Baby Jesus' Great Escape! A Journey to Egypt
Meta Description:
Discover the amazing true story of how Baby Jesus and His family fled to Egypt to escape a wicked king. Learn about their journey, the customs of the day, and God's watchful care.
Introduction: Baby Jesus' Great Escape! A Journey to Egypt
Baby Jesus' Escape to Egypt Bible Verses: Matthew 2: 13 - 17.
13 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.
14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:
15 And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.
16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men.
17 Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying,
18 In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.
A Very Important Dream
Do you know what dreams are? Sometimes when we sleep, we have pictures and stories in our heads. Well, Baby Jesus’s earthly father, Joseph, had a very important dream one night.
An angel, a messenger from God, came to him in his sleep. The angel said, "Joseph! Wake up! Take the baby Jesus and His mother, Mary, and run away to a far-off land called Egypt. A bad king named Herod wants to hurt baby Jesus."
Can you imagine how Joseph felt? He loved his family so much! He knew he had to protect them.
Getting Ready to Go to Egypt
Now, in those days, families lived very close together. Fathers worked hard, often as carpenters like Joseph, or as farmers, tending their sheep or growing food. Mothers took care of the home, weaving cloth for clothes, baking bread, and taking care of the children. When an important message came, especially one about danger, families listened.
Joseph knew they couldn’t waste a moment. He had to prepare for a long journey. What do you think they would need? Food? Water? Blankets to keep warm at night? Yes, all of those things! Travel in those days wasn't like getting in a car or a bus. Oh no! Most people walked, and sometimes they had a donkey to help carry their things or a weary traveler.
The Long Road Ahead: A Journey Through the Desert
Imagine leaving your home in the middle of the night! Joseph gently woke Mary, and together they got baby Jesus ready. Mary probably wrapped Him snugly in a warm cloth, just like moms do today to keep their babies cozy.
Their journey would take them from Bethlehem, a small town in ancient Israel, all the way to Egypt. Look at a map, and you'll see it was a long, long way! They would have to travel through deserts. Have you ever seen pictures of a desert? It's often sandy, with big dunes, and sometimes very hot during the day, but oh so cold at night!
There aren't many places to stop for water, so they had to carry enough with them. The air would be dry, and the sun could be very strong. It was a tough journey for anyone, let alone a family with a tiny baby.
They would have journeyed past places where shepherds watched their sheep, just like they did the night Jesus was born. They might have seen other travelers, merchants carrying goods to sell in faraway cities, or families moving from one place to another. Life was a journey for many in those ancient times.
Customs Along the Way to Egypt
As they traveled, they would rely on the kindness of strangers. Do you know about hospitality? It was a very important custom then. If you saw someone traveling, especially a family, you would offer them food and water, maybe even a place to rest for the night. It was how people helped each other in a world where there were no hotels on every corner!
They would have spoken Aramaic, the language many people in Israel spoke. And when they got to Egypt, they would hear Egyptian! People of different lands often meet, and sometimes they learn each other’s words.
Safe in Egypt
After many days of walking and riding, with the donkey carrying their precious cargo, they finally arrived in Egypt.
Here, they were safe. Joseph found work, maybe still as a carpenter, using his strong hands to build and fix things. Mary cared for Jesus, watching Him grow from a tiny baby into a toddler, just like you! They lived in Egypt for a while, waiting for another message from God.
A Sad Time Back Home
But what about that bad King Herod? While Joseph, Mary, and Jesus were safe in Egypt, King Herod was very angry because he couldn't find Jesus. He did a very, very sad thing. He sent his soldiers to Bethlehem and the areas around it and told them to hurt all the little baby boys who were two years old and younger. Why did he do this? He was scared that this new baby king, Jesus, would take his place. Can you believe how mean he was?
This made many mothers and fathers in Bethlehem cry very much. It was a terrible time. It reminds us that even in Bible times, there were sometimes sad and hard things that happened. But God always watched over His special people.
Time to Go Home
After some time, when King Herod had died, another angel appeared to Joseph in a dream in Egypt. The angel said, "Joseph, you can go home now. The bad king is gone, and it is safe for baby Jesus."
So, Joseph, Mary, and now a slightly older Jesus packed up their things again. They made another long journey, not back to Bethlehem, but to a town called Nazareth in Galilee. This was their new home, and Jesus grew up there, learning and playing, just like you are doing now.
God's Wonderful Plan
This story shows us how God always takes care of His children. Even when things are scary or hard, He has a plan, and He protects those He loves. Joseph and Mary trusted God, and because of their obedience, Baby Jesus was kept safe to grow up and one day save the world! Isn't that amazing?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Why did King Herod want to hurt baby Jesus?
A: King Herod was a very powerful ruler. He was afraid that Baby Jesus, who was called the "King of the Jews," would grow up and take his throne. He wanted to be the only king!
Q: How long did they stay in Egypt?
A: The Bible doesn't say exactly how long, but it was long enough for Herod to die. Many scholars believe it was for a few years - maybe 3 years and 5 months.
Q: Did other people live in Egypt from Israel?
A: Yes! There were many Jewish people living in Egypt at that time. It wasn't uncommon for people to travel and live in different lands for work or safety. This made it easier for Joseph and Mary to find a place to fit in.
Q: Was it hard for families to travel in those days?
A: Yes, very hard! There were no paved roads, no cars, and often dangers like robbers or wild animals. Journeys were long and challenging, and people relied on donkeys, camels, or their own two feet.
👉 Take the Quiz: Baby Jesus' Great Escape! A Journey to Egypt.
👉 Use the flashcards: Baby Jesus' Great Escape! A Journey to Egypt
Conclusion
So, my friends, the story of Baby Jesus’s flight to Egypt is a wonderful adventure! It teaches us about courage, faith, and God’s loving protection. Just like Joseph and Mary trusted God, we can trust Him too, knowing that He watches over us always. What a great story about a special family and a very special baby!
Call to Action
What part of the story did you like the most? Talk to your family about it! You can also draw a picture of Joseph, Mary, and Baby Jesus on their journey.
Discover more about Baby Jesus' Escape To Egypt
References
Brown, R. E. (1993). The Birth of the Messiah: A Commentary on the Infancy Narratives in Matthew and Luke. Doubleday.
Keener, C. S. (1999). A Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing.
No comments:
Post a Comment