(and of his conception)
http://www.MessianicMessages.com
Last week,
I touched on a very sensitive topic. Today,
I am going to barge ahead with vigor! Although it deals with a holiday celebrated
in a few months, it is, I believe, very closely connected to this Feast which
ends tonight. You will probably need
to print this one out and study it for while, but please do not dismiss it
until you do.
I think Every year, we are confronted by Christians who ask
me what about celebrating Christmas. Carol and
I have raised five children, two from Carol’s previous marriage and three
from mine. Hers grew up in the Catholic church, and mine grew up as secular
Gentiles, raised by their mother and her second husband. In their later years, three of them were raised
in our home and were exposed to and came to embrace a personal relationship
with the L-rd, Yeshua. Although at home in Messianic worship and observance,
they always expected a tree and
presents
at the end of the year. Year after year, we struggled and year after year,
we succumbed to their happiness. This year, they are all grown, and we decided
to spend the season renewing our understanding of the people, the place, and
the time of His birth. That time was almost certainly not December 25th, and
in this teaching, I will address that issue among others.
The New Testament itself is the source for the calculation of the date
of the birth of the Messiah. The birth of Yeshua during the week of Sukkot
(the Feast of Tabernacles) and specifically on Simhat Torah (the last day
of the feast)coincides with the one feast and the one week of the Hebrew year
which commemorates the Sh’chinah (Glory of God) tabernacling among men"
and the Torah itself "coming to life."
This birth date would establish a Chanukah (around December 25) "miraculous
conception" of the Messiah. And, this would more literally "fulfill"
the inspired and revelatory purposes of both of these celebrations: Simhat
Torah commemorates the advent of the Torah. And, as the Gospel of John tells
us, "the Word became flesh." Chanukah is the commemoration of a
miraculous eight-day supply of oil for the light in the Temple menorah, when
the supply should only have been sufficient for one day. What better day for
the Radiant Glory of HaShem to bring the "Light of the World" into
the womb of a young Jewish virgin?
Let’s
look at the time span of about nine months from the first day of Chanukah
to the first day of Sukkot and the last day of Sukkot, 285 to 293 days, respectively.
This is within the normal human gestation period or the period from conception
to delivery. The first day of Sukkot is a viable option for the birth of Yeshua
since the circumcision would have occurred on Simhat Torah and life is counted
as beginning when a male child survives to the day of circumcision eight days
after his birth, at which time he formally receives his name.
First, we must establish the date of Miriam’s (Mary’s) conception by marking
the birth of Jochanan (John the Baptist), who preceded Yeshua in birth by
six Hebrew months. In order to determine this date we must first determine
the date of Zacharias’ angelic visitation. This is provided through the cycle
of duties of the priests in the Temple and through knowing the "course"
of service under which Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, served.
The Bible tells us clearly that Elisheva (Elizabeth, the mother of John)conceived
immediately after Zacharias returned home from his priestly service.
Luke 1:5 also states that Zacharias was a priest of the "course
of Abijah." 1 Chronicles 24 divides the priestly families into 24 groups
or "courses." 1 Chronicles 24:10 designates the "eighth course"
as that of Abijah.
Each course had
by all
of the men of
Zacharias’ first course of duty therefore fell from 27 Iyar to the eve
of Shavu’ot (Pentecost) on the fifth day of the month of Sivan. During the
two-day festival of Shavu’ot, Zacharias would have been obligated to remain
and serve with all of the priests in Jerusalem even though he was unable to
speak during this time.
So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order
of his division, according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to
burn incense when he went into the temple of the L-rd. And the whole multitude
of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. Then an angel of
the L-rd appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the
angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard;
and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.
(Luke 1:8-13)
Zacharias would have returned home to his wife, Elisheva on 8 Sivan. So
8 Sivan becomes the earliest possible date for the conception of Yochanan
by Elisheva. Assuming the long-held
belief that the menstrual cycle usually coincided with the phases of the moon,
with most women having their most fertile period during the first week of
the new moon, (which also marks the beginning of Hebrew months), she could
have conceived that very day. Luke 1 indicates that the conception occurred
"soon after" Yochanan returned from his priestly duties. Knowing the desire of a childless man for a
son, most probably very soon after.
And so it was, as soon as the days of his service were completed, that
he departed to his own house. Now after those days (of his
Assuming that Elisheva conceived on 8 Sivan, she would have hidden herself
the five months of Sivan, Tammuz, Av, Elul, Tishrei and the first week of
Cheshvan. So the angel, Gabriel would
have been sent to Miriam in the sixth month of Elisheva’s pregnancy or during
the latter part of Cheshvan or early part of the month of Kislev. We know
that the conception took place sometime after the appearance of the angel
from two accounts: And when eight days
were completed for the circumcision of the child, his name was called Yeshua,
the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. (Luke 2:21)
And having come in, the angel said to her, "Rejoice, highly favored one,
the L-rd is with you; blessed are you among women!" But when she saw
him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting
this was. Then the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you
have found favor with God. "And behold, you will conceive in your womb
and bring forth a son, and shall call his name Yeshua. "He will be great,
and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give him
the throne of his father David. "And he will reign over the house of
Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end." Then Mary said
to the angel, "How can this be, since I do not know a man?"
And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will
come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you;; therefore,
also, that holy one who is to be born will be called the Son of God. (Luke
1:28-35)
The most appropriate time and the most appropriate celebration for an
unusual conception by Miriam would have been the first day of Chanukah, which
commemorates a "miracle" of light and which is probably the day
that Miriam was herself overshadowed by the Ruach Hakodesh (Holy Spirit) and
conceived.
The evening of the 24th of Kislev marks the beginning of Chanukah, which
celebrates the occasion of the rededication of the Temple when oil for the
menorah expected to last only one day actually lasted eight days. Chanukah,
also called the Feast of Dedication, would have occurred from the 164th to
the 172nd days of Elisheva’s pregnancy or just as she was about
to enter her third trimester.
"Now indeed, Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in
her old age; and this is now the sixth month for her who was called barren.
"For with God nothing will be impossible. (Luke 1:36-37)
Until God could send an angel to speak to Joseph about Miriam’s unusual
conception,
Miriam went to live with Elisheva and her husband Zacharias, to assist her
cousin with the demands of her pregnancy. She remained with Elisheva for three
months. Again, assuming a conception on 8 Sivan, Elisheva would have been,
during the week of Passover, at full-term, especially for a child born from
the womb of a mother of advanced years. And
Mary remained with her about three months, and returned to her house. Now
Elizabeth's full time came for her to be delivered, and she brought forth
a son. (Luke 1:56-57)
Remember that Yeshua himself identified Yochanan as having the mantle
of Eliyahu. Interestingly, the Jewish people to this day, set a place for
Eliyahu (Elijah) during the Passover Seder meal. Passover would therefore
be the most appropriate week for the birth of Eliyahu and of Yochanan HaMikvot
(John the Baptiser). Making the 8th day of Passover the day which actually
coincided with Yochanan’s circumcision.
Exactly six months later, from Nisan 15 to Tishrei 15, the first day of
Sukkot (the Feast of Tabernacles) follows the Passover. If Miriam conceived
on Kislev 24, the first day of Chanukah, Yeshua would have been full-term
(in a younger woman) on the 15th to 22nd of Tishrei. Again, since life is
reckoned to begin after a male child is circumcised and the child is customarily
not given a name unless it survives to be circumcised, either date qualifies
as a "birthday" for Yeshua.
The 22nd of Tishrei (8th day of the Feast), is Simhat Torah, which literally
means "the rejoicing of the Torah." On this day, the rabbis in the
synagogues take the Torah scrolls out of their sacred places and dance with
them around the synagogue and even in the surrounding streets as though the
Torah had come to life.
And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory,
glory as of the only begotten from the Father), full of grace and truth. (John
1:14)
During the Feast of Tabernacles, every male Israelite is required to come
to Jerusalem and abide in tents or primitive lean-tos called sukkot. The Hebrew
word sukkot describes "stables" or lodging places for animals as
reflected in Genesis 33:17.
And Jacob journeyed to Sukkoth, built himself a house, and made Sukkoth
(booths)for his livestock. Therefore the name of the place is called Sukkoth.
(Genesis 33:17).
Dwelling in these booths seven days and nights out of every year, which
were no better than shelters constructed for animals, served to remind the
Hebrew people that these were their ancestor’s normal shelters for the 40
years their ancestors lived in the wilderness.
Could this animal shelter be the traditional place known by the Greek
term "manger" in which the Child was laid? Having "no room
in the inn" on the Feast of Tabernacles these holy pilgrims to Jerusalem
could have found a place in one of these Sukkot.
According
to scripture, they could not return to their homes immediately because they
must register for the census imposed by Herod. This massive annual visitation
to Jerusalem during Sukkot was the most logical time for Herod to impose his
census and tax. It is important to note that the Chanukah season, which coincides
with the traditional December 25th birthdate for Yeshua, does not make such
a demand for the sons of Israel to journey to Jerusalem, and would have been
a very impractical time to collect a tax and to count the population.
Matthew 2:7-8, 16 states that Herod inquired "diligently" of
the wise men (magi). These magi are believed to be Parthian mystics who lived
East and North of the Euphrates at the end of the Persian empire. Parthia
was a kingdom whose power rivaled Rome in the First Century. The royal class
(from which Parthian kings were chosen by a combined vote of the magi and
the royal class) were known as "Kings of Kings." Apparently this
custom carried over from earlier Persian rule. For instance, both Artaxerxes
and Nebuchadnezzar, are referred to in
Scripture
by this title. (Ezra 7:12, Ezekiel 26:7 and Daniel 2:37).
The magi also believed that the blessing of Jacob to Judah, that the scepter
(of rule) should not depart from Judah (Genesis 49:10) meant that even the
nations (other people groups) should be ruled by kings of Israel. This belief
coupled by the appearance of the Star of Bethlehem convinced them that a true
"King of Kings" selected by the hand of God, was to be found among
the House of David within Judea.
As a "king of the Jews" Yeshua was an early candidate for kingship
in the Parthian empire, which had always remained friendly to Judah, and which
many scholars -- including the first century historian, Josephus – wrote,
comprised the vast hordes of the assimilated northern kingdom who had escaped
Assyrian exile.
At any rate, Herod had inquired of these knowledgeable magi and must surely
have known when Yeshua was born although they did not return to him as he
had commanded.
Now when they (the magi) had seen him, they made widely known the saying
which was told them concerning this child. (Luke 2:17)
This would make it dangerous for Joseph and Miriam to bring Yeshua to
the
Josephus relates that Herod became very ill immediately following an act
of impiety against the priesthood, at which time an eclipse of the moon occurred.
This eclipse, the only one mentioned by Josephus, happened March 13,
4 BC. Herod’s death occurred "about
September" meaning he would have been ill for several months before dying
in the fall, according to Josephus’ record. The seven days of Sukkot fall
in mid-September to October, according to the Julian calendar. This means
that Herod, who first grew sick in the spring of 4 BC, died after the Feast
of Tabernacles and shortly after Joseph and Miriam had fled with
the infant,
Yeshua. But they returned, after Herod’s death, in time for his dedication
in the Temple, when Yeshua was 40 days old, around Kislev 12 or the day we
now call Thanksgiving Day. An interesting aside is that many believe our observance
of Thanksgiving is due to the Pilgrim’s keeping the Torah’s tradition of this
Feast of Tabernacles.
During this presentation of the infant Yeshua in the Temple, the prophecies
of Simeon and Hanna were delivered to Joseph and Miriam. Those prophecies
from Isaiah, coincide with the readings of the prophets read in the synagogue
only one time a year ... the week of Kislev 12.
Then, there is the prophecy of Simeon as he beheld the infant Yeshua in
the Temple when he was 40 days old.
And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the child,
his name was called Yeshua, the name given by the angel before he was conceived
in the womb. Now when the days of her purification according to the law of
Moses were completed, they brought him to Jerusalem to present him to the
L-rd (as it is written in the law of the L-rd, "Every male who opens
the womb shall be called holy to the L-rd"), and to offer a sacrifice
according to what is said in the law of the L-rd, "A pair of turtledoves
or two young pigeons." And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose
name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation
of Israel, (Luke 2:21-25a)
These words by Simeon paraphrase the two-pronged mission of Messiah recorded
in Isaiah 49:5-6: "And now the L-rd says, Who formed me from the womb
to be His servant, to bring Jacob back to Him, so that Israel is gathered
to Him (For I shall be glorious in the eyes of the L-rd, and my God shall
be my strength), Indeed He says, 'It is too small a thing that you should
be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob,and to restore the household
of Israel; I will also give you as a light to the Gentiles, that you should
be My salvation to the ends of the earth.'"
As Yeshua may have hinted, the first mission of "restoring the preserved
of Israel" would be last, and the last mission "becoming a light
of salvation to the Gentiles" would be first.
So, how have we gotten so confused in our observation of the birth of
Yeshua? Many speculate and accuse the Church of heresy and of pagan practice.
Many bring condemnation upon the Church for straying so far from Torah and
from the Times of the L-rd. That is not my mission; that is not the purpose
to which I have been called. I have been called to be a "light for the
gentiles." I have been called to the Gentile majority of the Body of
Messiah. I have been called to present to you the truth, but with the love
of Aaron, who always sought unity for the sake of the Word of G-d and always
went out of his way to bring peace to the people of G-d. It is that peace
that I bring to you.
Was Jesus born on December 25th? Probably not. Was He born? Absolutely.
Is He the very nature of G-d, bodily sent to reveal the Father to His children?
Without question. He was, in fact, probably conceived on the day to
which we ascribe His birth. When does life begin? At birth? At conception?
When your youngest graduates from college, gets married and has a good job
in a state far away? Life for us must begin when we allow Yeshua, the Giver
of life to rule and to reign in our hearts. He is the reason we celebrate
the Feasts of the L-rd and He is the reason we celebrate Christmas.
He is the focus of our lives and of our ministry. When you sit in your
Sukkah and share special times with your family, realize that it is to celebrate
that Yeshua tabernacles with us. When
you decorate your homes and adorn a tree this December, realize that it is
G-d who gives us the power to get wealth. Realize that 2000 years ago, in
a town just South of Jerusalem, the King of kings was sent to die for us all.
Remember that Jesus is the reason for the season. Focus on the manger (or
the Sukkah) not on the gifts under the tree. Focus on Jesus, not Santa Clause.
We are not going to change over a thousand years of tradition with this message.
But we can change our hearts, we can change our plans, we can change our future.
This season, pray for the peace of Jerusalem. This season, pray like never before that the
people through whom the Messiah came would see Him for Who He is. Psalm 122
commands that we pray for the peace of Jerusalem. James 5: 16 promises that
the effective fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Does that mean
that if we pray really hard, for peace that we will see it? No, it means we
must pray effectively. How? "The nations cry, "Peace, peace, but
here is no peace." And there will be no peace in Jerusalem until the
Prince of Peace rules in the heart of every Jewish person in the world; Jerusalem
is the heart of every Jew and we must all rest in shalom.
So, pray for the salvation of Jewish people. Pray for the salvation of
a Jewish person whom the L-rd has placed into your life. Next, be their friend.
Send them cards at Chanukah, at Passover, and at Rosh Hashanah. Be there for
them. And "have a good answer when you are asked of the hope that is
in you." Expect to be asked why you are always there, why you are always
confident, why you are always so expectant of good. Then, let our answer always
be Yeshua is the Messiah of Israel and He is my hope. Never shrink back from
an opportunity to bring the truth of the gospel to a Jewish person; to do
so is to be involved in the greatest holocaust in history.
I hope
you still love me and will continue to pray for us.
Marty Cohen,
http://www.MessianicMessages.com
This information
is not being provided to stir controversy in the seemingly never-ending debate
about the actual time of year Jesus was born on. To my way of looking at it, Marty’s information
is pretty sound. Looking at the information
provided by the Scriptures in the four gospels through a Jewish lens or paradigm
seems to yield information about the conception and birth dates of Yeshua
that Gentile Christian scholars have for centuries been unable to decipher.
Why? The cipher is a Jewish one, which best unlocks the missing information within the
four gospels, which were written by the Holy Spirit through four Jewish men. This information should help us to put together and understand some
pretty awesome miracles God was performing to protect the Jewish ethnic culture
Jesus would be born into, to restore the sanctity of the temple where essential
legal ceremonial rituals would have to be performed for and on Jesus right
after his birth, all necessary if he were to fulfill the requirements of being
the Messiah. So we find the Festival
of Lights itself has a far deeper and more significant meaning, in that the
Light of the world John spoke of in John 1, actually entered into Mary and
brought about her immaculate conception of the Himself, the Savior, Jesus,
Yeshua of Nazareth. It’s very interesting
how at Christmas time the neighborhood fills up with lights, everywhere trees,
houses, shrubs, all lighted up with lights, Christmas trees lighted up with
lights everywhere--how truly symbolic of the time when this very brilliant
(but invisible to human eyes) speck of light came down from the heavens and
entered into Mary and caused one of her eggs to become a invisibly brilliant
glowing embryo who nine months later would became Jesus, Yeshua of Nazareth. That is how the Messianic Jewish believers are
beginning to see this history, as they begin to unravel it using a Jewish
lens, paradigm, to unlock Scriptures inspired by the Holy Spirit, but written
by Jews.