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January 10 Daily Devotional

The Flight into Egypt

Frans Bakker

And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt.—Matthew 2:13

Bible Reading

Matthew 2:13–15

Devotional

The wise men had barely departed from the East when Joseph and Mary’s lives were turned upside down. It was a highlight in their lives when the men of the East, led by the star and laden down with their gifts, came to declare that this Child was the Son of God. God’s Spirit took care that this Child was welcomed to the earth. This must have been a great encouragement for Mary and Joseph. After the wise men left, they lay themselves down to sleep with heavenly peace in their hearts. In this new covenant they experienced more profoundly than the poet of the old covenant: “I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me” (Ps. 3:5).

Now, however, comes the lowest point. During the night Joseph awakens and is told that he should take the young Child and His mother and flee into Egypt because Herod is on his way to kill the young Child. Isn’t this a terrible, sobering thought? Joseph enters into a blessed sleep, and now he and his family must flee. The Child is still too young to speak, and the angel of God does not further explain why they must flee.

Flee? Flee with the Son of God? Flee because of Herod? Flee for a human being? How is that possible? If this Child were truly the Son of God, is it not possible that with one act of His almighty power God could send a legion of angels to subdue Herod? Or could He not send fire down from heaven to consume this wicked king? Nevertheless, they must flee during this night for otherwise this Child will be slain.

Is this the Child that the wise men bowed to and worshipped? Is this the Child whom Simeon saw and pronounced as the Savior, proclaiming that he could now die in peace? Anna confessed the same thing. Is this that Child? Is this the Child whom the shepherds worshipped? Had they not “made known abroad” all they heard and saw of this Child? Had it all been true, or had they been mistaken?

God’s work in Mary and Joseph and for all who confess Jesus is tested. The church seems to lose its Child. Their Redeemer has to flee from a murderer. Is not that a riddle for those who have seen in Him everything they missed in themselves? It is a riddle and the solution is not yet given.

Dark ways would not be so dark if by every bend in the road there would be lights to allow us to see why things happen. The Lord, however, does not provide an explanation of His secret will; He expects His people to follow, being blind for the future, yet seeing by faith. God leads in ways that are unknown and even less desired. Upon that pathway, trials are present and self-denial is experienced. Sometimes it seems like a regressing path. Lord, open our eyes that we may see.

 

From The Everlasting Word by Frans Bakker, compiled and translated by Gerald R. Procee. Reformation Heritage Books and Free Reformed Publications, 2007. Used by permission. For further information, click here.

 

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