Post by barb43 on Dec 12, 2022 2:01:31 GMT
Away in a Manger at Migdal Eder, researched and written by Donna Gawell
DECEMBER 17, 2020 donnagawell.com/2020/12/17/away-in-a-manger-at-migdal-eder/
The author begins this article with a folksy approach to explain how she - and many of us - have come by our views and opinions on the nativity, that place and situation in which Jesus was born. Here are her words:
It's a bit embarrassing & painful to admit that's pretty much how I've always seen the nativity, with a few intrusive 'facts' that I didn't understand and never found written about (like, whether Jesus might really have been born in a cave).
This author clears up those differences in the story in great detail.
At this point, she reminds the reader of Caesar Agustus' royal decree for all his citizens to go to the town of their ancestors to be counted and taxed in a special census. Joseph, as a descendant of David, traveled with his very pregnant wife, Mary, to Bethlehem. She ties in Joseph's direct relationship to David, his ancestor.
She then goes into detail to tell the reader about David's days as a shepherd, and the purpose of the location in which he worked.
Donna Gawell continues with great detail about the tower of the flock. The following is just a few paragraphs in her details. She ties in some key Old Testament figures as a means of pinpointing the location of this tower and its past importance in history.
After providing more details to link the Tower of Flocks and Jesus' birth through scripture, prophecy, and history Gawell winds up the topic this way:
I recommend this whole article - it is a worthwhile read.
DECEMBER 17, 2020 donnagawell.com/2020/12/17/away-in-a-manger-at-migdal-eder/
The author begins this article with a folksy approach to explain how she - and many of us - have come by our views and opinions on the nativity, that place and situation in which Jesus was born. Here are her words:
For years, I’ve imagined Jesus’ humble birth and the manger scene all wrong. Like most people who grew up with an heirloom nativity set, I envisioned Baby Jesus in a tattered wooden shack surrounded by Mary, Joseph, shepherd boys, wise men, and all the requisite animals: lambs, camels, cows, etc.
My version of the nativity story was colored by my modern, Americanized understanding of Jesus’ birth. I was told Mary and Joseph were forced to seek a room in Bethlehem, where they were repeatedly told there was no room for them. A grumpy but somewhat sympathetic innkeeper probably pointed at the shabby wooden stable behind his building and agreed to let the poor couple stay there. Then, an angel told the shepherd boys in the fields about the birth, and they joined up with the wise men to adore and honor the baby and deliver gifts. It is a nice story but one colored by my western understanding.
My version of the nativity story was colored by my modern, Americanized understanding of Jesus’ birth. I was told Mary and Joseph were forced to seek a room in Bethlehem, where they were repeatedly told there was no room for them. A grumpy but somewhat sympathetic innkeeper probably pointed at the shabby wooden stable behind his building and agreed to let the poor couple stay there. Then, an angel told the shepherd boys in the fields about the birth, and they joined up with the wise men to adore and honor the baby and deliver gifts. It is a nice story but one colored by my western understanding.
It's a bit embarrassing & painful to admit that's pretty much how I've always seen the nativity, with a few intrusive 'facts' that I didn't understand and never found written about (like, whether Jesus might really have been born in a cave).
This author clears up those differences in the story in great detail.
The historically accurate story is not only more fascinating but also fulfilled prophesy and places Jesus’ birth in the proper cultural context. Perhaps, God intended for there to be no room in the inn. Maybe, He wanted His Son to be born in a stone manger in a very special place: Migdal Eder, the Tower of the Flock as the paschal lamb of God.
At this point, she reminds the reader of Caesar Agustus' royal decree for all his citizens to go to the town of their ancestors to be counted and taxed in a special census. Joseph, as a descendant of David, traveled with his very pregnant wife, Mary, to Bethlehem. She ties in Joseph's direct relationship to David, his ancestor.
She then goes into detail to tell the reader about David's days as a shepherd, and the purpose of the location in which he worked.
David, Joseph’s ancestor, was born in Bethlehem, where he served as a shepherd boy before meeting Goliath.
At the time of Jesus’ birth, Bethlehem had a population of about three hundred and was the area where Levitical shepherds raised lambs for sacrifice at the Temple in Jerusalem. These special shepherds were trained and tasked with the responsibility of discerning which lambs were suitable for sacrifice, as only an unblemished lamb was acceptable.
Keeping the young lambs safe and clean was not an easy task in this rocky area, so the chosen lambs were kept protected by wrapping them in strips of cloth known as swaddling cloth. The cloths or bands kept the lamb warm and calm. Any blemish from a scrape or injury would require the lamb to be rejected and sent out with the other lambs and sheep who were just ordinary stock.
As we reimagine that night over 2,000 years ago, envision the young couple arriving in the town of Bethlehem as Mary was about to give birth. Mary and Joseph likely didn’t go knocking on every door, and there were no hotels or inns as we know today. Their only option was to find a relative who might have welcomed them in or to find a stranger who would have willingly offered them a room in their home for a price. But we know that didn’t happen.
To complicate the overcrowding in Bethlehem because of the census, there was a greater problem for the young couple. ... any Jew would have recognized Mary was about to give birth, and that meant blood would be shed, making their host’s home ceremonially unclean. Mary and Joseph’s option was to accept the only accommodation available: a stable or cave of some sort.
At the time of Jesus’ birth, Bethlehem had a population of about three hundred and was the area where Levitical shepherds raised lambs for sacrifice at the Temple in Jerusalem. These special shepherds were trained and tasked with the responsibility of discerning which lambs were suitable for sacrifice, as only an unblemished lamb was acceptable.
Keeping the young lambs safe and clean was not an easy task in this rocky area, so the chosen lambs were kept protected by wrapping them in strips of cloth known as swaddling cloth. The cloths or bands kept the lamb warm and calm. Any blemish from a scrape or injury would require the lamb to be rejected and sent out with the other lambs and sheep who were just ordinary stock.
As we reimagine that night over 2,000 years ago, envision the young couple arriving in the town of Bethlehem as Mary was about to give birth. Mary and Joseph likely didn’t go knocking on every door, and there were no hotels or inns as we know today. Their only option was to find a relative who might have welcomed them in or to find a stranger who would have willingly offered them a room in their home for a price. But we know that didn’t happen.
To complicate the overcrowding in Bethlehem because of the census, there was a greater problem for the young couple. ... any Jew would have recognized Mary was about to give birth, and that meant blood would be shed, making their host’s home ceremonially unclean. Mary and Joseph’s option was to accept the only accommodation available: a stable or cave of some sort.
Donna Gawell continues with great detail about the tower of the flock. The following is just a few paragraphs in her details. She ties in some key Old Testament figures as a means of pinpointing the location of this tower and its past importance in history.
Jesus’ birthplace may have been a cave for the livestock with a person’s house built on top, but it is most likely Jesus was born at Migdal Eder or the Tower of the Flock. This watchtower from ancient times was used by the shepherds for protection from their enemies and wild beasts who stalked the flocks. It was also where they brought the ewes to deliver their lambs.
Migdal Eder, located about 2,000 paces from Bethlehem, was a tower on the road between Bethlehem and Jerusalem and is mentioned in the Old Testament by the prophet Micah who foretold the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, and He would come to “the tower of the flock.”
Micah 4:8 “And thou, O tower of the flock, the stronghold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem.” As Christians, we know that all the prophecies concerning the Messiah Jesus would be fulfilled, so this one cannot be ignored.
Jesus, the Messiah, was born as a sacrificial lamb in the same place where all other unspotted and unblemished lambs were born and then consecrated for sacrifice. John the Baptist grew up knowing the stories and prophesies of Jesus, his cousin. When he saw Jesus, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God.”
Migdal Eder, located about 2,000 paces from Bethlehem, was a tower on the road between Bethlehem and Jerusalem and is mentioned in the Old Testament by the prophet Micah who foretold the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, and He would come to “the tower of the flock.”
Micah 4:8 “And thou, O tower of the flock, the stronghold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem.” As Christians, we know that all the prophecies concerning the Messiah Jesus would be fulfilled, so this one cannot be ignored.
Jesus, the Messiah, was born as a sacrificial lamb in the same place where all other unspotted and unblemished lambs were born and then consecrated for sacrifice. John the Baptist grew up knowing the stories and prophesies of Jesus, his cousin. When he saw Jesus, he said, “Behold the Lamb of God.”
After providing more details to link the Tower of Flocks and Jesus' birth through scripture, prophecy, and history Gawell winds up the topic this way:
The Levitical shepherds who watched over the lambs and sheep in the fields and hills near the Tower of Flocks would have been well acquainted with the prophecies concerning the birth of the Messiah. They understood the signs the angels had given them. When the angel of the Lord came to them, they knew exactly where they would find the baby.
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The scriptures, history, and setting all fit together. Jesus was to be born in Bethlehem, at Migdal Eder, and then placed in the stone manger used only for the birth of sacrificial lambs. The significance of Jesus’ birth is that in God’s time, His son came exactly as the Father had promised. Surely as his past promises have been kept, so will God’s promises for the future.
--------
The scriptures, history, and setting all fit together. Jesus was to be born in Bethlehem, at Migdal Eder, and then placed in the stone manger used only for the birth of sacrificial lambs. The significance of Jesus’ birth is that in God’s time, His son came exactly as the Father had promised. Surely as his past promises have been kept, so will God’s promises for the future.
I recommend this whole article - it is a worthwhile read.
