Is it likely that a Jewish family from antiquity would gather around and sleep below a giant pagan idol?
Oh, I’m not saying it is a perfectly accurate depiction of one of the many nights they spent fleeing murderers. Indeed, the Sphinx doesn’t look skyward. But if St. Joseph is awake despite exhaustion (I’m sure he wasn’t the one sitting on the donkey), his exercising of his vocation should be a model for us men and fathers all over the world.
You ever been in a desert, tired and worn out? Anything to lean on or give a bit of shelter is rare and appreciated. And considering that we are closer in time to them, than they were to the builders of the sphinx, I would say yes... without a doubt.
The people ruling Egypt then were far removed from that era too.
Consider it was a landmark in the Holy Family’s travels to Egypt