1Start
Joseph rose in the night and set out for Egypt with Mary and the young child. An angel had warned him in a dream (Matthew 2:13–14).
2Read Together
Herod meant to kill the child. When the wise men left without reporting back, he ordered the death of the young boys of Bethlehem (Matthew 2:16). Joseph’s family was already gone.
Matthew 2:13–14 · King James Version
13And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him. 14When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:
Matthew 2:19–21 · King James Version
19But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child’s life. 21And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.
3What It Teaches
Joseph received four dreams in Matthew’s first two chapters (Matthew 1:20; 2:13; 2:19; 2:22). Each time he acted right away. He rose “by night” and went (Matthew 2:14).
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf spoke to parents about this kind of help.
“God is eager to pour out His Spirit to guide parents.”
The angel told Joseph to stay in Egypt until he brought word (Matthew 2:13). Joseph waited for the next message, then brought his family home and settled in Nazareth, guided again by a dream (Matthew 2:19–23).
Matthew saw a pattern. Israel had once come out of Egypt, and now God’s Son did too. “Out of Egypt have I called my son” (Matthew 2:15; Hosea 11:1).
4Talk About It
Joseph listened to the Lord and acted quickly to keep his family safe. What dangers do families face today, and how can we listen for the Lord’s warnings?