Characters at the Cradle: The Wise Men, The Dream That Followed

by David Chadwick

Yesterday, we looked at the part in the story where the Wise Men found Jesus. Did you know that the three gifts from the Wise Men do NOT mean there were only three wise men? The Magi most likely traveled with a large number of attendants. There could have been numerous Magi who followed the star and found themselves with the Christ child.

Today, let's look at Matthew 2:13-15.

After the Magi departed to their home, an angel of the Lord came to Joseph in a dream. While described as an angel of the Lord, could it have been Gabriel again? Biblically, Gabriel is always sent from God to give messages about the Messiah. This dream that followed the Wise Men's visit came with a message that was very clear and intended to protect the Messiah.

Notice how God uses dreams throughout the Bible as a powerful tool to warn, encourage, and share insights that a human mind, in its awake state, might otherwise miss.

The angel warned Joseph to "Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him" (Matthew 2:13).

Herod was motivated by Satan, who wanted the "seed" of Genesis 3:15 completely destroyed. Throughout biblical history, this has been Satan's consistent attempt to thwart God's plan of sending his Son, the "seed" into the world. But it never works. It always backfires. Anything he kills ALWAYS rises up stronger.

Joseph obeyed. Immediately. Fully. Completely. There is really no other way to obey! By night, he took Mary and Jesus, departed, and went to Egypt. Egypt was a part of the Roman Empire.  There were no borders. They were no immigrants. They remained there until the death of Herod.

This part of the story fulfills the prophecy in Hosea 11:1 that says, "Out of Egypt I called my son." Israel was called out of Egypt with Moses to go to the Promised Land. And this time, God called his Savior back into Egypt to be protected for two years.

Egypt provided safety for them because it was outside Herod's jurisdiction. Don't you wonder where they stayed? Who did they meet? How did God provide for them in Egypt? Was there something that happened there to help sow seeds for the gospel to come to Egypt years later?  So many questions!

In everything, Mary and Joseph experienced the protection of their Father in heaven. God is our safe place. He is our shelter. He is our protector from life's storms. And an ever-present help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1-3).