“But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he departed for the regions of Galilee, and came and resided in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, ‘He shall be called a Nazarene.’ ” Matt. 2:22-23 (Part Eight)

This will be our last installment of our analysis of the above fulfilled prophetic statement. We could easily continue to belabor the theme but the points have been made concerning the Nazarene and His offspring, the church, called the “sect of the Nazarenes” in Acts 24:5. 

“But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he departed for the regions of Galilee, and came and resided in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, ‘He shall be called a Nazarene.’ ” Matt. 2:22-23 (Part Seven)

As we’ve worked our way (some might say meandered) through this study on the prophets calling Jesus a Nazarene, it’s afforded us a chance to consider Old Testament passages where the forms of this Hebrew word show up in prophetic context concerning the people (nation) of this Nazarene.

“But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he departed for the regions of Galilee, and came and resided in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, ‘He shall be called a Nazarene.’ ” Matt. 2:22-23 (Part Six)

Last week we started our little diversion down another trail in our study of the above text. The topic is still the transliterated forms of the Hebrew word nazer (as in Nazereth and Nazarene), however we’ve begun to look at the derivatives of this word in other Old Testament passages which would have reference to the Nazarene’s offspring, the Nazarenes.

“But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he departed for the regions of Galilee, and came and resided in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, ‘He shall be called a Nazarene.’ ” Matt. 2:22-23 (Part Five)

Alright, this week we will begin to study The Old Testament passages that contain the forms and derivatives of the Hebrew word Nazer (netzer), particularly those that have a prophetic sense concerning the LORD’s purpose in the church. 

“But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he departed for the regions of Galilee, and came and resided in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, ‘He shall be called a Nazarene.’ ” Matt. 2:22-23 (Part Four)

We closed last week’s bulletin looking to this week’s installment with the intent of searching the Old Testament scriptures for passages where forms of the Hebrew word nazer are found. Our purpose will be to consider verses in Isaiah and Jeremiah particularly.

“But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he departed for the regions of Galilee, and came and resided in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, ‘He shall be called a Nazarene.’ ” Matt. 2:22-23 (Part Three)

OK, we’ve touched on a couple of verses in the Old Testament demonstrating that Nazareth and Nazarene were indeed divinely uttered by a prophet (Isaiah) of the Old Covenant looking to the coming Messiah.

“But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he departed for the regions of Galilee, and came and resided in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, ‘He shall be called a Nazarene.’ ” Matt. 2:22-23 (Part Two)

We’ve begun to break down this prophetic statement, “He shall be called a Nazarene”, penned by the apostle Matthew under inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

“But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he departed for the regions of Galilee, and came and resided in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, ‘He shall be called a Nazarene.’ ” Matt. 2:22-23  (Part one)

Way back when we got this study rolling on Old Testament quotes found in the New Testament, we promised we’d look at some of the more obscure or difficult to understand quotes. Today we take a diversion down that fork of the road considering the above passage.

‘Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” For this is the one referred to by Isaiah the prophet, saying, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord, make His paths straight!'” ‘ Matt. 3:1-3

Last week we took a look at part of the second most often quoted Psalm in the New Testament, Psalm 118. Verses 22 and 23 were cited and expounded upon for our edification, particularly the aspect that the chief corner stone which was rejected by the builders (Jews of Jesus’ day) was laid in heavenly Zion and it is that day that Scripture states is marvelous in our (spiritual) eyes and that we should be glad and rejoice in it. 

‘Now in those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” For this is the one referred to by Isaiah the prophet, saying, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord, make His paths straight!'” ‘ Matt. 3:1-3

How you doing so far in this study of Old Testament quotes found in New Testament inspired texts?