Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king. Wise men from the east came to Jerusalem searching and asking for He who has been born, king of the Jews. They had seen His star in the east and have come to worship Him. When King Herod heard this, he and all of Jerusalem were disturbed. So he called all the chief priests and scribes and anxiously asked where the messiah was supposed to be born.

            The scribes and priests informed the king that it was in prophecy by Micah that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, in the land of Judah. Herod security sent for the magi (wise men) and learned when the exact time the star had first appeared. He then lied to the wise men by encouraging them to go and find the baby then to come back and tell him so he could then go and worship Him.

            The wise men did as they were told and when and found the baby with His mother, Mary. They fell down and worshiped Him and gave Him gifts fit for a king (gold, frankincense, and myrrh). God had warned them in a dream not to go back to Herod so they then went to back to their own country but a different way as to avoid Herod altogether.

            After the wise men left Joseph was visited by an angel of God in a dream and was told to get the baby and Mary and to leave to Egypt because Herod was on a mission to find the baby and have him killed. Herod was acting in fear, fear of losing his power and title. Joseph woke up and in the middle of the night followed the orders and they all left towards Egypt, where he remained until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken to Hosea.

            Before Herod died, he had realized he was tricked by the wisemen when they did not retur. He ordered his soldiers to then go and kill all of the male children in Bethlehem and in all that area who were under the age of two thus fulfilling the prophecy of Jer 31:15.

            When Herod died, an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream again and told Joseph to get up and take the child and Mary back to Israel for the one who was after the baby was dead. So Joseph packed them up and headed to Israel, but when we got close he heard that Herod’s son Archelaus he started to fear that they would be found. But he had no reason to fear, God loved Joseph and already had his needs met, he was then warned by God to go to Galilee and settle there, thus fulfilling prophecy that He shall be called a Nazarene.

            Every time Joseph was given instructions he didn't hesitate. Even in the middle of the night, he didn't wait till morning when it would be easier in the light of day. His trust allowed him to jump the second he was told to jump. His faith, trust and obedience was honorable. When we hear God tell us to do something, we should do it, immediately unless He tells us to wait.