“…the angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, ‘Arise, and take the young Child and His mother, and flee into Egypt, and be there until I bring you word: for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.” – Matthew 2: 13

This particular portion of Scripture used to give me a serious headache.

I could not get my mind around the idea that the Almighty God would send the powerful Angel Gabriel to tell Joseph to flee to Egypt to protect the Son of God from a mere man.

I mean, why couldn’t God simply reduce the arrogant Herod into a mere whiff of smoke?

However, I came to appreciate the fact that it was God’s will for Jesus to flee to Egypt in order for a centuries-old prophecy to be fulfilled.

So contrary to what some ‘over-spiritual’ people often think, there is absolutely no weakness in fleeing.

Indeed, the Bible is full of stories of men of God who fled.

You remember Elijah, the great prophet who called fire from heaven, but fled from Jezebel a few days later?

What of King David, the great giant-killer and “the man after God’s own heart,” who repeatedly fled from Saul and later from his own son Absalom?

In the New Testament, Paul, one of the greatest of apostles, did flee from his persecutors after being let out of the house in a basket through a window!

So, there is really no shame in fleeing. Indeed, the Bible does admonish us to “flee” from certain things. I will point a few.

Firstly, 1 Corinthians 6:18 says; “Flee sexual immorality.”

Just do what the youthful Joseph did – he fled from Potiphar’s bedroom as fast as his youthful feet could carry him (see Genesis 39:11).

Secondly, the Bible says in 1 Corinthians 10:14: “Therefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.”

Whereas idols per se are nothing, idol worship exposes the child of God to demon influence (see verse 20). Just flee; don’t rationalize!

Thirdly, “flee from the wrath to come” (Matthew 3:14). God’s judgment of this evil world is for sure. Be warned and flee to safety in Christ.

Thirdly, Jeremiah 51:6 says; “Flee from Babylon! Run for your lives! Do not be destroyed because of her sins.”

Biblically, ‘Babylon’ refers to the worldly standards as contrasted to the ideals of the Kingdom of God. 

Just flee from ‘Babylon’ for its destruction is guaranteed.

Fourthly, the Bible admonishes the child of God to “flee youthful lusts” but rather to pursue after righteousness, faith, love, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:22).

Mark the plural – ‘lusts,’ which implies that they are many.

Finally, the Bible says; “But you, O man of God, flee [materialism and the love of money]; and pursue after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness” (1Timothy 6:10-11).

‘Pursue’ is the direct opposite of ‘flee.’ It is a command to hunt or chase after some object.

Righteousness, godliness, and faith are character qualities that must be pursued – deliberately, intentionally and consistently.

On the other hand, materialism must be fled from with all of our being. 

Of course many of the worldly-minded people of our times – including Christians – might misunderstand you, but it’s okay; just flee!

May the Almighty God give you power to flee. Amen!