13 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.”
14 So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, 15 where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.”
16 When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. 17 Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:
18 “A voice is heard in Ramah,
weeping and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children
and refusing to be comforted,
because they are no more.”
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.”
21 So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, 23 and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene.
Jesus’ family moves a lot in this passage! What events lead to their movements? Where do they go?
What kind of associations do you have with Egypt from the Old Testament?
The passage refers to Hosea 11:1 which reads “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.” Matthew applies this verse directly to Jesus, referring to the way in which Jesus went into Egypt to escape death (at the end of Genesis, Israel and his sons end up in Egypt due to a famine in their land). Then, at God’s direction, Jesus is brought out of Egypt again (Exodus details the way God rescues His people from slavery in Egypt). Jesus is the true Israel.
Verses 16-18 have another OT parallel. In Exodus 1, Pharaoh in Egypt is threatened by the growth of Israel and orders all the baby boys be killed. Moses is the miracle baby of Exodus who is saved from the slaughter by God and later goes on to lead God’s people out of slavery.
How does this narrative foreshadow Jesus?
Often it is easier to spot hints of Jesus in OT prophecy. But this passage shows us that OT narratives also prepare us for Jesus! How does this shape the way you read Old Testament narratives?
1. Thank God for protecting His Son, ensuring the fulfillment of prophecy. Ask for trust in God's sovereignty during life's challenges.
2. Linda McKerrell: Pray for wisdom in planning the QTC/OMF Taiwan Mission Exposure Trip.
3. New City Youth: Pray that our high school students would grow in their relationship with Jesus and build lasting friendships as they navigate life. Pray for our excellent leaders. Thank God for their ministry!