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THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22
Matthew 2:13-18

Psalm 48:1-10

 

“…the Son of the Highest.”

 

THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT
 
We have surely been encouraged by the faithful few who were looking for the Saviour and recognised the Christ-child at His birth. But the enemy knew that the coming of the Messiah and fulfilling of His ministry would spell his eternal doom. In an attempt by Satan to thwart God’s plan, Herod tried to learn from the wise men the location of the baby Jesus (Matt 2:12).
 
Like many rulers, Herod was extremely suspicious of any threat to his power. Satan used this fear to incite Herod’s wrath in an attempt to kill the baby Jesus. Being tricked by the wise men who returned to their country by a different route, Herod ordered all male children in Israel under the age of two to be killed (Matt 2:16). An angel had already warned Mary and Joseph to flee to Egypt so that the child would be spared (Matt 2:13-14). When Herod gave the order to kill the baby boys, he was fulfilling an old prophecy about the slaughter of Jewish babies (Matt 2:17-18; Jer 31:15). Mary and Joseph fled with the child to Egypt and stayed there until Herod’s death. This also fulfilled a prophecy concerning the Christ (Matt 2:15; Hosea 11:1). So from the very beginning of His earthly life, we see prophecies concerning the Messiah being fulfilled.
 
A short time after the horrible slaughtering of the infants, Herod died. An angel of the Lord then informed Joseph that they could safely return to Israel. They started back but on hearing that one of Herod’s sons was king they were directed by God to go into Galilee where they settled in Nazareth. This fulfilled another prophecy concerning the Christ (Matt 2:19-23).
 
We are reminded again of the faithfulness of God’s promises. It is on the promises of the eternal Word of God that we base our faith and salvation.
 
THOUGHT: Why did Satan want to destroy the Christ-child?

PRAYER: I thank Thee, Father, that all Thy promises are sure for all eternity.

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