Following God’s Lead

Following God’s Lead

Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23, NLT

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.” 14That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, his mother, 15and they stayed there until Herod’s death. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “I called my Son out of Egypt.” . . . 19When Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt. 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.” 21So Joseph got up and returned to the land of Israel with Jesus and his mother. 22But when he learned that the new ruler of Judea was Herod’s son Archelaus, he was afraid to go there. Then, after being warned in a dream, he left for the region of Galilee. 23So the family went and lived in a town called Nazareth. This fulfilled what the prophets had said: “He will be called a Nazarene.”

Setting the Scene

Jesus’ earthly father, Joseph, played a major role in the Incarnation story, but he is barely mentioned in Scripture. The Bible gives these facts: Joseph was a carpenter (Matthew 13:55), the son of Heli (Luke 3:23), and Mary’s husband. We learn more about Joseph through his choices and actions. Matthew describes him as “a good man” (Matthew 1:19, NLT) and tells how he chose not to disgrace Mary publicly when he learned she was pregnant. Then, when God spoke to Joseph in a dream, he listened and obeyed, taking Mary to be his wife. In today’s passage, we see other examples of this “good man” in action. God told Joseph, “get up,” “flee to Egypt,” and “stay.” Joseph did exactly as he was told, leaving that very night and traveling with Jesus and Mary the seventy-five miles to Egypt, outside Herod’s jurisdiction. Joseph followed God’s instructions and remained in Egypt until the death of Herod, after which God told him to “get up” and return to the land of Israel.

Getting Personal

What is Joseph’s unvarying response to God’s directions to him through the angels’ messages?

What may the Holy Spirit be telling you God wants you to do?

What steps can you take to follow his lead?

Joseph didn’t doubt, question, or bargain with God. He obeyed—God led, and he followed. We probably won’t receive a message from God through an angel or in a dream, but God has given us numerous instructions on what choices to make and actions to take. And we know from the Bible, from history, and from personal experience that his way is best.

Talking to God

Ask God to quicken your mind and spirit to see his instructions about your choices and actions as you read his Word and pray. Pray for the Lord to give you joy in following his lead.