Lesson Two (Chapter 2)
King, Priest, Prophet
“There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots. The Spirit of HaShem shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of HaShem. His delight is in the fear of HaShem, and He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, nor decide by the hearing of His ears; but with righteousness He shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt of His loins, and faithfulness the belt of His waist… They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of HaShem as the waters cover the sea. And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, Who shall stand as a banner to the people; for the Gentiles shall seek Him, and His resting place shall be glorious.”
Isaiah 11:1-5
Introduction
- Last week we learned that the entire book of Matthew must be seen through the context of the genealogy – which relates to the Promise.
- The Promise was to Eve, Abraham, and David – and to all who would bow the knee to the coming King Messiah.
- Chapter One showed us that Yeshua is:
- Son of Abraham – the Promised One
- Son of David – Heir to the Throne of David
- The One Who Saves from sin
- Im manu El [G-d among us]
- King Messiah
- The Branch
- This week we continue looking at the arrival of the King.
Son of David – the King
- Matt 2:1-2, 6: Bet Lechem [house of bread] – birthplace of kings.
- Gen 49:10-11: The scepter (rod, shepherd’s staff) in Judah. Lawgiver [chakak = gives commands that require obedience without understanding]. Shiloh: this is a Messianic title.
- Numbers 24:17: A scepter – and a star.
- 1Sam 16:4; 13: Anointed [mashach] among his brothers – the Spirit of HaShem was upon him. This alludes to Yeshua as King Messiah.
- Micah 5:2: Quoted in Matt 2:6 – the King from Bethlehem. Ephratah = “ash heap”, “place of fruitfulness”.
- Micah 4:8-10: Midgal Eder [watchtower of the flock]. Birthplace of the King. Xref Gen 35:16-21 – “son of my sorrow” becomes “son of my right hand”. The Shepherd is born in the midst of the sacrificial flock.
- Matt 2:23; Is 11:1-2; Rev 5:5-6: “He shall be called a Nazerene”. Netzer = “Branch”. He is the prophetic “Branch” – He is King Messiah.
Priest
- Matt 2:9-1: The gifts allude to Him being Priest.
- Myrrh: Exodus 30:22-25; 30-32: only for priests and the Tabernacle. Everything in the Tabernacle had this poured on it. It was made into an “anointing oil” [mishach] from where the word “Messiah” [Maschiach] comes.
- Ps 45:6-8; Heb 1:8-9: Garments scented with myrrh.
- Frankincense: Ex 30:34-37: incense for the Tabernacle – not for any other use. Note: vs 35: “salted” – this is a reference to the sacrifices.
- Luke 1:5-11; Rev 8:4; Heb 7:25: When the priest was in the Tabernacle, he was enveloped in the smoke of incense – enveloped in prayer.
- Gold: every article of furniture in the Tabernacle – and the very walls of the Temple were covered in gold.
Prophet
- Matt 2:13-15: The killing of the infants points to the “birth pangs of Messiah” (Rachel weeping), and Joseph flees with Miriam [Mary] and Yeshua to Egypt. The allusion is to Moses being protected from the intentions of an evil king, while safe in the courts of Egypt. The great prophet Moses prefigures and prophesies of the Greatest Prophet.
- Acts 3:18-26: The Apostles made the “Prophet like Moses connection” right away. All TaNaKh speaks of Him (Luke 24:44).
- Deut 18:15-19: A Prophet, like Moses – a Mediator, raised up from among His brothers – Hear and obey Him.
- Deut 13:1-5: A prophet who teaches against what Moses received from G-d is not to be listened to – instead to be put to death.
Summary
- Often our understanding of Yeshua simply casts Him as the gentle Teacher, who becomes the sacrifice. This is not completely accurate.
- If we are truly to understand His message, Matthew compels us to first see Him as the Promised King.
- Matthew shows us that He is a Priest, born among the sacrificial sheep, anointed among His brothers.
- We are to see that He is the Promised Prophet – Who would lead the people back to G-d’s commandments.
- Throughout the book, always remember these titles: King, Priest, Prophet. This is what Messiah means.
“To you first, G-d, having raised up His Servant Yeshua, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities.”
Acts 3:26