Matthew 2:13-18
Q.1. Why did the angel warn Joseph to take Jesus to Egypt? How would Mary and Joseph have processed the news? How did Matthew explain this incident? – (Mt.2:13-15 c.f. Ex.4:22-23; Hos.11:1)
Joseph had already had an angelic visitation from God, so he knew that this dream brought accurate instructions from Him – … “Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him.” (Mt.2:13 c.f. Mt.1:20). Both Mary and Joseph had been told that her Child was the long-promised Messiah (Lk.1:31-33; Mt.1:2-21). They would soon realize that this Son would attract Satanic hatred (Lk.2:33-35). Joseph lost no time. They left for Egypt before dawn. Centuries before, Jacob (i.e. Israel) and his family of seventy had been forged into a nation, within Egypt (c.f. Gen.15:13-14; 46:1-27). Now, for the second time, the call of God’s son out of Egypt would be fulfilled. The first time related to God’s call of His nation of Israel out of slavery in Egypt. The second would be God’s call of His own Son out of Egypt, to bring salvation to His people (Mt.2:15 c.f. Ex.4:22-23; Hos.11:1).
Q.2. What kind of man was Herod? How did he show his foolishness? What did the slaughter of the innocent children reveal about God’s perspective on life? – (Mt.2:16-18)
History tells us that Herod was an ambitious man, and a great builder. All the Herod’s were ruthless (c.f. Acts 12:1-3,19-23). In this historical incident, an enraged Herod had countless defenceless babies murdered, in his evil attempt to kill One Whom he saw as a threat to his dynasty (Mt.2:16 c.f. Mt.2:2; 14:1-11). Despite his brilliance as an architect, Herod showed his foolishness, by thinking he could defeat God’s plans as declared in Scripture. What has been called ‘the Slaughter of the Innocents’ in Bethlehem, is a very difficult incident for us to think about. It does reveal that God views this life as a pathway to eternity. This is not to say that any death, especially that of children, is not incredibly painful. However, God has made perfect provision for little ones, and for all those who believe (c.f. Dt.1:39; Ps.116:15; Mt.18:3,6 ,10-11; Jn.1:12-13)