The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Matthew 2:13-16, “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.
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” (Hosea 11:1).
16 Then when Herod saw that he had been tricked by the magi, he became very enraged, and sent and slew all the male children who were in Bethlehem and all its vicinity, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the magi.”

Just about the last thing imaginable is seeing innocent people to run away. Running spells guilt. Yet, there are 89 instances in the Bible of people “going away,” mostly from unwholesome situations. In this case, it was the LORD’s directive for Joseph and his family to run away. They may have known that Herod possessed a violent temper; but it appears that they had no clue that he was planning for the innocent children. He was insanely maddening in his effort to do away with Jesus!

What Joseph and Mary did not know, the LORD knew; and encouraged them to escape in the effort to save young Jesus’ Life. Joseph obedience also demonstrates his love for his family as well as his trust in the LORD.

In the end, Herod the Great was tricked (??????? empaizo, literally mocked), which doubtlessly only added to his already violent temper. He cruelly slew all the male children (pais), which numerous scholars say numbered about 20.

Satan himself is exceedingly cruel! He’s the father of all hatred and deceit. When we engage in such ourselves, we are simply following him and his ways. He is always tricking us. We need to run away. Running away is not cowardice anymore than staying indoors when we have a serious fever. It was God’s directive to Joseph, and it proved to be their salvation.

Practice running away from evil whatever its origin. Evil is always from Satan and works to bring us down. God bless you in this Christmas Season. Show love to everyone, and run, Run, RUN always away from evil.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom