Thread by @GPrater85015

#GeraldsDevotional
God Removes Kings and Sets Up Kings – Another Tale of Two Kings

Yesterday we looked at two kings from the Old Testament book of 1 Samuel (Saul and David). Today we will look at two kings from the beginning of the New Testament and see how God is once again always in control in the matters of kings (Daniel 2:21). We will also see another solid

example of how God uses ordinary people who have an affinity to listen to Him. He uses them to carry out His kingdom plan.

THE TWO KINGS
Today in Matthew chapter 2 we will once again see a contrast between two kings… one anointed and destined to be raised up by the Father (like

David was yesterday) and another one who, although he was currently an earthly king, was filled with the terminal flaws of pride, jealousy and the thirst for power. In this well-known scene, Herod was filled with rage because he had failed in his efforts to kill the new-born

Jesus. Seeing the Child as a threat, Herod was determined to do whatever it took (even the unthinkable to his own people) in order to maintain his power and control. But God’s plan for redemption and salvation through His coming King was set and could not be thwarted.

THE ORDINARY MAN
Pay close attention to how God uses Joseph to carry out His plan for the coming King and Messiah. An ordinary and humble carpenter, Joseph had an affinity for listening to God. In the previous chapter when faced with a potentially embarrassing situation (the

unexpected and questionable pregnancy of his fiancé), he heard what the Spirit of the Lord told him in a dream and he responded. In today’s verses we see Joseph once again listening to the Lord in a dream and then getting up and responding immediately.
This is a powerful example

for you and me today. Are we attentively listening to what the Spirit of the Lord is whispering to us? Do we show evidence of it when we respond immediately to what we hear? Jesus says “If you love me you will do what I say.” With that kind of faith, He uses ordinary people to

move mountains and to establish kingdoms. Notice how in both cases (the actions that Joseph took as well as those of Herod), the bible shows how God had already spoken it through the prophets. He has also already spoken and ordered your steps and mine, giving evidence to confirm

what He has said. The question is “Are we listening?”

Now let’s be reminded of how this story plays out with Joseph and Herod in Matthew chapter 2. Let us learn from these examples:

The Escape to Egypt
13 After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in

a dream. “Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother,” the angel said. “Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”

14 That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, his mother, 15 and they stayed there

until Herod’s death. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “I called my Son out of Egypt.”

16 Herod was furious when he realized that the wise men had outwitted him. He sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and

under, based on the wise men’s report of the star’s first appearance. 17 Herod’s brutal action fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet Jeremiah:

18 “A cry was heard in Ramah—
weeping and great mourning.
Rachel weeps for her children,
refusing to be comforted,

for they are dead.” - Matthew 2:13-18
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