What Does The Bible Say?
30 Minute Discussions Of Bible Subjects
What Does The Bible Say?
What Does the Bible Say About Jesus' Birth: A Timeline 2?
Arnie and Fred continue to discuss what the Bible says about Jesus' birth and the timeline of it. We begin this episode by noting what Luke said about the requirement in the law of Moses that all male children were to be circumcised and when that was to occur. We noted that Luke also recorded Jesus' presentation at the Temple and purification requirements for Mariam recorded in Leviticus. Matthew records the visit of the wisemen, and notes that this occurred when Jesus was a young child. In Matthew's account, much is recorded of the interest that Herod had concerning Jesus' birth and where that occurred. Herod ordered them to report back to him after they saw Jesus. We discuss the warning they received concerning this ruler, Herod the Great. We also talk about the warning Joseph received concerning Herod and why that was important. Matthew records what Herod did to the children in Judea and we have a discussion about this. Matthew also records the return of Joseph and his family and why they ended up in Nazareth. WE discuss the significance of that city's name. Take about 30-minutes to listen in on our discussion. Have your Bible handy so you can verify what we are saying. There is a transcript of this Buzzsprout episode provided for your convenience.
This is a presentation of the Woodland church of Christ meeting at 3370 Broad Street in Sumter, South Carolina. We meet for worship on Sunday at ten thirty am and five thirty pm. We meet for bible study at nine thirty am on Sunday and seven pm on Wednesday. If you have questions or comments on this lesson, you may email them to Fred Gosnell at fgosnell@ftc-i.net or to Arnie Granke at agranke440718@twc.com.
Arnie:Good afternoon. This is Arnie Granke and Fred Gosnell, and this is what does the Bible say? Fred and I are both members of the church of Christ at Woodland in Sumter, South Carolina, which sponsors this this program. And if you happen to be in the area, we certainly would appreciate you visiting with us. We would like for like to meet you and and perhaps, if you have any Bible questions, please let us know we we might find that to be an interesting topic. Whatever you are looking for, an interesting topic that we can share with others as as well. Fred and I last week began speaking of a sort of a timeline, trying to build a timeline of events surrounding Jesus' birth and early and early life in in the New Testament, and try to see what order various things had occurred in. And we found, of course, that that Mark, Mark's gospel account doesn't mention anything with regard to to Jesus' birth, no report there. John only has one statement in in First John chapter or rather, John chapter one and verse 14 speaks of the Word being made flesh. Luke and Matthew are the ones that that have most to say with regard to to Jesus' birth and the circumstances surrounding that. Matthew tells us about, about Joseph thinking that his wife had become pregnant and and was wrestling with the problem of putting her away in in an unembarrassing way. And an angel visits him and speaks with him in in that regard. Joseph takes his Miriam. Her name is really not Mary, it's Miriam, and takes her as his wife and and Jesus is is born, and then we noticed the angels coming before some shepherds that were in the field and told them the the news about the Messiah having been been born in Bethlehem, and they decided to go and and see this. Incidentally, that's an important thing, because of the fact that most people think that Jesus was actually born in December, at Christmas time, and that's one of the least probable opportunities that we could could think of. Shepherds usually didn't have their sheep out in in the pasture during the winter or even during the fall. It was during the spring and summer. So chances are pretty good that that it was during one of those two periods that Jesus was actually born. Fred, where do we, where do we want to go from here?
Fred Gosnell:Well, Luke records the time period a little bit after Jesus birth in Luke chapter two in 21 to 24 we begin in verse 21 Luke writes, he says, Now and when eight days were accomplished for the circumcising of the child. His name was called Jesus, which was so named of the angel before he was conceived in the womb. And when the days of her purification, according to Moses, were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. As it is written in the Law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord. And to offer a sacrifice, according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtle doves or two young pigeons. And of course, the the requirement for the child to be circumcised, Luke records that, and then the presentation at the temple, he records that, and he, the time of purification. He talks about, of course, he references the law of the Lord. And of course, that comes from the Old Testament. And I think Arnie's got the got that place.
Arnie:Well, the Old Testament deals with with the the mother, the women being purified, and of course, the son, all the sons, had to be circumcised. So Leviticus, chapter 12, is the place that I'm looking at. And beginning in verse one, The Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel. Saying, if a woman have conceived seed and born a man child, then she shall be unclean seven days, according to the days of the separation for her infirmity, shall she be unclean, and in the eighth day she in the eighth day, the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised, and she shall be she shall then continue in the blood of her purifying three and 30 days; she shall touch no hallowed thing, nor come into the sanctuary. And of course, that would be in the temple there that that's referring to. Until the days of her purifying be fulfilled. And if she bear a maid child, then she shall be unclean two weeks, as in her separation, and she can, she shall continue in the blood of her purifying three score in six days. And when the days of her purifying are fulfilled for a son or for a daughter, she shall bring a lamb of the first year for a burnt offering and a young pigeon and a turtle dove for a sin offering un70 the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest, who shall offer it before the Lord and make an atonement for her, and she shall be cleansed from the issue of her blood. This is the law for her that hath born a male or female. If she be not able to bring a lamb, then she shall bring two turtles. And actually that's referring not to shelled turtles, but rather to turtle doves. She shall bring two turtle doves or two young pigeons, one for the burnt offering and the other for a sin offering, and the priest shall make an atonement for her and she shall be clean. Of course, one of the issues that that we have to think about now is that the temple is gone. There are no Jewish priests, any anymore. So it's kind of difficult for any of those things to to go on. But that was still that was still in practice at the time of Jesus' birth. And so his circumcision is dealt with there, his presentation at the at the at the temple is is mentioned there, and Miriam's purification, getting her pure, purified before she can return back to ordinary worship and public circumstances.
Fred Gosnell:Yes. And Matthew. In Matthew chapter two, Matthew records the visit of the wise men. And we begin in Matthew two, verse one. Now, when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the East to Jerusalem, saying, Where is He that is born king of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and the scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. They said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet, and thou Bethlehem, in the land of Judea, art not the least among the princes of Judah? for out of thee shall come a Governor that shall rule my people Israel. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, Go and search diligently for the young child, and when you have found him, bring me word again that I may come and worship him also. They had, now notice that he said, Now go and diligently search for the young child. So he's not referred to as a baby in this section of scripture. So when they had heard the king, they departed, in verse nine, And lo, the star which they saw in the east went before them till it came and stood over where the young child was. Again, he's called a young child. And when they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were coming to the house, they saw the young child with Mariam his mother, and fell down and worshiped him. Now notice that now they're in, they're in a house. And again, I think this is the third time that Jesus is referred to as a young child. He's not a baby anymore here. And they fell down and worshiped him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto Him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. So we learn that this is sometime after his birth, he's referred to as a young child, and of course, later on, we're going to find out how old Herod thought he was in some scriptures that we'll refer to here shortly.
Arnie:Yeah, there are several assumptions, I guess, that are that are associated with this. It's assumed that there were three of these Magi that came and visited Jesus, and that's based on the fact that there were three different kinds of of gifts that were the brought, the gold, the frankincense and the the myrrh.There, there could have been two of these that brought those, there could have been four. We don't know, really. So we ought not to make any any assumptions with with regard to that, because the number of of these Magi is is totally unknown. Of course, they're referred to as as wise men in a number of places. Also Bethlehem is is mentioned. Says, it specifies Bethlehem of Judea. Why is that? Well, because there were two Bethlehems in in Israel, in in ancient times, and Bethlehem in in Judea was also spoken of as Bethlehem Ephrata. But there was another Bethlehem that was about seven miles northwest of of Nazareth, actually, that was referred to as Bethlehem in the tribal area of of Zebulon. So that's why, that's why the Scriptures tell us specifically that this is Bethlehem of of Judea. And I mentioned Micah, Micah, chapter five and verse two; what it says is that, Thou Bethlehem, Ephrata, though thou be little among the 1000s of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler. Understand that now, Ruler in Israel who's going forth hath been from of old, from everlasting. How long has this ruler been around? Well, he wasn't here as a baby all of that time. Wasn't here as a as an adult, all of that, that time. But he has been in existence from of old, from everlasting.
Fred Gosnell:Yes, which, which means that this is God's Son. This is God.
Arnie:He is, always, has always been there. People just were not always aware of that.
Fred Gosnell:Yes. And of course, we noticed the section of scriptures that I read there. Notice how, how interested that Herod was in in in Jesus, in this individual. He asked a lot of questions. He wanted to know where it was that that this individual was going to be born, and how would they know and all of this information he was asking. So, so in verse 12 of Matthew, chapter two, the kings were warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod. So they departed into into their own country, another way. So, so, so Herod was concerned about this individual that that they said would be a ruler in Israel, and he was concerned with his position. So we find out later on why he was so concerned about this.
Arnie:Yeah, and and, of course, you, you may think, well, how come they didn't get caught as they left. Well, they they did leave by a different route, and from from Bethlehem, if they went east across a a ridge that existed that that ran pretty much north, south, in in Israel, they would be out of sight from from any officials who might be looking out for them, and it would be pretty easy for them to to head east, from there without, without any difficulty. So, so here they are. There they're being warned of God, they had a dream as well. That was exactly the way that that Joseph learned that Mary being with child was legitimate and that the child was of the of the Holy Spirit. And of course, that came to to him through through a dream as well. So Matthew, chapter two and verse 13 tells about Joseph being warned with regard to the dangers that that Herod poses. And then in verse 13, When they were departed, behold the angel of the Lord, and that's the ones departed were it were the wise men. Behold the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, arrise, take the young child and his mother and flee into Egypt and be thou there until I bring thee word for Herod, will seek the young child to destroy him. When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night and departed into Egypt, and was there until the death of Herod that it might be fulfilled, which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt, have I called my son. That's a reference, actually, to Hosea, chapter 11 and and verse verse one. So how could, how would Joseph travel such a long distance? Well, getting from from where he was in Judea to Egypt wasn't quite as long as we might imagine. He didn't go all the way across to the Mediterranean Sea and and then drop down into Egypt from from there. But rather, if he headed directly south from from Bethlehem, it would not be a very distant trip for him to make, to actually cross the river of of Egypt, as it's sometimes referred to, or also known as the wadi el Arish. And if he crossed over that Wadi, then he would be in Egypt and be subject to the Egyptian crown and protected from the from Herod and and the evil people that were ruling in in Israel at
Fred Gosnell:Yes, and Matthew goes on in his account in that time. beginning in verse 16, and tells us what happens now that Herod has found out that this individual that he was concerned with, the wise men, failed to come back and tell him about him. So in Matthew two, verse 16, Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wrath and sent forth and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy, the prophet, saying in Rama was there a voice heard lamentation and weeping and great mourning. Rachel weeping for her children and would not be comforted because they are not. So, Herod figured out that from the time that he was told, that this child could have been as old as two. So he figured, well, I'll just kill all the male children from two years old and under, and I'll take care of my problem of this individual that he thought was going to be a threat to his rule. And of course, this was prophesied. And again, he says, Jeremy, we find that's prophesied in Jeremiah, 31 verse 15 in Jeremiah says, Thus saith the Lord. A voice was heard in Rama, lamentation and bitter weeping. Rachel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children because they were not. Of course, these are specific prophecies made hundreds of years before Jesus' birth, and hundreds of years before Herod did what he what he did in killing those children. So further evidence, and give it gives us a little bit idea of the time. We know pretty well when Herod ruled, so that that gives us a part of our timeline of when this could have occurred.
Arnie:Well, we also know about when it was that that Herod passed away. It was around the first of April in in the year what we would calculate as being the year four AD and rather, four BC, actually four BC. And so when Herod dies, the family's safe to return back to Israel, because there's no danger of of him still seeking after Jesus to to slaughter, slaughter him. And and Matthew, chapter two and and verse 19, says, When Herod was dead, behold an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, Arise and take the young child and his mother and go into the land of Israel, for they are dead with sought the young child's life. And he arose and took the young child and his mother and came into the land of of Israel. So so Joseph's family now has, has returned back to their country of origin, and it's safe for them to to do that. There's no one seeking after seeking after Jesus. Death is not imminent if they if they return there, and so it's safe for them to come back.
Fred Gosnell:Yes. And of course, with Herod being dead, he was followed by by his son, Archelaus, was the one that replaced Herod. And in chapter two of Matthew, in verse 22 says that, When he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judea in the room of his father, Herod, he, he's talking about not Joseph, was afraid to go thither, not withstanding being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee, and he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets. He shall be called a Nazarene. So again, Joseph is warned by God that Archelaus is ruling. So it would be better for him to go to a kind of a backwater town of Nazareth. Nobody of any consequence comes from Nazareth, the Roman officials would would conclude. That would be a safe place for Jesus to grow up. And of course, that's what he did. But, but again, that was in response or the fulfillment of another prophet that said he shall be called a Nazarene, or from, from Nazareth.
Arnie:Interestingly, interestingly, here there are a number of passages of Scripture that deal with that, and the name Nazareth actually comes from, comes from a word that refers to a sprout or a branch of something, and Jesus is often referred to In the Old Testament as the branch and the the name Nazareth comes from, from that word in in Hebrew. A couple of passages of scripture that we that we can look at and and observe here in in that are in the, in the Old Testament. And I'm, I'm going right now to the book of Isaiah in Isaiah chapter 11, and and verse one, give me just a second, and I'll be there. And and here we are. And so in, in, in Isaiah chapter 11, verse one, There shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. The word branch is the word that that the name Nazareth actually comes from. And, uh, when, when we're looking at Jesus being the branch he's referred to that by by prophets, prophetically, in in a number of other places as well. Let me give you one more from the book of Isaiah. And I see that that Fred is also looking this up in his Bible too. Isaiah chapter four and and in verse two says, In that day shall the branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and comely for them that are escaped of of Israel. So again, he's referred to as as the branch, and that's the name, that's the term, the Hebrew word that that Nazareth comes from. Jesus, isn't actually spoken of as a Nazarene. He's spoken of really as the branch.
Fred Gosnell:Yes. And Jeremiah has, has a reference in Jeremiah 23 verse, verse five. There it says, Behold the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David. This is a righteous branch. And notice, And a king shall reign and prosper and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. And and he goes on verse six, In his days, Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely. And this is his name, whereby he shall be called the Lord our Righteousness, or Jehovah - tsidkenu. So, this idea of Jesus being the branch, a righteous branch, and He's from Nazareth, that the word comes from the base of the word the branch. And a lot of people don't realize this, but there's a specific passages that point to Jesus all the time in the Old Testament.
Arnie:Well, here's here's another. Did you? Did you read Jeremiah 33 just now? No, okay, Jeremiah 33 and and verse 15, uses that term as well. In those days, and at that time, will I cause the branch of righteousness to grow up unto David, and he shall execute judgment and righteousness in the land. So what you notice as you're reading these these branch references, is that it's spoken of as a he, it's an individual. It's not talking about the branch of a tree. It's talking about the branch of of a family or or of a of a tribe, of of a group of of people. And Christ is, is not Jesus of Nazareth correctly in the New Testament, but, but he is, is actually, instead of Jesus, of, of Nazareth, he's referred to basically as, as the the Nazarene. Jesus, the Nazarene would be the, the the meaning of the word. You got another passage, Fred?
Fred Gosnell:Yeah, I got Zechariah three verse, verse eight. And there Zachariah says, Hear now, Oh Joshua, the high priest, thou and thy fellows that sit before thee, for they are men wondered at; for behold, I will bring forth my servant, and again, the branch. And he's, he's specified again there as the branch.
Arnie:Okay, and, and we're about almost out of time. We got just a minute or so. So let me give you one more passage from from that, and it's in Zechariah, chapter eight and verse 12, Thus, and speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is the branch. Understand, this is an individual, not a tree, And he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the Lord. And that's obviously a reference to to Christ. So one more passage Fred about about Jesus here, and as we're building this timeline that we that we've talked about. He was about 30 years old when, when he began his his ministry, and that's referred to in in Luke. In Luke, chapter three and verse 21, Now, when all the people were baptized, it came to pass to Jesus, also being baptized and praying, the heaven was opened, the Holy Spirit descended in a bodily shape, like a dove unto him, and a voice came from heaven which said, Thou art my beloved son. In thee. I am well pleased. Jesus Himself began to be about 30 years of age, being as was supposed, the son of Joseph, which was the son of Eli. Of course, he wasn't really the son of Joseph. Joseph was, was, was more or less as a substitute father, because he was the son of God. And the only human parent that Jesus had, of course, was, was Mary. So these are passages of Scripture that that help us establish in the the approximate order things that occurred in Jesus lifetime and in preparation for him. Did you have something elseFred? No? Okay. Well, we hope that this has been a helpful study for you. Look these passages up that we've that we've talked about, verify these things yourselves. If you find something that you think that we've misrepresented in some way by all means, let us know. We want to teach the truth and give you things that are true in the Word of God and not just our own opinions. We appreciate you listening. We hope this has been beneficial to you. Lord, willing, we'll look forward to being with you again next Lord's Day.