Matthew 2:13-18

Here we see Jospeh caring for his family and being given instruction to move them to Egypt for their safety until he is told it is safe to return. He is made aware of just how dangerous Herod is; something which the end of this passage makes horribly clear.

Egypt has often been a part of Israel’s history as a place of sanctuary during persecution or famine, and of course it was also a place of slavery from which they needed to be delivered by Moses. Because of this there is quite a sizeable Jewish community living in Egypt. The full text that Matthew quotes says ‘When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called my son.’ Once again Jesus, the Christ child, is not living in comfort or ease but now is a refugee fleeing from persecution with his parents.

Herod is a dangerous, violent and paranoid man who has already murdered his wife and two sons and is now very angry. He has worked out from what the wise men told him that the baby would be under two years old and so, mercilessly, he preserves his power by murdering every baby boy in Bethlehem who is under two. Herod perhaps personifies the devil’s hatred of Jesus and determination to destroy the Messiah. Joseph’s obedience is key to their survival.

The son of God has been born into a world full of evil and pain, from which even he is not safe. He will become the man of sorrows, acquainted with grief. But evil will not win, Herod will die, the baby will become the saviour of the world. God’s plan will prevail.

Reflection

One imagines that Joseph’s life is definitely not going as he might once have imagined! A pregnant fiancée, a birth in poverty, a baby in a manger (and he’s a carpenter), shepherds and wise men, and now he is a refugee. Yet at no point are we told that he rebels or complains at what is happening to his life. May God give us the grace and strength to embrace what is asked of us in life and remain open and obedient to the voice of the Spirit.