Morning Moments

The birth of Jesus and the shepherd’s visit Lk 2:1-21

The Guidance of God “registered”
Luke does not say that the “taxing” was collected at this time, but rather that people were registered. It was probable that only holders of inherited property had to go to their home town to register; possible Joseph was owner of the house where the Wise men later found the family. While he was in Nazareth he would have rented it out to others, who could not be asked to move for his short stay.

Had the Emperor Augustus made his decision three months earlier, or indeed three months later, the unfolding of the plans of God would have been thrown into confusion.

God knew how long it would take to set the registration machinery of the Empire into action; He knew precisely how long it would take for officials to reach their place of duty, and when every detail had been finalized, things began to move, not primarily as the Emperor decreed, but according to the will of the Almighty. The term Apographe translated taxed would be better expressed registered.

Among the Romans this indicated a general registration of citizens, when the heads of the various households were required to reveal their name, age, occupation, and the size of their family. These details were required as an aid to the assessment of taxes. It would appear that the Emperor ordered this registration with a view to the raising of money necessary for the extension and maintenance of the Empire.

That all this came to pass in time to bring Joseph and Mary to the appointed place, Bethlehem, for the birth of Jesus provides food for thought. As God planned in bygone ages, so He plans now.

Happy indeed is the man whose future rests in the hand of the Lord.

BLESSINGS!