Study Audio Download

Matthew 2:1–23 The Wise Men Came to Worship the LORD

[Study Aired March 3, 2025]

Introduction

Today’s study focuses on the wise men’s enquiry after Christ and the Lord leading them to Jesus to worship and give Him gifts. It also touches on our Lord Jesus’ flight into Egypt to avoid being murdered according to the instruction of Herod. Thirdly, the study deals with the barbarous murder of infants of Bethlehem and its surroundings. Lastly, the coming out of Egypt to settle in Nazareth. 

The Enquiry After Jesus by the Wise Men

Mat 2:1  Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
Mat 2:2  Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. 

In order to understand the significance of Jesus being born in Bethlehem, we need to understand what Bethlehem symbolizes. Bethlehem being the birthplace of our Lord Jesus Christ means that it represents the church of the first born or the New Jerusalem where Christ is formed in us. It is where David fed his father’s sheep and therefore is the place where our Father’s sheep are fed by the Lord. This is consistent with the meaning of the name of Bethlehem which means house of bread. In other words, it is in the assembly of the Lord’s elect that every joint supplies the word of the Lord (bread) which is needed for the growth of the body. 

1Sa 17:15  But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father’s sheep at Bethlehem. 

In Luke 2:11, Bethlehem is also called the city of David because it was his ancestral home. It was in Bethlehem that Samuel anointed David as king. Although David was anointed a king, he did not immediately ascend the throne of Saul. What this means is that it is in the assembly of the Lord’s elect that we are anointed to become rulers in a time to come. 

Luk 2:11  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 

1Sa 16:1  And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons. 

1Sa 16:13  Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.  

It is also insightful to note that it is in Bethlehem that Rachel, the favorite wife of Jacob was buried. Bethlehem therefore represents a place of mourning for the Lord’s elect as we go through the Lord’s judgment. The two witnesses in the Book of Revelation wearing sackcloth attest to the mourning that we go through in this life as a result of the Lord’s judgment. 

Gen 35:19  And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem. 

Rev 11:3  And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. 

It is in Bethlehem that David longed for a drink of water from a well of Bethlehem which was a Philistine garrison at the time. It took three of David’s mighty men to break through the Philistine lines to draw a drink of water. This shows us that it is in the assembly of the Lord’s elect that we are judged (the three mighty men) of our flesh in order to be able to break through this wall of flesh (Philistines) to access the word of the Lord. David’s statement after pouring the water out to the Lord that it is the blood of the men who went in jeopardy of their lives implies that it is in the assembly of the Lord’s elect (Bethlehem) that we are given the power to give up our lives (our flesh) in pursuit of the truth of the word of the Lord.  

2Sa 23:14  And David was then in an hold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem.
2Sa 23:15  And David longed, and said, Oh that one would give me drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate! 
2Sa 23:16  And the three mighty men brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: nevertheless he would not drink thereof, but poured it out unto the LORD.
2Sa 23:17  And he said, Be it far from me, O LORD, that I should do this: is not this the blood of the men that went in jeopardy of their lives? therefore he would not drink it. These things did these three mighty men.  

Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem was prophesized by Micah as follows:

Mic 5:2  But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.  

As He is, so are we. It is in the assembly of the Lord’s elect (Bethlehem) that we are made rulers through the birth of Christ in us. Jesus being born in Bethlehem in verse 1 is therefore to let us know that it is in the church of the New Jerusalem that Christ is formed in us to become rulers of the kingdoms of this world at the appropriate time.  

The birth of Christ happened at the time of the rule of King Herod as indicated in verse 1. The Herodian dynasty made its way into Palestine through Antipater, an Edomite and therefore a descendant of Esau. He was installed as a care-taker of Judea by Julius Caesar, the emperor of Rome. He appointed two of his sons to ruling positions and one of them was “Herod the Great” who was appointed governor of Judea. He was a ruthless fighter and a subtle diplomat. The Romans appreciated the way he subdued opposition and maintained order among the Jewish people. At times, Herod implemented his policies with force and cruelty. His increasing fear of Jewish revolt led to suppression of any opposition. He murdered his wife, Mariamne and his two sons with her, for fear of being murdered. Herod therefore signifies the devil and his cohorts who seek to destroy the birth and growth of Christ within us.

The birth of Christ at the time of King Herod was therefore a period of peace in Judea, which was the right condition for the birth and ministry of Jesus. This is to let us know that for Christ to grow within His elect, our hearts and minds must be at peace. That is why the word of the Lord enjoins us to be at peace, as it is impossible to see God without it. The Lord has assured us of availing His peace to us so that we shall see Him. 

Heb 12:14  Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:

Joh 14:27  Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.  

In verses 1 and 2, we are introduced to the wise men from a far country, east of Jerusalem, who came to worship the King of the Jews. The Jews here refers to the Lord’s elect and not physical Jews. It is in our hearts and mind as the Lord’s elect that Jesus Christ sits as king in His throne to drag us to Himself.

Rom 2:28  For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh:
Rom 2:29  But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.  

The wise men here represent the Lord’s elect who are seeking to worship the Lord. Coming from the east means the wise men signify those in whom the Lord (sun) is rising or growing within them. The coming of the wise men to Jerusalem with the mission of coming to worship the King of the Jews tells us that as the Lord’s elect, we first come to Jerusalem which is in bondage of her children (Babylon) unsuspectingly, to seek the Lord. In other words, we must first come to Babylon, before we leave to enter Jerusalem which is above to worship the Lord in truth and in spirit.

Gen 41:33  Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt.

Deu 1:13  Take you wise men, and understanding, and known among your tribes, and I will make them rulers over you.   

Exo 36:2  And Moses called Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whose heart the LORD had put wisdom, even every one whose heart stirred him up to come unto the work to do it:  

Rev 18:4  And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

It is worth mentioning that the wise men were led by the Lord’s star which appeared in the east. The star in this case signifies the Lord Jesus Christ as He is the morning star, who leads us in the way we should go, just as He led the people of Israel in the wilderness. 

Psa 32:8  I will instruct thee and guide thee in this way wherein thou shalt go: I will fix mine eyes upon thee. (Brenton) 

2Pe 1:19  We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star (Christ) arise in your hearts:

The star also represents the Lord’s elect as through what every joint supplies, we guide each other to Christ. In the fullness of time, we shall guide the whole of the human race to Christ.

Dan 12:3  And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever. 

Mat 2:3  When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 
Mat 2:4  And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. 
Mat 2:5  And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, 
Mat 2:6  And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. 

As indicated, Herod represents the devil and wanted to destroy Jesus as the man child of the woman who is Jerusalem in bondage with her children. We, the Lord’s elect, also represent the manchild.

Rev 12:1  And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars:
Rev 12:2  And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. 
Rev 12:3  And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads.
Rev 12:4  And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born.
Rev 12:5  And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. 

The chief priests and scribes who were gathered together by Herod to enquire about where the Lord Jesus would be born symbolize the leaders of the physical churches of this world or Babylon who play to the gallery of the prince of the air or the god of this world, who is the devil (Herod). It is this god of this world who has blinded the minds of these leaders in Babylon such that they cannot see the light of the glorious gospel of Christ. 

2Co 4:3  But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
2Co 4:4  In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 

Herod being troubled together with all Jerusalem means that the devil is in bed with Babylon or the physical churches of this world. As Jesus said, our brothers and sisters in Babylon search the scriptures thinking they have eternal life but it does not profit them because they focus on the letter of the word, which kills, and not on the spirit of the word which gives life. Predicting accurately that Jesus was to be born in Bethlehem did not help them. This is because the letter kills and does not give life.  

Joh 5:38  And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.
Joh 5:39  Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. 
Joh 5:40  And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.
Joh 5:41  I receive not honour from men.
Joh 5:42  But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. 

2Co 3:6  Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life. 

Mat 2:7  Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. 
Mat 2:8  And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. 

As indicated, Herod representing the devil wants to destroy Christ in us. He therefore appears as an angel of light to the wise men by saying that they should search diligently for Christ so that he also would come and worship Him. That is why we are admonished to test the spirit if it is of the Lord because many false apostles representing the devil have appeared parading as angels of light.

1Jn 4:1  Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 

2Co 11:13  For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
2Co 11:14  And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 
2Co 11:15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. 

Mat 2:9  When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 
Mat 2:10  When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 

It is important to note that when the wise men left Jerusalem, immediately, the star guiding them appeared. As the Lord’s elect represented by the wise men, we groped in darkness during our sojourn in the physical churches of this world or Babylon signified by Jerusalem. This is because the day star, our Lord Jesus Christ is not within us or His temple to guide us to Himself. It is only after we have left Babylon to become part of the church of the first born or the New Jerusalem that Christ comes to drag us to Himself. That is the time that we rejoice in the Lord, like the wise men, for the guidance of the Lord. 

Deu 31:8  And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed. 

2Pe 1:19  We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star (Christ) arise in your hearts: 

Mat 2:11  And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. 

The wise men in their seeking, were finally able to find Jesus. The word of the Lord has assured us as His elect (wise men) that if we seek after Christ, we shall find. We must knock and the door will be opened and we must ask and it shall be given to us. 

Mat 7:7  Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 
Mat 7:8  For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. 
Mat 7:9  Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?
Mat 7:10  Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?
Mat 7:11  If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

As shown in verse 11, the wise men came to find not a baby but a young child Jesus. This indicates that some time had elapsed since Jesus was born. It took some time for the wise men to travel from the east to come to Jerusalem and then to Bethlehem. As shown in verse 11, Jesus was living in a house when the wise men came and not a manger as Christmas stories tend to indicate. This is to let us know that seeking to know the Lord takes time. There are no short cuts to knowing Christ. It is a life-time business. This is what it entails to know Christ or to find Him:

Php 3:10  That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Php 3:11  If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 

Knowing Him involves coming to know the power of His resurrection, the fellowship of His sufferings and being made conformable unto His death. We must come to know the power that is available on our behalf that causes us to become alive from our spiritually dead state. This power is made available to us through the Holy Spirit.

Exo 9:16  And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.

Act 1:8  But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. 

The fellowship of His suffering relates to the judgment of our flesh. It is through the suffering marked out for us that we learn righteousness. 

It is instructive to note that when the wise men came to the house, they saw Jesus and His mother Mary. This implies that coming to know Christ entails knowing the church of the first born or the New Jerusalem signified by Mary. As the Lord’s elect (wise men), our journey throughout this life is to come and worship the Lord with all the treasures that the Lord has given to us. 

1Co 4:7  For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it? 

These treasures entail gold, frankincense and myrrh, which the Lord has given to us to help us to worship Him in truth and in spirit. The gold of our treasures indicates being given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God. The frankincense and the myrrh are forms of incense, and they represent the prayers of the saints. 

Son 3:6  Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness like pillars of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all powders of the merchant?

Our prayers are therefore a form of worship, and it is like a sweet-smelling gift to God. 

Rev 8:3  And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. 
Rev 8:4  And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand.   

Mat 2:12  And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. 

Here we are shown how the Lord warned the wise men in a dream that they should not return to Herod. As we come to worship the Lord through our prayers and our understanding of the mysteries of the kingdom, the Lord will make us aware of the devil’s devices to entrap us. This is what Paul has to say about this:

2Co 2:10  To whom ye forgive anything, I forgive also: for if I forgave anything, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes forgave I it in the person of Christ; 
2Co 2:11  Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices. 

The wise men departing into their own country another way is to be warned that we should not go back to our vomit.

2Pe 2:20  For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 
2Pe 2:21  For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 
2Pe 2:22  But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.    

The Flight to Egypt

Mat 2:13  And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. 
Mat 2:14  When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: 
Mat 2:15  And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son. 

Although Bethlehem was the place for the birth of Christ, the departure of the wise men herald the killing of children of two years old and under because of Herod’s threat. Bethlehem in this negative context represents Babylon. It is in Babylon that the Lord’s elect (the wise men) are departing to join the New Jerusalem, and it is where they are spiritually killing the babes in Christ under the direction of the devil. 

The birth of Christ within us attracts persecution instigated by the devil (Herod) through the church, just as the Lord’s disciples were persecuted by the church in their day. As we are aware, Egypt represents the world or the cities of the world. Jesus and his parents fleeing to Egypt under the advice in a dream means that when we are persecuted, we must go from one city to another of this world. The Lord does not take us out of this world when we are being persecuted, rather, He hides us here in this world.  

Mat 10:23  But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come. 

At the right time, the Lord will send us His word of what to do next. In the case of our Lord Jesus Christ, it was the death of Herod that heralded His coming back to Israel. When the Lord has dealt with those who persecute us, the Lord will send us a word as to what to do next. The Lord leaving Egypt fulfills the prophesy of the Lord calling His son from Egypt. As Egypt represent the world, the statement “out of Egypt have I called my son” means that it is out of this world (Egypt) that God called out His son Jesus after going through suffering here on earth to become our High Priest. In a similar vein, it is through suffering that we shall be perfected to be called out of this world (Egypt) to become saviors of the world, like Jesus.

Heb 5:9  And being made perfect (Here in this world or Egypt), he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; 
Heb 5:10  Called (out of this world) of God an high priest after the order of Melchisedec. 

Oba 1:21  And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD’S.  

The children in Bethlehem are being Slaughtered.

Mat 2:16  Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
Mat 2:17  Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, 
Mat 2:18  In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not. 

The killing of the children in Bethlehem under the instigation of Herod signifies the putting to death of the babes in Christ in the physical churches of this world or Babylon as indicated earlier. It is instructive to note that it is those who are two years or younger who were the target of the killing. The number two signify a witness. It is those who are called and chosen before the foundation of the world and are still babies in Christ as they find themselves in Babylon who are being killed. However, in the fullness of time, the Lord will call us out of Babylon to attain maturity in Him. Those under two years old represent those who are called but are not chosen, who are babies in Christ. These symbolize our brothers and sisters in Babylon.

The question is, what are they using to kill the babies? They are all being slaughtered by the sword which represents the false doctrines spewed as flood by the devil (Herod) and swallowed by the babies in Christ (two years old and younger). This is clearly portrayed to us in the Book of Revelation as follows:

Rev 12:15  And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood. 
Rev 12:16  And the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth.

The earth represents the babies in Christ. In verses 17 and 18, we are informed that Jeremiah prophesied concerning this killing of children at Rama. When Nebuchadnezzar invaded Judah, he detained the Jewish captives, including Jeremiah, at Ramah. The captives who were too old or weak to make the trip to Babylon were slaughtered there. This was the primary fulfillment of the prophesy which pertains to a voice being heard in Ramah of lamentation and bitter weeping representing Rachel weeping for her children. Matthew, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, also applied this scripture of Rachel weeping in Ramah to Herod’s slaughter of children after the birth of Christ. We can see how the Holy Spirit helped Matthew to rightly divide the word of truth. For those who have not read Mike’s article on “Rightly Dividing the Word, Using a Principle only the Apostles Understood”,  please do so. It is in the essential reading of the website, www.iswasandwillbe.com. 

Jer 40:1  The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, after that Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard had let him go from Ramah, when he had taken him being bound in chains among all that were carried away captive of Jerusalem and Judah, which were carried away captive unto Babylon.    

Jer 31:15  Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not.
Jer 31:16  Thus saith the LORD; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the LORD; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy. 

Rachel was the beloved wife of Jacob who gave birth to Joseph and Benjamin, who represent the Lord’s elect. Therefore, what we are being told is that the church of the first born or the New Jerusalem (Rachel) weeps for all of the Lord’s elect who are unsuspectingly caught up with the lies of Babylon and are being put to death. However, we are admonished by the Lord not to weep for these children. This is because they shall surely become part of the church of the New Jerusalem in the fullness of time.   

Gen 35:24  The sons of Rachel; Joseph, and Benjamin:

The Return to Nazareth

Mat 2:19  But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 
Mat 2:20  Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child’s life. 
Mat 2:21  And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. 
Mat 2:22  But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee: 
Mat 2:23  And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.  

The death of Herod does not means that the devil is dead, since we use Herod to symbolize the devil. It rather means that there is a time that the Lord restrains the devil from attacking us. This period is a time of peace and it is during this time of peace that the Lord called Jesus and His parents to come back to Israel. On his way back, Joseph learned that Archelaus, the son of Herod, reigns in Judea and therefore became afraid. Again, the Lord came to him to show him where to go – Galilee.

The Lord’s command for Joseph and his family to proceed to the land of Israel and the subsequent obedience of Joseph caused the Lord to further direct him when he became afraid of Archelaus. As we obey the Lord, we are given to know more of the direction the Lord is taking us. 

Joseph finally settled the family in Nazareth and therefore fulfilled the prophesy that Jesus shall be a Nazarene. Just as the Lord was being led in his growth to fulfill what the Lord has said about Him, we are also being led at every moment of our lives to bring us to an expected end. 

Jer 29:11  For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Jer 29:12  Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you. 
Jer 29:13  And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart. 

May the Lord lead us one day at a time as we seek to know Him. Amen!!