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I have, right off from the start, gained a new appreciation and insight into the gravity of the situation of Jesus’ birth and escape into Egypt, in reading Luther's German Bible.

As I read in the KJV how God warned Joseph in dreams about Herod, I thought “Gee, what does the German mean?” Well! What a surprise! Let me develop this and explain.

This is Matthew 2:12 – “Und Gott befahl ihnen im Traum…”
Here God is warning (the KJV word) the Wisemen in a dream (traum) not to go back to Herod. O.K., so far.
We get to Matthew 2: 22f, “Und im Traum empfing er Befehl von Gott und zog ins galiläische Land…” Again in the KJV it says being "warned" in a dream by God.

The German here, the word “Befehl” (capitalized in the German now!) is not just a mild warning. I have always thought, “well, isn’t that nice that God warns Joseph and the wisemen, etc.?” But the impression from the German is remarkable.
The word “Befehl,” is almost, as it were, a military COMMAND, or a direct ORDER. The gravity of the situation is enhanced enormously here. This is the four star General speaking to the Private, and he has ORDERS, and he WILL carry them out, PERIOD.
Joseph had precious cargo here, and nothing….NOTHING was going to harm it in any way, shape or form. God is controlling this precious life at this point through his private, who absolutely WILL carry out these orders, or commands (Befehl).
And those were tough days. I mean, we all know about Herod actually destroying all the children under two years old, and all that. Well when Joseph came back from Egypt Archaeleus was in Herod’s stead, and Joseph feared to go back.
This is when God ORDERED (Befehl) Joseph to get into Galilee. See, things are strictly being controlled and worked out by a faithful private for his Four Star General, “ein Herr.” The lord is called that!
So this serious gravity, this serious situation is very well emphasized and enhanced as it were, almost as a military operation. Things WILL strictly be done and get done as they have to be in order to not let Jesus fall into enemy hands. I was quite surprised, and pleasantly enjoyed getting this , uh, this military nuance, this severe strict command and order to do. I have never seen it quite this, uh, shall I say stoutly put before? Well, reading the KJV is nice, but it fails to give the import, the serious approach of God to Joseph, whether from Him or through the angels. Things MUST happen certain ways, and Joseph cannot fail. So, it was important for God to be severe. Literally COMMAND. I thought this worth understanding.