PROPHECY PRESENTS ONE OF THE GREAT MYSTERIES, BUT HERE IT IS INTERPRETED! DOES IT ALSO MEAN YOU?

1. Throughout the terrible days of man's wrath, God works out His Sovereign will!
2. The Son of God had to go into Egypt to face all temptation; -and to come out
3. As we study the prophetic sovereignty of God- realize your part in it! You have the same options as has been given to all men- to be a Herod,- or a Joseph! Choose right!

I.- THE HISTORY "THAT MIGHT BE FULFILLED" - V. 15b

Last week we studied the Wise Men- now let's study the Holy Family- and Joseph's reaction to same

A.- THE ANGEL OF THE LORD SPOKE TO JOSEPH, AND TOLD HIM WHAT TO DO, AND WHY, AND HOW LONG! v.13

1. People today often try to shirk responsible action-but Joseph listened, and dramatically obeyed
2. The danger was not so much to Joseph- as to the child! -
3. Joseph had submitted to the taxation, but here was a different danger- Herod-cruel, deadly,-

B.- JOSEPH OBEYED THE VOICE OF GOD, EVEN THOUGH IT MEANT PERSONAL SACRIFICE AND DANGER v.14

1. The angel said "Flee"- and so he did even in the middle of the night - excitement, danger
2. The greater danger- Herod (for us- might be Hell) forced him to face danger of journey-
3. Egypt is the symbol of all that is evil in Worst kind of Worldliness- wicked, pagan, terrible, fleshpots-

C.- THESE EVENTS SEEMED TERRIBLE, BUT THEY HAD MORE THAN ONE REASON FOR HAPPENING v.15

1. It is good that Joseph acted- for Herod came, and killed a Wicked tyrant -feared rival
2. Hos. 11:1 -had already been fulfilled by Israel as a nation- Another Joseph led them in 1700
3. But God had another interpretation- & I will not quarrel with Matthew!- This fact had to be!

It is a fact of life that we all must go into our own private Egypt, to grow up-mature!

II.- THE WRITTEN PROPHECY "OUT OF EGYPT " 15c

We have little choice regarding our going into Egypt (temptation), but we can choose to come out

A.- WHEN HEROD WAS DEAD, THE ANGEL SAID "ARISE, AND GO INTO THE LAND OF ISRAEL, FOR THEY ARE DEAD"

1. Dates are hard to fix, but around 4 BC Joseph had fled to Egypt, & Herod died soon afterward
2. Christ did not dwell long in Egypt - & we must not either!  We form habits hard to break
3. The stories of Jesus in Egypt- Blasphemous absurdities - & our stories of sin are foolishness

B.- JOSEPH AROSE, AND RETURNED TO ISRAEL WITH THE YOUNG CHILD AND HIS MOTHER - v.21

1. God may call you to Salvation while you are deeply engrossed in Egypt- worst sin of worldliness
2. But like Joseph, or Prodigal son- YOU have the choice!- Arise and git!  Do you choose to?
3. God warned Joseph - of Herod's son- Archelaus (banished 6 AD) -so he avoided his kingdom! -

C.- BUT THE MESSAGE IS CLEAR FOR THE NEW YEAR- "OUT OF EGYPT HAVE I CALLED MY SON". v.15c

1. If God so called Israel, and Joseph- what of His calling to you? Can He find your ear open?
2. Are the garlic and leeks of Egypt sweeter than the Manna and Honey with God? you Know -so act
3. Aaron brought the idea of the Golden Calf with him- "People made me do it"-"It came out of the fire"

I like some other words from Hosea -10:12,13 to warn us today! God wants not innocence-but virtue

III.- THE SPOKEN PROPHECY "THE NAZARENE" V. 23

Note - this was "spoken" by the prophets but nowhere is it in the Written Word! -that's OK

A.- NOT ALL OF GOD'S COMMANDS COME WITH THE SAME VOLUME, BUT THEY ALL MEAN BUSINESS - LISTEN CAREFULLY

1. Many of the "Thou Shalt Not's" and "Thou Shalt's" are written plainly in the Word of God-Obey
2. But some things come from God's personal touch of your heart - for you personally! - Guidance
3. Here is test of real honesty- no one but you can know for sure! -but never violates Word!

B.- PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BEING A NAZARENE, AND A NAZARITE!- be wise!

1. The OT vow of a Nazarite- Num 6:1- freedom from natural life to especially serve God! -
2. But Jesus was a Nazarene (the church chose the name) - this meant he was trained in Nazareth
3. This was the hill country- ill repute in Jerusalem, wretched, uncultured (Okies) but MEN!

C.- HAS GOD BEEN ABLE TO CALL YOUR HEART FROM EGYPT TO NAZARETH? WORLDLINESS TO RUSTIC GODLINESS?

1. "The Buck stops here" blame environment, parents, but you face God for yourself! What so?
2. You have the choice (Two brothers in Nazi death camp, one saint, other swine) - which do you choose?
3. With your Intellect-see you've been wrong; with Emotions- be sorry you have missed God's best & with your Will-come to the Lord- let Him guide you from your Egypt to your Nazareth!

WHEN FACED WITH LIFE'S PROBLEMS, DIFFERENT PEOPLE REACT DIFFERENT WAYS- BUT ALL BEAR RESPONSIBILITY!

1. Some flee into anger, drunkenness, drugs, rebellion, want to fight God, preacher, & run!
2. Some listen to the Angel of the Lord- and get on their knees-repent & seek forgiveness!
3. Then they get up and get out of Egypt- let God guide them to clean life, training & service

As you end this old year will you stay in Egypt? Why?