WHOLE LOT OF DREAMING GOING ON
Matthew 2:19-23 NKJV
19 Now when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the young Child’s life are dead.” 21 Then he arose, took the young Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel.
22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea instead of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And being warned by God in a dream, he turned aside into the region of Galilee. 23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, “He shall be called a Nazarene.”
As you read and reread the scriptures, you’ll notice that different things will stand out to you. As I reread the second chapter of Matthew, a couple of things were highlighted to me.
The first was the fact that Matthew does not mention Mary by name. I don’t believe Matthew had a problem with Mary. As a disciple of Jesus, Matthew was familiar with Mary. But in the male-dominated Jewish culture, the women did not play a starring role. If you read the book of Matthew, you will not be prone to exalt Mary but to simply appreciate her as the woman courageous enough to carry the Son of God. Bearing in mind that who was going to believe Mary when she told them her pregnancy was a work of the Holy Spirit? The lady had some faith and courage.
Also, the fact that the wise men came after Jesus was born, not on the night He was born. Most historians believe Jesus was close to two years old when the wise men came. We do know Jesus was not referred to as a baby but as a young child. And the family was living in a house, not a stable. I know I just ruined a few Christmas carols and cards, but it is what it is.
Matthew, in keeping with his penchant for relating the life of Jesus to the words of the prophets, mentions the fulfilling of the words of the prophets. Four different times, in this second chapter, Matthew references the words of the prophets. He is pointing the Jews to the scriptures. Jewish men were required to learn scripture, so the references to the prophets carried extra weight.
And the last thing that stood out to me was the number of dreams God used to guide key players in this story. God gave the wise men a dream not to return to Herod. And that bought Joseph and his family some time to escape to Egypt. And the mere fact that Joseph was going to Egypt was the result of a dream God gave him. Matthew says Joseph took the young child and His mother and left for Egypt. Again, not mentioning Mary by name. But that wasn’t the last of the dreams. Joseph had another dream to take the young child and His mother, sorry Mary, and go back to Israel. Then, because he was afraid to go to Judea, God gave Joseph another dream to go to Nazareth—four accounts of dreams in one chapter. We never see Joseph having another dream. God used supernatural dreams with angel messengers to make sure Joseph and Mary were positioned to raise Jesus.
APPLICATION
Often, when we read of supernatural events, we wish that these dreams and angel appearances would happen to us. There have been times in my life that I sure could have used an angel with a message. Or at least I thought so at the time. But in the long run, I can see the wisdom of God in not using dreams and angels as the primary source of leadership. Joseph did not have the Holy Spirit living in him as believers experience today. The Holy Spirit can lead us with an inner knowing or sensing. God certainly uses supernatural dreams, visions, and angels, but those occurrences are rare. Today, we have the marvelous privilege of having the Spirit of God help us and lead us. And, of course, the Spirit’s leading is always in line with God’s Word. Many of those “gut feelings” we have had are the Holy Spirit helping us. Many times, people say I just had a hunch. Thank You, Lord, for divine hunches.
Don’t feel slighted if you have never had a supernatural dream or seen an angel. Just keep trusting God and believing that He can lead you and help you and get you to the right place.
PRAYER
Lord, thank You for knowing how to lead and help Your people. You have never stopped speaking and communicating with mankind. In our day, we need Your leadership and guidance. Thank You for the help of Your Holy Spirit.