"In the days of Herod, king of Judea!" Luke 1:5a During these days of Caesar's rule of Rome, his power was felt down through the ranks of Quirinius who was governor of Syria and Herod, who the emperor allowed to continue to be the king of the Jews. I suppose, each one in their own right, have sheets and sheets written about them. In the Christmas story all three are mentioned in this Hall of fame.
The name Caesar refers to the Roman Emperor. The Jews paid tribute to Caesar and all Roman citizens were allowed the privilege of appeal to him. Caesar is portrayed throughout history as the peoples god! He rules with authority and a heavy hand. He appointed governors for all provinces and this governor would rule his province as though he was Caesar himself. The governor was even over the Jewish king!
"In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. This was the first enrollment, when Quirinius was governor of Syria." Luke 2:1-2 Originally, many believed that Quirinius had nothing to do with this enrollment. However, through Sir W. M. Ramsey's research, he concluded that Quirinius had control over Syria's foreign relations and supervised the census, therefore, it has been widely accepted that he was indeed the governor at the time of the census.
An interesting point to be made here, is that unknown to Caesar and Quirinius, they were pawns in God's fulfillment of prophesy. Unknown to those who worked for the Roman establishment who were to take part in the census, were fulfilling prophesy. "But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, from you shall come forth for me, who is to be ruler in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days." Micah 5:2 Jesus was to be born in Bethlehem!
Again, God uses whomever He wants! It doesn't matter what the background is; what the profession is; how clean their hands are; God will use them! Here the census was called which caused Mary to be in the right place at the right time for the righteousness of God. "And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be enrolled with Mary, his wife, who was with child." Luke 1:4-5
This life, that was to be born, was described earlier as coming from old, from ancient days. In other words, this baby had already existed in the heavenly realms with God the Father. Here is a revelation that Jesus existed before anything ever existed. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through Him and without Him was not anything made that was made. In Him was life and His life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it." John 1:1-5
Today Rome is Italy and it has a Prime minister, which is similar to our President. The rule of the emperor has long since been abolished. The peoples god is no more! "Therefore God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth." Philippians 2:9-10
No matter how man tries to elevate himself in a position of rule and authority, he will never outlive the power and majesty that Jesus Christ was given through His father which is in heaven. No matter how man sees himself as a powerful mover and shaker, he will never obtain the never ending stature of God. "Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let thy glory be over all the earth." Psalms 57:11 By Jane Ann Crenshaw 12/15/09
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