When YHWH leads you in an unexpected direction, are you willing to obey even when the path ahead is uncertain, inconvenient, or difficult?
Key Verse
“So Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night, and left for Egypt.” — Matthew 2:14 (NASB)
Background Context
In Matthew 1, Joseph learned that Mary’s child had been conceived through the Holy Spirit. Although this was very different from anything he had anticipated, Joseph trusted YHWH’s direction and took Mary as his wife.
In Matthew 2:1–12, wise men from the east traveled to worship Yeshua, recognizing Him as the newborn King of the Jews. Herod, however, saw the child as a threat to his authority. He secretly instructed the wise men to report back after finding Yeshua, claiming that he also wanted to worship Him. God warned the wise men not to return to Herod, and they departed by another route.
Now, in Matthew 2:13–18, Herod’s true intentions become clear. YHWH warns Joseph to take Mary and Yeshua to Egypt, where they will remain until God directs them otherwise.
(Continued and expanded after scripture.)
The Flight to Egypt
13Now when they had gone, behold, 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 is going to search for the Child to destroy Him.”
14So Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night, and left for Egypt. 15He remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “OUT OF EGYPT I CALLED MY SON.”
Herod Slaughters Babies
16Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent and slew all the male children who were in Bethlehem and all its vicinity, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the magi. 17Then what had been spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled:
18“A VOICE WAS HEARD IN RAMAH,
WEEPING AND GREAT MOURNING,
RACHEL WEEPING FOR HER CHILDREN;
AND SHE REFUSED TO BE COMFORTED,
BECAUSE THEY WERE NO MORE.”
Reflection on Matthew 2:13–18:
Joseph had already demonstrated remarkable obedience when he accepted God’s instruction to take Mary as his wife. Now, not long afterward, he receives another unexpected message from an angel.
“Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him.”
Joseph was not given a detailed explanation of how long they would remain in Egypt, what their circumstances would be, or when they could safely return. He was simply told to leave and wait for further direction.
His response was immediate. Matthew tells us that Joseph got up, took Mary and Yeshua, and departed while it was still night.
Joseph did not delay until morning or insist upon understanding every detail. Once God’s instruction was clear, he acted.
There is an important lesson here about obedience. Sometimes YHWH’s direction requires us to change plans we have carefully made, leave circumstances that feel comfortable, or accept uncertainty about what comes next. We may want to understand the entire journey before taking the first step, but faithful obedience often means responding to what God has already revealed while trusting Him with what remains unknown.
Proverbs 3:5–6 reminds us to trust in YHWH rather than leaning upon our own understanding. Joseph provides a practical example of that trust.
We should also recognize that Joseph’s obedience did not mean his family would experience an easy or comfortable life. He was caring for the promised Messiah, yet he still had to flee from danger, leave his home, and live in a foreign land.
Being within God’s will does not guarantee freedom from hardship.
That is an important truth to remember when we face difficulties. We sometimes assume that if God is directing our steps, circumstances should become easier. Yet Joseph was clearly following God’s instructions while encountering significant disruption and uncertainty.
The passage then turns to Herod’s terrible response. When he realized the wise men had not returned, he ordered the killing of the young boys in Bethlehem and its surrounding region who were two years old and under.
This is a deeply troubling part of the account. Innocent children suffered because of the cruelty and insecurity of a wicked ruler. Matthew connects the grief of the families with Jeremiah 31:15, describing Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted.
We should not rush past their suffering simply because we know Yeshua escaped. God’s protection of Yeshua did not mean that every family in Bethlehem was spared from Herod’s evil.
Nor should we conclude that those who suffered had somehow failed to trust or obey God. Scripture does not suggest that. Their suffering was the result of Herod’s wickedness.
This reminds us that YHWH’s sovereign purposes continue in a world where people still exercise their freedom to choose evil and inflict suffering upon others. We may not understand why God permits particular tragedies, and Scripture does not answer every question we might ask about them.
But Matthew makes clear that Herod’s opposition could not prevent YHWH from accomplishing His purpose through Messiah.
Matthew also connects the family’s time in Egypt with Hosea 11:1: “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”
In Hosea, the statement originally recalls YHWH bringing Israel out of Egypt. Matthew recognizes a further fulfillment in Yeshua, who retraces part of Israel’s history. Just as YHWH brought Israel out of Egypt, He would bring His Son out of Egypt according to His purpose.
This connection reminds us that Yeshua’s life was not unfolding apart from the larger story of Scripture. YHWH was faithfully carrying forward His plan of redemption even through circumstances that appeared dangerous and uncertain.
Joseph did not know how the story would unfold. He knew only that YHWH had spoken and that his responsibility was to obey.
We may find ourselves in situations where following God requires difficult decisions, unexpected changes, or waiting without knowing what comes next. We should not assume that every hardship is a sign we have misunderstood His direction, nor should we interpret every unexpected circumstance as a new message from Him. We must continue seeking His guidance through Scripture, prayer, and discernment.
When God has clearly spoken, however, we should respond faithfully, trusting that His wisdom extends beyond what we can presently see.
Joseph’s example reminds us that obedience is not measured by how comfortable the path becomes, but by our willingness to trust and follow YHWH along the way.
Application
- Respond promptly when YHWH’s instructions are clear rather than delaying obedience until circumstances become more convenient.
- Do not assume that hardship means you are outside God’s will. Joseph faced significant difficulties while faithfully following His direction.
- Trust YHWH with the parts of the future He has not revealed, focusing on the responsibilities He has given you today.
- Remember those who suffer because of the wickedness of others. Respond with compassion rather than assuming their suffering reflects a lack of faith.
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for Joseph’s example of trusting and obeying You even when the path ahead was uncertain and difficult. Help me respond faithfully when Your Word makes clear what I should do. Give me courage to follow You even when obedience disrupts my plans or brings unexpected challenges. Guard me against assuming that hardship means You have abandoned me, and help me trust Your wisdom when I cannot understand everything that is happening. Give me compassion for those who suffer because of the evil choices of others, and remind me that Your purposes remain secure even in a broken world. Thank You for protecting Yeshua and faithfully carrying forward Your plan of redemption. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.
May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.
John Golda
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