Has there been a time in your life on which you can look back and “˜see”™ God”™s intervention in your behalf? Can you remember, and now understand, God”™s preparation and provision for you in your circumstances?

Joseph and Mary would have said “˜Yes!”™ to these questions, can you?

(NASB) Matthew 2:15 “He remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: Out of Egypt i called My Son.”

Joseph and his family stayed in Egypt after they fled from Bethlehem. They had been told to go to Egypt by God.

Only those who have had to suddenly flee their home, their jobs, their family, can understand the stress and fear that must have been a part of fleeing to Egypt. The baby”™s life was in danger, this baby Who they had been given responsibility for by God. Mary and Joseph probably suffered heart-pounding fear and stress.

Immigrants going to a new land and a different life know the difficulties of finding a home, a job, a place to worship, being integrated into the fabric of society which is different from what they have known. This is what Joseph and Mary had to acclimate to in Egypt.

When Joseph and Mary left in the middle of the night, they would have only been able to take basic necessities and possibly a few carpenters tools (related to Joseph”™s vocation).

It has been suggested that the gifts from the wise men were used to supplement their needs ““ gold, frankincense and myrrh all could have been traded or sold for needed finances in Egypt.

Scripture does not tell us how long they lived in Egypt”¦it could have been weeks, or months, or even years. God was not surprised by these needs, in fact He prepared for these very circumstances and had forewarned of this time in Egypt:

(NASB) Hosea 11:1 “WHEN ISRAEL was a youth, I loved him,

And out of Egypt I called My son.”

God cares for you and me”¦He is never surprised by surprising circumstances in our lives”¦look to Him, lean on Him, learn His ways, for He loves you!