Scripture to Read: Matthew 2
As we continue to examine Matthew 2, we read how God spoke to Joseph in a dream again and told him to take Mary and Jesus and move to Egypt (Matthew 2:14-15, So Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night, and left for Egypt. 15 He remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”) Through Joseph’s obedience to God, another prophecy in Hosea 11:1 and Numbers 24:8 is fulfilled. Herod the king was an incredibly jealous king and did not want his kingship taken away from him. Herod knew the prophecy in Micah 5:2, so Herod took matters into his own hands and had every child two years of age and younger killed through all of Bethlehem and all its vicinity. Herod thought he could change God’s perfect will. The truth is, no matter what decision someone in political power or any other area of authority may make, we can rest assured that God’s perfect will is always going to be fulfilled. Herod’s decision, according to Matthew 2:16-18, actually fulfilled a prophecy made by Jeremiah in Jeremiah 31:15. After Herod died, God spoke to Joseph in a dream again and told him to go back to Israel. God spoke to Joseph once more, guiding him to move to Nazareth. God’s guidance fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah. As we obey our King, we can know we are part of His perfect plan.
Challenge & Application
1. What did God teach you today about His perfect will being fulfilled?
2. How are you making sure to pursue God’s perfect plan for your life each day?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!