Wednesday, December 22, 2010

But Jesus was born in Bethlehem?

Many many years prior, an Old Testament prophecy was written that the Ruler of Israel comes from Bethlehem:
Micah 5:2
2 "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
Though you are little among the thousands of Judah,
Yet out of you shall come forth to Me
The One to be Ruler in Israel,

Whose goings forth are from of old,
From everlasting."
NKJV

However, Mary and Joseph live in Nazareth, about 60 miles from Bethlehem.
Luke 1:26-27
26 Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David.
NKJV

Here's how God worked it out:
Luke 2:1-6
1 And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. 3 So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city.
4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child.
NKJV
Census and taxes!  God used the government to bring about His plan.  This proves that nothing is impossible for God and He can use anything to bring about His will.  By this time it may have been a relief for Mary and Joseph to leave Nazareth.  I'm sure Joseph and Mary both received a lot of advice and who knows what happened in the local gossip mill.  Getting away was a good thing in many ways.  However the trip was very difficult.  Mary was almost ready to deliver Jesus.  Joseph must've been anxious about his wife the whole time.

2 comments:

  1. Yes! God can use anything to cause his will to be done. That is why his name, Jehovah, is so fitting since it means "He causes to become." I love the account of the burning bush for this reason. (Exodus 3) When Moses asks God who he should say sent him, God replies, : “This is what you are to say to the sons of Israel, ‘I SHALL PROVE TO BE has sent me to YOU.’ (Ex 3:14) Another way of putting it would be,“I Will Become whatsoever I please.” Jehovah God can become whatever is needed in order to fulfill his purposes. What a wonderful example of this follows as Jehovah used the ten plagues to show Pharaoh his authority. (Ex 5:2)

    Nice thought! Looking forward to your next post. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks Summer! What an excellent reference. To me the Bible is one huge love story between God and man. He reveals Himself all through history showing His power and love for us.

    ReplyDelete