December 14, 2021

Now when [the wise men] had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.” When he arose, he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt I called My Son.” Matthew 2:14-15

Jacob, meaning deceiver, was renamed Israel which means Overcomer with God (see Genesis 32:28). Isn’t it wonderful that God can rename each of us with a name symbolizing the new character He can build in us!

“…And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.” Revelation 2:17

Jacob’s son, Joseph, had been hated by his own brothers and sold into slavery in Egypt. But God protected and preserved Joseph, and he is seen as a type of Christ in that he planned ahead to preserve many lives in the days of famine (see Genesis 50:20).

In the days when Moses—also a type of Christ—was prompted by the LORD to return to Egypt to check on his brethren, the divine instructions included approaching Pharaoh:

“Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the LORD: “Israel is My son, My firstborn. So I say to you, let My son go, that he may serve Me…”’” Exodus 4:22-23a

And Pharaoh said, “Who is the LORD, that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the LORD, nor will I let Israel go.” Exodus 5:2

The land of Egypt had been abundantly blessed with natural resources. As is so often the case, rich material blessings have a way of blinding men to their need of God. But the purposes of God have never been hindered by the blindness of men. Therein lies a multi-dimensional eye-opener! There is no amount of rebellion against God that will thwart His divine foresight and planning.

“Behold! My Servant whom I have chosen, My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased! I will put My Spirit upon Him and He will declare justice to the Gentiles. He will not quarrel nor cry out, Nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets. A bruised reed He will not break, And smoking flax He will not quench, Till He sends forth justice to victory; And in His name Gentiles will trust.” Matthew 12:18-21