Moving Again

 N. T. #9 "Moving Again"

Feb. 17, 2023

Matthew 2-Part 

LET IT GLOW

Moving has been a hard thing for me to do. I suppose it is due to my never moving for the first 18 years of my life. Since I got married, we have moved more times than I have fingers and toes to count on. Sometimes I would think. "Moving Again?" But the advantage is having friends in various towns and churches. That is the blessing. 

When we read through this chapter, we find prophecies fulfilled:

• Jesus' birth-Micah 5:2
• His exile in Egypt-Hosea 11:1
• The children slain-Jeremiah 31:15
• His residence in Nazareth-Isaiah 11:1.

God caused Herod to desire his people to be counted in a census, thus Mary and Joseph were of the lineage of David and they had to travel to Bethlehem. (Apparently, they stayed there some 6-7 years.) While there, probably 2 years later, some wise men come bringing gifts to the Christ child and worshiped Him as the Messiah. God warned those wise men in a dream to depart a different way home, not going by Jerusalem and telling Herod where He was living. (Herod would have killed Jesus had the wise men not obeyed.)

God can use even the unbelievers to accomplish His purposes. Are we believers in Jesus as Savior willing to go where He leads?

LET IT GROW

What happens next?

• Joseph has a dream in which the angel of the Lord appeared.
• Joseph was told to take Mary and Jesus and flee to Egypt.
• Joseph was told to stay there until he was told to return.
• Herod was going to search for Jesus to kill Him. (verse 13)

How did Joseph react? Did he (or Mary) grumble and mumble? Did Joseph (or Mary) question or doubt the message? No, They obeyed the Lord. Mary and Joseph were obedient servants of God. We don't read about Mary questioning her husband, do we? Joseph took them by night to Egypt. They remained in a foreign land until Herod died. 

This was done so the prophecy of Hosea was fulfilled, Out of Egypt have I called My Son. 

Jesus was protected from a wicked king, Herod. Herod slaughtered children 2 years old and younger. He did not want a rival for his throne. But Herod did not know that Jesus did not come the first time to earth to be an earthly king. He wanted to rule in believer's hearts. The second coming of Christ is when He comes to rule as King for a thousand years.

God had it all planned out. His servants followed His leading. It takes us trusting in God and His Word for us to experience His working in our life. Obedience is better than sacrifice.

Here are some verses to help reassure us to obey Him:

Psalm 37:5; 115:11; Proverbs 3:5; Isaiah 26:4; Mark 11:22

LET IT GO

Give us a listening ear and an obedient heart, Jesus.

Strengthen us as we suffer for You.

Keep us faithful whenever we are persecuted for being a Christian.

How faithful You have been throughout all my years.

Help us walk by faith, not by sight.