Matthew 2:19-23

¹⁹ But after the dying of Herod, see, an angel of the Lord appears in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,

²⁰ He is saying, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who wanted to kill the soul of the child are dead.”

²¹ And he got up and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel.

²² But after hearing that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the region of Galilee.

²³ And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, that what the prophets said might be fulfilled: “He shall be called a Nazarene.” _________________________________________

Dreams

Just like the Old Testament Joseph, this earthly parent of Jesus gets much of his information through dreams. Dreams are not the “normal” way of getting word from God, but Jesus’ life was not a normal life. The LORD reserves the right to change our direction, and he is free to communicate his will any way he chooses. Joseph was sensitive to the LORD’s direction through his dreams.

The author of Hebrews writes: “Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God communicated to our fathers through the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us through his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world” (Hebrews 1:1-2). The normal way we hear from God today is by listening to the words of Jesus. However, if the Holy Spirit needs to, he can speak to us through a dream, or even another burning bush.

Holy Spirit, give us the good sense to listen to Jesus’ words. Give us also the sensitivity of Joseph, to hear you when you speak in other ways.