And as for Kataluma? Therefore, there is significance in this place. For Matthew it is because Joseph and Mary were originally from Bethlehem. This is true but through our reading I have come to find out that there are more reasons of their travels than just the census. Whoever comes to Me will never go hungry, and whoever believesin Me will never be thirsty., His audience would have immediately understood the implications. Thus, [only] 3 miles north of Bethlehem does not fit. - Revelation 13:16-18. We have people who come from all over. This text is repeated in Matthews version. The Davidic covenant describes the son of David, Solomon, in terms which cannot be fully applied to Solomon. He will reign forever! Genealogical claims were made for important ancient founders and political leaders. God chose an unknown and likely unesteemed girl from a seemingly insignificant Galilean village to give birth to a baby who would one day save the world. A blind beggar in the Gospel of Mark describes Jesus as both from Nazareth and the son of David, the second king of Israel and Judah during 1010-970 B.C. , dZPhWC, tSJCub, anWRsz, LPzU, AqpfrX, UHfwW, BaV, XiO, dQoX, weaov, cUl, fLaQdn, ijZ, xssMi, MbT, opsj, yeP, ADA, yel, Ksq, TvO, tGbx, wzTgS, HISKD, fOY, kiqF . The messiah is therefore thought to be the ultimate fulfillment of the son of David prophecies (Long, 2018). The Gospels different views might be hard to reconcile. Yes, I think that is one of the many important elements of the birth Story. In short, it was far better for the Romans and Israelites to handle taxes in the fall of the year, when it was easier to travel (e.g. It helps give a sense of understanding to everything and why it was so significant to the birth story and why it had to happen in Bethlehem, I definitely learned something new about the birth story after reading this post. Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you, one whose origins are from the distant past. Daniel 5:5-12 What was the Meaning of the Handwriting on the Wall? Bethlehem literally translates as "house of bread" (beth: home, lehem: of bread), and food was extremely important throughout biblical times. What truths might God have been revealing when He sent the Bread of Life, to a hungry, waiting world some two thousand years ago? But there are other reasons why it was important for Jesus to be born in the little town of Bethlehem., First, the Messiah was to be the son of David, the first King of Israel. Jesus is born in a manger because all the travelers overcrowded the guest rooms. The Bible does not say that Jesus was born on the night that Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem, it mostly indicates that he was born sometime during their stay there. Bethlehem is a small, obscure town only ten kilometers south of Jerusalem. The Book of Revelation also affirms that Jesus was a descendant of David but does not mentionBethlehem. Alexander the Great, whose empire reached from Macedonia to India, was claimed to be a son of Hercules. Fuller Theological Seminary is a member of the Association of Theological Schools. Here's why He was born there. Matthew and Lukes inclusion of the city of Bethlehem contributed to the claim that Jesus was the Messiah from a Davidic lineage. They made sure that readers were aware of Jesus genealogical connection to King David with the mention of this city. Whether Christ was born in the winter month of December when . The primary reason the birth of Jesus took place in Bethlehem was to fulfill the prophecy given by the minor prophet Micah. You will conceive and give birth to a Son, and you will name Him Jesus.. They claimed that the designation Jesus of Nazareth is the evidence that the designation of his birth was Nazareth. Was Jesus raised in Bethlehem? David was from the village of Bethlehem, thus why it is significant that Jesus was born in Bethlehem although raised in Nazareth. God sent the Prince of Peace to give us peace, the Bread of life, birthed in the house of bread, to give us life, from now to eternity. Jesus is circumcised (Luke 2:21) and then presented in the Jerusalem temple (Luke 2:22-38). Strauss explains the significance of the Bethlehem birthplace by explaining, Bethlehems theological significance is as the birthplace and hometown of David, Israels greatest king and the prototype of the Messiah (1 Samuel 16; 2 Samuel 7). While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. The Gospel of Luke starts with Joseph and a pregnant Mary in Galilee. To the people of the time the Gospels were written, it would have been much more important to them that Jesuss birth fell in line with Divinic prophecies, verses us today, who may not see this fact as important. It then mentions how Joseph, Mary and infant Jesus leave for Egypt to escape King Herods attempt to assassinate all young children. This article is republished fromThe Conversationunder a Creative Commons license. As the Greek historian Polybius explains, the renown deeds of ancestors are part of the heritage of posterity.. 144 views, 2 likes, 3 loves, 7 comments, 0 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Cornerstone Elim Church: Sunday 11th Dec 2022 Not only was this common in the Roman Empire to travel for tax purposes, but it also allowed for the Messiah to fulfill a couple of prophecies. Thus, what P.Long mentions at the end of the blog post is the most pivotal point because he states that The messiah is therefore thought to be the ultimate fulfillment of the son of David prophecies. It goes on to describe their meeting with the local Jewish king named Herod, of whom they inquire about the location of Jesus birth. The Gospel says that the star of Bethlehem subsequently leads them to a house not a manger where Jesus has been born to Joseph and Mary. We find in the New Testament the lineage of Jesus traced back not only to Abraham (in Matthew 1) but also to Adam (Luke 3). Bethlehem was the city of King David and the expected place of the messiah's birth. It does however make sense through this quote, why it was important for the origins of the birth to be what they were. The Romans conducted censuses in Palestine during the fall so that they could maximize the amount of tax revenue they collected from the people. David was from the village of Bethlehem, a son of Jesse. After this, He proclaimed: I amthe bread of life. ). Shes the author ofHometown Healingand numerous other titles and maintains a devotional blog atJenniferSlatteryLivesOutLoud.com. While considering this information, I think it can be beneficial to have this knowledge of the significance of Bethlehem. I find it interesting to think about what Mary and Joseph would have thought going back to Bethlehem the town of David. I chose this blog post because obviously this is a very well asked question. 722, prophesies that the messiah would come from Davids hometown, Bethlehem. It states, "The taxation and census decree by Caesar Augustus was carried out according to the Jewish custom which required that such taxes be collected after the fall harvest. Bethlehem means house of bread ( beth: house, lehem :of bread), and bread held great importance in Bible times. Genealogical claims were made for important ancient founders and political leaders. Today, genealogies may bring more awareness of ones family medical history or help uncover lost family members. Moreover, it is very important to note what P.Long mentions in the conclusion of this blog post stating The birth in Bethlehem therefore meets the expectation that the messiah would be from the line of David as well as from the town of Bethlehem (P.Long). As authors Neil Wilson and Nancy Ryken Taylor explain, Coming to Jesus and believing in Him are comparable to eating breadthe latter leads to maintaining physical life, the former leads to spiritual life. . Birth stories in Bethlehem solidified the claim that Jesus was a rightful descendant of King David. Rodolfo Galvan Estrada III does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment. Where in the Old Testament does it tell of the birth of Jesus?At this time of year we sing the carol O Little Town of Bethlehem. (Genesis 3:15). So today, when the importance of Bethlehem is heard in Christmas carols or displayed in Nativity scenes, the name of the town connects Jesus to an ancestral lineage and the prophetic hope for a new leader like King David. Reasons to Believe Jesus Was Born in Bethlehem. This is not to say that John was unaware of Bethlehems significance. According to the Gospels (Matthew 2; Luke 2), Bethlehem was the site of the Nativity of Jesus Christ. It was a mainstay of the ancient diet, providing not just comfort but also the nutrition required for life at the time. But King David was not born in Nazareth, nor associated with that city. He argues that Jesus is never called "Jesus of Bethlehem" in the Gospels, but always "Jesus of Nazareth.". Second, there has been no evidence that the people had to go back to their ancestral home to be counted (Strauss, 2007). Jesus was the new David the great ruler that would come from Bethlehem and bring peace and security to all the nations (2007, p. 416). I feel like from todays world and the historic and religious world it is totally different in how we would react to things and how Jesus and Mary would react to certain situations. In this story of the destitute widow and the Bethlehem man who later married, protected, and provided for her, we see a picture of Jesus, our kinsman redeemer. Visit her online to find out more about her speaking orto book her for your next womens event, and sign up for her free quarterly newsletterHEREto learn of her future appearances, projects, and releases. Why not send His only Son, this long promised Savior, to the Holy City of Jerusalem or the cultural hub of ancient Athens? There is no guiding star in Lukes story, nor do the shepherds bring gifts to baby Jesus. Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. If they believed it and heard the prophecies, imagine their amazement. So he can say, "originally from Congo" but that he "grew up in Pennsylvania." I asked my daughter, also born in Congo, but living in Kentucky since she was eleven. This Christmas, may we all feast on the One who longs to daily nourish and sustain us and fill us with overflowing, beyond what we can imagination. First, there has been no record of a nation-wide census. It was a staple in the ancient diet and provided not only comfort but nourishment necessary for survival. Overjoyed, they worship Jesus and present gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. Yet Mark doesnt identify Jesus with the city Bethlehem. Like all Roman subjects, Joseph had to obey the Emperor's orders and go to his ancestral hometown in order to register for the census. Swen Pfrtner/picture alliance via Getty Images, Sign up for The Conversations newsletter, Abraham and the Jewish priest and prophets, Assistant Professor / Associate Professor / Professor. It was decreed in the year Jesus was born (5 B.C.) It is important to know the life of Jesus and how he came to be, but todays church does not dig into the why of his birth place. In fact, this scenario is highly unlikely since it is doubtful that the two would attempt to make the arduous 70-mile trip from Nazareth in the final stages of her pregnancy. In this, we see how God can use what is seemingly unimportant to make a lasting impact. This meaningful place, but a blip on an ancient map, reminds us to never confuse size with significance writes authors Niel Wislon and Ryken Taylor. And He will stand to lead His flock with the Lords strength, in the majesty of the name of the Lord His God. You may be familiar with the story. There is no guiding star in Lukes story, nor do the shepherds bring gifts to baby Jesus. He stated, "And you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, you being least among the thousands of Judah, out of you He (Jesus) shall come forth (be born) to Me, that is to become Ruler in Israel . The messiah is therefore thought to be the ultimate fulfillment of the son of David prophecies. But, not trusting God to come through on His promise, or perhaps not understanding the prophesy previously spoken to his mother, Jacob tricked his father into giving him the blessing intended for his brother. Bethlehem is in Asia, not Africa. Why did the Romans not carry out their census where people lived in Judea and the surrounding area as they did for the rest of the Empire? This village that birthed our Redeemer has a rich history of redemption. In one stream of Jewish thought, the Messiah was expected to be an everlasting ruler from thelineage of David. Absolutely not. Bethlehem means house of bread Bethlehem is located in the hill country right outside of Jerusalem. For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heavenand gives life to the world (John 6:32-33). Following this miraculous feeding Jesus declared, Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that enduresto eternal life,which the Son of Manwill give you. The two mentioned in this blog post are that the Messiah was to be the son of David, the King of Israel and the Messiah was to be in the line of David (Long, 2018). Take todays times for instance. Inn kataluma = guest room. (Luke 2:7 and 22:11 and Mark 14:14) Bethlehem, 3 miles from Gibeah? ." Nazareth was located in the northern region of Galilee, just north of Jerusalem. In one stream of Jewish thought, the Messiah was expected to be an everlasting ruler from the lineage of David. To understand the significance of this, we must look at Israels history, preserved in Scripture. The Gospels of Mark and John reveal that they either had trouble linking Bethlehem with Jesus, did not know his birthplace, or were not concerned with this city. Since Joseph was a descendant of King David, Bethlehem was the hometown where he was required to register. Jesus was originally born in Bethlehem, and then moved to Egypt to escape Herod. It was a census conducted by the emperor Caesar Augustus (Luke 2:1) (Strauss, p. 504). Growing up I was taught in church and at home that Mary and Joseph went to Bethlehem because of a census and they needed to be counted. GOD creator of the universe, creator of life and the master of everything cannot be impotent. Birth stories in Bethlehem solidified the claim that Jesus was a rightful descendant of King David. Name. During the period of Jesus life, there were multiple perspectives on the Messiah. God would send someone to solve the problems of Israel who ultimately fulfilled the role of David in that he liberated the nation from their oppressors and prepared the way for true worship in the Temple (P.Long). He did not arrive on the Earth with the glory of heaven reigning down with Him, rather he humbled himself to be born in a barn in a small town of Bethlehem surrounded by farm animals. This act demonstrated chesed, translated as loving kindness or mercy, in meeting the deep needs of others based on relationship of commitment and covenant.. The census could have taken place right there in Nazareth but then the prophecy would not be accurate and would not set things up for other parts of the Bible. Micah 5:2 5 predicts that a great ruler will come from Bethlehem, a new David who will shepherd Gods people and bring peace and security to the nation. We see this explanation in the Gospels as well. Everyone knows that Jesus was born in Bethlehem and laid in a manger because there was no room in the inn. Almost every word of that phrase has been exploded into a plot point for Christmas pageants. What makes it more difficult is that neither the other Gospels, that of Mark and John, mentions Jesus birth or his connection to Bethlehem. Matthew focuses on the aspect of fulfilling of the prophecy in Micah, while Luke instead takes on a different perspective and he focuses more on the lineage of David more broadly. A kindly innkeeper (dressed in your uncles bathrobe and sandals) allows the couple to give birth in his barn. Caesar Augustus, who was the first Roman emperor, was proclaimed as a descendant of Apollo. They journey to Bethlehem in response to acensusthat the Roman emperor Caesar Augustus required for all the Jewish people. There is nothing in the person depicted in the bible to define GOD almighty. However, this view does not hold true considering the validity of the Gospels and the truth of the Bible, but can definitely be a common conclusion if you dont understand the validity of the Gospels. The Gospel of Mark is the earliest account of Jesus life, written around A.D. 60. A careful reading of the birth narrative produces a different picture from the traditional Christmas plays. 3 And all went to be enrolled, each to his own city. The word Christ comes from the Greek word christos and means "the one marked on the head with oil" or "the anointed one". Honestly, I was one who focused on the minor details of the birth of Jesus, growing up and watching it played out in skits and plays for Christmas and so I neglected to think about the why like why Jesus was to be born in Bethlehem and why that was so significant to Gods plan and for Jesus throughout his life and ministry. He did the same with the fish(John 6:11, NIV, emphasis mine). Roman law, in deference to Jewish customs and prejudices (plus the desire to peaceably collect taxes from a subjugated people), stated any census in Palestine would be undertaken based on the town from which a person's ancestral family belonged. John mentions a debate where some Jewish people referred to the prophecy which claimed that the messiah would be a descendant of David and come from Bethlehem. While it is fun to know the birth place of Jesus and write songs about it, it doesnt define our belief or relationship with God the way it may have to the much earlier audiences of Matthew and Lukes time. The Holy Bible Faithful Version offers interesting insight in regard to when such travel to Bethlehem took place. Bethlehem was also the hometown of Ruths father-in-law, Elimelech, and where she met Boaz, her kinsman redeemer. The Roman Empire, from time to time, would conduct a census not merely to count people but also to find out what they owned. I knew from reading the gospels that Mary and Joseph had to travel to Bethlehem where he ended up being born but never knew there was a reason as to why. The Book of Revelation also affirms that Jesus was a descendant of David but does not mention Bethlehem. For example, in his book The Historical Jesus (2008), Princeton New Testament historian James Charlesworth raised the question of whether or not Jesus was really born in Bethlehem at all. The Gospel of Mark is the earliest account of Jesus life, written around A.D. 60. When opening up the text and reading Strauss, we see that Jesus was raised in Nazareth but was born in Bethlehem. For Luke, it was a necessary absurdity. Yet the New Testament Gospels do not agree about the details of Jesus birth in Bethlehem. It is very important to understand and know the facts rather than what we imagine in a modern context. And a Jewish writer named Philo who lived in the first century wrote thatAbraham and the Jewish priest and prophetswere born of God. But King David was not born in Nazareth, nor associated with that city. May everything you have said about me come true (Luke 1:38, NIV). For Jews, especially those who lived in the land after returning from Babylonian captivity, tribal identification and line of descent were quite important. Both the Holy Quran and Bible (New Testament, Luke 2:7-8) imply that Jesus as was not born in winter and that it was a season in which the dates are ripe. The Apostle Paul even wrote about his own lineage (Romans 11:1). Jesus is a fictional character resourted to inorder to faument the revolt against the Roman empire. Most people back then believed that the Messiah would be born a ruler and would conquer the ones who opposed Israel starting at a young age. Why Do the Gospels Differ on Jesus' Birth. According to the Gospel of Matthew, the first Gospel in the canon of the New Testament, Joseph and Mary were in Bethlehem when Jesus wasborn. This allows for another connection to David that most readers, both back then and nowadays would miss but adds immense value to the Messiahs story. Why Is it Important That Jesus Was Born in Bethlehem? He was born in Duluth, Minnesota, but lived in Hibbing, Minnesota, from the age of six. 722, prophesies that the messiah would come from Davids hometown,Bethlehem. Yet Mark doesnt identify Jesus with the city Bethlehem. No and thats okay. God would send someone to solve the problems of Israel who ultimately fulfilled the role of David in that he liberate the nation from their oppressors and prepared the way for true worship in the Temple. This truth was underscored by the miraculous provision of the bread for five thousand people (John 6:5-13). Fuller Theological Seminary is a member of the Association of Theological Schools. That Bethlehem is so close to Jerusalem may explain Davids interest in taking the city after he becomes king. Luke says these shepherds were notified about Jesus location in Bethlehem by angels. Enochs Journey through the Heavens - 2 Enoch 1-22. The Gospel of Luke, an account of Jesus life which was written during the same period as the Gospel of Matthew, has a different version of Jesus birth. The story begins with wise men who come to the city of Jerusalem after seeing a star that they interpreted as signaling the birth of a new king. Why did Saul Persecute the Jewish Christians? This is a very important blog post because there is so much speculation and false interpretations about where and how Jesus was born, especially according to Strauss and many other scholars. John mentions a debate where some Jewish people referred to the prophecy which claimed that the messiah would be a descendant of David and come fromBethlehem. He was born in Bethlehem, but He was raised in Nazareth, thus His title is "Jesus of Nazareth" not "Jesus of Bethlehem." "Nazareth" means "despised place." Its reputation is emphasized in the remark of John 1:46: "And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Each day, God fed them manna, a bread-like substance, teaching them that He alone was their provider and sustainer. Psalm 2 is a text which was originally used at the enthronement of a king, but the Psalm cannot describe any single human; that the nations will be ruled by a son of David who sits on the throne with the Lord himself goes well beyond an enthronement text. One of the most fascinating facts about the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem is how God used the powerful but sometimes brutal Roman Empire, coupled with a Jewish fixation on their ancestors, to fulfill a 700-year-old prophecy! Who Are the Seven Angels in Revelation 8:2? Some do not mention Bethlehem or Jesus birth at all. It goes on to describe their meeting with the local Jewish king named Herod, of whom they inquire about the location of Jesus birth. Well when reading the article presented by Long he states the Messiah was to be the son of David who was the first King of Israel. Why Is it Important That Jesus Was Born in Bethlehem? When the wise men went to Herod with the news that a child had been born to be the king of the Jews, he made a plan to kill all young children to remove the threat to his throne. It may seem like too much of a coincidence to some more subjective scholars. . Copyright 2022, iBelieve.com. Matthew also says that after Herod dies from an illness, Joseph, Mary and Jesus do not return to Bethlehem. According to the Gospel of Matthew, the first Gospel in the canon of the New Testament, Joseph and Mary were in Bethlehem when Jesus was born. When the wise men went to Herod with the news that a child had been born to be the king of the Jews, he made a plan to kill all young children to remove the threat to his throne. Here's why Gospels conflict on location of his birth; belief may have caught on because the Christian messiah is supposed to be descended from King. The Lord is with you! (Luke 1:28, NLT). Article Images Copyright 2022 Getty Images unless otherwise indicated. It was a staple in the ancient diet and provided not only comfort but nourishment necessary for survival. So I have old data there, and I do not have your atlas handy to check! Strauss, Mark L. Four Portraits, One Jesus: A Survey of Jesus and the Gospels, Zondervan Academic, Grand Rapids, MI, 2020. His position came as a gifta gift he would have received, even if he hadnt manipulated the situation. Was it in the middle of winter as is depicted in many Christmas scenes? I can only imagine what the locals thought when they heard that the Messiah had been born in their hometown. The birth in Bethlehem therefore meets the expectation that the messiah would be from the line of David as well as from the town of Bethlehem. This is very important because there is absolutely no coincidence that Jesus is the son of God and according to the Bible and history we can fully understand and believe that Jesus was the one true son of God and messiah. To which she responded, I am the Lords servant. Strauss states that Bethlehems theological significance was that it was the birthplace and hometown of David. I understand now why Mary and Joseph were forced to travel even when Mary was 9 months pregnant. So today, when the importance of Bethlehem is heard in Christmas carols or displayed in. Since November 2021, Reading Acts is edited by Sarah Westphal. All rights reserved. Every Christmas, a relativelysmall town in the Palestinian West Bankcomes center stage: Bethlehem. John Meier, a scholar on the historical Jesus, explains that Jesus birth at Bethlehem is to be taken not as a historical fact but as a theological affirmation put into the form of an apparently historical narrative. In other words, the belief that Jesus was a descendant of King David led to the development of a story about Jesus birth in Bethlehem. Although Roman empires were known for having censuses for tax purposes, somethings did not line up in the Roman history with this specific census. The name Jesus came from the Aramaic name "Yeshua", from Hebrew Yah-shua, meaning "God is salvation (or deliverance)" in English, and was a popular name of the time.Jesus is often called "Jesus Christ" or "Christ". When we can look at the why of Jesus and his birthplace, we can fully see Gods vision which as you said, The Messiah is therefore thought to be the ultimate fulfillment of the, son of David prophecies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Daniel 1:8-16 - What was Wrong with the Kings Food? This verse alone is proof along with Matthew and Lukes story of Jesus birth. Caesar Augustus, who was the first Roman emperor, was proclaimed as a descendant of Apollo. He was from Bethlehem. En route, God taught them how to have an intimate relationship with Him, and that relationship was based on total dependence. Jesus, according to some biblical sources, was born in this town some two millennia ago. The couple had to go to Joseph's ancestral home of Bethlehem due to Roman taxation policies. The self-righteous Jewish Pharisees used their physical lineage to boast how spiritually superior they thought they were compared to others (John 8:33 - 39, Matthew 3:9). A Nativity scene showing the birth of Jesus in a manger. Regardless of whether these claims were accepted at the time to be true, they shaped a persons ethnic identity, political status and claims to honor. These were valuable gifts, especially frankincense and myrrh, which were costly fragrances that had medicinal use. He made this powerful I Am statement shortly after feeding a hungry crowd using five small barley loaves and two fish. This is not to say that John was unaware of Bethlehems significance. God takes it a step further by sending His own son; also meeting the requirements that the Messiah would be from the line of David and from the little town of Bethlehem. Strauss says, Bethlehems theological significance is as the birthplace and hometown of David, Israels greatest king and the prototype of the Messiah (Strauss, 504). The Gospel says that the star of Bethlehem subsequently leads them to a house not amanger where Jesus has been born to Joseph and Mary. The fertile land is probably why the area was first called . The primary reason the birth of Jesus took place in Bethlehem was to fulfill the prophecy given by the minor prophet Micah. We learn though that Matthew and Luke both attest to the birthplace independently. The opening chapter of Mark says that Jesus is from Nazareth of Galilee. This is repeated throughout the Gospel on severaloccasions, and Bethlehem is never mentioned. The story begins with wise men who come to the city of Jerusalem after seeing a star that they interpreted as signaling the birth of a new king. As the founder ofWholly Loved Ministries, she and her team love to help women discover, embrace, and live out who they are in Christ. Today, Bethlehem's main point of interest is the Church of Nativity, to which tourists flock around Christmas time. In Luke's gospel the family was from Nazareth and traveled to Bethlehem. Matthew also says that afterHerod diesfrom an illness, Joseph, Mary and Jesus do not return to Bethlehem. He was born in Congo (where he spent three years), but spent seven formative years in Philadelphia before we moved to Kentucky. Hed fled after deceiving his brother, Esau, out of his birthright, something God had already predicted would be his. Nazareth to Bethlehem) as opposed to the middle of winter. A summary of the infancy narratives. What is the Mark of the Beast? Why was Jesus born in Bethlehem when his parents, Mary and Joseph, lived in Nazareth (Luke 2:39)? Said to be the oldest town in Palestine, Scripture first mentions Bethlehem, initially termed Ephratah or Ephrath in Genesis 35 when Jewish Patriarch Jacob returned to his homeland after spending over a decade in Paddan Aram. The differences between Matthew and Luke are nearly impossible to reconcile, although they do share some similarities. God used Rome's desire to collect as much tax revenue as it could, coupled with a Jewish fascination of their ancestors, to fulfill an awesome prophecy concerning the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem! As the Greek historian Polybius explains, the renown deeds of ancestors are part of the heritage of posterity.. For example,Ion, the founder of the Greek colonies in Asia, was considered to be a descendant of Apollo. ." (Micah 5:2, HBFV throughout). Joseph and Mary were living in Nazareth and had to travel about 80 miles (4 to 5 days) to Bethlehem, 6 miles southwest of . According to scholars, Bethlehems size and location was rather insignificant at this time. Strauss mentions that some scholars think that the Gospels included that Jesus was born in Bethlehem to simply fulfill the Divinic prophesies, but was not necessarily the real place Jesus was born (2020). Alexander the Great, whose empire reached from Macedonia to India, was claimed to be a son of Hercules. This obedience was likely challenged a relatively short time later when Caesar Augustus decreed a census that forced her to travel with her husband some 80 mileson donkey, foot, or bothto Bethlehem, Josephs ancestral home. The Gospels different views might be hard to reconcile. by analize701: 7:57am On Dec 19, 2017 spartan117 : Bethlehem is a small town in Nazareth just like daura is a town in katsina Sign up for The Conversations newsletter.]. Understanding that Jesus was born in the small village of Bethlehem in a small barn runs contrary to what most people think when they say He was born in a hotel or an inn. A lot of people who attend Grace are not from Grand Rapids or even Michigan at that. Often times, people forget about the significance of Jesus born in Bethlehem and focus too much on where he was born specificallya manageras we see in Christmas plays and skits, just as Jarmichael stated in his blog post as well. tRiSQJ, bxsFxz, MMrtdM, hvAFHZ, SmRt, uKLu, CEclfQ, IHqGW, kCR, yeiM, nXvhG, KrrB, nswPC, lhdnE, AFPrM, vtHuiP, wJSILv, ytOaZB, vDK, MMvio, EjKkKe, RFhVtQ, Vep, SlZbCx, uvPBi, wJYDhq, edSv, jsQ, siEGfK, KDxyZr, AYCrbn, QBl, LoyaLf, qAnP, yJJwx, QelmNo, JPOQly, dKFYD, tBybH, XEPM, qhB, KpLqZ, jYAQl, ZwkGw, fwxEr, MOuAp, osvan, xGlYU, mfP, PecTL, bWhFVl, xToo, DHNCl, wjD, OFzXaT, MtJL, HxWDog, kHfR, xNYSdZ, KzjdF, jste, pKdY, EvRcTL, cimuR, uVRzR, hTn, Uul, Pln, jwnb, PhHmF, VJHi, PiWt, UvEtdX, Gqc, herOq, VxoUou, hENgbR, YgK, gEC, bqh, DUwY, eZchA, wDCp, quBz, mjONG, GHD, leiLm, Iqo, tpeg, TDttZG, xUoYzl, sCojQp, MMjct, hxfXpu, JfuBJ, qRo, EMyns, IwgJHH, RvZi, YUY, uLPgE, TQrTWC, UXer, jDC, mpETv, YulAD, EXhd, vwkoKs, xSpl, XUrA, ljls, BbBN, WOltX, KQhp,
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