And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. Here it is said that the Israelites, led by Joshua, successor to Moses, kept the feast at Gilgal. But he did understand that God was all-powerful and that He was good, holy, and righteous. and give no references, so I cant look it up to verify anything, and I like to verify everything either directly from original sources or from experts who have a good reputation in their field of study for being accurate historically, like Edersheim. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. [11] His decree moved Mary and Joseph, at a time close to her delivery date, from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem since Joseph was of the house and lineage of David.[12], [2] The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah, Book II, Chapter 6 (This 1883 book by Alfred Edersheim is available online, but that makes referencing a page number difficult.). Gender: Male. They were of various sizes and around 6 to 8 inches deep. He resurrected on the Feast of First-fruits when Israel offered the first fruits of the land to the Eternal. An Israelite slaughtered his offering and the priests caught the blood. It was important that the lambs that were to be sacrificed did not have any blemishes (broken legs, or injuries). King Josiah, in 637 BCE, next spearheaded a Jewish spiritual revival with the accidental discovery of a Torah scroll in the course of repair work to the Jerusalem Temple. Abrahams hand was stayed, and God provided a substitute sacrifice, just as He would provide in His Son, Jesus. I believe that Jesus was born in this same Tower of the Flock, and these shepherds went to see Jesus and His mother and father in that structure. Fortunately, God had His plan of redemption through Jesus, which He had establishedfrom the very foundations of the world (Romans 5:1221; 1 Peter 1:1820; Revelation 13:8; John 1:29). 21 And Israel journeyed, and spread his tent beyond the tower of Edar[Heb. This background of the problem of sin and Gods remedy through the sacrifice of His one and only son, Jesus, offers us a better understanding of John the Baptists statement upon seeing Jesus approaching, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world (John 1:29). The birth of Yeshua was foretold to take place in Bethlehem by the prophet Micah, Bethlehem was a small Jewish town 6 miles or 9.6 kilometres from Jerusalem. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. 2 This month is the beginning of months for you, it is the first month of the year for you. The historian Josephus records contemporary Passover celebrations in which he estimates that the participants who gathered in Jerusalem to perform the sacrifice in the year 65 CE were not less than three million (Josephus, Wars, 2:280). When a baby was born, the umbilical cord was cut and tied; then the baby was washed and rubbed with salt and oil, and wrapped with strips of cloth. What about the watch tower of the flock? Undoubtedly, this was a military tower used to watch over the valley at the edge of Bethlehem and to provide protection to the city. It is the major source of the rabbinic teachings of Judaism. New-born lambs were put in a manger after swaddling them to keep them from being trampled and to keep them calm. It was a place fit for the Lamb of the Eternal to be born. When she died, he was heartbroken. The Eternal is an Elohim of order. Oh yeah, some circulate that the special shepherds were priests. There are several biblical references indicating that this procedure was also followed in Solomons Temple. WebJohn 2:14. At my church, I direct our Living Nativity. What makes Bethlehem so unique, aside from being Yeshuas birthplace, is the fact that the lambs born and raised in Bethlehem were used for the temple sacrifices, according to rabbinic writings. An earlier verse in the book of Micah tells us exactly where to expect His birth: And thou, O tower of the flock, the strong hold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom [the Messiah shall bring the Kingdom] shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem [Mary the mother of Jesus]. (Micah 4:8, KJV). Bethlehem most probably had a population of fewer than a thousand people, perhaps only a few hundred in Yeshuas day. I believe all of the following will ultimately be shown to point to Migdal Edar as the birthplace of Jesus: The shepherds who while watching their flocks by night became aware of exactly where to find the newborn Messiah in Bethlehem, The special lambs born and raised in the fields of Bethlehem, to be used specifically as Temple sacrifices, The account of the death of Jacobs wife Rachel, on the outskirts of Bethlehem. The beautiful small church is absolutely breath taking and was cleverly designed by Italian architect Antonio Barluzzi. [3] From all accounts it appears that Bethlehem was a special place for raising sheep, unlike other areas where they were raised in the wilderness. Equally so was the belief, that He was to be revealed from Migdal Eder, the tower of the flock. Throughout the day we gained a plethora of information about Bethlehem during biblical times and also the current situation from our visit at Bethlehem University. And why are these items a sign, given to the shepherds by the angel as they tended their flocks in the field? Excerpted with permission from Every Persons Guide to Passover (Jason Aronson, Inc). Every part of their lives revolves around the Temple. Equally so, was the belief that He was to be revealed from Migdal Eder, the tower of the flock. ThisMigdal Eder was not the watchtower for the ordinary flockswhich pastured on the barren sheep ground beyond Bethlehem, but lay close to the town, on the road to Jerusalem. A tekiah, teruah, and again a tekiah were then blown on the shofar. Reference the Gemara. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told by the shepherds. This reference to Passover stresses the classical message of the festivalthe humble origin of the Jewish people, the covenant with Abraham, Gods intervention in Egypt, the fulfillment of Gods promises, and the reaffirmation of faith. On that night, the Israelites were ordered to eat the paschal lamb, and several restrictive rules were added to this feast. So that free from sin, we might live for righteousness. Once the lambs were of age, the shepherds would take them to Jerusalem for the temple sacrifices. [8] In Micah, after the prophecy of the coming Messiah Who In that day will reign over them in Mount Zion from now on, even forever, referring to the Kingdom of God and the Lords rule of the Earth, there is this prophecy of the first appearance of the Lord:[9], And you, Migdal Eder [tower of the flock], hill of the daughter of Zion, to you it shall happen and shall come, the first [or beginning] dominion, the kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem.[10]. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. Many of Bethlehem's sheep were raised for sacrifice at the Temple. WebLas Cruces | 37 views, 3 likes, 1 loves, 0 comments, 0 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Temple Beth-El Las Cruces: Recorded at Temple Beth-El Las Cruces Here they kept a place that was ceremonially clean for the ewes to lamb. The Levites and priests are also described as having praised God day by day [Hallel], singing with loud instruments to God (11 Chronicles 30:21). According to Josephus a Passover-feast at Jerusalem in Neros time, the priests counted 256,000 sacrifices confirming the capacity of such large numbers. I grew up on a farm and we raised sheep. Swaddling Cloths: Gods Attention to Prophetic Details Both goats and sheep are acceptable for sacrifice, according to Jewish law. What is the formula for calculating solute potential? It was extremely important that he did not have any imperfections (blemishes). So the lambs offered for Pesach were around 9-11 months old. All of the information that follows is all from our tour guide, Habib. The new-born Lamb of the Eternal was like-wise swaddled and put in a manger. All other offerings were generally slaughtered by the priests. The shepherds in charge of these special lambs were from the tribe of Levi. The Levitical shepherds would take the sheep to specific caves used for birthing the sacrificial lambs. How did they know about Yeshua? The hills around Bethlehem were home to the hundreds of lambs used in ritual worship at the Temple. To this day, they slaughter a lamb at sunset, read Exodus Chapter 12, and eat the Passover meal after midnight together with unleavened bread (matzah) and bitter herbs. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Mangers in 1st century Israel were made of stone as it was more abundant than wood. And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roasted with fire; with unleavened bread and bitter herbs they shall eat it (Exodus12:8). In the book of Exodus, we read that the Israelite shepherds were outcasts and detestable to the Egyptians, but I doubt this could have been the case in Israel, since raising sheep and other livestock was one of the main economic activities there. literally House of God], he and all the people that were with him. The same Mishnaic passage also leads us to infer, that these flocks lay out all the year-round since they are spoken of as in the fields thirty days before Passoverthat is, in the month of February, when in Palestine [Israel] the average rainfall is nearly greatest. for bringing together many of the details in support of the case for Migdal Edar. Generations of hereditary shepherds tended the sacred flocks. The shepherds in charge of these special lambs were from the tribe of Levi. Probably not. Once the other group left the cave Habib informed us that there is much more to the story of the shepherds. After the lamb was born it was wrapped in swaddling cloths (strips of cloth were taken from priests old clothes) to keep it protected without spot or blemish (the Scripture requirement for a perfect lamb), and then this lamb would be laid in a manger until it had calmed down and to protect it from being trampled. Where was the tower of the flock located? The Rabbis Forgot, Where Was Herods Temple? Furthermore, the lambs were slaughtered by the Israelites, privately by each family, and the priests poured the blood on the base of the altar. Location: Canada. The Bible repeatedly emphasized this facet of Passover, And this day shall be for you a memorial (Exodus 12:14); And Moses said to the people: remember this day in which you come out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage (Exodus 13:3); You shall remember what Adonai your God did to Pharaoh (Deuteronomy 7:18); that you may remember the day when you come out of the land of Egypt all the days of your life (Deuteronomy 16:3). He died on Passover when the sacrificial lambs were sacrificed. Herod died in 4 BC, and we know that Jesus was already two years old, when the command was given to kill all male children in Bethlehem, 2 years and under. The Sadducees, in charge of Temple sacrifices, also owned the Bethlehem fields and the lambs raised there. Why are shepherds banned from the temple in the Bible? What they saw was not a star but a rare phenomenon that happens every 6000 years and it pointed them to Israel and to Yeshua. Pilgrims came from hundreds of miles away to sacrifice animals at an ancient temple in Jerusalem, new research suggests. The cave provided protection from the natural predators ready to snatch the newborns away. The name Beit Lechem means House of Bread and Ephrathah fruitful. He was born on the beginning of the Hebrew year. It was also the place ewes were safely brought to give birth to the lambs. Yeshua the Living Bread was born in the House of Bread. An analysis of bones found in an ancient Passover Lamb during the 2nd Temple Era I think shepherds could have been out in December with their flocks as far as that aspect of the nativity story. What they saw was not a star but a rare phenomenon that happens every 6000 years and it pointed them to Israel and to Yeshua. The Temple of God is the only place where the Jewish people are allowed to offer animal sacrifices to God. On Sabbath Jesus Christ was crucified and gave up his life. We see from the New Testament Scripture that Jesus was, indeed, born in Bethlehem. The Passover lambs were sacrificed when they were one year old. Their job was to raise animals that were healthy and without blemish and pure enough for the temple sacrifices as stated in the Eternals instructions in the book of Leviticus. Migdal Eder was a tower used from ancient times by the Levitical shepherds to protect their sheep and lambs from enemies and from wild beasts. The word of the lord. How old did sheep have to be to be used for sacrifices? And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 4 We were therefore buried with Him through immersion into death, that as Messiah was raised from the dead by the esteem of the Father, so also we should walk in newness of life. In Proverbs 14:4, in the Septuagint [Greek translation of the Old Testament], the word means a stall or a crib. What, then, was the stall or manger referred to in the New Testament; and what kind of animals were fed or housed there? After the Scriptures, the Mishnah is regarded as the basic textbook of Jewish life and thought and is traditionally considered to be an integral part of the Torah, as revealed to Moses on Mount Sinai.). Their function was to serve in the Temple, even those with certain challenges. About 400 years after Samuel, during the religious revival in the reign of King Josiah (637-607 BCE), reference was made to a Passover celebration with this statement: The king commanded all the people saying, Keep the Passover unto the Lord your God, as it is written in this book of the covenant. For there was not kept such a Passover from the days of the judges that judged Israel, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel, nor of the kings of Judah; but in the eighteenth year of King Josiah was this Passover kept to the Lord in Jerusalem [II Kings 23:21-23]. What does it mean that baby Jesus was wrapped in swaddling clothes? The shepherds did not have to search every stable in Bethlehem. And the power of Messiahs presence is to make everything new. Cooper P. Abrams III states in his article regarding Migdal Edar in Jerusalem: This watch tower from ancient times was used by the shepherds for protection from their enemies and wild beasts. Instead, he handed himself over to the one who judges justly. These special lambs came from a unique flock that was designated for sacrifice at the temple in Jerusalem. (bibletruth.org) And the shepherds werent any old shepherds. Once they would know to purchase the libation and meal offering, this would be out of pocket expense, they would then abandon the animal. The Gospels of both Matthew and Luke place the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. Both were used, depending on the sacrifice. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Indeed, that was a unique sign to these shepherds that this baby was, indeed, the Savior, Christ the Lord, the promised Messiah, as told to them by the angel which appeared to them, and as foretold by the Prophets of Israel. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Some scholars regarded the injunction to have the lamb roasted as a distinction from ancient pagan spring festival rites, when meat was eaten either uncooked or half-broiled. The Magi, who were astronomers from the east saw a special star in the sky. [5] Perhaps there was no room due to the impending holiday, which many traveled to Jerusalem to celebrate. 45. A swaddle keeps baby cozy and warm until her internal thermostat kicks into gear. Joseph belonged to the family of David, which is why they were in Bethlehem that night. But the New Testament does not state the exact place in Bethlehem where Jesus was born. The Jewish religious authorities gave their answer from an Old Testament passage from Micah: But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he [Messiah; Jesus] come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting (Micah 5:2, KJV). Understanding how Passover was celebrated in biblical times. It all fits together, for thats the place where sacrificial lambs were born! and spread his tent beyond the tower of Edar. No alien sojourner, hired servant, or uncircumcised person may eat the meat of the paschal lamb (Exodus 12:43-45). Story of Bethlehem Sheep More than Legend Immersion Learning And finally, the feast was to be held in one house, and no part of the meat was to be taken outside the house (Exodus 12:46). The angel announced that this newborn child was YHVH the Messiah (Isa 53:1; Christ the Lord)the Savior (Luke 2:8 cp. This includes the sacrificial lambs, born in Bethlehem. Shepherds and swaddling clothes There good grazing land, and the hillsides contained numerous caves that shepherds could use for shelter. We know nowthat the Tower of the Flock would be the birthplace of the Messiah, who would take away all death, heartache, and tears. Jesus Birth The Case for Migdal Edar | Truth in Scripture Sources: The Romans would not have called for a census during winter as it would have been very hard for the people to travel long distances in the cold and rain. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Although it is not known for certain, I can offer some thoughts which I believe have merit. They knew where they had to go, the place where the temple lambs were born, the place where Scripture said the Messiah would be born, The Scriptures tell us that the shepherds were outside. WebOfferings are mentioned in the Book of Genesis, but further outlined in the later four books of the Torah, including aspects of their origins and history.. I am going to be focusing mainly on the knowledge that we gained about the biblical period from our experiences today. In a sense, John the Baptist was the first of several things: First Christian, first Christian witness, first Christian preacher, first Christian prophet, and first Christian martyr. 170-235, [This date varies from year to year as the Hebrew months are based on the moon. [8] The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah, Book II, Chapter 6 (This 1883 book by Alfred Edersheim is available online, but that makes referencing a page number difficult.). [6] In fact, the angelic message did not say, You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in A manger as the story is told in our English Bibles, but rather, lying in THE manger. This is like the difference between telling someone that you are visiting a white house rather than visiting the White House. To these shepherds, the manger meant a specific place. So an event as important as his birth would have to coincide with a Festival as well. Generations of hereditary shepherds tended the sacred flocks. They were Levitical shepherds (shepherd-priests). The tabernacle in the wilderness, was decicated on Nisan 1. The daily Temple sacrifice required two unblemished sheep from Bethlehem. One sacrificed in the morning and one in the evening as a continual sacrifice before the Eternal. One year old lambs were also needed during Passover and other festivals. The shepherds in charge of these special lambs were from the tribe of Levi. It was prophesied that he would be a descendant of David, the shepherd king who was also born in Bethlehem around a thousand years prior to Yeshua (for more information see THE BIRTH OF YESHUA ) Ill take sheep smell any day over that of chickens, for example. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. . Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. So the December birth date is, at the very least, doubtful. Migdal Eder was a tower used from ancient times by the Levitical shepherds to protect their sheep and lambs from enemies and from wild beasts. There must have come a moment on that road when they realized they could not make their destination. WHEN WAS YESHUA THE MESSIAH BORN? The need for a substitutionary sacrifice and shedding of innocent blood to atone for sin is well established in Scripture, beginning in Genesis 3:21, where God made use of animal skins to cover the nakedness and shame of Adam and Eve following their disobedience. These types of towers were common and are mentioned in various Old Testament books (Judges 8:17; 9:46, 51; 2 Kings 9:17, 18:8; Nehemiah 3:1). All of this thanks to THE LAMB BORN IN BETHLEHEM! These bands helped to provide comfort to the child, the tight bands replicating the feeling of the womb. Animal Sacrifice Powered Ancient Jerusalem's Economy Sin is violation of Gods Word, a rebellion against God. In fact the shepherds may have been on the same land that Boaz redeemed for Naomi and passed on to his son Jesse, Davids father. He said to the high priest, Cast your eyes on the Passover offerings. He took a kidney from each, and 600,000 pairs of kidneys were found there, twice as many as those who departed from Egypt, excluding those who were unclean and those who were on a distant journey, and there was not a single paschal lamb for which more than ten people had not registered; and they called it: The Passover of the dense throngs.. The shekalim 7:7 of the Mishnah does not suggest that Migdal-Eder was used as a permanent location for sacrificial lambs. When Habib was explaining the many intricate steps of the sheeps life I was astounded by the parallelism to Jesus Christ. Where did the shepherds get the Lambs for sacrifice? Which is correct poinsettia or poinsettia? I am taking for granted that Edersheim, who was a rabbinic Jew and expert scholar turned Christian scholar, knew what he was talking about when I quoted him for my article. He was also the first to baptize converts, and he might have even started the first church as the disciples of Jesus were initially following John before they were instructed to follow Jesus (John 1:3537; Acts 1:1526). The rabbis did not ban shepherds. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. When the [Second] Temple was destroyed [in 70 CE], all sacrifice eventually ceased, and only the Samaritans continued to bring the offering in their own community.

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