The Way
Flight into Egypt
Escape by night, and weeping in Ramah
Story
After the wise men had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared again to Joseph in a dream. Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt. Herod is searching for the child to destroy him. Stay there until I tell you. Joseph got up at once. That very night he took the child and Mary and set off into the darkness.
The family went south, down the dry road into Egypt. In that strange land far from home, they stayed until Herod died, until the word came to leave again. On this flight, Matthew recalls one old line from the prophet Hosea. Out of Egypt I called my son.
Meanwhile Herod, realizing that the wise men had outwitted him, flew into a rage. He reckoned from the time he had learned from the wise men, and sent his men. In Bethlehem and all the country around it, every boy two years old and under was killed. Throughout the town, the wailing of mothers broke out. A voice is heard in Ramah. Rachel weeping for her children. She refuses to be comforted, because they are no more.
Walk this scene on the map →His Words
Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is searching for the child to destroy him.
A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and bitter mourning. Rachel weeps for her children and will not be comforted, because they are no more.
The sayings are fresh renderings of the original meaning in today's language. Text: Mt 2:13–18
Background
Alexandria in Egypt had a large Jewish community at the time, making it a natural refuge. Bethlehem was a small town, so the children killed probably numbered a few dozen or fewer.
Pause and Reflect
Is there something I need to do in obedience to God's word, even when I am afraid?