Matthew 2:13-23 – Guided and protected

Many Christians wish they have a secret line to God so that they can know what will happen to them, long before an event comes to pass in their lives. Can that possibly happen? Today’s passage tells us when we are living in close connection with God, He will let us know in advance before things happen. These few verses also suggest that He could reveal to us because He is all-knowing, and knows the end from the beginning. Because of this attribute God can quite easily warn us and guide us into safe ground.

Matthew 2:13-15 tell us that God knew what Herod was going to do. He saw Herod’s tirade and action well in advance. He knew that he was going to search out the baby Jesus to kill Him. So God outsmarted him by instructing the magi not to return to him. Meanwhile, He also warned Joseph in a dream, who then took both Jesus and Mary to Egypt for refuge. There they remained until Herod’s death. And when that happened, God led Joseph to bring the family back to Israel. This act fulfilled what Hosea 11:1 had prophesied, “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”

Mathew 2:16-23 describe for us what Herod did when the magi did not return to him with the information he requested. In his anger he ordered that every male child, two-year old and under, living in Bethlehem and the vicinity nearby, be killed. We are also told that God even saw this long before it happened. This event was prophesied many years back by Jeremiah. And after Herod’s death, God again appeared to Joseph in a dream in Egypt, and told him to take Jesus and Mary back to Israel. This Joseph was about to do obediently, when he heard that Archelaus, Herod’s son, had taken over the reign in Judea. So, he hesitated about going back. And God then affirmed again in a dream to show that the delay was right. Joseph then took his family and went to Galilee and lived in the city of Nazareth, which again fulfilled the prophecy that Jesus will be called a Nazarene.  

We can be sure from this account that God delights to help us through every situation in life, particularly those that will fulfil His plan and purpose. He will guide us concerning the steps we need to take, to avoid calamity and enjoy safety. As the all- knowing God, He could see situations in advance and warn us. But we are required to act in obedience.

Perhaps many of us may be wondering if God would speak to us in dreams. Be assured He does. In fact dream is a way God speaks to us. Job 33:15-16, explicitly tell us that God instructs us in dreams. So don’t disregard the dreams you have while sleeping. There is no obstacle that can prevent the fulfilment of God’s will in our lives. But we need to be discerning and learn to evaluate every obstacle. It could well be God’s way of leading us to safety. Once we have ascertained the ground, we must act circumspectly. We must also be mindful that God will work in collaboration with us. And as we take the right step, God will sent affirmation.