Jerusalem - the Land Allotted to the Tribe of Judah
Matthew 2
2 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
3 When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; 4 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. 5 They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:
6 “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.”
9 After listening to the king, they went on their way.
And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.”
14 And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt 15 and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”
16 Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men.
17 Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah:
18 “A voice was heard in Ramah,
weeping and loud lamentation,
Rachel weeping for her children;
she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.”
19 But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, 20 saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead.”
21 And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee.
23 And he went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene.
Finding Joseph
We know Mary was from Nazareth in Luke 1. And we know Joseph had not married Mary when Jesus was born.
We know Joseph went up from Nazareth to Bethlehem (Luke 2:4), but we do not 'know' Joseph was from Nazareth. Maybe Joseph felt Mary would have more support near her family.
In this passage, going to Nazareth was a surprise to him - verse 22. Apparently, Joseph had set his sights on the tribe of Judah land - Jerusalem.
God wanted us to know the economic conditions of Jesus.
Isaiah 7
14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. 15 He shall eat curds and honey when he knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good. 16 For before the boy knows how to refuse the evil and choose the good, the land whose two kings you dread will be deserted. 17 The Lord will bring upon you and upon your people and upon your father's house such days as have not come since the day that Ephraim departed from Judah—the king of Assyria!”
18 In that day the Lord will whistle for the fly that is at the end of the streams of Egypt, and for the bee that is in the land of Assyria.
19 And they will all come and settle in the steep ravines, and in the clefts of the rocks, and on all the thornbushes, and on all the pastures.
20 In that day the Lord will shave with a razor that is hired beyond the River—with the king of Assyria—the head and the hair of the feet, and it will sweep away the beard also.
21 In that day a man will keep alive a young cow and two sheep, 22 and because of the abundance of milk that they give, he will eat curds, for everyone who is left in the land will eat curds and honey.
23 In that day every place where there used to be a thousand vines, worth a thousand shekels of silver, will become briers and thorns. 24 With bow and arrows a man will come there, for all the land will be briers and thorns. 25 And as for all the hills that used to be hoed with a hoe, you will not come there for fear of briers and thorns, but they will become a place where cattle are let loose and where sheep tread.
We do know Joseph was honored to be Davidic, when Mary's family were not the kings (David's minor son Nathan) and her family was not very honored according to Luke 1. Repeated in the Sadducean Council records.
We are told by Isaiah, Joseph had farming and , later in the Gospels, carpentry too. He had enough confidence and talent to head to Egypt to support his new family. Isaiah says he has a home, some flocks and is wealthy enough to have cattle. And donkeys. Perhaps a horse. Because it appears here to be a surprise to be in Nazareth, we assume Joseph sold his home to be in Egypt and Nazareth. Really, Joseph thought to live in Jerusalem. The Prophet Samuel farmed outside of Jerusalem.
Farms in Israel are typically the grain crops on the flat land and the figs, olives and grapes on the hills. Article reference from MD Harris Institute.
~ Yes he went up from Nazareth to Bethlehem - means merely he collected Mary for the trip.
~ This does not mean he reports in to Bethlehem as a Nazareth man
~ Joseph travels with pregnant Mary from her hometown
This passage says how he picks Nazareth for Jesus to grow up there -fulfilling Scripture about Jesus as a Nazarene.
~ Joseph is reported as being a just man, Joseph is not written to be a Nazarene.
Funding the change in nationality - Joseph could have had funds when he sold the family house and livestock and go to Egypt. A manager, or family member would do this.This would be difficult if he had living aged parents and siblings. He might have been an only child. It could say he is interested in the marriage betrothal because he is alone.
However, we could all certainly believe this is a matter of Heart . God has a certain "style" and the matter is Love. Usually God puzzles the people involved in the process to a certain extent, or the people 'seeking' the answers. Wonder is a very strong motivator to learn. God giving the Mother of Jesus to a man she wouldn't just adore and love. The Gospels record Joseph's family was one solid family unit twice.
All the facts do not necessarily indicate Joseph was old. Or odd. Joseph dreams, he does not see visions. Yet Joseph is not a Levi descendant, he is from the Tribe of Judah. The family needs a man who can work his flocks, his livestock and lift and build. These are not old man tasks. Look at the buildings in Nazareth - these are rock - not just tables and chairs.
The details are interesting. Consider curds.
This had to be a process of work. This is a busy household. Curds indicates a level of industry and involvement within the family. This takes time.
Collecting honey? This is a process of faith. There is no Benadryl. You have to believe God is going to help.
Donkeys and carpentry when the city is made all of stone. There is a Real Level of Youth at work here. We don't here Joseph is retired. Stone Masons and Carpenters make these buildings together in columns and beams and wall bearings.
Hoes, Vines, Briars, crops. Jesus is busy as a young child - getting the bucket. Get a ladle of water. Briars? Weeding the food. Mary is busy. Jude, Simon, Joses. The sisters of Jesus. Joseph too.
Cows eat a lot to produce milk and curds. Grass is harvested. Flocks are tended. Birthing. Watering. Joseph is also a Shepherd. Teaching the long range mission of Shepherding to the Lord God, Father of All. His Son - Jesus.
Isaiah 7
19 And they will all come and settle in the steep ravines, and in the clefts of the rocks, and on all the thornbushes, and on all the pastures.
Not to mention, bow/arrow and fishing rod. Capernaum fished - so did Jesus!!! Isaiah thought - you and I should know!!!
What would we have in common with Joseph?
He was fulfilling God's plan in his life in small incremental steps. Living daily. And in this daily living - Joseph creates a Holy Family. With two incredible mentions of his family. Few of us have the chance to save God Himself - Joseph did this in not having Mary stoned. In believing God this was of God. Going to Egypt. Moving to Nazareth. Joseph is very incredible - just as we can be. Doing small things each day honoring God in our lives. Joseph is a very 'today' concept for living each day.
This family well understood Shepherds Abide - in the field. Jesus knew about Shepherding in many different levels - thanks to Joseph.
Our Father, our Abba,
Guide us well in Your Family. We trust in Thee.
Surround, embolden, embrace, lead, protect and guide us and our loved ones. We trust in You to do this for all families named in earth and in Heaven, this day and always. In Jesus! Amen.
♔ Lord Jesus Saves †
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