Back to Israel Matthew 2:21

Matthew shared what happened when Herod the king, “saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not. But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 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”, and in chapter two and verse twenty-one of his book, Matthew shared how Joseph, “arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel” where we read:

And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.

The verse reads, “And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, ...” Matthew began with the words, “and he arose” which means “Joseph aroused from sleep, rose and was raise up”, “and took” or “carried away” “the young child” which means “the little boy and toddler” “and his mother” or “and Jesus' mother Mary”. After the “dream” came from the “angel”, Joseph took Jesus and Mary away from Egypt.

The verse continues, “... and came into the land of Israel.” Matthew added the words, “and came” which means “became known and established” “into the land” or “in the arable land, country, territory and region” “of Israel” which refers to “belonging to Israel which means he shall be prince and was the name given to the patriarch Jacob”. Matthew shared how Joseph took his family back to the “land of Israel”.

When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we see how Joseph was compliant and obedient to the “angel” and his direction. God's plan was to preserve His Son Jesus, and when Herod and his comrades of evil were dead, it was clear for Joseph to return to Israel. God sent His Son Jesus to save people from their sins, and when those who were wicked attempted to stop Him, God protected His Son until they died. Let all who read these words consider the great lengths to which God has gone to bring a “saving” Messiah to mankind.

Next time Matthew shares how Joseph, “was afraid to go” to Israel, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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