Topical Bible: Angel (A Spirit): Appearances of To Joseph, in a Dream

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In the biblical narrative, angels are often depicted as messengers of God, delivering divine guidance and revelation to individuals. One of the notable instances of angelic appearances in dreams is found in the life of Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus Christ. These appearances are recorded in the Gospel of Matthew and play a crucial role in the unfolding of the events surrounding the birth and early life of Jesus.

1. First Appearance: Assurance to Take Mary as Wife

The first angelic appearance to Joseph occurs after he discovers that Mary, his betrothed, is with child. Being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, Joseph considers divorcing her quietly. However, an angel of the Lord appears to him in a dream, providing reassurance and divine instruction. The angel says:

"Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the One conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a Son, and you shall give Him the name Jesus, because He will save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:20-21)

This message not only alleviates Joseph's concerns but also affirms the divine nature of Mary's pregnancy, emphasizing the fulfillment of prophecy and the salvific mission of Jesus.

2. Second Appearance: Warning to Flee to Egypt

Following the visit of the Magi and their homage to the newborn Jesus, Joseph receives another divine message through an angelic dream. The angel instructs him to take immediate action to protect the child from impending danger:

"Get up! Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him." (Matthew 2:13)

Joseph's prompt obedience to this warning ensures the safety of Jesus, as Herod subsequently orders the massacre of all male children in Bethlehem under the age of two.

3. Third Appearance: Instruction to Return to Israel

After the death of Herod, the angel appears to Joseph once more in a dream, signaling the end of their sojourn in Egypt and the beginning of their return to Israel:

"Get up! Take the Child and His mother and go to the land of Israel, for those seeking the Child’s life are now dead." (Matthew 2:20)

Joseph's compliance with this directive leads the family back to the land of Israel, where they eventually settle in Nazareth, fulfilling another prophetic word that Jesus would be called a Nazarene.

These angelic appearances to Joseph highlight the divine orchestration and protection surrounding the early life of Jesus. They underscore the importance of obedience to God's guidance and the fulfillment of prophetic scripture. Through these dreams, Joseph is equipped to fulfill his role as the guardian of the Messiah, ensuring the safety and well-being of the Holy Family during a critical period in salvation history.

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Matthew 1:20
But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, you son of David, fear not to take to you Mary your wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
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Matthew 2:13,19
And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appears to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be you there until I bring you word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
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Library

The Divine Word
... with knowledge, intelligence, and wisdom, and become an angel. ... handle Me and see,
for a spirit hath not ... the very truths of heaven, but are appearances of them ...
/.../swedenborg/spiritual life and the word of god/part fourththe divine word.htm

The Incredulous Disciples
... The two appearances to Mary Magdalene and to the travellers to ... The angel's words
are a succession of short sentences, which ... He calms their tumult of spirit. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/the incredulous disciples.htm

The Women of the Gospel Narrative the Study of the Early Christian ...
... of Christ's life is owing to the spirit and presence of ... Did she settle down to all
appearances as an ordinary ... Thereupon an angel appears to him and informs him ...
/.../brittain/women of early christianity/i the women of the.htm

The Gospel Refuge.
... our houses, so that the destroying angel may not ... an unkind word to bear, a proud
spirit to humble ... surface, are not pleased with outward appearances without good ...
/.../macduff/the cities of refuge or the name of jesus/iii the gospel refuge.htm

Index i. Of Subjects
... Gabriel, angel, how regarded by the Jews, i.142; ... Holy Spirit, the, descent of,
at Christ's Baptism, i.284-287; ... appearances after, 634-651; ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/index i of subjects.htm

A Canticle of Love
... To all appearances, I was well cared for, and yet ... Had not this Spirit of Truth already
dictated these words ... be," thought the Mother, "if this Angel would only ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/martin/the story of a soul/chapter xi a canticle of.htm

The Immaculate Conception
... Even the hateful, evil, false appearances of towers, chalices, and ... It had in it more
of the spirit and less of the ... it, from the appearance of the angel to Anna ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/ii the immaculate conception.htm

The Life of Anne Catherine Emmerich
... churches shown to her under the appearances of vineyards ... began hers by following
her angel guardian either to ... she performed many labours in spirit, for several ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/the life of anne catherine.htm

The Doctrine of Jesus Christ.
... as to exclaim, "But though we, or an angel from heaven ... All these appearances bear
witness to the fact that it was not an incorporeal spirit or phantom, but ...
/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrine of jesus christ.htm

Doctrinal and Moral Treatises. Index of Subjects.
... Angel, Temple may not be built to an, [337 ... of saints whether themselves or angelic
appearances, doubtful, [407 ... by dispensation of the Holy Spirit: interpose not ...
/.../on care to be had for the dead /doctrinal and moral treatises index.htm