Only the Gospel of Matthew relates Mary and Joseph taking the Christ child to Egypt to protect his life. At the time of the Patriarchs, Egypt was a place of refuge for the Israelites when God led Jacob and his family there to escape a famine. It became a place of captivity as the people were made slaves by the pharaoh. God sent his prophet Moses to lead the Israelites out of slavery. Jesus came out of Egypt and leads us out of captivity and slavery to our own sin. Galatians 5:1 says, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
Matthew 2:13-15
The Flight to Egypt
13 Now when they 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.”
COMPREHENSION QUESTIONS:
Why did Joseph take Jesus and Mary to Egypt? (13)
How long did they stay? (15)
What prophecy did Joseph taking his family to Egypt fulfill? (15)
THOUGHT QUESTION:
What do you see as the significance of Jesus being taken to Egypt and then brought back?
ADDITIONAL READING:
Acts 7:1-36 This reading gives a brief history of the Israelites that puts their time in Egypt into context. Why did the people go to Egypt? (Acts 7:11-15) What happened to them in Egypt? (Acts 7:17-19) How were they brought out of slavery? (Acts 7:35-36)
PRAYER:
Thank God that he leads us out of captivity to our sin by the grace and power of his love. Thank Jesus for being your Savior.
FOCUS VERSE: Galatians 5:1
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”