Topical Bible: Dream: Concerning the Flight Into Egypt

◄ Dream: Concerning the Flight Into Egypt ►

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The dream concerning the flight into Egypt is a significant event in the New Testament, specifically in the Gospel of Matthew. This dream is a divine intervention that plays a crucial role in the early life of Jesus Christ, ensuring His safety from the threat posed by King Herod.

Biblical Account

The account of the dream is found in Matthew 2:13-15. After the visit of the Magi, an angel of the Lord appears to Joseph in a dream, warning him of the impending danger to the child Jesus. The angel instructs Joseph to take Mary and Jesus and flee to Egypt. The Berean Standard Bible records this event as follows:

"After they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. 'Get up!' he said. 'Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him.' So he got up, took the Child and His mother by night, and withdrew to Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: 'Out of Egypt I called My Son.'" (Matthew 2:13-15)

Theological Significance

The dream is a testament to God's providential care and guidance. It underscores the divine protection over Jesus, ensuring the fulfillment of His mission on earth. The flight into Egypt is not merely a historical event but a fulfillment of prophecy, as Matthew notes by referencing Hosea 11:1, "Out of Egypt I called My Son." This connection highlights the continuity of God's salvific plan from the Old Testament to the New Testament.

Joseph's Obedience

Joseph's immediate obedience to the angelic message is a model of faith and trust in God's guidance. His actions demonstrate a willingness to act promptly and decisively in response to divine instruction, even when it involves significant personal sacrifice and upheaval. Joseph's role as the earthly guardian of Jesus is marked by his responsiveness to God's direction, ensuring the safety and well-being of the Holy Family.

Symbolism of Egypt

Egypt, in biblical history, often symbolizes a place of refuge and preservation. For the Israelites, it was initially a place of sustenance during famine, though it later became a place of bondage. In the context of the flight into Egypt, it serves as a temporary sanctuary for Jesus, echoing the theme of God providing a haven for His people in times of peril.

Prophetic Fulfillment

The flight into Egypt and the subsequent return to Israel fulfill the prophetic word, demonstrating the meticulous unfolding of God's redemptive plan. The reference to Hosea 11:1 in Matthew's Gospel is a typological fulfillment, where Jesus embodies the true Israel, called out of Egypt to accomplish God's purposes.

Historical Context

The historical backdrop of Herod's reign adds gravity to the narrative. Herod the Great, known for his paranoia and tyrannical rule, poses a real threat to the newborn King. The dream and subsequent flight highlight the political and social tensions of the time, as well as the lengths to which God goes to protect His Son.

Conclusion

The dream concerning the flight into Egypt is a profound example of divine intervention and fulfillment of prophecy. It illustrates God's sovereign control over history and His unwavering commitment to His redemptive plan through Jesus Christ.

Nave's Topical Index

Matthew 2:13
And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appears to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be you there until I bring you word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Flight into Egypt and Slaughter of the Bethlehem Children.
... Herod [as Herod died soon after the flight to Egypt ... have done so but for the dream,
but when ... words here quoted were originally written concerning the Babylonian ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xiv flight into egypt and.htm

Matt. Ii. 2
... behold, an angel appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise ... Egypt;" and he mentions
the cause of the flight: "For Herod ... [353] And that concerning Jacob one ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily viii matt ii 2.htm

On the Feast of the Epiphany, iii.
... He shall be the expectation of the nations." Concerning which an ... of the Innocents
through the consequent flight of Christ ... to the warning of a dream, they return ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/sermon xxxiii on the feast.htm

Matthew.
... the massacre of the innocents; the flight into Egypt; the return ... 26:14-16; 27:3-10);
the dream of Pilate's ... tradition of the ancient church concerning a prior ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 80 matthew.htm

On the Clause, and in one Lord Jesus Christ, with a Reading from ...
... an Angel appeareth to Joseph in a dream [1168 ... having received their Lord [1224] ],
concerning which the ... Fathers to have been fulfilled by the flight into Egypt. ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture x on the clause.htm

In the Desert
... not within call, they would prevent flight into Memphis, and the ... ready to ask for
more enlightenment concerning her conduct ... in the hills, does not dream that it ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xix in the desert.htm

the life of constantine
... 5. Dream concerning the Founding of Constantinople ... Chapter XI.--Flight, and Magic
Arts of Licinius ... How Constantine sent a Messenger and a Letter concerning Peace ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pamphilius/the life of constantine/

Providence
... in the autumn, ready for their flight across the ... room had some half-miracle to tell,
concerning his own ... them was renewing the pursuit in his dream, and, having ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/providence.htm

Questions.
... 9. But what had been foretold concerning Cyrus?"Is. ... What were they in Nebuchadnezzar's
dream?"Dan. ... How had the flight and return from Egypt been foreshown ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/questions.htm

Scriptural Poems; Being Several Portions of Scripture Digested ...
... this in Israel did a custom stand, Concerning changing and ... Therefore I unto Tarshish
took my flight before: For ... calling now to mind his former dream, He said ...
/.../scriptural poems being several portions.htm