Opus 2025-583: Advent Calendar: Day 19, Beware of Editing Scholars

Herod called for back-up, the priests and scribes.  This would be like the president going to the Harvard School of Theology, if there is still such a thing, for spiritual advice.  I chose Harvard on purpose because any spiritual advice you get from Harvard would be one of those situations where you listen and then do the opposite.

These scholars were experts in their field.  They were good enough to know that they needed to edit their presentation.  Compare what they told Herod with the OT quote they were referencing.

Matthew 2:6 (KJV) And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

Micah 5:2 (KJV) But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

Look at the last portion and notice the difference.  They left out the part that indicated this “Prince” or “ruler” would have eternal connections.

Would it have made any difference to Herod?  Probably not.  Herod was not interested in what God might have to say.  How like us so often.  Have you noticed that we already know more than we are obeying?  What would one more verse do?

We are getting close to Christmas.  Take advantage of what is right in front of you.  Do what you know to do.  Make this a red letter Christmas.

Merry Christmas.

homo unius libri

Opus 2022-352: Advent Calendar: Day 19, A Place for Egg-heads

Day nineteen awards you with a chocolate egg from behind the door.  It is time for the Jewish scholars.  Herod may have been a Jew but he did not know his Bible.  How common that is.  So he called in the consultants,

(Mat 2:4 KJV)  And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

This was a matter of prophecy.

(Mic 5:2 KJV)  But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

The Bible is tied to history and geography.  It is amazing how helpful these little, overlooked details has been to archeologists.  When they read the Bible as if it were true they kept finding references that helped them find what they were looking for.

Obviously that should apply to us during this season when we are focused on the incarnation.  Write your own sermon.

Merry Christmas.

homo unius libri

Opus 2020-007: Toddlers and Wise Men

Today is Epiphany.  It is the day that celebrates the coming of the wise men.  The Eastern churches celebrate Christmas on this day.  I believe it marks the end of the Advent season.

There is some indication that Jesus could have been two years old when the wise men finally showed up.  This is arrived at based on two passages of scripture.  The first is the way in which King Herod questioned them and what he wanted to know.

(Mat 2:7 KJV) Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

Then, when they left without filling him in we see his attempt to get rid of the competition.

(Mat 2:16 KJV) Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, 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 enquired of the wise men.

Evidently the wise men had shared something about two years.

So the wise men could have been treated to a toddler instead of an infant.  That gets me because I am blessed with a toddling granddaughter in the house.  I can just picture Jesus getting into all of their luggage, wanting to pet their camels and crawling under their robes.  Can you picture one of this wise men from the east having a baby slobber on them?

The unconsidered glories of Christmas.

homo unius libri