Out of Egypt

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Another dream.  This one came with urgency, chasing sleep away without mercy.  It wasn't like the previous one.  The one he'd had in Nazareth while he was thinking of quietly seeking a divorce.  That dream answered an agonizing pain in his heart.  It came with the warmth of knowing his love for his betrothed was not in vain.  The spirit of God touched him.  He was entrusted to protect the child in Mary's womb, from a world spinning out of control.

Urgency.

He jumped up from his slumber.  She would wonder why.  The child might fuss.

Just a few days ago, the magi had visited their tiny abode.  Star seekers.  Men of wisdom who spoke of a certain star, and its announcement of a king's birth.  They brought gifts, gold, frankincense and myrrh.  They'd made mention of their plan to return to their land by a different route.  They too had received a dream in their slumber.  Herod was evil, but every Israelite knew that. 

Urgency.

His heart raced in his chest as Mary woke, wide eyed. "A dream," he said. "A dream that speaks of danger.  Herod seeks the child with an evil plan."

She understood.

"Where shall we go, Joseph?" She asked as she cradled the child against her.

Mary's dark eyes were fearful.  To Joseph she was the most trusting woman he'd ever known.  She trusted him, and most of all, she possessed an unquestionable faith in the God of Israel.  Joseph was not a knowledgeable man when it came to scripture.  But once, he'd heard it said, that the son would be called out of Egypt.  He knew the path they were walking was foretold in the words of the prophets.

"In the dream, I was told we should go to Egypt.  Herod is a jealous king.  He will go to any extent to keep his power.  The magi spoke of a star, and Jesus, remember.  There are prophecies that speak of this."

They gathered what little they had besides the gifts of the magi.  As they slipped from the tiny dwelling, made their way through dark alleys, and began their journey from the hand that sought to crush the child, Mary pondered things, and whispered to herself, "Out of Egypt, I called my son," and then, with tears in her eyes she added, "...and Rachel cries for her children."



copyright 2025 - Donald P James Jr

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