“But when he learned that the new ruler of Judaea was Herod’s son Archelaus, he was afraid to go there. Then, after being warned in a dream, he left for the region of Galilee. So the family went and lived in a town called Nazareth. This fulfilled what the prophets had said: ‘He will be called a Nazarene.’” Matthew 2:22-23 NLT
In today’s reading, we have the history of the infancy of our Saviour and that in him the word of righteousness was being fulfilled, even before He himself began to fulfill all righteousness. Matthew writes in this chapter that several Old Testament passages were fulfilled in the events surrounding the birth of Jesus. Jesus’ birth in the town of Bethlehem fulfills Micah 5:2; Jesus’ flight to Egypt fulfills Hosea 11:1; the weeping of slain babies in Bethlehem fulfills Jeremiah 31:15. However, Matthew’s comment that Jesus would be called a Nazarene cannot be traced to any specific text in the Old Testament.
In doing some additional reading, I came across a commentary that reminded and educated me on the landscape of Nazareth. Nazareth was built on a rock where fruits, oil, wine, and honey were produced. But it was also a place so very despised among the Jews, that it was grown into a proverb with them that no good thing could be expected from Nazareth. This was a way to open further the providence of God, fulfilling Scriptures that foretold that He should appear in mean and despicable circumstances, being despised, and rejected by mankind.
We do not know, nor can we fully understand the plan that God has for us. But what we can be certain of, is that He is always paving the way by opening and closing doors for us. May today’s reading remind us that though we have uncertainty on our path, we can have faith in the One who is leading us.
Lock Your Wings 
“He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?””
Matthew 2:4 NLT
You can have all the knowledge and still be ignorant. Wouldn’t Herod realize that the prediction of the Messiah hundreds of years earlier would mean that God was in control? Did Herod really think he could thwart God’s plan by killing all the boys under 2? Could Herod be so ignorant to not consider that God would protect His son until the appropriate time? Herod KNEW the Messiah was coming. He KNEW where the Messiah was going to be born. Herod KNEW the Messiah would be more powerful than him and vowed to destroy Him. Herod didn’t know God already had a plan in place.
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