Shepherds Staying Out in the Field

"And you, oh tower of the flock, hill of Daughter Zion, to you it shall come, the former dominion shall come; the sovereignty of Daughter Jerusalem” (Micah 4:8 NRSV).

I've spent a lot of time lately thinking about the shepherds who were the first to hear of the birth of Jesus. This is a rather obscure verse from Micah, but the research I've done indicates it's really rather significant! This verse predicts the place Jesus will be born! It also explains the tremendous symbolism about that birthplace!

The shepherds to whom the angels appeared were not just any shepherds! Their responsibility was to raise the sheep intended for temple sacrifice. These sheep had to not only be protected, they also had to remain unharmed, uninjured or scarred, "perfect" to be suitable for sacrifice. To protect these special sheep, the shepherds often wrapped them in cloths.

The significance of Jesus' birthplace dates back hundreds of years. "After Jacob left Bethel he came to Edar (the tower) and there Rachel began hard labor and as she delivered Benjamin she died and was buried there in Ephratah which is Bethlehem" (Gen. 35:19).

After burying Rachel, Jacob moved his flocks beyond the tower of Edar. This would pinpoint the location as being near to what is present day Bethlehem. Clearly, this establishes that Migdal Edar, "the tower of the flock" was in Bethlehem in Bible times. [bible-truth.org]

Without wandering too far off base, the name Rachel means female sheep or ewe and "innocence of a lamb." Are you beginning to see some of the symbolism yet?

Midgal Eder (and other towers) is where shepherds brought ewes who were about to give birth, so they would be sheltered and protected and the lambs would be born in a safe and clean/pure environment. Many of the Rabbis at the time of Jesus taught that Jesus' birth would be announced from Midgal Eder!

I actually spent about an hour getting sidetracked in my research and study! This one verse has so much significance and meaning! Micah was a contemporary of Isaiah and from the laboring class. He lived 700 years before the birth of Christ!

I am in absolute awe when I learn how intimately and "exactly" God has been involved in mankind since the very beginning of creation! It comforts me to know that He is, indeed in control, has a plan and a purpose for everything that happens to us. Most of all, it gives me hope! It inspires me to live life more joyfully and with greater gratitude.

"So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger” (Luke 2:4-12 NIV)

Blessings on your journey,

Mary

Two days after Christmas

Today is December 27. For some reason this morning I thought of the shepherds during that first Christmas.

Discussion on Facebook already has begun: when folks should/do take down the tree. Life needs to get back to "normal," the reminders of the holiday packed away for another year . . . by this time that first Christmas the shepherds had undoubtedly returned to their flocks. I'm just not ready to put Christmas away yet.

I bet there was still much conversation about those angels, and that baby, the star, and the wonder/hope of what it all foretold. I bet those shepherds lingered that night . . . knowing their sheep were unattended . . . or perhaps knowing it was time for the "next shift" to come to town as they took turns watching each other's flocks.

I'm pretty sure they never looked up in the night sky and thought of it in the same way as they had the night before those angels appeared! I bet they secretly hoped to see more angels . . . receive even more good news . . . maybe a prediction of the future . . . life would certainly never be the same!

Our Christmas tree will stay up a while . . . at least through next weekend. This year the predominant ornaments are angels. I started buying my son the "Mary's angels" series by Hallmark on his first Christmas and by now they fill the tree--reminding me of that night sky.

"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:8-14 NIV).

Blessings on your journey,
Mary

THANKFUL THURSDAY!

I'm joining Sonya again this week for Thankful Thursday! Stop by Truth 4 The Journey to join us!

1) I am thankful that our daughter and son-in-law will be relocating to Richmond by this summer!

2) I am thankful to God for blessing me and my ministry in ways I never imagined possible. Thank you Lord, for expanding my mission field and equipping me to do Your work in the world.

3) I am thankful for my church family. They really are a family, too, after almost 20 years!

4) I am thankful for a new doctor who is proactively helping me improve my health.

5) I am thankful for the gift of our Savior. Sometimes I just can't breathe thinking about how very much I am loved that He would die for me.

What are you thankful for today?

Beyond Comprehension or Imagining

Have you ever dealt with (or avoided dealing with!) an issue that just weighed you down, and nagged at you and was an underlying anxiety in every aspect of your life? I'm sure we all have, and today one of those issues for us was resolved in a way that I still can't quite wrap my head around! I won't share the particular details because they are not what is important, and they may serve to distract from my point.

For about a year there has been an issue in our lives (not a marital/family relationship issues) that has really caused us some strife in our relationship with God. We have been kind of hard-headed--I have been so in particular. It's one of those issues where we tell ourselves -- and God, "I can deal with this on my own." After you have repeated that sentiment enough times, you even start believing it.

But when we edge God out, when we don't even allow His guidance, we certainly cannot deal with it, at least not very well and not for very long! It continues to nag at us and crops up unexpectedly at the most inopportune times!

This morning things came to head and I found myself on my knees. I actually began to cry because I knew I was going to have to give up the last little bit of my pride in this situation and allow God to fix it, if it was to ever be resolved. When I finished I still didn't feel as if the situation could be fixed.

Within 2 hours though a series of phone calls and events took place that simply could not have been orchestrated my the will of man. I still am kind of numb because even though I have said many times that I know God loves me, until today I don't think I really comprehended just how much He does indeed love me.

Because of my submission, God was able to work His way in our lives. He brought about what needed to happen--not to relieve us of responsibility or accountability, but to reassure us that He was indeed in control and that he could and would bring things to fruition according to His plan. Of course, His plan is always to prosper us - to bring goodness and peace into our lives.

We now see a way clear to resolve the situation and to move forward with a new type of reassurance. The reassurance is not within or through ourselves, though. It is a reassurance that surrender = peace. Letting go of pride = comfort. Relying upon God = abundant provision beyond imagining.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the LORD, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. [Isaiah 43:3-4a NIV]

I'm not given to making declarations like this. I'm not about sensationalism or drawing attention to myself when I relate how God works in our lives. But I'm making this declaration: God is intimately and intricately involved in every single aspect of our lives, both the mundane and the extraordinary. He knows every breath we take. He comprehends the depth and breadth of our stubbornness and petulance. He loves us anyway.

He sent Jesus to earth to atone for our innate sinfulness and to win us eternal life. God's grace surpasses and far exceeds anything that the human mind can comprehend or imagine.

Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him! [Isaiah 30:18]