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06 September 2008 | 6 Elul 5768 | Shoftim

The Nazarene / February 2007

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He was born in Bethlehem and worked out of Capernaum of Galilee. So why is He predominately call Yeshua of Nazareth or simply the “Nazarene.” Nazareth was His hometown. Why does that take precedence over the other locations? The answer is given by Matthew early in his Gospel account. According to Matthew, the Messiah is to be called a “Nazarene.” However, most New Covenant believers can not find the prophecy. The word “Nazareth” and “Nazarene” is nowhere to be found in the Old Testament. There is another word that is sometimes confused with Nazareth. It is the subject of the Nazarite vow. But, it is a completely separate thing.

Before I show you the prophecy in question, let me review Matthew's account of Yeshua from birth through his youth. He speaks of several prophecies that are profound and set the stage for Yeshua's ministry. Joseph and Mary are defined as coming from Nazareth. The birth of Yeshua in Bethlehem was brought about by unusual circumstances. Clearly, the Messiah was prophesied to be born in Bethlehem. But instead of being called Yeshua of Bethlehem, He is called Yeshua of Nazareth, the place of his parents and childhood home takes precedence. Why?

After Yeshua's birth, there were other extraordinary events, such as the visit of the Magi and the threat of King Herod to any children born near Bethlehem two-years and younger. Instead of returning home to Nazareth, Joseph and Mary fled from Bethlehem to Egypt to avoid the wrath of King Herod.

Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise and take the Child and His mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him.”
Matthew 2:13

According to the Scripture, Herod was angry with the Magi for not returning to him. Therefore, he ordered the death of children born within two-years in Bethlehem and the surrounding areas.

Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent and slew all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its environs, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had ascertained from the magi.
Matthew 2:16

Matthew is explicit and detailed in presenting how Yeshua was prophesied to go down and come up from Egypt.

And he arose and took the Child and His mother by night, and departed for Egypt; and was there until the death of Herod, that what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet might be fulfilled, saying, “Out of Egypt did I call My Son.”
Matthew 2:14-15

This is an intriguing prophecy about the Messiah. Yes, the words quoted from the Prophet say what Matthew wrote. However, the Prophet Hosea was referring in the general sense to Israel (My Son) coming up out of Egypt. If you examine the actual prophecy in its literal sense, the subject is not about the Messiah. It doesn't appear to be a Messianic prophecy at all. Instead, it is about the Children of Israel being called God's first born son while in Egypt. Hosea the prophet echos what Moses says.

Then you shall say to Pharaoh, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Israel is My son, My first-born.
Exodus 4:22
When Israel was a youth I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son.
Hosea 11:1

To many critics of Yeshua's messiahship, it appears that quoting the Hosea's passage and applying it to Yeshua's flight to Egypt is an attempt to force-fit the prophecy. The context of Hosea's text is a review of Israel's history, not a major prophetic event in the life of the Messiah. But what is Matthew really trying to say? How does Yeshua journeying to Egypt and then traveling to Nazareth set the stage for the great Messianic story? How does “and out of Egypt I called My son” fit the great Messianic prophecies?

The answer is found in other Scriptures, instead of the single quote from Hosea. Don't misunderstand me, I am not criticizing Matthew's presentation. His statement is summary position on a much larger teaching. I am saying there is much more to what Matthew is saying. He assumes that the reader knows Moses and the Prophets. Let's go back to them and reconsider the whole story of the Egyptian Exodus. It is the story of redemption. It is the story of Joseph, rejected of his brethren, rising up to care for the brethren and the flock. Finally, it is the story of the Passover Lamb and God's deliverance by a powerful hand. This is the great Messianic story. It is very significant that Yeshua would have a testimony of “coming up out of Egypt.” It was God who promised to go down with Jacob and came back up with his descendants. It is how God defined Himself as being the Redeemer. Going down and coming back up from Egypt is as prophetically significant as being born in Bethlehem. Brethren that have been instructed in the Torah would know this.

Matthew is just as direct and specific with Herod's attack on the children. He says it is a prophetic fulfillment as well.

Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent and slew all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its environs, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had ascertained from the magi. Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying, “A voice was heard in Ramah, Weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children; and she refused to be comforted, because they were no more.”
Matthew 2:16-18

Rachel was not buried at Hebron with the other patriarchs and wives. Leah, the sister of Rachel, was buried with Jacob in Hebron. Why did Jacob bury his beloved wife Rachel on the way to Bethlehem and not in Hebron? Part of the reason has to do with the location of Rachel's death. She died giving birth just before Bethlehem. Her last child was Benjamin. Rachel called the child “Benoni” the son of my sorrows. Jacob changed his name to “Benjamin” the son of my right hand. It too was part of the Messianic prophetic story. Yeshua, the Messiah, is known as both: the man of sorrows and the Son of the right hand.

As we now know, the road between Jerusalem and Bethlehem has had much history and meaning in our faith. Rachel crying (sorrows) for her children has been the legacy of Israel being led away in captivity and other negative moments in Israel's history. But it also has to do with the specific location near Bethlehem. King David was born there; the Messiah was to born there. The Messiah was to deal with sorrow and triumph. Thus, the prophet linked the two by proclaiming that the Messiah was to be born there.

But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity.
Micah 5:2

“Ephrathah” is a unique word in the feminine gender meaning to bandage and cover a wound; this is Rachel in her sorrows. A “ruler” being called is about the King (the Son of David) that was to come. The reference to “eternity” means it is about the King Messiah (the Eternal One). The Messiah would be humble and lowly, binding up the brokenhearted and rising above all of His brethren. This is not stretching prophecies to fit; this is showing the linkages of God's great plan.

Matthew is connecting many dots (coming out of Egypt, the death of Rachel, being born in Bethlehem, and the death of other children with Rachel weeping) that tell the Messianic story. But there is one more dot that Matthew wants to connect. It will be the most significant.

Even before His public ministry (even as a child), Yeshua's birth and earliest testimony is profoundly Messianic. The Gospel of Matthew builds on this and goes on to explain how Yeshua returned to Nazareth. It is profoundly significant that He will be from Nazareth and called the “Nazarene.”

But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, “Arise and take the Child and His mother, and go into the land of Israel; for those who sought the Child's life are dead.”
Matthew 2:19-20

This is where the prophecy of Nazareth and Yeshua being a “Nazarene” begins to take shape. The return to the land of Israel brought Yeshua to Nazareth. Matthew records this and then speaks of this very distinct prophecy.

[Joseph, Mary, and Yeshua] came and resided in a city called Nazareth, that what was spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, “He shall be called a Nazarene.”
Matthew 2:23

This prophecy is about Yeshua specifically being called a “Nazarene.” But we have a problem now. There is no specific prophecy spoken of by Matthew saying that the Messiah would be called a “Nazarene.” Even the believers in the Gospels questioned this point.

Nathanael's Question

When Phillip approached Nathanael under the fig tree to announce that they had found “We have found Him of whom Moses in the Law and also the Prophets wrote, Yeshua of Nazareth, the son of Joseph” (John 1:45), Nathanael asked the question. “And Nathanael said to him, ‘Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?’” (John 1:46).

Nathanael was familiar with Scripture; he was looking for the Messiah to come. It was natural for him to challenge the idea that the Messiah would be from Nazareth.

Just for the sake of curiosity, why didn't Phillip announce Him as “Yeshua of Bethlehem?” There would have been no question with Nathanael; he knew of that prophecy. Why is Nazareth being asserted?

The Religious Leader's Question

When Yeshua was in Jerusalem at the Feast of Tabernacles He called out “If any man thirst, let him come drink of Me…” A great discussion ensued about the possibility of Yeshua being the Messiah. However, the religious leaders disputed the consensus saying,

“No one of the rulers or Pharisees has believed in Him, has he? But this multitude which does not know the Law is accursed.” Nicodemus said to them (he who came to Him before, being one of them), “Our Law does not judge a man, unless it first hears from him and knows what he is doing, does it?” They answered and said to him, “You are not also from Galilee, are you? Search, and see that no prophet arises out of Galilee.”
John 7:48-52

The religious leaders were right. But had they investigated further, they would have discovered His birth in Bethlehem and the evidence for His Messiahship. But even with this understanding, they still had the question about Nazareth and the Galilean region.

Why wasn't He called Yeshua of Capernaum or Yeshua of Galilee? Yeshua was not really operating out of Nazareth. He had left Nazareth and was based in Capernaum on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. He was really a Galilean at that point. Nazareth is some 14 miles away from the Sea of Galilee (in Biblical times 14 miles was a significant difference) just as Matthews says.

And leaving Nazareth, He came and settled in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali.
Matthew 4:13

Capernaum was the real base for Yeshua's ministry. There is a very definite prophecy about the Messiah ministering in the Galilee.

This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying, “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, by the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles – The people who were sitting in darkness saw a great light, and to those who were sitting in the land and shadow of death, upon them a light dawned.”
Matthew 4:14-16

Let me explain this prophecy a little bit. The first exiles from the House of Israel that went into Assyrian captivity were from this region. One of the great Messianic prophecies was that the Messiah would one day bring the scattered exiles of Israel back to the land. It was understood that the Messiah would first minister where the first captivity took place – Galilee. However, Nazareth is only loosely considered to be part of the Galilean region.

And the multitudes were saying, “This is the prophet Yeshua, from Nazareth in Galilee.”
Matthew 21:11

The intent of the prophecy about the region of Galilee deals with of the tribal regions. This prophecy does not justify Matthew's statement that the Messaih would be called a “Nazarene.” Did the Messiah ever minister in Nazareth? Yes, He did. They rejected Him promptly. They would only allow Him to be the son of Joseph, the carpenter, in His hometown. Truly, a prophet is without honor in His hometown.

The Testimony of Demons

Here is an interesting twist to the title of Yeshua of Nazareth; even demons referred to Him that way.

In the story of the Garasene, a man was filled with thousands of demons in the region of Decopolis (ten Gentile cites on the eastern and southern edges of the Sea of Galilee). Yeshua and the disciples were confronted by the man. Yeshua asked for the demon's name. “Legion” was the response indicating that thousands were present. The demons challenged Yeshua and His presence at that place.

“What do we have to do with You, Yeshua of Nazareth? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!”
Mark 1:24

In this incident, Yeshua cast the demons into a herd of swine, which then ran off a cliff into the sea. The oppressed man was delivered. Why did the demons take note of “Nazareth” in Yeshua's name. Why didn't they refer to Him as a Galilean? He was with other Galileans. If they knew Him as the Son of God (and they did), why didn't they say He was from Bethlehem?

Yeshua's Arrest Warrant

The title “Yeshua of Nazareth – the Nazarene” builds to the final days of Yeshua's ministry. At Yeshua's arrest, the temple authorities came to arrest a particular man that would be identified by Judas. Yeshua asked them who they specifically were seeking.

They answered Him, “Yeshua the Nazarene.” He said to them, “I am He.” And Judas also who was betraying Him, was standing with them.
John 18:5

Yeshua's Title on the Cross

Maybe the most significant moment was at Yeshua's crucifixion. The Romans affixed the title above the cross written by Pilate.

And Pilate wrote an inscription also, and put it on the cross. And it was written, “YESHUA THE NAZARENE, THE KING OF THE JEWS.”
John 19:19

Why was this title affixed above all others?

Preaching the Gospel in His Name

After His resurrection, the Apostles preached Yeshua by this name and title.

Let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Yeshua the Messiah – the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead – by this name this man stands here before you in good health.
Acts 4:10
You know of Yeshua of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good, and healing all who were oppressed by the devil; for God was with Him.
Acts 10:38

Before there was the Greek expression “Christians” the earliest believers were called the “sect of the Nazarenes.” This was the language used to describe Paul's ministry as an Apostle.

For we have found this man a real pest and a fellow who stirs up dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.
Acts 24:5

Given the life of Yeshua being born in Bethlehem, His short trip to Egypt, His boyhood home of Nazareth, working His ministry from Capernaum and Galilee, and eventually dying in Jerusalem, why does the name of Nazareth takes such prominence in the life of Yeshua? The Gospels and the teaching of the disciples repeat this fact. This only amplifies the original question raised by Matthew's statement. Where is the prophecy saying that the Messiah was to be called a “Nazarene?” Has Matthew made a mistake or have we failed to understand what He is saying?

How the Church explains Matthew's prophecy

The church and churchmen have struggled with this question. This is a very sticky theological question in seminaries. They generally try to avoid this question. When pressed, they offer this explanation. The Hebrew word “netzer” is phonetically similar to “Nazarene.” “Netzer” mean “shoot or little shoot” as in the prophecies of Isaiah.

Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, and a branch from his roots will bear fruit.
Isaiah 11:1
For He grew up before Him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of parched ground; He has no stately form or majesty that we should look upon Him, nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him. He was despised and forsaken of a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and like one from whom men hide their face, He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.
Isaiah 53:2-3

These are Messianic prophecies. Many churchmen assert that the prophecy of Yeshua being called a “Nazarene” is about the “shoot” of the plant, meaning it has nothing to do with the community of Nazareth. While I agree that the Messiah is this “tender shoot” spoken of by the prophet; it does not explain the expression that He will be called a “Nazarene.” The many repeated references to Yeshua of Nazareth does not compare to the picture of a new shoot from a very old olive tree (Israel).

The Answer

So, let's get to the real answer. Let's not chase our tails only to end up where we started. The answer is right in the meaning the name Nazareth. The answer reaches to the very heart of the Messiah and the story of redemption. Let us keep in mind that this is the overwhelming title for the Messiah used in Scripture. He is Yeshua of Nazareth.

Nazareth was a small and very poor community. It is believed that in the days of Yeshua, only a few people lived there. Some have speculated that not more than a hundred people lived there in Yeshua's day. The terrain of Nazareth is very hilly. Nazareth was a community on the slope of a hill; it is not even level ground. Many of the homes were in fact caves and dug out areas among the rocks. Nazareth doesn't even give a commanding view of anything. Nazareth is overshadowed by the cities of Sepphoris and Tiberias just as Mt. Tabor does. It miles to anywhere else. Historically, Nazareth was few miles from significant events, but not the center stage of any event – not until Yeshua became known for the place. Nazareth is never mentioned in the Old Testament.

Explaining Nazareth

This is the telling part about Nazareth. It is no where. It is nothing. Nothing significant every happened there and no one is from there. Nazareth and being a Nazarene meant that there was no value or good. Remember Nathaniel's question, “Can anything good come from Nazareth.” But Yeshua is good and He came from Nazareth. The title Yeshua of Nazareth almost appears to be a contradiction in terms.

Let me give you a modern day example of what being from Nazareth meant. In every community, people live in varies areas based on their means. The poor usually group together. Ethnic groups do the same and we are all familiar with the terms “ghettos” or “slums.” Saying that someone is from that location is more about defamation than an expression of factual location. When I was growing up here in the Amercian midwest, there is a similar regard for those who lived on “the wrong side of the tracks.” It means the person from that location has no culture or class. It means they are poor or uneducated. Today, some regard families living in trailer courts or mobile homes in a very negativ fashion. I have heard the term “trailer court trash” used. There is noting wrong with trailer courts or mobile homes; but like Nazareth, some people reject and hold people in disdain simply because of where they come from. It is not right.

Nazareth was regarded in this manner; this was the underlining meaning. Yeshua of Nazareth was Yeshua the Rejected. He was from nowhere. No one wanted to be from Nazareth; you went somewhere else to get away from Nazareth. The humble welcomed Yeshua of Nazareth; He was one of them. But, the haughty considered Yeshua of Nazareth to be a very derogatory expression, synonymous with demeaning or devaluing someone. Being called a “Nazarene” was not a complimentary expression. It meant you were nothing from a nothing place. Nazareth was a bad proverb. Nothing good came from Nazareth. Everyone knew it.

The Prophecy of Moses

This is the prophecy of the Messiah. This is why He was to be called a “Nazarene”. He was to be rejected by His own brethren. This is what the prophets said. He was to be called “Nazarene” because was to be rejected and devalued.

Look at the prophecy of Moses in the story of Joseph, the son of Jacob. Joseph was resented deeply by his brothers; they did not consider him worthy to be anointed by his father or to have rule over them one day. The story of redemption begins in the Bible with Joseph being sent by Jacob to see to the welfare of the flock and his brethren. Every Torah teacher will teach you this same thing. Every Passover seder begins the Exodus story here.

Then his brothers went to pasture their father's flock in Shechem. And Israel said to Joseph, “Are not your brothers pasturing the flock in Shechem? Come, and I will send you to them.” And he said to him, “I will go.” Then he said to him, “Go now and see about the welfare of your brothers and the welfare of the flock; and bring word back to me.” So he sent him from the valley of Hebron, and he came to Shechem.
Genesis 37:12-14

But what happens as soon as Joseph reaches the flock and his brethren? He is rejected, cast in a pit, his life is threatened, and eventually sold as a slave.

The Prophecy of Isaiah

Isaiah the prophet spoke directly to this point concerning the Messiah.

He has no stately form or majesty that we should look upon Him, nor appearance that we should be attracted to Him. He was despised and forsaken of a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and like one from whom men hide their face, He was despised, and we did not esteem Him.
Isaiah 53:2-3

Yeshua was from Nazareth. The definition of being from Nazareth is the prophecy of Isaiah. In all likelihood, Yeshua probably looked like He was from Nazareth. His physical appearance was like one from whom men hide their face. I don't believe that Yeshua had golden brown hair flowing down to a neatly trimmed beard with the glowing light behind Him. Those images of Him today are made to counter the very prophecy about Him.

This prophecy of rejection began first in His hometown of Nazareth. It started with Nazareth and it included His physical appearance. It involved the people He called His friends. It was prophesied to be this way. Even the Messiah addressed His rejection by quoting other Scriptures.

The Prophecy of the Psalms

Yeshua said to them, “Did you never read in the Scriptures, ‘The stone which the builders rejected, this became the chief corner stone; this came about from the Lord, and it is marvelous in our eyes?’”
Matthew 21:42

Have you ever seen a movie or read a book where someone appears like anyone else, suffering rejection and despisement, only to be revealed later as being very significant. I heard of a man who bought a business. No one knew what the new owner looked like. Instead of walking into the owner's office, the new owner came to work one day dressed like anyone else assuming a much lower position. While the managers waited for the new owner to walk in; the owner worked with the subordinate employees observing how the managers and employees did the business. The day finally came when the owner walked in as the owner; everyone was stunned. They had all (managers and employees) rejected or disregarded him in one way or another.

Yeshua came to us is a similar manner, humble and lowly. He was rejected by His hometown and this world. The rejected stone will become the chief cornerstone. Those who have rejected Him have “stumbled” over Him. When Yeshua of Nazareth returns it will be marvelous just as the prophecy said.

What does Nazareth have to do with us?

There are many types of people in this world. Some people are rich and beautiful. Some are kind and generous. Some are wise and understanding. There are many variations thereof but most of us are in the other categories. Most of us know what it is like to be poor and not so beautiful. We want to be kind but we are well acquainted with being treated unkindly. We have the heart to be generous but lack the resources. Our gifts are really small and hopefully from the heart. Wisdom and understanding are lofty concepts but we live with everyone's faulty judgments. Most of us are from nowhere. Very few of us are mighty or noble just as the Apostle Paul says.

For consider your calling, brethren, that there were not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble; but God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised, God has chosen, the things that are not, that He might nullify the things that are, that no man should boast before God.
1 Corinthians 1:26-29

We are not the beautiful people of the world. Instead, we are born into this world in need, grow up, get by, live hand to mouth, pay bills, sometimes make a living, try to get out of debt, raise kids, hurt each other too often, and try to avoid traffic tickets. Eventually, time catches up to us and we succumb to age or disease like our ancestors before us. We are just like the people from Nazareth. But that is not the whole story of our lives. Along the way, we have a Friend. He knows what is like to be where we are from. He is from our same hometown. He knows about our heartaches and discouragements from being put down and rejected. But He has risen above all of that. He offers us companionship, promise, and hope.

Yeshua has many titles and honors but He prefers to assert one title over all of the others in the Scriptural account. It is His title of rejection. His business card says Yeshua of Nazareth. But, He is called the “Nazarene.” He is the Messiah.

Monte

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