When we say that God is sovereign we mean that God absolutely rules the universe all by Himself. This includes the affairs of men. Two great difficulties arise when we think of the sovereignty of God:
1) How am I accountable to a God who controls everything? (See Deuteronomy 29:29)
2) How do I trust a sovereign God? (See Psalm 97:9-12).
This message cannot address those two great questions. A study of Romans 8-12 would provide help and, hopefully, bring balance to the struggling heart of those who contemplate such challenging thoughts.
Today we will see a sovereign God working in the affairs of men. Some of these men are very wicked and have great power. Willing or unwilling, all men are used to fulfill God’s greater purposes (Proverbs 16:1,4,9,33; Psalm 75:6-7; 76:10; Daniel 4 (all); Nahum 1:3; Acts 2:22-23; 4:27-28). Can we trust a sovereign God today to be also in control of those in government and in great power over us?
Matthew 2:1-6 cp. Luke 2:1-7. Caesar Augustus wanted to arrange and supply for his kingdom. God wanted to arrange and supply for the Kingdom of His dear Son (Isaiah 9:6-7 cp. Colossians 1:12-13). Scripture fulfilled: Micah 5:2.
Matthew 2:1-12. Wise men from another country and culture were enlightened and directed to travel to Jerusalem to find a king that they did not know. Their obedience and worship of Christ is an example to all believers. See how God used them to stir things up in Jerusalem (Matthew 2:3). Perhaps we see a partial fulfillment of Isaiah 60:1-3 as Gentiles come to worship Christ before many Jews even understand.
Matthew 2:11-15. Herod wanted to protect and preserve his kingdom for his own power and glory. God wanted to protect and preserve His dear Son, to promote His own power and glory (I Chronicles 29:10-12 cp. Matthew 5:13; Ephesians 3:21; I Timothy 1:17; 6:13-16).
Scripture fulfilled: Hosea 11:1 cp. Numbers 24:1-8.
Matthew 2:16-20. Herod wanted to kill in order to fulfill his purposes. God wanted to kill Herod in order to fulfill His own purposes (I Samuel 2:1-10, 22-25,26; II Peter 2:9 cp. Deuteronomy 32:39-43). The time Joseph and his family spent in Egypt may have only been a few weeks. Herod did not enjoy his power and glory for very long (Matthew 16:25-26).
Scripture fulfilled: Jeremiah 31:15 cp. vs. 16-17 (a future hope for Israel. S.A. I Corinthians 15:54-57 = resurrection)
Matthew 2:21-23. The son of Herod thought himself to be as great as his father. He was only just as wicked as his father. God guided Joseph to a better place, further providing prophetic verification that Jesus, His son, is the Christ.
Scripture fulfilled: This is not a direct quote of the Old Testament. People from Nazareth were considered undesirable / despised (John 1:45-46). Consider Psalm 22:6-8; Isaiah 49:7; 53:1-3. | 
