“Behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS, for he shall save his people from their sins.

“Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

“Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

“Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife.

And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son:  and he called his name JESUS.”  (Matthew 1:20-25).

 

“And when they (the wise men) were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth unto Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word:  for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

 

“When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt.

“And was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.”  (Matthew 2:13-15).

 

“But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream (vision) to Joseph in Egypt,

“Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel:  for they are dead which sought the young child's life.

“And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.

“But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judea in the room of his father, he was afraid to go thither:  notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:

“And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth:  that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.”  (Matthew 2:19-23).

 

Important points from the foregoing scriptures:

1. The angel came to Joseph four times.
2. Each time the angel gave Joseph instructions, he immediately acted.
3. Joseph named the baby.
4. Joseph was the “son of David” and rightful heir to the throne.
5. The “dreams” were visions.
6. Each vision began with “Arise.”
7. Each instruction by the angel was followed by “that it might be fulfilled ...”
8. When instructed to take the child to Egypt, Joseph arose and went by night, not even waiting for the dawn.