December 3, 2021

So it was, that while [Joseph and Mary] were there*, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:6-7

*BETHLEHEM! The place meaning “house of bread” is where God manifested His love toward humanity by sending His Son as a helpless baby! The mental picture of the tiny newborn Jesus in the manger brings a mix of awe, compassion, and tears of joy to our eyes! The swaddling cloths which were so gently wrapped around Him may have been an old garment—or some other well-used fabric— torn into strips. They had surely been carefully and tenderly washed… lovingly prepared for the King of the universe. The Savior who entered our broken world to clothe us in His righteousness was clothed in unimaginable humility.

And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born. Revelation 12:4b

The book of Revelation, using powerful symbolic language, tells us the sweep of world events from the time of the birth of Jesus until His return to gather His faithful “bride.” The woman, symbolizing God’s collective people, had been prophesied in Scripture as the one through whom the Savior of the world was to come. Because of Daniel, these prophecies were available to Gentile wise men who were impressed by them… so impressed as to make a great journey to behold and to worship the baby King, bearing costly gifts for Him. The timing of the Savior’s birth was clear to this enormous entourage (as described by Isaiah in yesterday’s closing verses).

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Matthew 2:1-3

Because Satan manifested his hatred for the baby Jesus through Herod’s selfishness—for “king of the Jews” was his title—the tragic fulfillment of Jeremiah’s prophecy (31:15) became the horrific reality as all the male children two years old and under in Bethlehem and the surrounding districts were brutally murdered, per Herod’s order (Matthew 2:16).

Herod listened to his own voice of selfishness, which subjected him to—and aligned him with—the will of Satan, as revealed in Revelation 12:4 above. I must be wary of listening to my own voice and talking myself out of alignment with God’s will. The moment I begin to debate over a point that God is making, I am in danger of convincing myself to move away from His will. The consequences may affect many others and be much deadlier than I am able to fathom.

There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. Proverbs 14:12 and 16:25