By making the hard choice to risk the journey into Egypt, Joseph acted to preserve the infant Jesus, to sustain Him until the time of His ministry was at hand.
Peter, you state, " That Herod’s soldiers apparently opted to go along with such evil is a further stark comment on the spiritual state of the people of Israel. When Jesus was born, the narrative makes it clear that Israel was suffering spiritually as well as politically."
It appears to me that they are still suffering spiritually as well as politically and have learned nothing, as the genocide of Palestinians, children as well, continues today. The Zionists in control have never accepted Jesus as the Savior.
I have wondered what else the angel might have told Joseph. Did the angel give a “knowing” of some sort to Joseph that his child was the Messiah? Was there something imparted that gave Joseph extra resolve and fortitude in saving Jesus? Did Joseph act purely from fatherly love, or did he have a sense of God working through him? Maybe I’ll find out in the afterlife.
We know from earlier in the Nativity story that Joseph was told by an angel in a dream that Jesus would save His people. Arguably, Joseph already knew that Jesus was the Messiah.
But Matthew says very little about Joseph. He appears in the Nativity story like a character from a Louis L'Amor western—someone who just does what needs doing, without theatrics.
Like yourself, Peter. God seems to especially work through people who just do what needs doing, without theatrics. I still have the sense that you are important in some unknown but crucial way. Bless you always!
Peter, you state, " That Herod’s soldiers apparently opted to go along with such evil is a further stark comment on the spiritual state of the people of Israel. When Jesus was born, the narrative makes it clear that Israel was suffering spiritually as well as politically."
It appears to me that they are still suffering spiritually as well as politically and have learned nothing, as the genocide of Palestinians, children as well, continues today. The Zionists in control have never accepted Jesus as the Savior.
I have wondered what else the angel might have told Joseph. Did the angel give a “knowing” of some sort to Joseph that his child was the Messiah? Was there something imparted that gave Joseph extra resolve and fortitude in saving Jesus? Did Joseph act purely from fatherly love, or did he have a sense of God working through him? Maybe I’ll find out in the afterlife.
For the present time, we must act on faith.
We know from earlier in the Nativity story that Joseph was told by an angel in a dream that Jesus would save His people. Arguably, Joseph already knew that Jesus was the Messiah.
But Matthew says very little about Joseph. He appears in the Nativity story like a character from a Louis L'Amor western—someone who just does what needs doing, without theatrics.
Like yourself, Peter. God seems to especially work through people who just do what needs doing, without theatrics. I still have the sense that you are important in some unknown but crucial way. Bless you always!