The way out….
At the time of Jesus birth; Herod, who was king, heard a prophesy: a king would be born, whose kingdom shall never end. He then set out to make sure that never happened. He liked power and didn’t want to give it, or his throne up to anyone. It was the custom for a king to entertain visitors of importance from other countries. Herod, during such a visit, ask these Magi whom sought in their travels. They told him about the star in the east that they were following, which appeared announcing the birth of the prophesied King of the Jews. Time was of the essences, “when exactly did the star appear?” Herod asked. The wise men told him, and how long they had been traveling toward that star. Herod ask them to send him word when they found the child, for he too wanted to worship him. That of course was a lie, he wanted to protect his throne.
God’s timing has always been perfect, and it was no mistake that Mary and Joseph were living in a house in Bethlehem after the census, where the Magi found them. They brought, gold, frankincense, and myrrh, all very expensive gifts, to honor the child whose birth was marked by the star. The Lord spoke to the Magi in a dream telling them not to go back by Herod, the way they came, but to go another way home. Then the Lord spoke to Joseph in a dream, and told them to take the child and flee, for Herod wanted to kill him. Now that the Magi had paid homage to the Christ child, they had the funds to make their escape from danger into Egypt. Herod, knew by now the Magi were not coming back to tell him where to find the Christ child, so he commenced to kill every male child in Bethlehem, two years old and under. Joseph and Mary lived in Egypt until the death of Herod. Then left there and went to live in Nazareth.
God provided a way of escape for Mary and Joseph. He also warned the Magi to keep them safe from the wrath of Herod, and protecting the Promised Child. Because that escape was successful, Jesus was able to fulfill all the prophecies about him, including his death on the cross. That death gave us a way of escape from eternal damnation. Again, like before, the escape was financed by very precious gifts: the life blood, the burial, and the resurrection of Jesus, making possible our escape to Salvation. As children of God, we are still faced with trials, dangers, and temptations, but the same God that paid with his only Son, is faithful and will also make a way of escape for you on a daily basis.
As parents we need to teach our children that God is always with them, even to the end of the earth. Keep them in the Word so they have knowledge of the promises they can count on, like the way of escape.
We as writers have our characters get out of one peril after another by the skin of their teeth. They always seem to find a way of escape. What was the price of their freedom?
“And 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.”
Matthew 2:13
How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
Hebrews 2:3-4
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
I Corinthians 10:13