Joseph's Obedience

Matthew 2:13 After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up! Flee to Egypt with the Child and His mother,” the angel said. “Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill Him.

Joseph packed up their most precious belongings and moved to the foreign land of Egypt. They remained there for around two years…until Joseph had another dream in which he was told these instructions:

Matthew 2:20 “Get up!” the angel said, “Take the child and his mother back

to the land of Israel, because those who were trying to kill the child are dead.”

Joseph was likely happy to go back to his homeland where people share his trust in God, speak the same language and have so many things I common. So, willingly and obediently, Joseph returned with his family to the land of Israel.

What is so inspiring and promising is Joseph’s response to the dream from the Lord by the angels. Each time Joseph responds quickly and obediently to the angel’s instructions. He remains obedient to God even though his life is very different than he had planned.

If Joseph could help Mary raise Jesus without knowing all the plans in advance, then we can take comfort in knowing God has a plan for our future, even if we don’t get to know all the details at the start of our journey.

The word obey means to listen and do…pretty simple…be quick to hear as James says.

John 10:27-28 My sheep hear my Voice, and I know them, and they follow me…

Joseph is one of my Bible story hero’s…knowing he was fearless to obey…to the point of death. Today, be a great listener and carry out God’s written assignment.

Pastor Dave Stallman