Matthew 2 ˙Commentary and Notes
2:1 Jesus/Yehoshua - He is given this name as if to say that he is, "The one who is the salvation that is given to Israel by the Father of Israel."
2:13 "Escape to Egypt" in terms of Abraham's question ["How am I to know that I shall possess it?" Genesis 15:8] it was as if God said, "You will have to escape [from the constraints of this word] to Egypt, to Exile, to 'a place prepared in the wilderness against the face of the dragon', and to redemption from there. That is, a place prepared against the fallen adamic nature which you possess, and its league with satan. Through exile for 400 years you, Abraham, will be protected against the 'Esau' in you claiming the promise as his own to no end - and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free."
...as the Midrash states regarding Yaakov Avinu [Jacob our father] (Yalkut Shimoni Hoshea 528) that it was fitting that Yaakov be brought down to Egypt in iron chains, had it not been for the sale of Yosef.’” [From Mohorosh Shlit”a on Parshas Matos Maasay, 5766, based on Lekutei Mohoran, Part II, Lesson 62]
Based on this observation from the Midrash, Yalkut Shimoni, we can conclude that the descent of Yehoshua down into Egypt as a child signifies two very important things. First, that Mashiach was identified with Israel in the covenant of corporate slavery and redemption, which signifies the death and resurrection of Adam, and second, that just as Israel was identified with Joseph so to be brought through identification with Joseph into Egypt, so Israel was identified with Mashiach so as to be brought into corporate death and resurrection.
2:13 "Escape to Egypt" in terms of Abraham's question ["How am I to know that I shall possess it?" Genesis 15:8] it was as if God said, "You will have to escape [from the constraints of this word] to Egypt, to Exile, to 'a place prepared in the wilderness against the face of the dragon', and to redemption from there. That is, a place prepared against the fallen adamic nature which you possess, and its league with satan. Through exile for 400 years you, Abraham, will be protected against the 'Esau' in you claiming the promise as his own to no end - and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free."
...as the Midrash states regarding Yaakov Avinu [Jacob our father] (Yalkut Shimoni Hoshea 528) that it was fitting that Yaakov be brought down to Egypt in iron chains, had it not been for the sale of Yosef.’” [From Mohorosh Shlit”a on Parshas Matos Maasay, 5766, based on Lekutei Mohoran, Part II, Lesson 62]
Based on this observation from the Midrash, Yalkut Shimoni, we can conclude that the descent of Yehoshua down into Egypt as a child signifies two very important things. First, that Mashiach was identified with Israel in the covenant of corporate slavery and redemption, which signifies the death and resurrection of Adam, and second, that just as Israel was identified with Joseph so to be brought through identification with Joseph into Egypt, so Israel was identified with Mashiach so as to be brought into corporate death and resurrection.
