“When they [the wise men] were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and His mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy Him. When he arose, he took the young child and His mother by night, and departed into Egypt” (Matt. 2:13-1413And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. 14When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt: (Matthew 2:13‑14)).
These two verses present sweet comfort for parents who are raising children in this dark world. The principles it contains are priceless—divine wisdom for guiding and preserving them. However, the time that parents have to hide their little children is exceedingly short—just a few precious years. Oh! that we all might pray earnestly for needed strength, wisdom and courage for parents.
Headship and Nurturing
“The angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and His mother.”
It is to Joseph as head of his house that the angel of the Lord gives instructions concerning his family. While it was through a dream in Joseph’s day, today such instruction will be received by daily prayer, reading of God’s Word, and walking in fellowship with the Father.
If a father doesn’t fulfill his God-given place of spiritual leadership, the mother may feel pressured to assume that role while also trying to maintain her place in the home as nurturer. Though the Lord surely appreciates and blesses personal faithfulness, such failure on the father’s part may lead to sad results in the lives of the dear children.
In verse 11 we read that when the wise men were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary His mother. This is the divine and lovely pattern for families—a mother found nurturing and caring for her child in the house, while it is to Joseph—the head of the house—that the angel comes with instructions for the care and protecting of his family.
Flee or Fight?
“And flee.”
Joseph was to flee from Herod the destroyer, not stand up and fight against him. Today believers are becoming increasingly engaged in organized conflicts against evil. Christians feel tremendous pressure to “return our country to Christian values” through various social, political and religious movements. But the word to Joseph was to flee from the murderous Herod, not to try to change his mind. We will be far more effective (and feel far more persecution too) if we simply and faithfully live our Christianity in the fear of God, each day.
Fleeing Into Egypt
“Into Egypt.”
Though it may seem strange that the Lord Jesus was to be taken into Egypt to escape Herod’s wrath, we must remember that these divine, unerring instructions have been recorded for our learning.
It was to Egypt that Joseph called his father Jacob and his brethren, that he might preserve them from famine. It is not the Lord’s will that we go out of the world in seeking to preserve our families, for He prayed to the Father, “I pray not that Thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that Thou shouldest keep them from the evil” (John 17:1515I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. (John 17:15)). Thus Christian parents can find a place to flee, using this world as a hiding place (though not abusing it; 1 Cor. 7:3131And they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away. (1 Corinthians 7:31)).
Those who raised families in past generations used means which may not be available to or wise for families to use today. Public education, for example, had far more Christian character. It was provided in relatively safe, stable environments and was family oriented. Parents sent children to public school with some confidence that their Christian values would not be purposely undermined.
Today, however, many find that the flood of violence, corruption and godlessness in public schools in many communities is part of an active subversion of Christianity—making it a dangerous place for our children.
Seeking a right path for our little ones today requires fresh, deep soul exercise before the Lord.
Hiding Is Not Attaching or Promoting
Let us also remember that the things of the world used to hide children must never be allowed to become more important than our blessed Lord Jesus Christ. There are multitudes of beneficial enjoyments and activities—but never are they to become substitutes for Christ and that satisfaction which is found alone in Him. Now Christ alone can satisfy.
Remember, dear dads and moms, the key word is hide. Whatever means is used in this world to hide your children from the destroyer will have a separating influence. It will certainly not be that which promotes them in, displays their talents to, or attaches their hearts with this present evil world.
Egypt Is Not Our Final Destination
“And be thou there until I bring thee word.”
The time would come when Joseph would be told by the Lord to bring his family out of Egypt. But attached hearts cannot be easily or willingly taken from an object which has captured them. Ever impress on your dear children that this world is but a temporary place for those who look “for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (Heb. 11:1010For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. (Hebrews 11:10)).
Many have read The Hiding Place, the incredible World War II story by Corrie ten Boom. It tells how her family hid Jews from their enemies in secret compartments built inside their house. As long as those Jews who fled to the ten Boom’s house for refuge remained hidden out of sight, they were safe from the destroyer. But we are sure that none of those hidden there became attached in heart to the tiny, stifling spaces where they lived in such fear those long, dreary months. How strange, after the war, when the Jews were again free to enjoy the full freedom of that land, to have found one who wanted to go back to those dark, secret rooms in the ten Boom house and live there the rest of his life!
While this world, in God’s mercy, is available as a temporary place to hide our little ones—it is only until the Lord brings word to leave. Never allow a hiding place to become a final destination. The Lord commanded Lot to leave Sodom and escape to the mountain for safety. But his wife and children (except for two unmarried daughters) would not go and were destroyed in that solemn judgment.
Who Is the Enemy?
“Herod will seek the young child to destroy Him.”
Satan is the god and prince of this world (2 Cor. 4:44In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (2 Corinthians 4:4)). Be very clear about this, dear parents: The enemy is seeking nothing less than the destruction of your children. Never underestimate his hatred of you, your marriage and your children—even as he hates all that is of God. Never underestimate the trouble he will take to destroy those precious things. Be faithful and diligent, remembering that greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.
Fleeing Immediately and at Night
“When he arose, he took the young child and His mother by night, and departed.”
Fleeing must be done by night—that very time when it is most difficult to see. To flee with your family requires faith. Parents may not always be able to see immediate results, nor will they be able to see all the dangers. But faith obeys, trusting God for the results, even when all is dark. “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house” (Heb. 11:77By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. (Hebrews 11:7)).
No Excuses Needed
Night also suggests that fleeing shouldn’t be made a matter of public display. Paul escaped at night (Acts 9:2525Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket. (Acts 9:25)) so that he would not have to meet those who sought to kill him. Parents needn’t justify their actions of faith and obedience to a world that spit in the blessed face of God’s well-beloved Son! In observing this energy of faith in Christian parents, the world, which has none, will only seek to hinder and turn aside these vitally important exercises.
Our children have God-given talents and abilities. The world recognizes this too and will actively seek to steal them if allowed to see them. But those things have been given for the blessing of God’s dear people, not the advancement of this wicked world. Hide their talents from the robber—at night—even as you hide themselves from the destroyer.
And ever remember that the Lord Jesus spent His childhood, teen and young adult years hidden and virtually unknown except to those in the little village of Nazareth. Yet He was God the Son—Creator of all!
May God grant the energy of faith to dear parents—that they will arise and flee to hide their little ones so that they may be preserved for Christ.
Ed.