During the Night

Matthew 2 cont’d:

So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.”

Joseph got up and obeyed immediately.  I think the words “Get up” had a sense of urgency with them, and Joseph knew he could not wait until morning, but he had to obey right them.

Sometimes God’s timing is now.  And it’s best if we obey now, and not later, after we’ve slept and rested.

Joseph got up and took his son and Mary during the night to journey to Egypt.  And he stayed there until the threat was gone…until that nasty king died.  And in obeying and listening to what he was told to do, he connected with a prophecy from long ago that said God’s son would come out of Egypt. 

There are times when our obedience is not only required, it’s required to be succinct with the timing in which we are told to obey.  Even if that obedience disturbs our sleep, requires us to move in darkness, and directs that we stay put until we receive further word.

God could have kept the king from finding the baby Jesus another way.  He could have destroyed the king, he perhaps could have moved the heavens and caused a tornado to sweep him away.  But instead, he asked his servant to listen and obey and move, until the threat was past.

God’s ways aren’t like ours.  But they always require listening and obedience, even in the darkness.