Do not overthink it

 Matthew 2:19–23 (ESV): 

19 But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.” 21 And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. 23 And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene. 

What a journey Jesus has been on already as a child, and Joseph and Mary as a married couple and new parents! First they both had to go to Bethlehem for a census where Jesus was born, next God told them to go to Egypt, and then a few years later, they headed back to Israel to the area of Galilee. This family were displaced foreigners, having to do their best to survive in difficult and scary circumstances. 

I wonder how Joseph and Mary managed to communicate in Egyot, did Jesus grow up learning Arabic as well as Hebrew in his early years? For Joseph and Mary, turning up in this strange country one day, it must have been pretty overwhelming and scary, having traveled for days to get there. Then, they were told by God they could return to their own country. It must have been a relief to them both to end up in Nazareth, the town where they had grown up, met and married. After so many years away, to return to a familiar place, with some familiar people must have been comforting. Yet, when they were first told to go back to Israel, they were not sure where to go. They initially considered going back to Judea, maybe even back to Bethlehem where Jesus was born. They did not know where exactly they were going, just that God had said to return to Israel. Even on the journey and when they arrived they were not quite sure where to go. God seems to have revealed to them in part, and they obeyed even though they did not know what the fullness of God’s plan looked like. They trusted God would look after them, lead them, and provide them a home, and He did. 

As Mary and Joseph return to Israel, this is the first time we read about any emotions of Joseph. The text says ‘he was afraid to go there’ (to Judea). Jospeh would have heard about the ‘weeping and loud lamentation’ that had occurred in Judea, the couple would have probably known people who had suffered the tragedy of their children being murdered. I am sure Joseph’s concern grew as they got nearer - if they go back to Bethlehem, Jesus would likely be one of the only boys of his age in the area due to what Herod had decreed, plus Herod’s son was in power, so would he now re-birth the decree? No wonder Joseph was afraid. It would not have been difficult for this young family to have been found out, reported, and all be put to death. God saw Jospeh’s reasonable fear, and He spoke to him and directed the family to live in Galilee. This is how they ended up residing in Nazareth, a small, relatively unknown rural village. This must have been a relief for a couple whose child’s life had been sought, and who had spent years surrounded by unfamiliar and foreign things and people. They could now live in quietude, able to work and do family life in a familiar community. Yet they only returned there because they obeyed God.

In all this God was fulfilling His plan. The Messiah had been prophesied to be; born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2) and ‘out of Egypt I called my son’ (Hosea 11:1), so even before Jesus was 5, he was fulfilling the promises of God - Just by being a child, going where his parents were going and breathing! It is not coincidence, but God-ordained purpose that circumstances caused the movement of this family. God was in control. He planned, listened and cared about this one family, just like He cares for you and your life. Things will happen that don’t seem to make sense, there are terrible tragedies, times when you have to move on, go into places of busy-ness and quietness. Do not overthink it. Instead, trust that God is fulfilling His purposes for your life and His kingdom as He did for Joseph, Mary and Jesus. Jesus was clearly being taught about the importance of hearing and obeying God from his parents. It was not easy for them, but when God spoke, they did what He asked, even when they did not understand or see the full picture. Unknowingly, they were preparing their son for the biggest sacrifice and step of obedience that he would have to make for the sins of the world. So, whatever you are facing today, tomorrow or in the future, listen to God and obey Him. Do not focus on the circumstances as much as the One who is using all things to fulfill His purposes and plans. Allow God to guard and direct your steps as he did for this small, young, refugee family and see what God can do in and through your life.

Listen and Obey

 When Jesus was born he was honoured by wise men from another land, the Roman governor hears this baby being referred to as ‘king of the Jews’, angels and divine dreams were involved - not many other births have been heralded in this way! It is amazing how the heavenly realms were so involved in letting the people of Earth know who this child was even before he was born. It isn’t just at Jesus birth that supernatural and heavenly things happen. The next passage continues to explain another intervention of God into Jesus’ life when he was still young, and we shall consider the impact this has on Joseph, Mary and Jesus;

 2:13–18 (ESV): 

13 Now when they (the wise men) had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” 14 And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt 15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.” 

16 Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. 17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: 

 18  “A voice was heard in Ramah, 

weeping and loud lamentation, 

  Rachel weeping for her children; 

she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.” 

The wise men had obeyed God by not telling Herod about where Jesus was and heading home in a different direction. This made Herod furious as he had to think of a plan to not be usurped by this ‘king of the Jews’ that had been born. God knows the hearts, minds and plans of all, so he knew what Herod’s next move would be. God then warns Joseph and gives him clear instructions to run away to Egypt. This would have been confusing and difficult for Joseph and Mary. They would probably just be getting used to bringing up their son by then, settled into navigating newly married life and becoming parents, and God says go. Joseph did not delay, he did not understand why, but he obeyed God straight away. Joseph trusted that God’s way was right, even though i am sure the last thing Jospeh wanted to do was upheave his small, young family and head off to another nation. It does not always seem convenient when God speaks and tells you to do something, but do you obey anyway like Joseph did? 

Jospeh heard God, and got ready to leave without knowing what was going to occur in the area. Joseph went ‘by night’ to Egypt with Mary and Jesus. I wonder what she made of the decision. I wonder if she just followed her husband because she knew how Joseph had been obedient and faithful before through a dream. She knew the character of Joseph, so did she just compliantly go? Mary and Joseph are a great example of a God-fearing couple. Upheaving their lives because God says so, saying “yes” to God seems to be their motivation, and look at the impact they have had on the World! They even went to Egypt, the place God has commanded His people not to go to, ‘The Lord has said to you, O remnant of Judah, ‘Do not go to Egypt.’ Know for a certainty that I have warned you this day’ (Jeremiah 42:19). Joseph would have known this command of God from the Old Testament. Joseph was clearly a devout Jew, so would have been aware of what the Scriptures taught. ‘Do not go to Egypt’ is clear, and God says it is a warning, yet now God is commanding this newly formed family to go to a place they have no community support, to a place they are not meant to be as God’s people. Maybe Joseph obeyed because he knew God had spoken and he had already seen God do some unusual things like make a virgin pregnant and send foreign men to give gifts to Jesus. So, maybe Joseph didn’t overthink too much and just knew he had to do what God said to do now. Sometimes we can over complicate things and persuade ourselves that maybe God didn’t really mean…. maybe he meant i should do that sometime…or maybe i just didn’t hear right. Joseph did not allow his own thoughts, concerns or history dictate what God could do now. He listened and obeyed, Mary trusted and followed, Do you?

Look at the pain and grief Mary and Joseph were spared because they were obedient to God’s voice. Have you ever thought, that when you obey God’s Word it can save you from pain and distress? When you hear God speak, maybe through; angels, dreams, visions, stirring in your Spirit, other people, an audible voice, reading the Bible, through natural things or events, do you realise that His commands and words are for your benefit? It may be hard, you probably won’t really want to do it, but do you realise that through your obedience you can escape some of the hurt that is coming. Mary and Joseph in the moment would have realised the inconvenience and disruption, they even left at night which would have been scary and felt sneaky. They would have felt uncomfortable going to Egypt, a place where God had previously said he didn’t want His people going, they had no idea where they could stay, they could only take with them what they could carry on the long journey (at least a week), plus they had a small child with them!  Yet, even though they likely had all of these thoughts and concerns they trusted and followed God. The outcome was that although all of the nation then suffered immense grief as all of the male children under 2 were killed, Jesus was safe. Joseph and Mary were spared the pain of losing the child given to them because they  did what God had told them. 

When God tells you to do or not to do something, do you realise that it is for yuor benefit, more for your benefit than what you want to do or are already doing? God knows best. He sees the future and He cares about you, that is why He speaks to you, ignore Him at your peril! God wants your best, are you iiving your best life - one that is in humble submission and obedience to God? Joseph and Mary had trouble and disruption, confusion and promise in their lives. They continually trusted and followed God whatever He said next, even when it seemed ridiculous and strange. Will you do the same?

The character of Joseph

Having set the genealogy of Jesus, Matthew goes onto speak about his conception and birth. For the circumstances of the pregnancy and birth of this child were most unusual and miraculous:

Matthew 1:18–25 (ESV):

Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. 19 And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. 20 But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” 22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 

 23  “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, 

and they shall call his name Immanuel” 

(which means, God with us). 24 When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, 25 but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus. 

This passage of Scripture shows a humble and righteous man in Joseph. He had probably waited for quite some time before getting to officially marry Mary, the betrothal process taking up to 2 years. In Israel at this time betrothal was a long period to allow for negotiations about bride price and arrangements for the marriage to be made. It was not a private agreement between two people either, families and the wider community would be aware when a man and woman were joined together in this way. During betrothal the couple were considered legally bound to one another already, it is much more than what we may understand an engagement to be. Betrothal is an official agreement, already binding two people together that can only be broken through divorce. It is a serious commitment, and this is what Joseph and Mary had entered into. This makes the circumstances of Mary becoming pregnant so serious and devastating for them both.

During this process of betrothal Joseph finds that his promised wife is pregnant. Not only that, but she has a most unusual story as to how! No wonder he initially thought about divorcing her, she not only has been unfaithful, but is lying about it. However, Joseph did not act rashly, he considered what to do. He clearly loved Mary as he was ‘unwilling to put her to shame’, he knew what treatment would befall her as an unmarried mother. Joseph, simply referred to as a ‘just man’ acted in a respectful and honourable manner towards Mary when he did not need to. Society would likely have responded in a very different way. If she wasn’t stoned to death, Mary would at least have been ostracised. Joseph did not want that for her. Instead, he chose to love her even in the way he ‘resolved’ what action to take. He could have humiliated and shamed Mary in front of her family and the whole community, yet he honours her instead. Even though Joseph must have been heartbroken; the promise of a wife, the awaited union, the hope of family to come, all shattered as he finds out his betrothed is pregnant and he had nothing to do with it. Yet Joseph did not act out of anger or fear, or even in concern for his reputation. Instead he considered and determined his course of action. This shows he was an honourable and considerate man, sensible, not prone to anger, and he didn’t just go along with cultural norms. Joseph desired to do the right thing by himself, Mary, and his community. Even before the angel appeared to him, we can see Joseph is a kind, generous and considered man who is slow to anger. He would make a good husband and father with those qualities, no wonder God chose him.

Then, the angel comes. The circumstances of the pregnancy are revealed, and Joseph, despite his own reservations, concerns and the likely whisperings of society, is obedient to God. He did as the angel told him as soon as he woke up! He had considered and delayed his course of action before then, but as soon as he knew God had spoken, he acted. What faith and faithfulness! He did the unthinkable really, he married a pregnant young woman who was not carrying his child! Yet he did it because God said so. It would not have been easy for Joseph. He would have had awkward conversations as Mary’s pregnancy became more obvious, there would be rumours, his reputation would be called into question as well as Mary’s. It must have been difficult for them both. However, both Joseph and Mary knew what had happened and were obedient to God, even though it was scary and they didn’t know who would believe them. 

Not only was Joseph obedient in marrying Mary, but even after the official wedding ceremony is complete, Joseph chooses not to consummate their marriage until after Jesus is born. He respects God so much that he puts aside himself, his rights and desires, in order to honour both God and Mary. What a humble, sacrificial man. Joseph shows himself to be a man committed to God and doing the right thing, even at his own expense. Kind, generous and faith-filled, obedient, slow to anger, considered and considerate. It is not surprising that God chose him to be the earthly father to His son. Out of painful and difficult circumstances, Joseph got to help mould and develop the Son of God. We can see that as a great privilege, which i am sure it was, but it did not come without pain and difficulty. Joseph was willing to deny himself in order to honour God and others. If you want to make an impact in the World for God’s Kingdom, are you willing to do the same; to be obedient to God even when it is inconvenient, painful and cross-cultural? God can call you to do some amazing things, but do you have the right character for it? Joseph did.

The God of Jacob and of Judah

Psalm 114:1–8 (ESV): 

When Israel went out from Egypt, 

the house of Jacob from a people of strange language, 

 2  Judah became his sanctuary, 

Israel his dominion. 

 3  The sea looked and fled; 

Jordan turned back. 

 4  The mountains skipped like rams, 

the hills like lambs. 

 5  What ails you, O sea, that you flee? 

O Jordan, that you turn back? 

 6  O mountains, that you skip like rams? 

O hills, like lambs? 

 7  Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, 

at the presence of the God of Jacob, 

 8  who turns the rock into a pool of water, 

the flint into a spring of water. 

This psalm refers to the nation of Israel in several ways to emphasise different aspects of their experience. One of these is the ‘house of Jacob’.  This refers to those who entered Egypt during the years that Joseph was second in command in that nation. When he invited his family to come and reside in Goshen with permission of the Pharaoh. Therefore it is appropriate that this psalm links the nation’s escape from Egypt to the people who entered it. For these are the ones from whom all the Israelites have descended from since being there. What once started off in Egypt as a poor, withering family due to famine, had become a vast and prospering people, significant enough to become a nation! Thus demonstrating something of the perfect plan, power and purposes of God, even in their slavery and oppression. Even though the Israelites were downtrodden and ill-treated for generations, they had become numerous, so much so that the current Pharaoh and Egyptians now considered them a threat. So, referring to the people of Israel as the house of Jacob tells a story. It is a reminder of what God has done and can do. For His might and power are always the pervading authority no matter the circumstances! 

The people who left Egypt are also named as Judah, the leading tribe of the nation of Israel. Judah was known for it’s power, strength, and for the fact that the promised Messiah would come from them. This is the tribe that ‘became his sanctuary’, a place of safety, security and the presence of God thereby signifying His holiness and strength. Once the nation arrived at the Promised Land, the holy town of Jerusalem where the temple was built was in Judah, centrally located, just as God is central to the nation of Israel, His chosen people.

We can see that through simply identifying different names for Israel, this psalmist connects the Israelites past to the the future promises of God. It reminds us of God's favour, His work through the trials, and His assurance that wherever His people are, He will be at the centre, providing His holiness and strength, and always fulfilling His promises. Where God's people are, there He is, whatever they are going through, He has a plan, whoever seems to be in power, He is more powerful and He looks over and cares for His own. 

This psalm continues to tells us that at the mere sight of this nation, ‘the sea looked and fled’ and ‘the mountains skipped like rams’. For ‘the presence of the Lord’ is with His people. Do you know that the presence of God is STILL with His people, as magnificent and powerful today as it was then? 

God can and does still do miraculous and incredible things through and for His people. He is still redeeming people from slavery, providing for their needs, helping them escape and endure oppression, causing natural phenomena to protect and guide them. God can and does mighty works today in the lives of those who follow Him, whether it is following Him to another town or nation, through difficulty or into freedom and blessing, you can still see God working today. 

Therefore expect the unexpected, pray big and keep following Him for who knows how you will see God’s might and power displayed next -  He is the God of Jacob, the God of Judah, and the God of those who follow Him. So, you can trust Him with whatever season of life you are in, and in all circumstances.

God is present and in charge

Psalm 105:1–45 (ESV): 

Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; 

make known his deeds among the peoples! 

 2  Sing to him, sing praises to him; 

tell of all his wondrous works! 

 3  Glory in his holy name; 

let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice! 

 4  Seek the Lord and his strength; 

seek his presence continually! 

 5  Remember the wondrous works that he has done, 

his miracles, and the judgments he uttered, 

 6  O offspring of Abraham, his servant, 

children of Jacob, his chosen ones! 

 7  He is the Lord our God; 

his judgments are in all the earth. 

 8  He remembers his covenant forever, 

the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations, 

 9  the covenant that he made with Abraham, 

his sworn promise to Isaac, 

 10  which he confirmed to Jacob as a statute, 

to Israel as an everlasting covenant, 

 11  saying, “To you I will give the land of Canaan 

as your portion for an inheritance.” 

 12  When they were few in number, 

of little account, and sojourners in it, 

 13  wandering from nation to nation, 

from one kingdom to another people, 

 14  he allowed no one to oppress them; 

he rebuked kings on their account, 

 15  saying, “Touch not my anointed ones, 

do my prophets no harm!” 

 16  When he summoned a famine on the land 

and broke all supply of bread, 

 17  he had sent a man ahead of them, 

Joseph, who was sold as a slave. 

 18  His feet were hurt with fetters; 

his neck was put in a collar of iron; 

 19  until what he had said came to pass, 

the word of the Lord tested him. 

 20  The king sent and released him; 

the ruler of the peoples set him free; 

 21  he made him lord of his house 

and ruler of all his possessions, 

 22  to bind his princes at his pleasure 

and to teach his elders wisdom. 

 23  Then Israel came to Egypt; 

Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham. 

 24  And the Lord made his people very fruitful 

and made them stronger than their foes. 

 25  He turned their hearts to hate his people, 

to deal craftily with his servants. 

 26  He sent Moses, his servant, 

and Aaron, whom he had chosen. 

 27  They performed his signs among them 

and miracles in the land of Ham. 

 28  He sent darkness, and made the land dark; 

they did not rebel against his words. 

 29  He turned their waters into blood 

and caused their fish to die. 

 30  Their land swarmed with frogs, 

even in the chambers of their kings. 

 31  He spoke, and there came swarms of flies, 

and gnats throughout their country. 

 32  He gave them hail for rain, 

and fiery lightning bolts through their land. 

 33  He struck down their vines and fig trees, 

and shattered the trees of their country. 

 34  He spoke, and the locusts came, 

young locusts without number, 

 35  which devoured all the vegetation in their land 

and ate up the fruit of their ground. 

 36  He struck down all the firstborn in their land, 

the firstfruits of all their strength. 

 37  Then he brought out Israel with silver and gold, 

and there was none among his tribes who stumbled. 

 38  Egypt was glad when they departed, 

for dread of them had fallen upon it. 

 39  He spread a cloud for a covering, 

and fire to give light by night. 

 40  They asked, and he brought quail, 

and gave them bread from heaven in abundance. 

 41  He opened the rock, and water gushed out; 

it flowed through the desert like a river. 

 42  For he remembered his holy promise, 

and Abraham, his servant. 

 43  So he brought his people out with joy, 

his chosen ones with singing. 

 44  And he gave them the lands of the nations, 

and they took possession of the fruit of the peoples’ toil, 

 45  that they might keep his statutes 

and observe his laws. 

  Praise the Lord! 

'Praise the Lord!' God is always present and in charge. Through the desert times, the promised land, when His people are outnumbered or a multitude, in the times of lack and prosperity, in darkness and light, in famine and harvest, God is present and in charge. God knows what He is doing and exercises His authority for He, ‘remembers his covenant’. God has been fulfilling his oath to Abraham ever since he gave it, for He is faithful. He is working to bring you and the rest of His people into the promised land. No other authority can have jurisdiction over your life. Yes, you may walk through times of poverty, success, hardship, brokenness, celebration and comfort. Yet, always God is in control. He has His plan and He will stick to it for He remembers ‘his holy promise’. 

Consider the life of Joseph (v16 - 45), he had a privileged upbringing in his youth, then his life radically changed as he spent a significant proportion of his adult life enslaved and imprisoned. It must have been very difficult for Jospeh to have become a bound man instead of a favoured one. How could he see where God was in that, or understand what He was doing? What about the promises and the dreams he had been given? Yet it was all in God’s plan. God was present and still in charge, He knew what He was doing. It was not because of the jealousy of Joseph’s brothers that Joseph ended up in this position, as i have always thought, but because ‘he (God) had sent a man ahead of them’. God used the family dynamics and the jealousy in order for His people to have life in the future. God, ‘sent a man’, It was God’s choice, He sent Joseph. Joseph was not gotten rid of or sold, but sent. Unbeknown to himself or anyone else, Joseph was sent to Egypt by God. God had planned for this to happen for He had a purpose greater than Joseph being a son and a brother. Joseph was to become a rescuer of God’s people. God purposed for the life of Joseph to look like this so that God’s kingdom could to come to Egypt, and ultimately His people could reach the land of promise generations later. 

God has a plan for the future for all of His people. That means that yes, suffering happens, but none of it is without purpose. God is always present and in charge, and He has a plan that your life will display His glory. Maybe you will end up imprisoned, accused, suffering, but that doesn’t mean that you have failed or God has left. As the life of Joseph shows, God can use any situation to display His kingdom. God used Joseph’s imprisonment to save the lives of millions of people, His purpose was salvation. It meant that life was difficult for Joseph for many years, but Joseph had to experience enslavement and imprisonment in order to be in the right place at the right time, for God, ‘had sent a man ahead of them’. All was in the plans and purposes of God. So, i wonder what God is preparing you for. When life is hard and you feel abandoned, overlooked, mistreated or persecuted, take heart. God always has a plan for His name to be glorified, and He is using you to achieve it! Joseph was ordained by God to become a ‘ruler’ and ‘to teach his elders wisdom’. This resulted in God’s people being transformed from a season of famine to fruitfulness! But the story of God’s people doesn’t stop there. The nation of Israel was then enslaved by the Egyptians, and Moses and Aaron were equipped and commanded to lead the them out from Egypt. From being slaves they left with riches! They witnessed miracles, hardship, and felt hunger but the sun never scorched them and the cold never overcame them, for God sent cloud and fire. God so loves and cares for His people, and He remembers and fulfils ‘his holy promise’. 

The story of Israel’s salvation and gaining the promised land wasn’t an easy one, so don’t expect your life to be either! Yet do not fear when trouble comes. God isn’t punishing you, He is preparing you. He needs you to depend and rely upon Him, so open your eyes to see the miracles and favour that He is giving you even within the difficult situations. God is using you to display your kingdom in a way that will glorify His name and be for the benefit of His people. Just like he did with Jospeh, Moses and Aaron. Therefore, when troubling times come, do not despair. Instead; ’call upon his name’, tell of his wondrous name’, ‘seek the Lord and his strength’, ‘remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles and the judgements he uttered’, ‘keep his statutes and observe his laws’ and then you will have the great and marvellous privilege of walking in the footsteps of Abraham, Joseph, Moses and Aaron to ‘make known his deeds among the peoples’.