Here we learn how and why Christ settled in Nazareth even though He was born in Bethlehem.
1. The Fiat (Command) for the Settling (Matthew 2:19, 20)
Joseph got some more orders (a fiat) from God, and these were most welcomed orders indeed.
The prompting of the fiat. “When Herod was dead” (Matthew 2:19). All God’s enemies will eventually die. Moses got his orders to be Israel’s emancipator after some enemies had died. “The LORD said unto Moses in Midian, Go, return into Egypt; for all the men are dead which sought thy life” (Exodus 4:19). Though His enemies be powerful, God will outlive all His enemies and will ultimately be victorious over them.
The promise for the fiat. “An angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt” (Matthew 2:19). Earlier the angel had told Joseph, “Be thou there [Egypt] until I bring thee word” (Matthew 2:13). So God kept His promise. Sometimes we may not have the patience to wait for the Divine promise but wait anyway, for it will be fulfilled. God has not broken a promise yet.
The place for the fiat. “In Egypt.” (Matthew 2:19). The promise to Joseph was that the angel would speak to him “there.” (Matthew 2:13). Had Joseph not stayed in Egypt, the place for his obedience, he would not have been in the place to hear God’s command. If you want to know God’s will for your life, stay in the place of obedience.
The perception of the fiat. “Appeareth in a dream” (Matthew 2:19). The same method of revelation was used in this message to Joseph as in the two previous times he had heard from God. As we noted earlier, we can be thankful we have the Word of God and do not have to rely on dreams for Divine direction. The Word of God gives many precepts and principles to adequately guide us in every situation of our lives.
The person for the fiat. “To Joseph” (Matthew 2:19). Again Joseph was the privileged one to receive Divine revelation. But privilege brings responsibility, and he was responsible to see that the orders were carried out. If Mary was all the Roman Church says she was, how come she did not get the revelation from God?
The people in the fiat. “Take the young child and his mother” (Matthew 2:20). This was just like the command to go to Egypt. Taking the Christ-child and Mary meant a great deal of work for Joseph. God’s orders are seldom easy to do.
The province in the fiat. “Go into the land of Israel” (Matthew 2:20). Israel was a mere province of the nation of Rome so far had it fallen in status. But Christ will make it the nation of nations someday. He is the One Who makes Israel important.
The protection in the fiat. “They are dead which sought the young child’s life” (Matthew 2:20). This was good news for it meant safety for the Christ-child. Also this news was an encouragement to obey the command. Look for these encouragements in every command God gives you.
2. The Faithfulness in the Settling (Matthew 2:21)
Joseph has an excellent record in Scripture of obeying God’s commands faithfully.
The promptness in the faithfulness. “He arose” (Matthew 2:21). Right after Joseph received the fiat from the angel of the Lord, Joseph promptly got to work obeying the fiat. Faithfulness is not related to dilatoriness.
The people in the faithfulness. “Took the young child and his mother” (Matthew 2:21). Joseph was not like many fathers who send their children and wives to church; rather he would take them to the place where God told them to go. This is the only way to be a faithful husband and head of the home.
The place in the faithfulness. “Came into the land of Israel” (Matthew 2:21). It was not hard to come back home. It was hard to go to Egypt, but Joseph obeyed faithfully whether the command was to go to Egypt or to Israel. Too many folks only get excited about doing God’s command when they like the command. But you do the distasteful commands or you will not get any commands that you like to obey. Generally the distasteful commands come before the more desirable commands.
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