Inspired by . . . the Hope of His Coming Vol. 13

Inspired by . . . the Hope of His Coming Vol. 13

 

 

At that time Emperor Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Roman Empire.

When this first census took place, Quirinius was the governor of Syria.

Everyone, then, went to register himself, each to his own hometown.

Joseph went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to the town of Bethlehem in Judea, the birthplace of King David.

Joseph went there because he was a descendant of David.

He went to register with Mary, who was promised in marriage to him.

She was pregnant, and while they were in Bethlehem, the time came for her to have her baby.

She gave birth to her first son, wrapped him in cloths and laid him in a manger---

there was no room for them to stay in the inn.
(Luk 2:1-7)

 

 

Most of us don’t like to file and pay our taxes. But we’d like it even less if we had to travel by foot or donkey to the towns where our families originated to register to do so. In the minds of Joseph and Mary, they were going to Bethlehem because Joseph was a descendant of David. David, the Shepherd King, was born in Bethlehem.

We have the unique perspective here, unlike with our own lives, to step back and watch the bigger picture unfold.

God had to get Mary to Bethlehem, because that is where Jesus, our Shepherd and our King, was to be born. God had already foretold the place of His birth. (See Micah 5:2, Matt 2:5-6, John 7:42).

Not only is Bethlehem, the name signifying the House of Bread, the proper place for the Bread of Life, the bread that came down from heaven, to be born, but it is the city of David, where he was born, and therefore there He must be born who was the Son of David.

And here, in these first verses of the second chapter of Luke, we see how God accomplished it.

One commentator put it this way:

 

That which Augustus designed was either to gratify his pride in knowing the numbers of his people,

and proclaiming it to the world, or he did it in policy,

to strengthen his interest, and make his government appear the more formidable;

but Providence had another reach in it.

All the world shall be at the trouble of being enrolled, only that Joseph and Mary may.

 

Are there things happening in your life that  you don’t understand? Has God called you to something, or made you a promise and you just can’t see how it will ever come to fruition? God is working, beloved, He is ordering things, working them out for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. (Ro 8:28)

Do not misunderstand me. We are not chess pieces on a board, or puppets on a string. God did not cause the pride of Caesar Augustus. But He foresaw it, and used it to accomplish His will.

He will accomplish the

work He has begun in you.

 

Rest in that promise, beloved.

 

Blessings,

 

 

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