The American Wisdom Series

Presents
Matthew #2503

The simplicity of the matter is that babies are not naturally born before the travail, but after the labor pangs!

How familiar are you with the plan of God? Hopefully today's study will further your overall understanding as we are going to pay close attention to observing the "right hand of God" ever-present in the affairs of His servants in both taking care of His own and in bringing to pass the exact fulfillment of His Word, His Will, His loving plan of salvation for His children. You "see", there is a positive "end" to His plan for His children and it is in our understanding of that which is entailed in His deliverance and redemption that allows us to "see" His purpose of allowing captivity and bondage and oppression and yes, even death in this flesh age "under the sun". To wit, common sense alone tells us that one cannot be delivered from bondage unless he is first bound, can he? One cannot be awakened unless he is first asleep! One cannot be healed unless he is first sick! One cannot be exalted unless he is first humble! And as it is written in Isa. 66, one cannot be born naturally without there first being travail, i.e. labor pangs! So yes, there is a "negative part" to part to God's overall plan, but those with eyes to see and ears to hear understand that our Father is in complete control and that He is able to heal the blind, and cause the lame to walk, and the "dead" to come alive!

In our last study we left off where God had again intervened and warned the wise men that they should not to return to Herod. So they departed into their own country another way.

Matthew 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.

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.

[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.

[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.

Isaiah 66:5
Hear the word of the LORD, ye that tremble at his word; your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the LORD be glorified: but he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed.

[6] A voice of noise from the city, a voice from the temple, a voice of the LORD that rendereth recompence to his enemies.

[7] Before she travailed, she brought forth; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man child.

[8] Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.

[9] Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to bring forth? saith the LORD: shall I cause to bring forth, and shut the womb? saith thy God.

[10] Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her:

[11] That ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations; that ye may milk out, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.

[12] For thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream: then shall ye suck, ye shall be borne upon her sides, and be dandled upon her knees.

[13] As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.

[14] And when ye see this, your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like an herb: and the hand of the LORD shall be known toward his servants, and his indignation toward his enemies.