Egypt, Jesus, and Turmoil

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

Probably the most recognizable reference to Egypt in the bible is Mary and Joseph's flight to Egypt after being warned in a dream by an angel (Matthew 2:13-23). Their flight into Egypt was the result of Herod's paranoia over losing power in the kingdom. The birth of Christ was a sign of peace and comfort for believers, but for nonbelievers, it is trouble. Not only did Christ's family flee to Egypt, but it also brought the death of dozens of infants.

In Herod's paranoid state, he ordered the slaughter of children two years old and younger. The Christian church refers to these as the "Holy Innocents," the first martyrs of the New Testament.

All praise for infant martyrs
whom Your mysterious love ...

called early from their warfare
to share Your home above.
O Rachel, cease your weeping;
they rest from earthbound cares.
Lord, grant us hearts as guileless
And crowns as bright as theirs.
(Horatio B. Nelson LW 193, st. 9)

Now Egypt is once again in turmoil. There is a power struggle going on. People are dying and the balance of good government (Luther on Good Government) is teetering. Let us pray that God restore order in Egypt.

However, this is bigger than Egypt. Without good government in Egypt, the order of the region is also teetering. Extremists are trying to step in and gain control. Extremists are trying to step in around the world and in the end, it will be an important time for Christians to hold firm.

Just as God protected Christ so that the Father's will be done, so too, will He protect His church and the message of His Word, for the sake of Christ and forgiveness to the world.