Flight to Egypt & Return to Nazareth

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. My soul is cast down within me; therefore I remember you from the land of Jordan and of Hermon, from Mount Mizar. Deep calls to deep at the roar of your waterfalls; all your breakers and your waves have gone over me.

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Matthew 2:13–23 ESV

Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.” Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.” But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.” And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene.

Sermon

Pre-Amble

Visit of Shepherds

Day 8 - Circumcised

Day 40 - Visit Temple in Jerusalem

Jesus was visited by Wisemen (Magi)

Flight to Egypt

Matthew 2:13–15 ESV

Warning Through Dream

2nd Dream

God’s Unique dealing with Joseph

Only account of Dreams in New Testiment to believers

Instructions - not God’s Inspired Revelation (biblical truth)

Not to be confused with a Vision (Abraham, Peter, Paul & John)

Rare and Special Instructions (Jacob, Daniel, Joseph, Ananias)

God’s Dealing with UnBelievers (Pharoah, Nebuchadnezzar, Pilate’s wife)

Warnings of False Dreams

Jeremiah 23:25–32 ESV

I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy lies in my name, saying, ‘I have dreamed, I have dreamed!’ How long shall there be lies in the heart of the prophets who prophesy lies, and who prophesy the deceit of their own heart, who think to make my people forget my name by their dreams that they tell one another, even as their fathers forgot my name for Baal? Let the prophet who has a dream tell the dream, but let him who has my word speak my word faithfully. What has straw in common with wheat? declares the Lord. Is not my word like fire, declares the Lord, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, declares the Lord, who steal my words from one another. Behold, I am against the prophets, declares the Lord, who use their tongues and declare, ‘declares the Lord.’ Behold, I am against those who prophesy lying dreams, declares the Lord, and who tell them and lead my people astray by their lies and their recklessness, when I did not send them or charge them. So they do not profit this people at all, declares the Lord.

Zechariah 10:2 ESV

For the household gods utter nonsense, and the diviners see lies; they tell false dreams and give empty consolation. Therefore the people wander like sheep; they are afflicted for lack of a shepherd.

Ecclesiastes 5:7 ESV

For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity; but God is the one you must fear.

return...

Matthew 2:13–15 ESV

Special revelation to Joseph

Joseph’s Immediate Response

Hosea & Gomer’s relationship (marriage, adultery, and merciful restoration)

used as a picture of God’s dealings with His People Israel

It was also a picture of the Ministry of Jesus

Hosea 11:1 ESV

When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.

Jesus Fullfilled the Prophesy

Slaughter of Boys in Bethlehem

Matthew 2:16–18 ESV

Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.”

Herod flies ito rage

Done great evil and thought nothing of such a command

So murderous was his reign that such an incident was in significant

How sin enslaved men

happy, even proud, with his own deception

yet furious with his perception of others

“Slaughter of Innocents”

Had not committed a crime

Should not be used to mean “free from sin” or “the guilt of sin”

Not martyres - as Catholic & Greek Orthodox Church claim (Feast of the Holy Innocents, 28 Dec)

2 years and younger

ease of instruction to soldiers

no more than 1 -2 dozen

Jesus Fullfilled the Prophesy

Rachel, Jacob’s Wife - Jacob (Israel), mother of his children (nation of Israel)

Ramah, staging post for slaves to Babylon

Promise - God will protect the “remnant" of believers

From whom will come the “Branch of Righteousness”

Return to Nazareth

Matthew 2:19–23 ESV

But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.” And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene.

3rd & 4th Dream - Joseph

Hebrew - Old Testament - “Angel of the Lord” - Malak Yahweh - Jesus (Theophany)

Greek - New Testament - “Angel of the Lord” - Gabriel

Jesus Fullfilled the Prophesy

The Messiah would be despised & Rejected

Matthew explains - Jesus birth was gradually forgotten

Luke 2:39–40 ESV

And when they had performed everything according to the Law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom. And the favor of God was upon him.

Jesus Grew and became strong

normal

physical

spiritual

Filled with Wisdom

James 3:17 ESV

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

Favour of God was upon Him

Next time (29th May) - Jesus visits Temple aged 12 and remainder of his teenage years

Followed by:

John the Baptist’s Ministry (12th & 26th June)

Jesus Starts his Ministry (July)

Hymn -

Closing Prayer

Doxology(read) –

Give thanks to God, for he is good,

the everlasting Giver:

let all his people praise the Lord

whose love endures for ever.

For his right hand has made me strong;

I am his new creation:

he is my God, he is my song,

my strength and my salvation.

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