Topical Bible: God: Warning Joseph in Dreams

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In the biblical narrative, God’s communication through dreams is a significant method by which divine guidance and warnings are imparted. The account of God warning Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, through dreams is a profound example of this divine interaction. This narrative is primarily found in the Gospel of Matthew, where Joseph receives critical instructions that ensure the safety and fulfillment of God’s plan for the Messiah.

Joseph's First Dream: The Assurance of Mary's Purity

The first instance of God communicating with Joseph through a dream occurs when Joseph learns of Mary's pregnancy. Being a righteous man, Joseph initially plans to divorce her quietly to avoid public disgrace. However, God intervenes through an angelic message in a dream. The angel reassures Joseph of Mary's purity and divine conception, instructing him to take Mary as his wife. The angel declares, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 1:20). This dream not only provides Joseph with the assurance he needs but also aligns him with God's salvific plan, as he is instructed to name the child Jesus, "because He will save His people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21).

Joseph's Second Dream: The Flight to Egypt

The second dream occurs after the visit of the Magi, who have come to worship the newborn King. Herod, feeling threatened by the prophecy of a new king, plans to destroy the child. In this critical moment, God warns Joseph in a dream, instructing him to flee to Egypt with Mary and Jesus. The angel commands, "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 immediate obedience to this divine warning ensures the safety of Jesus, fulfilling the prophecy, "Out of Egypt I called My Son" (Matthew 2:15).

Joseph's Third Dream: The Return to Israel

After Herod's death, God communicates with Joseph once more through a dream, instructing him to return to the land of Israel. The angel appears to Joseph, saying, "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 demonstrates his continued faithfulness and trust in God's guidance.

Joseph's Fourth Dream: Settling in Nazareth

Upon returning to Israel, Joseph learns that Archelaus, Herod's son, reigns in Judea. In response to this potential threat, God warns Joseph in another dream, leading him to settle in the region of Galilee, specifically in the town of Nazareth. This relocation fulfills the prophetic word that Jesus "would be called a Nazarene" (Matthew 2:23).

Theological Significance

The dreams given to Joseph highlight the sovereignty and providence of God in the unfolding of the redemptive history. Through these divine warnings, God not only protects the infant Jesus but also ensures the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. Joseph's role as a faithful and obedient servant underscores the importance of responsiveness to God's guidance, serving as a model of righteousness and trust in divine wisdom. These dreams illustrate the intimate and personal nature of God's communication with His people, affirming His active involvement in the world to accomplish His purposes.

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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 2:13,19,20
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 Story of Joseph
... So Pharaoh told his dreams, and as Joseph listened he knew at once that
they had been sent as a warning from God. Seven years of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/steedman/joseph the dreamer/the story of joseph.htm

Chapter xxxvii
... signifying "he whom Ra (the sun god) gave," a ... out: the father's godly influence;
the warning example of ... of the double dream; the sparing of Joseph's life when ...
/.../leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxxvii.htm

Chapter xli
... Since a needed warning is involved, Joseph summarizes in respect to the famine:
"it ... "The matter is fully determined by God." It is not contingent upon the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xli.htm

"We have Seen his Star"
... In like manner Joseph received warning to flee into ... the young child to destroy Him."
Joseph obeyed without ... Through the wise men, God had called the attention ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 6 we have seen.htm

The King in Exile
... which contains the new law for the kingdom of God. ... The warning to the wise men was
also conveyed in a ... dreams in the history of the earlier Joseph, whose life ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the king in exile.htm

Chapter xlii
... The original fear of God, more or less a ... them, though he now makes his warning stronger
than ... and recriminations than the thought that Joseph might understand. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xlii.htm

Is God in the Camp?
... is the fault of which Peter gives warning concerning the ... If God be with his people,
they will soon see ... say, in the words of Israel to Joseph, "God shall be ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/is god in the camp.htm

General Index
... 63 St. Joseph's Day . . . . . ... 277 Time given to God's service . . . . . ...
350. W. Warning against impostors . . . . . ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/general index.htm

Palestine under Pagan Kings.
... His successor cared neither for Joseph nor his countrymen ... acknowledged the greatness
of the God whom they ... him by Daniel; but, neglecting the warning, "his heart ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/palestine under pagan kings.htm

The Sentence which Condemned the Judges
... Was her dream a divine warning, or a mere reflection in ... that Matthew records several
dreams which conveyed God's will,"for example, to Joseph and to the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the sentence which condemned the.htm