Hope Awakening: Flee
“When they had departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I tell you. Herod is going to search for the child to destroy him. Joseph rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed for Egypt. He stayed there until the death of Herod, that what the Lord had said through the prophet might be fulfilled, ‘Out of Egypt I called my son.'”
Matthew 2:13-15
I love how God consistently uses dreams to speak to Joseph. In today’s verses, we witness God’s omniscience. Omniscient is a fancy word for all knowing. God comes to Joseph in a dream to warn him of the impending danger Jesus faces from Herod. Verses 16-18 (which we will skip) detail the horrific events that unfold when Herod realizes the magi aren’t returning to tell him where Jesus is. God tells Joseph to flee to Egypt, and Joseph doesn’t hesitate. He rises immediately after the dream and flees with Jesus and Mary into the night.
By now, we know traveling in those times was nothing like it is today. Travel often carried obstacles and dangers, but those didn’t outweigh the impending danger from Herod. A quick Google search reveals that it’s about 40 miles from Bethlehem to the Egyptian border, and this trip likely took about a week.
This verse brings to mind another Joseph in Scripture. Old Testament Joseph was Jacob’s (Israel) favorite son, born to him by Rachel (his most loved wife). Jacob didn’t hide his preferences; his sons all knew well who he favored. Joseph had a dream from the Lord in which his brothers fell down and worshipped him. In a not-so-bright move, Joseph shared this dream with his brothers. They hatched a plan to kill him, but in the end settled on selling him into slavery to the Egyptians (there is way more to this story – if you aren’t familiar, check out Genesis 37-50). Joseph went on a wild journey while in Egypt, leading him to both a jail cell and being second in charge of all the land.
Years pass and a famine hits Jacob’s homeland. Egypt is the only country prepared for this devastation, thanks to Joseph (and thanks to God). Jacob sends his sons to Egypt to buy grain and they come face to face with Joseph, but they don’t recognize him. After a series of events, and a few years, Joseph reveals himself to his brothers. They, of course, fear retaliation. Joseph assures them, though. He tells them while they intended to harm him, God allowed it for their good. In the end, Joseph saves Jacob and the entire Israelite family.
Old Testament Joseph is obedient and God uses him as an instrument to save His chosen people, and ultimately preserve the lineage of His Son! New Testament Joseph is also obedient, and God uses him as an instrument to save His Son, who will in turn redeem all God’s people!
In protecting Jesus, God also led Joseph to fulfill a prophecy from Hosea: “Out of Egypt, I called my son” (11:1). We see over and over again in Scripture how God is faithful to His word! God does what he says He will do, and we can trust Him. Just as the Joseph’s trusted God and were obedient, we should do the same. God isn’t human and doesn’t change His mind! (Numbers 23:19)
All praise and glory be to God, forever and ever!
Reflection: How quick are you to obey God when you feel Him nudging you? This is another theme we’ve seen woven through Jesus’ birth story. There isn’t a lot of hesitation, and I believe that is due to the faith and trust these Biblical characters had in God. They were in close relationship with Him and attuned to what He asked of them. They trusted Him, even in the hard things. In my own life, I’m quick to question and ponder, but slow to react. If I look back, I can see God’s faithfulness! Today, write out on a notecard: “I can trust God because He is faithful.” Then add a sentence or a few words to remind you of a past time when you saw God’s hand in your life.