Matthew 2:19-23 - Homilies By J.a. Macdonald

Providence in prophecy and history.

Matthew, perhaps more constantly than any other New Testament writer, notes fulfilment of prophecy in events of history. His Gospel, which was the first written, was primarily intended for the Jews, who were familiar with this class of evidence, and would naturally look for it. The evidence is intrinsically very important, amongst other things evincing a Providence all-wise and all-powerful.

I. THAT CANNOT BE A CHANCE WHICH IS CIRCUMSTANTIALLY ACCURATELY FORETOLD .

1 . Vague utterances are outside this argument. Such are those which may be interpreted either way. Such were those of the heathen oracles. Such are not those of Scripture prophecy.

2 . Guesses also are out of the question.

II. THE PROPHECIES OF SCRIPTURE , WHILE THEY CONCERN THINGS UNIQUE , ARE MINUTELY CIRCUMSTANTIAL .

1 . Those concerning Messiah answer this description.

2 . Witness the sample respecting his infancy here given.

3 . But where in prophecy is he described as a Nazarene ?

III. THINGS NOT FORETOLD ARE YET FOREKNOWN .

1 . The knowledge of things foretold implies a foreknowledge also of things to be historically interwoven with them.

2 . Thus the foreknowledge of things interwoven with things foretold implies a corresponding foreknowledge of things interwoven with these.

IV. THERE IS A PROVIDENCE OF HISTORY AS WELL AS OF PROPHECY .

1 . God is not simply an Omniscient Spectator.

2 . Instances of his direct interference with the factors of history are here recorded. He interfered:

3 . This intervention was necessary to the fulfilment of prophecy.

V. THE PROVIDENCE OF HISTORY , LIKE THAT OF PROPHECY , IS ALL - COMPRISING .

1 . Since God works in events necessary to the fulfilment of prophecy , he must work in all events.

2 . There is a supernatural energy in the commonest events. The case may be stated thus:

Therefore we may: