Leaving Egypt
Just as fast as they got settled and used to life in Egypt, roughly 1.5 years later, Joseph has another dream. Except, this time it is not a dream of run further. It is a dream that says…
Matthew 2:19-21
19 After Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 saying, “Get up! Take the child and His mother and go to the land of Israel, because those who sought the child’s life are dead.” 21 So he got up, took the child and His mother, and entered the land of Israel.
It seems like a lot of back and forth. A lot of go here and go there. But I think this is a piece of the story of Jesus that many miss. As they look at Jesus as a baby and think no more about it. But the obedience of Jesus’ parents is unwavering and a guide to all of us. Whether you are a parent, grandparent, or will one day be a parent. How you respond to God will reflect for all time. Will you be obedient even when it costs you your savings, even when it is challenging beyond measure, or even if it costs your life? Will you demonstrate obedience to God! Will you demonstrate that obedience is more important than knowledge.
Think about it. Joseph and Mary were not rabbi’s or the intellectually elite. She was a young teenager; he was a carpenter. So all in all they were really nobody’s, but God made a decision that He has repeated all throughout history. He will use and call the humble and obedient every single time! And it doesn’t matter your upbringing and you can be raised in a wealthy family, or even the worst family. God looks for the same thing every time.
Romans 10:11-13
11 Now the Scripture says, Everyone who believes on Him will not be put to shame,[g] 12 for there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, since the same Lord of all is rich to all who call on Him. 13 For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
Did you see that first part. “Everyone who believes on Him will not be put to shame.” Think about this in this way. When we believe we choose more than just a knowledge or a religion. We choose to be surrendered to ourself and enter into relationship with God. And through this no matter who we are we are no longer put to shame.
You may run a Fortune 500 company, or work at the gas station down the road; that is regardless to God. He looks to see if you will be obedient or if you will simply choose your own way.
That is what makes Joseph and Mary so awesome in this story is that they continuously live this way! They constantly obey! Not just an admission that God is real, they lived as He was the only way to live.
So, Joseph got up, took the mother and child, and entered Israel!
God called Jesus home! He didn’t forget. He remembered. And He went ahead of them to prepare the way.
Let God be God in your life. If He is willing to lead Joseph and Mary in and out of Egypt at just the right time, then I think that if you trust Him you will find that He can lead you too!
Just as fast as they got settled and used to life in Egypt, roughly 1.5 years later, Joseph has another dream. Except, this time it is not a dream of run further. It is a dream that says…
Matthew 2:19-21
19 After Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 saying, “Get up! Take the child and His mother and go to the land of Israel, because those who sought the child’s life are dead.” 21 So he got up, took the child and His mother, and entered the land of Israel.
It seems like a lot of back and forth. A lot of go here and go there. But I think this is a piece of the story of Jesus that many miss. As they look at Jesus as a baby and think no more about it. But the obedience of Jesus’ parents is unwavering and a guide to all of us. Whether you are a parent, grandparent, or will one day be a parent. How you respond to God will reflect for all time. Will you be obedient even when it costs you your savings, even when it is challenging beyond measure, or even if it costs your life? Will you demonstrate obedience to God! Will you demonstrate that obedience is more important than knowledge.
Think about it. Joseph and Mary were not rabbi’s or the intellectually elite. She was a young teenager; he was a carpenter. So all in all they were really nobody’s, but God made a decision that He has repeated all throughout history. He will use and call the humble and obedient every single time! And it doesn’t matter your upbringing and you can be raised in a wealthy family, or even the worst family. God looks for the same thing every time.
Romans 10:11-13
11 Now the Scripture says, Everyone who believes on Him will not be put to shame,[g] 12 for there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, since the same Lord of all is rich to all who call on Him. 13 For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
Did you see that first part. “Everyone who believes on Him will not be put to shame.” Think about this in this way. When we believe we choose more than just a knowledge or a religion. We choose to be surrendered to ourself and enter into relationship with God. And through this no matter who we are we are no longer put to shame.
You may run a Fortune 500 company, or work at the gas station down the road; that is regardless to God. He looks to see if you will be obedient or if you will simply choose your own way.
That is what makes Joseph and Mary so awesome in this story is that they continuously live this way! They constantly obey! Not just an admission that God is real, they lived as He was the only way to live.
So, Joseph got up, took the mother and child, and entered Israel!
God called Jesus home! He didn’t forget. He remembered. And He went ahead of them to prepare the way.
Let God be God in your life. If He is willing to lead Joseph and Mary in and out of Egypt at just the right time, then I think that if you trust Him you will find that He can lead you too!