Wise men (magi) found the Christ Child in Bethlehem and worshiped Him, about two years after the birth of Jesus.
(Matthew 2:1-2)

Joseph and Herod the Great: two men, two very different men, in their response to the baby Jesus.
Herod the Great learned of Messiah’s prophetic birth – he believed his throne in Jerusalem was in jeopardy.
Joseph, what about Joseph, Mary and the Child in Bethlehem?

Joseph
An angel sent from God in heaven appeared to Joseph in a dream saying, “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.”  (NASB Matthew 2:13)

Joseph obeyed immediately, while it was still night this small family fled to Egypt.  They would stay in Egypt until they were told by an angel that it was safe to return to Israel.  (Matthew 2:14-15)

Herod the Great
Herod was enraged when he found the magi had tricked him by not coming back with specific information about the location of Messiah.

He sent his soldiers to Bethlehem and the surrounding area to kill all males two years and under.  (Matthew 2:16)

Again, God’s prophetic word was fulfilled as given through the prophet Hosea 11:1.
(NIV) Matthew 2:18 “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.”

The living God knows our hearts.  He knew the hearts of Joseph and Herod the Great.
God knows our innermost motives and the secret places of our minds.

Consider Joseph – he was chosen by God to protect the life of the toddler, Jesus, by immediate obedience to God’s word.

Consider Herod – known by God for his jealousy and murderous intent to get rid of anyone who threatened his throne.

Consider yourself – what does the God of the Bible know about you that you want to keep hidden?

~ Take it to heart ~

God knows my heart and my motives.  How do I respond to God and His words?  Am I quick to obey as Joseph was?  Or is jealousy in control and wanting to hurt people my goal?  What IS my attitude in life?

(NASB) Psalm 139:23-24 “Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me and know my anxious thoughts;
24 And see if there be any hurtful way in me,
And lead me in the everlasting way.”  Amen!