Updated Friday, Dec. 14, 2007

Bible Studies for Life Lesson for Dec. 30: Bowing Before the Savior

By Sharon Johnson Pond

Focal Passage: Matthew 2:1-23

When he (Joseph) arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt... (v. 14)

Then he (Joseph) arose, took the young Child and His mother, and came into the land of Israel (v. 21).

During the wars in Rwanda and Burundi we were evacuated several times. We had determined that if the American Embassy asked us to go, we would go. We certainly did not want to, but our decision was reinforced by those we worked with who told us, "Please go. We can hide ourselves, but we cannot hide you!"

Because of the wonderful, loving people who worked in our Baptist, East Africa Area Office in Nairobi, Kenya, we knew that we would always have a place to go if we had to evacuate. They (and people who give to the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and the Cooperative Program) provided a place for us, first at the guest house in Nairobi, and for longer periods of time, Brackenhurst Convention Center about an hour from Nairobi.

Our Heavenly Father, through the East Africa Area Office of the (then) Foreign Mission Board made sure that there was a place for us.

I often wonder, as I read today's passage, how Joseph felt when God directed him first to leave Bethlehem, and later to return to Nazareth (v. 23). Joseph was already away from his home because of the order from Caesar Augustus (Luke 2:1). Did he think, "Oh, no! Not another change!"? Did he worry about where they would live in Egypt? He already had to endure his wife having to be in a stable for at least one night. Did he wonder if he could find work to provide for the ones entrusted to his earthly care? We don't know. We do know that he immediately obeyed God and as soon as he awoke from his God-sent dreams, took Jesus and His mother and went where God led.

God had provided provisions - remember the Magi's gifts? However, even without those three valuable offerings, I believe that Joseph trusted the Lord with all his heart, soul, mind and strength. Would God have chosen a less worthy worshipper to guard His Son? God provided a place for this family: in Bethlehem - albeit a stable for a time; in Egypt; and finally in Galilee - in Nazareth ...that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, "He shall be called a Nazarene" (v. 23).