Matthew 2:12-14 “And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:”
John the Baptist would not begin to proclaim Christ until Jesus reached 30 years of age. Although the news of both Elisabeth’s and Mary’s births told the people of Jerusalem that something Divine was stirring, the first significant announcement of a coming King came from foreigners.
When the wise men came into town, they went to Herod and asked him “Where is he that is born King of the Jews?” (Mt. 2:2). As might be expected, their unexpected arrival and the news they bore shocked everyone that heard it.
The news particularly shocked Herod, who instantly knew that he could not let it happen on his watch. The Bible says: “When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.” Herod knew that another king rising up in his jurisdiction could only mean trouble – and the possible loss of his throne. The Jews also knew that it would cause trouble. Herod had killed many before.
Herod knew that he could not do anything until he learned more. To set his plan in motion, he first called the “chief priests and scribes” to learn where Christ’s birth would be – the Scriptures said it would be in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). After learning this, he “privily called the wise men” (vs. 7) and learned when the star appeared. Then, he enlisted the wise men to report back to him when they found the child – the promised One of Israel. This evil king got their support by promising that he also would worship Christ when they returned.
After they saw baby Jesus in the house and worshiped Him and presented Him with their gifts, God needed to intervene. God gave the wise men a dream and told them not to go back and report to Herod. Go home a different way.
God also knew exactly what Herod would do in the near future and He intervenes again. This time, God gives Joseph a dream and tells him to pack up his family immediately and go into Egypt. He left the next night.
It needs to be remembered that although Christ was God and retained all His powers when He took on flesh, even though He looked just like a helpless infant. He completely submitted His will to the Father. It was the Father’s plan that Christ should live as a human and trust God just like we need to do after we get saved. He only exhibited power at times by the Holy Spirit.
Sometime after Joseph left with his family, Herod’s soldiers came into Bethlehem and killed all babies two years old and younger, as prophesied in Jeremiah 31:15. Satan’s attempt to destroy Christ through his servant Herod failed. In order to fulfill prophecy, God had to protect His Son so that He could save the world from their sins.
God’s protection over His own is clearly seen here. When God’s people serve Him and do His will, He will protect them wherever they go, although He will sometimes permit trouble. Believers have God’s promise that “Lo, I am with you always” (Mt. 28:20); and: “we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
Can you trust God and obey Him wherever He may lead? Will you do it today?