Joseph’s second dream instructed him to flee with Mary and Jesus to Egypt. This was not just inconvenience, it was, “Flee for your son’s life.” Under persecution and terror, and for survival, the refugees set out. Jesus here is reliving Israel’s story when His ancestors fled to Egypt to avoid the death of famine. Later, God’s son, Israel, would be called out of Egypt in the great Exodus. Much later, Jesus the Son, the embodiment of Israel, would be called out of Egypt to fulfill covenant promises. Jesus’ followers also leave slavery in a grand new Exodus. When we eat the Passover bread, remember we have been saved from slavery and famine. We are now included in Israel’s story.
“So Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night, and left for Egypt. He remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “OUT OF EGYPT I CALLED MY SON.” Matthew 2:14-15 (NASB)
