When someone tells you to do something, something that is important to do, do you do it right away, or are you one to procrastinate and put it off for awhile because you are busy right then? Yes, you tell yourself, you’ll get it done, and hopefully soon, but right now you are just too busy doing something else that you feel is important. Or maybe what they told you just seems a bit confusing. It doesn’t make sense, so you feel like waiting a bit to ponder it over in your mind exactly what to do. In our Scripture passage today from the Gospel of Matthew we read about a command given to Joseph that might have seemed very perplexing, but one that would have had very dire consequences if it wasn’t followed, and followed immediately.
In last week’s Gospel study, we read of the coming of the Magi, and the gifts they brought to the Lord Jesus. When the Magi stopped in Jerusalem to obtain more information about the birth of the new king, they had met with King Herod. As we saw, Herod was a very paranoid man, with terribly murderous tendencies. He had people put to death on a whim, including several of his own sons and one of his wives. Now there were reports of a new king of the Jews, and Herod was not going to sit idly by and let someone else claim his throne. When the Magi did not return to Jerusalem with information for him, Herod decided that he was going to put an end to any potential threats. Ascertaining from his scribes that the Messiah was supposed to be born in Bethlehem, he ordered his soldiers to go into the village and put to death all male children ages two and under (vs. 16).
God, being omniscient of course, knew that this order was going to be given, and He protected the child Jesus. He warned Joseph in a dream that he needed to get up, take Mary and the little child Jesus, and leave. Get out of the house now! Grab a few items, pack up the donkey and leave, now! No time to wait! No time to question, to make detailed plans, no time to procrastinate! Get out now, or else Jesus will be dead!
Joseph remained receptive to God’s guidance throughout his life. When God revealed to him what to do, he did it. He didn't delay or put off obeying, asking all sorts of questions. He got up and moved. To have delayed would have been deadly. He had obeyed God when He told him to marry Mary, even though she revealed she was pregnant, and he obeyed now. Mary obeyed, as well, when Joseph woke her up. She didn’t complain that the baby was asleep, and argue that they should wait until the morning. She got up, grabbed what she could easily carry, took a sleepy little Jesus, and was ready in a matter of minutes.
The only guidance God gave Joseph was to go into Egypt. That was all that was necessary. He didn’t tell him what to take with, what road to take, or where in Egypt, as that wasn't needed. Joseph packed what little was necessary so the donkey wouldn’t be burdened and slowed down. They left town within probably less than an hour and headed for Egypt. There was a Jewish population in Egypt at this time, particularly in the coastal city of Alexandria. Many of these Jews had come during the last years of the prophet Jeremiah’s ministry at the time of the captivity (Jeremiah 43 - 44). Perhaps they went there.
By the next day, Herod’s soldiers arrived and on orders of that demonic king, they slaughtered all of the boys aged two and under. Bethlehem was not a large village, and there may have been between 1 - 2 dozen young boys killed. Perhaps a few mothers or fathers as well, as they tried in vain to protect their child. When people continually turn their backs on God, and scoff at Him and His Word, the door is opened for Satan to come in and have his way. The depths of utter evil are the result of that. Matthew quotes Jeremiah 31:15, which was fulfilled here. Jacob’s beloved and favorite wife Rachel died in childbirth and was buried in Bethlehem (Genesis 35:19).
Herod was afraid that the newborn king of the Jews would take his throne. The mission of Jesus was not to gain an earthly throne. He didn’t want Herod’s throne. He wanted Herod to come to Him, and to rule in his heart and life. Jesus wanted to give Herod eternal life. Jesus doesn’t want to mess up our lives, but instead to love us and give us a better life, and to give us eternal life.
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