. Not a Fun Journey
LET US GO UNTO BETHLEHEM
BECAUSE he went to Bethlehem, Joseph was the KEY man placed on earth at the right time, at the right place, for the bringing forth of the Jewish MESSIAH+ upon earth for the good of all mankind.
Joseph, the Guardian-Husband of the Hebrew virgin Mariam, was of the lineage of David, as was his espoused wife.
But under the laws in those ancient days, the wife’s lineage did not count for much; the numbering for tax purposes was according to the husband’s family line.
Thus, Joseph took his little family of three: himself, his espoused wife, and the Royal Babe placed in her womb, to Bethlehem.
Bethlehem, Scripture tells us, was the City of David where all the males of the lineage of David were to be taxed. At that place, they were enrolled on the Roman tax ledgers.
Being a law-abiding subservient of the Roman-held area of ancient Israel, Joseph did as he was ordered by the Roman rulers of the land. Joseph made the long journey by foot to Bethlehem to pay taxes to Rome.
Did Joseph have a CHOICE ?
No. If Joseph wanted to avoid punishment by the cruel Roman authorities. he did not have a choice nor did any of the Jewish populace of ancient Israel . They were an oppressed , subjugated people under the iron fist of Roman rule at this point in time.
The Roman authorities hated the Jewish people and their land, according to old writings. We know even from Scriptures that the Jewish people despised the Romans who over-ruled their nation.
Yet, to avoid the cruel, merciless Roman punishment meted to rebellious men of the lands Rome conquered, Joseph embraced the situation and trod to Bethlehem to pay taxes to Rome.
Were the taxes JUST and righteous ?
We do not know.
We can only guess they were as just and righteous as Rome itself.
Was the money extracted by Rome used to benefit the people who paid the taxes ?
We do not know.
We can only guess that Rome herself benefitted from extracting money from the Jewish people, as is the nature and character of all conquerors, who are basically thieves and bullies.
WHAT HAS CHANGED on this earth since the days of Roman conquest ? NOTHING . . . in the character and nature of the world’s conquerors.
They are still bullies and thieves, stealing land and resources from poorer nations. The conquerors still subject the people to their conquering ways . . . and make them PAY for the privilege of being conquered !
So, let us remember that Joseph’s trip to Bethlehem was not an idyllic hike through ancient Israel for adventure and sight-seeing. Nor was it an excuse to set aside Joseph’s hard daily labor and have an excursion, a pleasurable time visiting with relatives and sharing the news.
NO.
No, rather, it was a time that Joseph’s hard-earned wages were extracted from him, leaving him the poorer and to fend for himself. Rome did not care if he and his family lived or died or starved or hurt. Rome simply extracted a portion of his money . . . likely a large portion.
Going to Bethlehem at the decree of Caesar Augustus was NOT a journey ANYONE of the line of David desired to take.
It was a journey that robbed the men of the line of David of the joy in the fruits of their year’s labor.
But Joseph was obedient unto GOD. Joseph’s obedience even towards the unrighteous, oppressive, and cruel government he had to endure put him in a Right Alignment with the WILL of GOD.
That is NOT to say that Joseph was ignorant of the schemes of the oppressive ruling power. Perhaps righteous Joseph accepted the FACT that Israel’s own sins had earned for them a place under the boot-heel of Rome.
Because Joseph did not rebel, The FATHER entrusted unto him the guardianship of the Hebrew virgin Mariam and the Royal Babe placed in her womb.
Because Joseph, doing GOD’S Will, went to Bethlehem to be “legally” robbed of his wages by the Roman authorities, Joseph became the key man in fulfilling the ancient prophecies that MESSIAH+ would be born in Bethlehem.
MICAH 5:2
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.
Joseph was THE man The FATHER picked, likely due to his obedience unto HIS WILL.
Thus, trust-worthy Joseph was entrusted with the oversight of the Divine Babe, the little new-born MESSIAH+ Who+ was prophesied to RULE THE NATIONS WITH A ROD OF IRON.
Revelation 19:15
And out of His+ mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it HE+ should smite the nations: and HE+ shall rule them with a ROD OF IRON: and HE+ treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of ALMIGHTY GOD.
LET US PRAY:
O GOD our FATHER,
Help me to go to Bethlehem in all due obedience to Your WILL that I, too, might fulfill YOUR Divine Will . . . at the appointed time, at the appointed place, for the Appointed MESSIAH+ Who+ is to come again.
And THIS time, as the LION of the TRIBE of JUDAH, Whose+ Kingdom shall have NO END.
Help me to stay AWARE of that TRUTH .
And Holy FATHER, help me to stay aware of the lies of rulers, yet be obedient to YOU at all times . . . no matter the cost.
In the Name of Your Beloved, Holy, and Only-Begotten SON+ JESUS CHRIST, I pray. Amen.
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