Parallels

Written By Betty Predmore

Matthew 2:13-3:6

(January 2)

How good are you at following orders? I’m not so good at it sometimes. I much prefer beings asked as opposed to being told.

It's a good thing Joseph was a little more humble than me (and probably many others). When an angel appeared to him in a dream, Joseph was told, “Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother. Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”

Joseph did as he was told, which saved Jesus from being murdered. But Herod got so mad he had all boys two years old and under to be killed. This was an attempt to kill Jesus but was not successful. He may have been a king by human standards, but he couldn't compete with the one who became king by divine appointment.

It wasn't that unusual for Jews to go to Egypt. Many had because there were colonies in all the major cities that had developed during the great captivity.

The parallels are interesting between this flight to Egypt taken by Joseph and his family, and many other Jews, and the history of Israel.

Israel went to Egypt as an infant nation. Jesus went as an infant child. God led Israel out and God brought Jesus out when the time was right. Through both of these parallel events, we see God working to save his people.

Joseph kept his family hidden until Herod died and an angel appeared and told him he was to take them back to Israel.

It was in those particular days that we find John the Baptist arrive with a message to preach. He was not your ordinary man, he stood out from the crowd with his camel hair clothes and the locusts he ate. He became quite popular all around the Jordan Valley. When people came and repented of their sins, he baptized them in the Jordan River.

Another parallel … a man who comes to preach repentance and ends up murdered for his words. Both John and Jesus suffered this same fate.

I truly believe that there is another parallel we don't actually read in this book …the fact that both of them would do it all over again, even knowing the outcome, for the sake of our salvation.

Betty Predmore

Betty Predmore is a writer, blogger, speaker and ministry leaders. She is the founder of Mom-Sense, Inc., a ministry designed for mentorship, connection and service to women of all life circumstances. Through this ministry, women are encouraged and supported with scripture and life application. Mom-Sense helps women overcome life struggles through small group classes with biblical curriculum, individual counseling, bible studies, and other areas of support.

Betty also directs the Imperial Valley Life Center, which is a non-profit faith-based pro life women’s resource center. She has a passion for saving the unborn and supporting mothers through pregnancy and motherhood.

Betty loves to speak at events, sharing the love of Jesus with other women. She does this through practical life application mingled with God’s word, and sprinkled with humor. Having experienced a broken home, divorce, abuse, grief, single motherhood, blended families, and adoption, she uses the broken places and movement of God in her own life to share His word in an inspiring way. She enjoys sharing her blogs on social media as a way of reaching out on a broader spectrum. Betty has many speaking topics which can be found on her website: www.bettypredmore.com

As an author, she has had the opportunity to impact women and reach deep into their hearts with her words of inspiration and encouragement. Through Pondering Virtue and Whispered Grace, she has created wonderful tools for the woman who is seeking direction in her spiritual walk.

Betty serves on the writing team of A Wife Like Me, and is also a contributor to Moms Encouraging Moms and Gift of Thorns. Her blogs have appeared in several magazine publications throughout the years including Southern Faith Magazine, Purposeful Life, and Aspiring Woman Magazine.

While Betty thrives on her ministry opportunities, her greatest blessings come from being a wife to Jim and a mama to their wonderful collection of children, who bring joy, laughter, and an occasional tear to her days.


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