Compiled By: Lisa K Gonzales
From: The Life Application Study Bible
“At that time the Roman Emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria). All returned to their own towns to register for this census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, his fiancée, who was obviously pregnant by this time. And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born.” ~ Luke 2: 1-6
A Roman census (registration) was taken to aid military conscription – or tax collection. The Jews did not have to serve in the Roman army, but they could not avoid paying taxes. Augustus’s decree went out in GOD’s perfect timing and according to GOD’s perfect plan to bring HIS Son into the world.
The government forced Joseph to make a long trip just to pay his taxes. His fiancée, who had to go with him, was going to have a baby at any moment. But when they arrived in Bethlehem, they could not find a place to stay. When we do GOD’s will, we are not always guaranteed a comfortable life. But we are promised that everything, even our discomfort, has meaning in GOD’s plan.
GOD controls all of history – not just parts of history. By the decree of the Emperor Augustus, Jesus was born in the very town prophesied for His birth, even though His parents did not live there. – “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village in Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you, One whose origins are from the distant past.” – Micah 5:2 – Ephrathah was the district were Bethlehem was located. This “ruler” is Jesus – the Messiah. Micah accurately predicted Christ’s birthplace hundreds of years before Jesus was born. The promised Eternal King in David’s line, who would come to live as a man, had been alive forever – “who’s origins are from a distant past”. Although eternal, Christ entered human history as a man – Jesus of Nazareth. The tiny town of Bethlehem would be the birthplace of the only ruler who could save His people. This deliverer, the Messiah, would be born as a baby in Bethlehem – and would eventually reign as the Eternal King. – “On His robe and thigh was written this title: King of kings and Lord of lords.” – Revelation 19:16
Joseph and Mary were both descendants of David. The Old Testament is filled with prophecies that the Messiah would be born in David’s royal line: – “Out of the stump of David’s family will grow a shoot – yes, a new Branch bearing fruit from the old root. And the Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him – the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. He will delight in obeying the LORD. He will never judge by appearance, false evidence or hearsay. He will defend the poor and the exploited. He will rule against the wicked and destroy them with the breath of His mouth. He will be clothed with fairness and truth.” Isaiah 11:1-5 – “But from the stump a new root would grow” – the Messiah. He would be greater than the original tree and would bear much fruit. The Messiah is the fulfillment of GOD’s promise that a descendant of David would rule forever. – “Your dynasty and your kingdom will continue for all time before ME, and your throne will be secure forever.” – 2 Samuel 7:16 – GOD promised to continue the house (dynasty) of David forever. David’s earthly dynasty ended four centuries later, but Jesus Christ, a direct descendant of David’s, was the ultimate fulfillment of this promise. Christ will reign for eternity – now in His spiritual kingdom and in heaven, and later, on earth, in the new Jerusalem. – “At that time, I will bring to the throne of David a righteous descendant, and He will do what is just and right throughout the land.” – Jeremiah 33:15 – Christ is the “righteous descendant” sprouting from David – the man after GOD’s own heart.
Luke was the only Gospel writer who related the events he recorded to world history. His account was addressed to a predominantly Greek audience that would have been interested in, and familiar with, the political situation. Palestine was under the rule of the Roman Empire; Emperor Ceasar Augustus, the first Roman Emperor.
The rulers of the Roman Empire stood in contrast to the tiny baby in a manger who was truly GOD in the flesh.
Father when we do YOUR will, we are not always guaranteed a comfortable life. But, Thank YOU LORD, we can take heart because we are promised that everything, even our discomfort, has meaning in YOUR plan.
Photo: Truckee (California)
Photo By: Lisa K Gonzales
Click on the photo to enlarge
