visit of the Wise Men

Matthew 2:8 “And he sent them to Beth-lehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found [him], bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.”

And he sent... He thought he was sending them, but they did not go there at all. They followed the star, not prophecy, to where He was born. The star led them to Nazareth, not to the stable at Bethlehem where He was born, but in "the house" at Nazareth where He had lived since being presented to the Lord 41 days after His birth (Luke 2:7, 2:21-39). He was about 2 years old by now.

and when ye... You see, Herod was a liar. He had no intention of worshipping Him. He wanted to kill Him. He was afraid of Him whom he saw as a potential threat to his throne.

bring me word...He also instructed the Magi to return and tell him the location of this King so that he might come and worship Him. That was not, however, what he had in mind.

The wise men did go and find Him as we have seen from above. Beth-lehem is only 5 miles from Jerusalem. It is a short journey. Herod thought he had tricked the wise men.

This became critical later in the account (Mat. 2:16); it showed that Herod was already contemplating a plan to get rid of this young King. He also instructed the Magi to return and tell him the location of this King so that he might come and worship Him. That was not, however, what he had in mind.

Book of Joel Chapter 2 Vs. 6

 The Day of the Lord

Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness. Joel 2:6

Before their face... Or, “at their presence”; at the sight of them they shall be in pain, as a woman in travail. Into such distress an army of locusts would throw them, since they might justly fear all the fruits of the earth would be devoured by them, and they should have nothing left to live upon.

all faces shall... Like that of a pot, as the word signifies; or such as appears in persons dying, or in fits and swoons; and this here, through fear and hunger (see Nah. 2:10).

Some of the translators say this is speaking of a paleness that comes over the face, when the blood runs out. Their hearts would fail them for fear of things coming upon the earth. It could very well be speaking of mourning, to the extent that the face became black with death.

The relentless charge of the Lord’s army

The response to this awesome army of God was widespread terror, for it involved nations. In anguish (ḥûl) literally refers to writhing, as when a woman is overcome by labor pains (cf. ḥûl in Isa. 26:17; Jer. 4:31; Mic. 4:10). This same response is seen elsewhere in contexts where the Lord comes to do battle (cf. Exo. 15:14; Deut. 2:25; Psm. 77:16; 97:4; Isa. 13:8; Hab. 3:10).

Gospel of Matthew Chapter 2 Vs. 7

 The Visit of the Wise Men

Matthew 2:7 “Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.”

This answer from the people’s chief priests and teachers of the Law (scribes, KJV) was apparently carried back to the Magi by Herod himself. Then Herod asked them when they had first seen their star (Mat. 2:7). This became critical later in the account (Mat. 2:16); it showed that Herod was already contemplating a plan to get rid of this young King.

Book of Joel Chapter 2 Vs. 5

 The Day of the Lord

Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array. Joel 2:5

Like the noise... The motion of the locusts is leaping from place to place; for which the locusts have legs peculiarly made, their hindermost being the longest; wherefore Pliny observes, that insects which have their hindermost legs, are the long leap locusts.

To which agrees the Scripture description of them: “which have legs above their feet, to leap withal upon the earth; even those of them ye may eat; the locust after his kind” (Lev. 11:21).

of chariots on... There sound resembles the jumping of chariots on mountains and hills, which are uneven, and usually have stones lie scattered about, which, with the chains and irons about chariots, cause a great rattling; and the noise of locusts is compared to the noise of these, which is represented as very great.

Some say they can be heard six miles off as they make such a noise with their wings when they fly, that they are thought to be other winged fowls (see Rev. 9:9).

Like the noise... As they are before compared to fire, and a flame of fire that devoured all things as easily as the fire devours stubble, so here to the crackling noise of it see (Eccl. 7:6).

as a strong... That is, as the noise of a mighty army prepared for battle, just going to make the onset, when they lift up their voices aloud, and give a terrible shout; for this clause, as the other two, refer to the noise made by the locusts in their march. God's army is set in battle array.

There will not even be stubble left, because the 4 types of locusts even destroy the stubble. This is speaking of literally millions of locusts as stated in the Book of Revelation. There would be a deafening roar from their wings. This would leave the land in terrible shape, as if it had been devastated by a fire.

Nothing can impede the invaders’ swift approach. God's army seemingly leap over the mountaintops. The Hebrew verb for “leap over” (rāqaḏ) suggests both flying locusts and speeding chariots (on the latter, cf. Nah. 3:2, where rāqaḏ is trans. “jolting”).

Gospel of Matthew Chapter 2 Vs. 6

 The Visit of the Wise Men

Matthew 2:6 “And thou Beth-lehem, [in] the land of Judah, art not the least among the princes of Judah: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.”

And thou Bethlehem,... The 2nd Old Testament prophecy fulfilled in Matthew (Mat. 2:6; Mic. 5:2). Next, Mat. 2:15.

come a Governor,... This portion of Matthew’s quote actually seems to be a reference to God’s words to David when Israel’s kingdom was originally established (2Sam. 5:2; 1Ch. 11:2). The Greek word for “ruler” evokes the image of strong, even stern, leadership. “Shepherd” emphasizes tender care. Christ’s rule involves both (Rev. 12:5).

that shall rule... Christ will rule Israel and all other nations from His second coming into eternity (Isa. 9:6-7; Dan. 2:44-45; 7:13-14, 7:27; Zec. 14:1-21; Luke 1:32-33; Rev. 11:15; 20:1-15; 22:4-5).

my people Israel... Israel is made up of thirteen tribes, not only the ten so-called lost tribes. The terms "Jews" and "Israel" are used interchangeably.

come a Governor,... This portion of Matthew’s quote actually seems to be a reference to God’s words to David when Israel’s kingdom was originally established (2 Sam. 5:2; 1 Chron. 11:2). The Greek word for “ruler” evokes the image of strong, even stern, leadership. “Shepherd” emphasizes tender care. Christ’s rule involves both (Rev. 12:5).

You see, these religious people knew where He was to be born. They just did not want to give up their literal way of looking at the law. They were expecting a mighty king, who would rule them and overthrow the Romans.

The Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Mic. 5:2). This answer from the people’s chief priests and teachers of the Law (scribes, KJV).