When the new year rolls around, we reflect on the past year with thankfulness and possibly a little regret. We often look to the new year as an opportunity to begin again to improve an area of our lives. I love God because He gives us freedom, even if it’s the freedom to make our own mistakes. He’s not controlling, but He guides us and gives us wisdom when we ask. The Bible says that no eye has seen nor ear heard the plans that God has for us. However, He gives us what He knows He can trust us with. Joseph, the husband of Mary and stepfather to Jesus, was trusted with a great calling. It wasn’t flashy; he’s not a famous Bible character, but God called Him to protect, guide, and care for Mary and baby Jesus, God’s greatest treasure. If we want God to trust us with His greatest blessings, we might want to invest some time into Joseph to find out why.
4 So Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, 5 in order to register with Mary, who was [c]betrothed to him, and was with child.
Luke 2:4-5
Bethlehem
Joseph brought Mary to Bethlehem even though she was about to give birth. A long, arduous trip on the back of a donkey at nine months pregnant isn’t a picnic for anyone. It would’ve been much easier to leave Mary in the care of the family, but Joseph was faithful to obeying the law and wouldn’t leave his pregnant wife behind. Also, He was entrusted with Mary and the Messiah, no one else in his family was given that honor; no matter how difficult, Joseph would do the right and trustworthy thing. There were over 300 prophesies predicting the birth of the Messiah. Many of the logistical ones were in Joseph’s obedient and capable hands.
13 Now when they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod intends to search for the Child in order to destroy Him.” So Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night, and left for Egypt. 15 He remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet [Hosea]: “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”
Matthew 2:13-15
Called to Egypt
After the birth, the dedications, the gifts (provision for travel), and the words of the Maji, God told Joseph to take Jesus and Mary and flee Egypt. No Biblical accounts exist of Joseph asking where they should go or for how long. God gave a revelation that Herod wanted to kill Jesus. Then He directed Joseph to take his family, flee Egypt, and wait for God to tell him to return. God didn’t micromanage Joseph, but you better believe that Joseph and Mary prayed for wisdom and direction as God knew they would, and He led them, kept them safe, and provided for them along the way. God doesn’t give us the blueprints or the major details, but He calls us to where He can trust us to lean on Him.
19 But when [h]Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, and said, 20 “Get up! Take the Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel; for those who sought the Child’s life are dead.” 21 Then Joseph got up, and took the Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling over Judea [i]in place of his father Herod [the Great], he was afraid to go there. Then being warned by God in a dream, he left for the region of Galilee, 23 and went and settled in a city called Nazareth. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophets: “He shall be called a [j]Nazarene.”
Matthew 2:19-23
Going Home
Then we have the account of God telling Joseph to go back to his home country because the people who wanted to kill Jesus were dead. God didn’t tell Joseph that Herod’s son Archelaus was ruling over Judea and he should move away; Joseph discovered it and sought God. God warned him in a dream, and Joseph took his family to Nazareth, where it was safe, and would follow the prophecy predicting the Messiah. We see God’s hand leading and guiding Joseph as he led and cared for his family. God knows our character and blesses, guides, and leads us according to what He can trust us to do.
So I, the prisoner for the Lord, appeal to you to live a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called [that is, to live a life that exhibits godly character, moral courage, personal integrity, and mature behavior—a life that expresses gratitude to God for your salvation], 2 with all humility [forsaking self-righteousness], and gentleness [maintaining self-control], with patience, bearing with one another [a]in [unselfish] love. 3 Make every effort to keep the oneness of the Spirit in the bond of peace [each individual working together to make the whole successful].
Ephesians 4:1-3
Prayer
God, help me to remember Joseph when it comes time to honor my word, use wisdom, and trust your guidance. Help me to be trustworthy with your plans and calling for my life here on earth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
