Read: Matthew 2:13–15, 19–22
After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared
in a dream to Joseph in Egypt.
Matthew 2:19
We saw yesterday that Joseph was given another dream (there are a total of four, all of which are recorded in Matthew). The first was to tell him of the miraculous conception of Jesus. The second instructed him to flee to Egypt to avoid Herod the Great’s killing spree. This journey fulfilled the prophecy of Hosea 11:1. Just as God had called His children, the Hebrew people, out of Egypt under Moses (another famous child spared from a murderous ruler), He now calls His Child out of the same land.
At this time, Egypt is still the location of large Jewish colonies. Joseph, Mary, and the Child likely find Jews sympathetic to their situation. I would even take it one step further and believe that God moved in various people’s hearts there to aid the family of the Messiah.
Now, back to the story. Within two years, Herod dies of a dreadful disease, described by some as similar to gangrene. His area of rule is divided up among some of his sons. Herod Philip II gets Iturea and Traconitis in the north; Herod Antipas is tetrarch of Perea to the east and Galilee in the middle; and Archelaus gets the area south of Galilee, which includes Samaria, Judea, and Idumea.
The angel tells Joseph in a third dream that Herod is dead and that they can return to Israel. In Herod’s place, one of his sons named Archelaus now reigns over the region Joseph originally fled. This news bothers Joseph, as Archelaus has a reputation for being a tyrannical ruler, killing thousands after he first took power. He will be removed from power 10 years later.
The town of Nazareth can be found 15 miles from the Sea of Galilee and 20 miles from the Mediterranean Sea. It is a place with a Roman military presence and is near active caravan trade routes. This area falls under Herod Antipas’ rule, and he rules for much longer than Archelaus in his respective region. Instead of returning to his ancestral homeland of Bethlehem, Joseph settles his family in Nazareth. This directive to go to the region of Galilee is seemingly due to a fourth dream that closely follows the third dream.
It is interesting to note that it is Antipas who later has John the Baptist beheaded (Matthew 14:1–2). He also seeks to kill Jesus (Luke 13:31) and eventually plays a role in Jesus’ journey to the cross (Luke 23:7–11). Herod’s grandson, Agrippa, later has James, the brother of Jesus, executed and has Peter arrested. Needless to say, the house of Herod has not been viewed favorably by Christians through the centuries.
Many of us wait weeks, months, or years for God’s direction in our lives. Should we change jobs? Should we move so our children get a better education? What is the Lord telling us to do?
When He does speak, we need to act in swift obedience. He may do so through a dream, through a godly messenger such as a family member or friend, through faithful prayer, or through His Word. So, as we sit on the edge of the start of another year, ask the Lord afresh to direct your steps with each passing day.
