December 22, 2022
And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. Luke 2:1-2
Scripture, when placed under the scrutiny of historical and archaeological research, always stands the test. Luke was meticulous in the details he included in his account of events. Let us look again at the timing of the birth of Jesus. He was born at exactly the right time to enter into ministry at age 30 (see Numbers 4:3,30,47) which is seven years (one prophetic week) before the close of Daniel’s 70-weeks prophecy in Daniel 9 (or the first 490 years of the 2300-year prophecy given in Daniel 8:12-14). The beginning date of the prophetic timeline given in Daniel is firmly recognized as 457BC. That is the year of the command to restore and build Jerusalem cited in Daniel 9:25 and recorded in Ezra 7:13.
These first 490 years were especially designated by God for the Jews, as stated in yesterday’s opening verse. Jesus knew this, of course, which explains these instructions to His disciples during His ministry:
These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, and as you go, preach, saying ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’” Matthew 10:5-7
The lost sheep of the house of Israel, the very people who were the guardians of the written Word; yet they were lost! This instruction by Jesus to the twelve Apostles is a direct fulfillment of God’s timetable as shown to Daniel. Those familiar with the written Word would be the ones to comprehend God’s intended message most readily, and thus have an advantage in bringing the message to the rest of the world. It is a very practical strategy. And it is also God’s way of confirming covenant with His covenant people, as foretold in Daniel 9:27. Jesus again confirms it in Matthew 15:24 when He says, “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” Fortunately there were many Jews who did indeed recognize Jesus as their Messiah! They became carriers of the Gospel to still others. The writer of Hebrews, whom many believe to be Paul, admonished his believing Hebrew brethren not to be lured away from the pure and simple message of salvation in Jesus. There were unconverted Jews who were working feverishly to influence the believing Jews to turn back to the sacrificial system, as if Christ’s sacrifice was meaningless.
Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him. Hebrews 2:1-3