In this segment of the Genesis 1 to Revelation 22 Project, we are still implementing soap but in a “devotional manner.” We will still look at the text and draw our observations from the text and seek to apply faithfully. However, the whole segment will be done in a prayerful manner, seeking to engage our hearts and our minds upon Christ and His truth.
SOAP: Read Scripture > Observations on the Context > Apply Faithfully > Pray the Scripture
Jesus Returns from Egypt
But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child’s life. 21 And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.
Herod eventually did die, it actually wasn’t that long at all. By some historical estimates only a couple of years after Joseph fled to Egypt. A third time, the Lord appears to Joseph in a dream (this seems to be how the Lord consistently spoke to this particular servant of his in preserving Jesus’ young life). And Joseph got up and left. Again, God says arise—immediately obedience—Joseph does. He immediately obeys the Lord and prepares Jesus and Mary to go back to Israel.
22 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:
Joseph had received the dream from the Lord and obeyed, but he also used his mind and ears. What was Joseph’s fear? Learning that Herod’s cruel son was now reigning in place of his father. Joseph was honestly afraid to be around Herod’s son. But what does God do? He comes again in a dream and warns Joseph, and Joseph turns toward Galilee—a rural area of northern Israel where he had dwelt before.
23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.
We see prophecy wonderfully fulfilled again in the Life of Christ—He grows up in Nazareth and is called a Nazarene. Now, Nazareth was a small town type of area and the reason why people mocked a great leader coming from there is pretty understandable—do you expect a great leader to emerge out of the sticks? Nonetheless, Jesus grew up there. It is significant to note that Joseph does not go there because of prophecy, but because of fear Herod’s son and God’s direction. God will fulfill His Word, even though people do not know it or remember it. Rather than being raised in the religious center and capital of the nation as David’s heir, Christ will grow up unknown, in the far reaches of Israel and grow in rural areas. This is a great reminder to us of how the Lord can raise up His servants from unseen areas. Everyday Believers, many of Christ’s disciples would be fishermen, would be used boldly as witnesses to the world. We do not need to possess great intellect or seminary education to obey the Lord and be a faithful witness for Him.