When you were a child, how did you respond to your parent”™s authority? As you have gone into your teen years, and adulthood, how have you “˜handled”™ the authority of your teachers, instructors, employers and “˜bosses”™? Is your attitude one of rebellion or arrogance? (Rebellion and arrogance can be shown through the flash of an eye, a facial expression, body language, a tone of voice. And these attitudes are “˜read”™ by others.)

Joseph, the husband of Mary, responded to God as his authority ““ he listened and acted appropriately and promptly”¦he was a godly man who obeyed God”™s word.

The wise men had come to Bethlehem, had worshiped Jesus, and then they went home, by-passing Jerusalem where King Herod was waiting for them.

(NASB) Matthew 2:13-14 “Now when they had gone, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “˜Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is going to search for the Child to destroy Him.”™

14 So Joseph got up and took the Child and His mother while it was still night, and left for Egypt.”

God had always used a dream and an angel to convey His message to Joseph. (See Matthew 1:20: when God instructed Joseph to take pregnant Mary as his wife.)

Joseph always acted upon God”™s instructions to him. He was a godly man who listened and responded to God”™s words to him. Have you listened to God”™s words through reading the Bible? Have you responded to what God says to do in your everyday life?

What Joseph was asked to do was not easy. 1) He married a pregnant woman, who had conceived by the Holy Spirit (See Matthew 1:20)

2) He took his pregnant wife to Bethlehem. (See Luke 2:4-5)

3) He was there when Jesus was born and the shepherds came to worship and tell of the wonder of that night”™s events in the fields.

4) He was faithful in caring for his wife and legal heir ““ Jesus.

5) He was told to flee, to go immediately to Egypt with his wife and baby.

6) He was to live in a foreign land until God said to return to Israel.

7) He believed God”™s messenger ““ because Jesus”™ life was in danger.

8) He acted immediately, without hesitation, no procrastination, no “˜reasons”™ for all the things that were obstacles.

How do you respond to God and His words?