The Making of Wisdom

David Owens

The Making of Wisdom • Sermon • Submitted 4 years ago

Matthew 2:7–12

The Wise Men arrive

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Wisdom begins with recognizing the true King, Jesus

Notes

Transcript

Handout

Matthew 2:1–12 NET

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, in the time of King Herod, wise men from the East came to Jerusalemsaying, “Where is the one who is born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this he was alarmed, and all Jerusalem with him. After assembling all the chief priests and experts in the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. “In Bethlehem of Judea,” they said, “for it is written this way by the prophet: And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are in no way least among the rulers of Judah, for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’ ” Then Herod privately summoned the wise men and determined from them when the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and look carefully for the child. When you find him, inform me so that I can go and worship him as well.” After listening to the king they left, and once again the star they saw when it rose led them until it stopped above the place where the child was. When they saw the star they shouted joyfully.As they came into the house and saw the child with Mary his mother, they bowed down and worshiped him. They opened their treasure boxes and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.After being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back by another route to their own country.

Wisdom

Matthew 2:7–12 NET

Then Herod privately summoned the wise men and determined from them when the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and look carefully for the child. When you find him, inform me so that I can go and worship him as well.” After listening to the king they left, and once again the star they saw when it rose led them until it stopped above the place where the child was. When they saw the star they shouted joyfully.As they came into the house and saw the child with Mary his mother, they bowed down and worshiped him. They opened their treasure boxes and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.After being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back by another route to their own country.

Herod was a fake king

He was a member of the Herodian family

Amplified Bible Chapter 2

Then Herod sent for the wise men [astrologers] secretly, and gaccurately to the last point ascertained from them the time of the appearing of the star [that is, hhow long the star had made itself visible since its rising in the east].

All the People in the Bible: An A–Z Guide to the Saints, Scoundrels, and Other Characters in Scripture The Herod Family

The Herod Family

The family of the Herods ruled in Judea for well over a century, from 37 BCE to 100 CE. Many bore the name of Herod, but many did not, although they are often called Herod in various writings. In some individuals it is unclear whether Herod was officially a part of the name or was simply used in the way Caesar came to be used for all the Roman emperors even though they were not of that family.

For this reason we have departed from our normal alphabetic presentation in order to put all the members of the Herodian dynasty together here; we have listed them alphabetically here, rather than chronologically, because their chronological dates often form a complex web. In order to avoid confusion, we have put the name Herod in parentheses before those who did not seem to bear it as an official part of their names.

The Herodians had a complex family tree. Their relationships may be seen in the diagram “The Family of the Herods” on page 577, and their dynasty in the chart on page 578.

Amplified Bible Chapter 2

1 Maccabees 12:16 NRSV

We therefore have chosen Numenius son of Antiochus and Antipater son of Jason, and have sent them to Rome to renew our former friendship and alliance with them.

The New Revised Standard Version Counter-Attack

42 Then there united with them a company of Hasideans, mighty warriors of Israel, all who offered themselves willingly for the law. 43 And all who became fugitives to escape their troubles joined them and reinforced them. 44 They organized an army, and struck down sinners in their anger and renegades in their wrath; the survivors fled to the Gentiles for safety. 45 And Mattathias and his friends went around and tore down the altars; 46 they forcibly circumcised all the uncircumcised boys that they found within the borders of Israel. 47 They hunted down the arrogant, and the work prospered in their hands. 48 They rescued the law out of the hands of the Gentiles and kings, and they never let the sinner gain the upper hand.

Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible Antipater

Antipater. 1. Good-will ambassador sent out with Numenius to the Spartans and Romans by Jonathan, the high priest (1 Mc 12:16; 14:22).

2. Father of Herod the Great.

Recognize the fake kings in your life.

Consider the fake kings in your life and how recieved their power:

You gave them your power and authority ()

3:6 When15 the woman saw that the tree produced fruit that was good for food,16 was attractive17 to the eye, and was desirable for making one wise,18 she took some of its fruit and ate it.19 She also gave some of it to her husband who was with her, and he ate it.20 3:7 Then the eyes of both of them opened, and they knew they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

15 tn Heb “And the woman saw.” The clause can be rendered as a temporal clause subordinate to the following verb in the sequence.

16 tn Heb “that the tree was good for food.” The words “produced fruit that was” are not in the Hebrew text, but are implied.

17 tn The Hebrew word תַּאֲוָה (ta’avah, translated “attractive” here) actually means “desirable.” This term and the later term נֶחְמָד (nekhmad, “desirable”) are synonyms.

The NET Bible Chapter 3

Genesis 3:6–7 NET

When the woman saw that the tree produced fruit that was good for food, was attractive to the eye, and was desirable for making one wise, she took some of its fruit and ate it. She also gave some of it to her husband who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them opened, and they knew they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

sn Attractive (Heb “desirable”) … desirable. These are different words in Hebrew. The verbal roots for both of these forms appear in Deut 5:21 in the prohibition against coveting. Strong desires usually lead to taking.

18 tn Heb “that good was the tree for food, and that desirable it was to the eyes, and desirable was the tree to make one wise.” On the connection between moral wisdom and the “knowledge of good and evil,” see the note on the word “evil” in 2:9.

sn Desirable for making one wise. The quest for wisdom can follow the wrong course, as indeed it does here. No one can become like God by disobeying God. It is that simple. The Book of Proverbs stresses that obtaining wisdom begins with the fear of God that is evidenced through obedience to his word. Here, in seeking wisdom, Eve disobeys God and ends up afraid of God.

19 tn The pronoun “it” is not in the Hebrew text, but is supplied (here and also after “ate” at the end of this verse) for stylistic reasons.

sn She took … and ate it. The critical word now discloses the disobedience: “[she] ate.” Since the Lord God had said, “You shall not eat,” the main point of the divine inquisition will be, “Did you eat,” meaning, “did you disobey the command?” The woman ate, being deceived by the serpent (1 Tim 2:14), but then the man ate, apparently willingly when the woman gave him the fruit (see Rom 5:12, 17–19).

20 sn This pericope (3:1–7) is a fine example of Hebrew narrative structure. After an introductory disjunctive clause that introduces a new character and sets the stage (3:1), the narrative tension develops through dialogue, culminating in the action of the story. Once the dialogue is over, the action is told in a rapid sequence of verbs—she took, she ate, she gave, and he ate.

Biblical Studies Press. (2005). The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English. NET Bible.; The NET Bible (Ge 3:6–7). Biblical Studies Press.

You became envious ()

Amplified Bible Chapter 4

12 I know how to be abased and live humbly in straitened circumstances, and I know also how to enjoy plenty and live in abundance. I have learned in any and all circumstances the secret of facing every situation, whether well-fed or going hungry, having a sufficiency and enough to spare or going without and being in want.

13 I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who minfuses inner strength into me; I am nself-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].

Philippians 4:12–13 AMP

I know how to be abased and live humbly in straitened circumstances, and I know also how to enjoy plenty and live in abundance. I have learned in any and all circumstances the secret of facing every situation, whether well-fed or going hungry, having a sufficiency and enough to spare or going without and being in want. I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency].

Where does your wisdom come from?

These men were know as Magi (magicians, wisemen, astrologers…)

Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Greek (New Testament) 3407 μάγος

3407 μάγος (magos), ου (ou), ὁ (ho): n.masc.; ≡ Str 3097; TDNT 4.356—1. LN 32.40 wise man and priest, (pl.) the Magi (Mt 2:1, 7, 16(2×)); 2. LN 53.97 sorcerer, black-magician, engager in witchcraft (Ac 13:6, 8+)

The Lexham Bible Dictionary Wise Men, Magi

WISE MEN, MAGI (μάγοι, magoi). Designation for a group of men who arrive in Jerusalem looking for a newly born “King of the Jews.” They eventually find Jesus in Bethlehem, where they pay homage and bestow costly gifts.

The NET Bible Chapter 18

18:10 There must never be found among you anyone who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire,12 anyone who practices divination,13 an omen reader,14 a soothsayer,15 a sorcerer,16 18:11 one who casts spells,17 one who conjures up spirits,18 a practitioner of the occult,19 or a necromancer.20 18:12 Whoever does these things is abhorrent to the LORD and because of these detestable things21 the LORD your God is about to drive them out22 from before you.

Deuteronomy 18:10–12 NET

There must never be found among you anyone who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, anyone who practices divination, an omen reader, a soothsayer, a sorcerer,one who casts spells, one who conjures up spirits, a practitioner of the occult, or a necromancer.Whoever does these things is abhorrent to the Lord and because of these detestable things the Lord your God is about to drive them out from before you.

What is the promise of the child?

Wisdom is foundational

The Lexham Bible Dictionary Wisdom

WISDOM Biblical wisdom refers to practical skills associated with understanding and living a successful life.

The Lexham Bible Dictionary Wisdom in the Bible

Wisdom in the Bible

Wisdom in the Old Testament describes the practical skills associated with living a successful life. These range from the ability to create highly skilled works to the intellectual capability required to make choices that result in favorable outcomes and avoid troubles (see Longman, Job, 55; Crenshaw, Old Testament Wisdom, 3). In the Bible, wisdom is often associated with trust in and fear of God (Deut 4:6; Prov 1:7).

What is the promise of the child?

Isaiah 9:6–7 AMP

For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father [of Eternity], Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and of peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from the [latter] time forth, even forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.

[1] Increase [2] Peace and [3] True Authority

Fake Kings promise magic

Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary (Eleventh Edition) Magician

ma•gi•cian \mə-ˈji-shən\ noun

14th century

1: one skilled in magic especially: SORCERER

2: one who performs tricks of illusion and sleight of hand

Magicians trick you by misleading you. The produce no power of their own. their power rest with the strength of their illusions.

Think about those who are the magicians in your life. Any one that profess that they have the power without God. (Anyone that makes extraordinary promises that sound to good to be true)

Upon the revelation of Christ we are changed.

The Lexham Bible Dictionary Pontius Pilate

PONTIUS PILATE (Πόντιος Πιλᾶτος, Pontios Pilatos). Roman governor of Judaea from AD 26–36/37. Appears in the Gospel narratives at the trial of Jesus. Responsible, with the Jews present, for having Jesus crucified.

Sources

Many key witnesses mention Pilate, but much of what is known of his life and rule comes from Josephus (Antiquities 18.2.2 §35; 18.3.1–2 §§55–62; 18.4.1–2 §§85–99; Jewish War 2.9.2–4 §§169–77). Philo recounts a single incident involving Pilate (On the Embassy to Gaius 299–305; compare Luke 3:1) and Tacitus confirms that the crucifixion of Chrestus came by Pilate during the reign of Tiberius (Annales ab exxessu divi Augusti 15.44.4). In all four Gospels, Pilate is involved in the trial of Jesus (Matt 27:11–26; Mark 15:1–15; Luke 23:1–25; John 18:28–19:22). Luke also references an otherwise undocumented incident involving Pilate and the Galileans (Luke 13:1). An inscription at Caesarea Maritima gives the technical title of his position as praefectus Iudaeae, prefect of Judaea. A prefect (ἡγεμών, hēgemōn) was a leader of 500–1,000 military troops. The office involved military, financial, and judicial responsibilities (Ferguson, Backgrounds of Early Christianity, 44).

Pilate recieved his authority from the government. Jesus received his authority from God.

John 19:9–11 NET

and he went back into the governor’s residence and said to Jesus, “Where do you come from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. So Pilate said, “Do you refuse to speak to me? Don’t you know I have the authority to release you, and to crucify you?”Jesus replied, “You would have no authority over me at all, unless it was given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of greater sin.”