After the mission of the wise men had been accomplished, they were purposing to return, and bear the joyful news to Herod of the success of their journey. But God sent his angel in the night season to turn the course of the wise men. In a vision of the night they were plainly told not to return to Herod. They obeyed the heavenly vision. “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. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt.” {2SP 25.1}

Efter at de vise mænds mission var udført, ville de vende tilbage, og fremføre de glædelige nyheder til Herodes om deres rejses succes. Men Gud sendte sin engel i nattestunden for at vende vismændenes vej. I et syn om natten fik de tydeligt fortalt at ikke vende tilbage til Herodes De adlød det himmelske syn. "Siden blev de i en drøm advaret af Gud mod at vende tilbage til Herodes; og ad en anden vej drog de tilbage til deres land. Men da de var draget bort, se, da viser en Herrens engel sig i en drøm for Josef og siger: »Stå op, tag barnet og dets moder med dig og flygt til Ægypten og bliv der, indtil jeg siger dig til; thi Herodes vil søge efter (26) barnet for at dræbe det.« Da stod han op og tog barnet og dets moder med sig ved nattetid og drog bort til Ægypten."