„Rise, take the child and his mother, flee to Egypt…” (Matt 2,13). But why to Egypt?

Abstract

God told St. Joseph to take Mary and Jesus and flee with them to Egypt. But why was Egypt chosen as a place of refuge for the Holy Family? Egypt was vividly present in the collective memory of the Jewish people as a place of oppression and refuge. In fact, the Hebrew people would view their life experience throughout the centuries in light of their ancestors’ Exodus from Egypt. Egypt became a reference point which helped the Israelites retell their story to future generations and understand their entire history in light of their patriarchs’ and Moses’ relationship with this land. Bearing in mind the principle that Old Testament events serve to foreshadow events in the New, Egypt becomes a necessary stage in the life of the Messiah as well, who is clearly presented by St. Matthew as the new Moses. In His Person, He exemplifies the New Israel – the Church – which serves the Lord in Spirit and in truth.