1. Take the child to Egypt (13-18)

God was at work in the most evil of times. An angel warned Joseph to go to Egypt. He got up in the middle of the night and did so. His obedience came from his faith. God used him to protect Mary and Jesus. The family stayed in Egypt until Herod died, thus fulfilling a prophecy hidden in Hosea 11:1. God was in control, working through faithful men. But the devil was also pouring out his rage through Herod's evil action. The mothers of Bethlehem wept for their babies, fulfilling another prophecy (Jer 31:15).

2. Go to the land of Israel (14-23)

After Herod died, the Lord told Joseph to go back to Israel. Again, he did so. They went to Galilee, to the town of Nazareth, where the angel had first appeared to Mary-and to Joseph. There they raised Jesus. He was a Nazarene from Nazareth and another prophetic saying was fulfilled.

Application: Lord, thank you for quietly working out your purposes in the worst of times. Help me to be an obedient instrument of your work as Joseph was.
One Word: God works through obedient men