When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt
Matthew 2:13-14 NIV
When God commanded Joseph to escape to Egypt, he did not hesitate. His immediate response shows us the vital importance of developing spiritual sensitivity. In Matthew chapter 2, after Jesus was born, wise men came from the east. Led by God through a star they had seen, they went to Bethlehem, where they found the King and offered their gifts.
It is important to note how God worked in all of these situations. Unknown to the wise men, what they had asked Herod was going to result in Herod looking for the baby Jesus to kill Him. They did not know there had been a devilish plan with the enemy scheming for evil against the newborn. Though they were unawares, God brought them there and warned them in a dream not to go back to Herod. Consequently, his plans were completely frustrated as they returned home by another route.
The Danger of Delayed Obedience
Again, the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in verse 13. He instructed him to get up, take the child, and escape to Egypt. Even though it was a direct instruction, it was also a challenging one because there was no definite time limit as to when they would be summoned back.
In terms of preparation, they could not have made sufficient plans. Yet, they had to go, trusting that God, who was sending them there, would take care of them. I realise the deep faith he had in not playing around or assuming it did not matter. He got up immediately during the night; as soon as the word came, he acted on it. Thus, his prompt action teaches us that delay in obedience is dangerous. When God calls us to obedience, it must be done immediately, deliberately, and swiftly.
Meanwhile, as God knew and had foreseen, Herod gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem who were two years old or under. I can imagine how many souls Herod destroyed simply because of this one child. For the sake of one soul so important to God’s Kingdom, the enemy did not mind sacrificing many children.
Remaining Focused on His Will
In a similar sense, Moses was also born in a perilous time. His arrival became a threat to Pharaoh, who ordered that all male Israelite children be killed. Yet, God rescued Moses, bringing deliverance to the Israelites out of Egypt. In the same way, Jesus brings us deliverance. This freedom is not from a specific land, but from sin and the power of darkness into eternal life.
We receive this great salvation, and it completely transforms our state. I see the patient and total reliance of Joseph as he waited. Not wanting to return before God told him, he did not feel agitated about his situation. Importantly, Matthew 2:19-20 tells us that after Herod died, an angel appeared to Joseph in Egypt. He was commanded to go to the land of Israel, and he promptly obeyed.
This demonstrates a complete reliance on God to lead and guide. We see a man who had communion with God and was deliberate in all he did. As developing spiritual sensitivity helps us today, we can expect to see God manifest and fulfil His promises.
Living It Out
Ultimately, we must hold on to God faithfully and diligently. By cultivating a heart that hears from heaven, we align our lives with His perfect and unshakeable plan for our souls.