Dreams & prophecy

This document explores the significance of four dreams experienced by Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, highlighting his role in divine guidance and protection of his family as revealed in the Gospel of Matthew.

·        Joseph's first dream reassures him: Joseph is troubled by Mary's pregnancy before their marriage, but an angel appears in a dream explaining that the child is conceived by the Holy Spirit, instructing him to take Mary as his wife and name the child Jesus, fulfilling prophecy about the Messiah.

·        Second dream prompts flight to Egypt: Joseph is warned in a dream to flee to Egypt with Mary and Jesus to escape King Herod's plan to kill the child, fulfilling the prophecy "Out of Egypt I called My Son." This parallels the biblical story of Joseph and the Israelites' journey.

·        Parallels between two Josephs: The document draws comparisons between Joseph, Jesus's father, and the Old Testament Joseph, highlighting their purity, experience with sexual controversy, protective actions in saving their families by going to Egypt, and their shared father named Jacob.

·        Third dream signals return from Egypt: After Herod's death, Joseph receives a dream instructing him to return to Israel, continuing the fulfillment of prophecy linked to Jesus's earlylife.

·        Fourth dream directs relocation to Galilee: Joseph learns that Archelaus reigns in Judea and, warned in a dream, he moves the family to Nazareth in Galilee, fulfilling the prophets' words that the Messiah would be called a Nazarene. This reflects Joseph's protective nature and reliance on divine guidance.

·        Joseph's leadership through dreams and scripture: Joseph leads his family by combining divine dreams with the word of God, demonstrating good intuition and obedience, which serves as a model for family leadership.

·        Lessons from Joseph's example: The document emphasizes learning to depend on God in protecting and guiding one's family, recognizing Joseph's trustworthiness despite human imperfections, and the honor entrusted to him as caretaker of Jesus.