The Magi Visit the Messiah
Herod; as King of the Jews, was alarmed at the prospect of a usurper. Herod assembled the chief priests and scribes of the people and asked them where the “Anointed One” was to be born. They answered, in Bethlehem, citing Micah 5:2. Herod therefore sent the Magi to Bethlehem, instructing them to search for the child and, after they had found him, to “report to me, so that I too may go and worship him” – Wikipedia
The Escape to Egypt
However, after they had found Jesus, the Magi were warned in a dream not to report back to Herod. Similarly, Joseph was warned in a dream that Herod intended to kill Jesus, so he and his family fled to Egypt. When Herod realized he had been outwitted by the Magi, he gave orders to kill all boys of the age of two and under in Bethlehem and its vicinity. Joseph and his family stayed in Egypt until Herod’s death, then moved to Nazareth in Galilee in order to avoid living under Herod’s son Archelaus.
In running to Egypt they set in motion another prophecy V 15……..And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.” Again because of this King trying to kill baby Jesus; God sent the family to His next wilderness.
Herod was such a baby about being misled by the Magi; he decided to end this by killing every male children 2 and under. That would bring the percentage of this baby ruining his reign! Think on this for a moment. Even this massacre of little children God protected them. I could not imagine anything more extreme!! A prime example to give our children to God for protection! He has proven that He will do it!
The Return to Nazareth
19 After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt 20 and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.”
When the danger was gone God came to them and let them know it was safe; I like that!
21-23Joseph obeyed. He got up, took the child and his mother, and reentered Israel. When he heard, though, that Archelaus had succeeded his father, Herod, as king in Judea, he was afraid to go there. But then Joseph was directed in a dream to go to the hills of Galilee. On arrival, he settled in the village of Nazareth. This move was a fulfillment of the prophetic words, “He shall be called a Nazarene.”
God giving Joseph one step at a time and warning him as trouble comes! If we listen as close and as dedicated as Joseph, we may hear where we are to go and the dangers that are ahead. Everything that happens is for a reason let’s be open to receive.
Extraordinary Jeni 