The King in Exile

A Disobeyed King, 12

Timing is everything

Early enough that they could present themselves to Herod, 1

Late enough that the star was clearly visible, 9

Early enough that Joseph and Mary were still awake, 11

Late enough that they slept before returning (and could be warned in a dream), 12

Early enough for Herod to send his raiders, 16

Late enough for Joseph to go to sleep, 13

Another way could mean that they took a completely different route, but it could also mean, they just bypassed Jerusalem.

A House and A Child

“young child” is not as definitive as some claim; it can mean everything from a new-born to several years old.

The house cannot be overlooked but it can be overstated

Housing would have been secured as rapidly as possible.

Comparing Luke 2, we know that Jesus was circumcised on the 8th day, this provides a probable timing: 8 days

A Dangerous Journey, 13-15

With both Mary and Jesus healing, a journey undertaken in the middle of the night was definitely dangerous.

Ask yourself this question: if you were Joseph in this situation, how far would you travel?

My answer: just far enough.

That makes sense to me. The position of some people that have him leading his family all the way to southern Egypt, does not. 40 miles to the Egyptian border makes way more sense the 800 miles that included a nile river cruise.

Do we know this for sure? No. But not all traditions are rooted in truth…or reason.

We do know they went to Egypt. There was a physical need and a prophetic (Hosea 11:1) need for them to do so. We do not know how far into Egypt they went.

A Desperate Tragedy, 16-18

Herod probably only gave the Magi a few hours before he decided he’d been played. Having determined that the star appeared two years ago, and being in a fit of jealous rage, he ordered the death of all male children two-years old and younger in and around Bethlehem.

This act fulfilled prophecy (Jeremiah 31:15)

This act was very limited in scope and impact (it has been called a minor episode of local violence)

This act is under-reported. While in keeping with Herod’s character, it is not mentioned in history outside of Matthew’s Gospel.

This has led some to doubt its authenticity

This has led others to point out the ignorance of historians and the relative insignificance of this act

This leaves us with a question: do we believe it happened?

Just because historians didn’t know about it doesn’t mean that no one knew about it.

When Matthew wrote this, people could have gone to Bethlehem to ask if it had happened. People would have remembered!

Fabricating verifiable facts is foolishness for an author who wants to establish credibility. So, I say “Yes!”

A Despot’s Death, 19

Joseph, Mary, and Jesus remained in Egypt until Herod died. But how long was that?

An Appropriately Painful Death

Josephus described Herod’s symptoms: “For a fire glowed in him slowly, which did not so much appear to the touch outwardly as it augmented his pains inwardly; for it brought upon him a vehement appetite to eating … His entrails were also exulcerated, and the chief violence of his pain lay on his colon; an aqueous and transparent liquor also settled itself about his feet, and a like matter afflicted him at the bottom of his belly”

The Trouble with History

Jesus was born in either 5 or 4 BC, 4 being the traditionally preferred number

Herod died in either 4 or 1 BC, 4 being the traditionally preferred number

If we take the extreme numbers, we’re talking 4 years. If we take the mean numbers, we’re talking closer to 4 weeks. So which is it?

If we compare Luke’s Gospel, we find a clue. According to Luke 2:22, Joseph and Mary presented Jesus in the Temple “when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were completed.” How long was that? According to Leviticus 12:2-8, 33 days after a son’s circumcision or 41 days after his birth.

If we assume that Joseph and Mary fled Bethlehem the day of Jesus’ circumcision, went just far enough to be out of Herod’s reach, and returned just after Herod’s death in time to fulfill the requirements of Moses’ law, the 4 week number is incredibly reasonable.

A Determined Return, 19-23

Instructed in a dream that Herod was dead and that he should return, Joseph led his family back to Israel.

Again, according to Luke, we know they went to Jerusalem. But where to live was a question. Joseph was not minded to stay in the region of Judea. But there also seems to have been some hesitation to go to the region of Galilee.

Archalaus, Herod’s son and heir, was king there, that portended danger

He had been warned/directed in a dream to the region of Galilee

He chose Nazareth. Both He and Mary also happened to be from Nazareth, according to Luke 1:26, 2:4, 2:39. This makes Nazareth a complicated choice for them relationally.

Matthew also asserts that Nazareth fulfilled what was spoken by the prophets. He did not cite a specific prophet. There are at least three disparate ideas of what prophets he might have been referring to. I think it is safe to assume he knew his audience and they knew what he meant.

What does it all mean to us?

The Bible is a pretty good commentary on itself.

Evil men and evil acts are allowed by a loving God who extends choice to us. They are also judged by a just God who extends punishment to us.

God provides direction to His followers so they can know and follow His will.

God sometimes directs us into relational complexity that we might want to avoid so that it can ultimately be healed.

Questions for Further Thought (compliments of Logos AI)

What can we learn about the significance of timing in Joseph and Mary's journey from Bethlehem to Egypt?

How does the interpretation of the term 'young child' impact our understanding of Jesus' early life?

What were the dangers faced by Joseph and Mary during their journey to Egypt?

Why did Herod feel threatened by the birth of Jesus, and how did this lead to tragic events?

In what ways does the story of Joseph's dreams illustrate the importance of divine guidance in making tough decisions?