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The earth has likely been around for eons. The earth in her current state is about six thousand years old. Chapter one of the book of Genesis in the Bible tells of what is commonly referred to as The Creation. A better way to describe what occurred is a restoration as a careful study shows that what is conveyed is that the earth became “void and without form”.
The Bible tells us that at the time of the most recent restoration of the earth that God found it to be a ball of water existing in complete darkness somewhere out in the universe. We know that the devil was already in the earth as he showed up shortly after the creation of Adam and Eve to beguile them. In little or no time, he had had become the ruler of the earth.
Adam and Eve had handed over to the devil that which belonged to the Lord. This had to be undone. What to do? Man was found to be unreliable so God started the process of doing it Himself.
Even so, God had to work through man because of the way He set the world up – giving man dominion and all. So, just as He had restored the earth by voice command (Utterance) he set about regaining control by speaking. He spoke through man. But, more was needed.
Using mortal man was helpful to God in in moving closer to coming back into ownership and management of His property the earth. Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses and the prophets are examples.
Operating in the earth in a legal fashion, as a man, required a more robust strategy. He had to become a man. These five all important dreams laid the groundwork:
But while he thought on these things, 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. (Matthew 1:20).
And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way. And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to 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. (Matthew 2:12-13).
But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream 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. (Matthew 2:19-20).
But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, 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 2:22-23).
Why all the drama? Well, God knew that He couldn’t just send the Saviour into the world without getting some pushback from the devil. Because … from the beginning, it was known that the intent of the devil was to devour the Seed of the woman Who was to bruise his head.
Every precaution was necessary to protect the coming of He Who was to become the Anointed Saviour of the world. We see from the above scriptural passages how God through dreams advised Joseph that he should not concern himself with fidelity matters as they pertain to Mary and advised the wise men not to kowtow to Herod. He further advised Joseph to relocate to Egypt and await instructions the murderous intent of Herod.
God later directed Joseph to Israel and Galilee (Nazareth).
In theory without the referenced dreams salvation of all mankind would not be a thing.