Matthew 2:13-15 - Homilies By J.a. Macdonald

System in providence.

It were a truism to say that there is wisdom in providence; for otherwise providence could not be Divine. In that wisdom there is what Paul describes as a manifoldness ( Ephesians 3:10 ). And this appears in a system of developments and correspondences, evincing at the same time unity of plan. The text furnishes striking illustrations. It suggests—

I. THAT THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL WERE CHRIST TYPICAL .

1 . For Hosea 's allusion is historical. His words are these: "When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt" ( Hosea 11:1 ). The reference plainly is to the bringing forth of the people of Israel from Egypt by the hand of Moses and Aaron. Moreover, it is a paraphrase upon the words of God's message to Pharaoh ( Exodus 4:22 , Exodus 4:23 ). From the history we learn:

2 . Hosea 's words are still prophetic.

3 . So the history in the Law likewise is prophetic.

(a) His Sonship.

(b) His election.

(c) His sojourn in Egypt.

(d) His return and advancement to dignity and glory.

II. THAT GOD BROUGHT CHRIST TYPICAL OUT OF EGYPT .

1 . The system of providence is seen in presages.

2 . So is it seen in their accomplishment.

III. THAT GOD BROUGHT CHRIST LITERAL OUT or EGYPT .

1 . Correspondences are seen in the agents.

(a) As the latter Joseph by his alliance with Christ came to converse with angels, so have all who are spiritually related to Christ intercourse with Heaven (cf. Hebrews 1:14 ; Hebrews 12:22 ).

(b) If the reason of God's communicating with men in dreams be that in sleep men's minds are disengaged from the world, the lesson is that if we would come under special heavenly influences we must call off our affections from earthly things.

2 . Correspondences are seen in the accidents.

IV. THAT GOD WILL BRING CHRIST MYSTICAL OUT OF EGYPT .

1 . The Church of true believers is the mystical Christ.

(1) So Paul describes the Church as the body of which Christ is the Head ( Romans 12:4 , Romans 12:5 ; 1 Corinthians 10:16 , 1 Corinthians 10:17 ; Ephesians 1:22 , Ephesians 1:23 ; Ephesians 4:15 , Ephesians 4:16 ; Ephesians 5:23 , Ephesians 5:30 ; Colossians 1:18 , Colossians 1:24 ). The head and the body make up one Christ.

2 . What is predicated of Christ is mystically predicable of his Church.