Joseph & Mary’s flight to Egypt with Jesus
Matthew 2:13-15
Our text reads:
[13] When the Magi had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up!” he said. “Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him.”
[14] So he got up, took the Child and His mother by night, and withdrew to Egypt, [15] where he stayed until the death of Herod.
OBSERVATIONS
Here are three observations:
1. Matthew 2:13 – God Watches Over His Own.
“When [the Magi] had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. ‘Get up,’ he said, ‘take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.’”
When I read this verse, I understand that God’s people are never away from the protection of God. Trouble was on the horizon, but Joseph did not even know about it. Joseph slept, but God was awake and sent his angel to speak to him in a dream and warn him to run. Psalms 121:3-4 promises, “He who watches over you will not slumber indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” This is God’s protective attitude over his children.
2. Matthew 2:14 – Obey God Immediately.
After the angel told Joseph what to do, the very next verse says, “So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt.”
There was no, we will go tomorrow or we will go next weekend. He got up that night and did what God said. Here is the great truth for all of us. When you know what God wants you to do, do it immediately.
3. Matthew 2:14 – Loved One Struggle Together.
Notice that Herod wanted to kill baby Jesus, but Joseph, Mary and Jesus had to take flight in the night. When one hurts, then the whole family hurts. It is only arrogance and ignorance that causes a person to say, “It is my life and I can do as I please.” No! When a child hurts the family hurts. When a father is lazy the whole family suffers. When a mother is irresponsible, she troubles everyone in the family and all who love her.
When one family member hurts, we all hurt.
Lonnie Davis