The Harmony of the Gospels, Chapter 5
CAP. V.
The Return of Ieſus Chriſt out of Egypt into Iſrael the Church of God.
THough Gods deareſt children may be baniſhed out of the Church into the world, yet they have no quiet and reſt to continue there. Godly hearts long for the enjoyment of Gods preſence in his in…tituted worſhip. They can …nd no reſt in their ſouls, ſo long as they are at a diſtance from the viſible preſence of God. David is a lively Type of all this, that Jeſus the Son of David ſuffered. Pſal. 84. per totum. is a very lively deſcription of the frame of Davids heart, in the time of his baniſhment and flight: and hereby is ſet forth with what frame of heart Jeſus as Mediator, and his parents were exerciſed, in the mournfull time of their reſidence in Egypt, all which time, is a part of the ſuffering times of Jeſus Chriſt in this world, whereby he ſanctified ſuch a condition, to his ſervants, when he ſhall ſo try them. O what longing deſires were in their godly hearts to leave that dead world, lying in Egyptian darkneſs, and to come into the light of the Lord, in the Land of Iſrael, Pſal. 84.2. My Soul longeth yea even fainteth for the Courts of my God: my heart and my fleſh cryeth out for the living God. But they were commanded to tarry till the Angel ſhould bring them word, and call them to return. Math. 2.13, Be thou there till I bring thee word. They were commanded to attend to divine direction in all their motions. It was a great help to their holy hearts, to be and ſtay in that dark land, becauſe God ſent them thither: it was alſo a great help to them in patient waiting for deliverance, becauſe they had a promiſe that deliverance ſhould come: For theſe words [till I come] expreſs a purpoſe in the heart of the Lord to come, who never faileth to accompliſh all his purpoſes of love to his children: and it is a promiſe to tell him when it will be fittin… and ſafe for their return.
When the time was come, the Angel came according to his promiſe, Math. 2.19.20. But when Herod was dead, behold an Angel of the Lord appeared to Joſeph in a Dream, in Egypt, ſaying, ariſe and take the young child and his mother, and goe into the Land of Iſrael; for they are dead that ſought the young childs life. This was done, Mat. 2.15. that it might be fulfilled which was ſpoken by the Prophet, Hoſ. 11.2. Out of Egypt have I called my Son. Gods calling of Iſrael out of Egypt, was a Type of his calling his Son Jeſus out of Egypt. And this is to be noted, that he ſends him out of Egypt into the land of Iſrael; out of that dark world, into the Church where Gods preſence was, and where the light of God ſhined, where the communion of Saints was to be enjoyed. And when he cometh there, he leaveth him to act according …o his prudence. And hereby the Lord put them into another dark and difficult …ryal, as will preſently appear.
Joſeph obeyeth (gladly no doubt) this divine Direction, Mat. 2.21. He aroſe and …ook the young child and his mother, aod went into the Land of Iſrael. VntoUnto what place …e went, it is not ſaid, but he ſoon heard that Archilaus reigned in his fathers ſtead. …oſeph underſtanding him to be ambitious of the Kingdome, as his father Herod …ad been, he feared to goe into Judea. And now was he in a great ſtraight. No …oubt they cryed to God for further divine direction, whether to goe. Then did …he Lord give them a further particular direction, Mat. 2.22.23. being warned of God in a dream, he turned aſide into the parts of Galile, and came and dwelt in a city …alled Nazaret. This place the Lord did appoint for the place of the education …f the child. Galile was under another Jurisdiction: it was a more obſcure place where nobody would look to find the King of Iſrael, the Meſſiah. It is called Galile of the Gentiles, Mat. 4 15. And Nazaret was an obſcure place, out of which no body looked for ſuch a Branch to grow and ſpring. Ioh. 1.46. Good Nathaniel ſaid, can any good thing come out of Nazaret? And as this might be an inducement to go thither, becauſe Nazaret was their own city, Luk. 1.26, 27. The place where Joſeph and Mary dwelt, before, and at the time of her Conception, and where they had (no doubt) many godly friends and acquaintance, who would deſire their return thither. And abo…e all other inducements, Mathew taketh notice of the divine Propheſ…, Mat. 2.23. that it might be fulfilled which was ſpoken by the Prophets, and he ſhall be called a Nazarene, that is the BRANCH, ſo he is called, Iſa. 11.1. and other places; for from this word, the city Nazaret had its name. Thus we ſee the tender care the Lord had over this bleſſed Branch; and how ſerviceable the Angels were unto Jeſus Chriſt.