“The Jewish Background of
the Messiah’s Birth” 12/9/07
“These
are the appointed times of the LORD, holy convocations which you shall proclaim
at the times appointed for them.” Leviticus 23:4
POINT
1- The
Jewish background teaches us about God’s TIMING
“But
when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a
woman” Galatians 4:4
A.
The
fullness of time included the RELIGIOUS aspects.
(various sects of Judaism; use of synagogues;
Messianism)
B.
The
fullness of time included the CULTURAL aspects.
(Greek language; Rabbi-talmid system; freedom to
worship)
C.
The
fullness of time included the POLITICAL aspects.
(Pax Romana; economic & political stability;
roads)
D.
The
fullness of time included the conception of JOHN BAPTIST
(Luke 1:5; compare 1 Chron 24:10; Born on Passover
– Mat 11:14)
E.
The
fullness of time included the conception of the MESSIAH
(Luke 1:26, 36; John 8:12, 9:5 - Feast of Dedication
or ???)
F.
The
fullness of time included the birth of Jesus on SUKKOT
(John 1:14 - “he tabernacled”; same word as Lev 23:34
in LXX)
Deeper (Matthew 10:29-30)
POINT
2- The
Jewish background teaches us about God’s PLACE
A.
God
chose the small Judean village of BETHLEHEM
(Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:4-6)
B.
There
was no room for Jesus in the GUEST ROOM
(Compare Luke 2:7, 22:11; Mark 14:14 with Inn
Luke 10:34)
Deeper (Philippians 2:1-10)
POINT
3- The
Jewish background teaches us about God’s SERVANTS
A.
God
chose to reveal himself to those who were HUMBLE
(Mary- Luke 1:48, 52; Shepherds- Luke 2:8; Isaiah 66:2)
Deeper