Born in Bethlehem, Called out of Egypt, A Nazarene

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the cast to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the cast, and are come to worship him.

* Mathew 2:1-2

The wise men from the east had stopped in Jerusalem to enquire about the birth of Jesus. Herod, surprised to learn this news, asked the chief priests and scribes where he was to be born.

And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,

* Mathew 2:4-5

Herod tells the wise men to go find out where the child stays and to return with the news so he could worship him also.

When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

* Mathew 2:9-11

God warned the 3 wise men in a dream not to return to Herod, so they returned to their country a different route.

And the Angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him to quickly depart for Egypt and reside there until Herod was dead. And he, Mary and Jesus did reside there until Herod's death.

Then God appeared to Joseph in a dream and told him to return to Israel. And they did depart and fulfilled the prophecy;

When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.

* Hosea 11:1

Joseph learned that Archelaus, son of Herod was ruler in Judea, and being warned by God in a dream, he went to Galilee instead, to Nazareth, and resided there.

- Excerpt from Chapter 15, Son of God, Son of Man in book Called To Faith: An Illustrative Journey

Engage with the detailed narrative and vibrant illustrations in this faith-centered journey through Biblical history

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