They were of various sizes and around 6 to 8 inches deep. The festival of the paschal lamb was ushered in on the evening of the 14th of Nisan. Ancient Animal Sacrifice In Jerusalem | Live Science And they journeyed from Bethel; and there was a little way to come to Ephrath: and Rachel travailed, and she had hard labour. This is not a good argument to use to try to disprove the Dec. 25 brith of Yeshua. And found in the temple those that sold oxen, &c. Used for sacrifice. This is the location that showed the entire group how fortunate that we have Habib as our tour guide. Although it is not known for certain, I can offer some thoughts which I believe have merit. Sheep herding was a hereditary occupation, and generations of shepherds were trained to care for these special lambs. Imagine the spiritual and prophetic significance of heavens angelic messenger revealing to these shepherds the birth in Bethlehem of the spotless and sin-free Lamb of Elohim who was destined to be sacrificed from the beginning of the world (Rev 13:8; John 1:29; 2 Cor 5:21; 1 Pet 2:22; 1 John 3:5). He was born on the beginning of the Hebrew year. While this ritual was performed the Levites sang the Hallel [Talmud Pesachim 64a]. Again, it is the day that everything becomes new and everything else becomes old. The church was led astray in the 4th Century AD and has since steadfastly supported the traditional site of the cave under the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem as the birthplace of Jesus. Passover sacrifice How so? PROCLAIMING THE MESSAGE OF YESHUA THE MESSIAH. The birth of Messiah would not cause Joseph to break the law of the Eternal by being outside of Jerusalem during the Feast of Tabernacles. WHEN WAS YESHUA THE MESSIAH BORN? After the lamb was born it was wrapped in swaddling cloths (strips of cloth were taken from priests old clothes) to keep it protected without spot or blemish (the Scripture requirement for a perfect lamb), and then this lamb would be laid in a manger until it had calmed down and to protect it from being trampled. I want to thank Habib for helping this entire experience come to life for this group from Wabash College. And God appeared unto Jacob again, when he came out of Padan-aram, and blessed him. What does it mean that baby Jesus was wrapped in swaddling clothes? Although prophecy called for the Messiah to be born in Bethlehem, understanding of the connection to these lambs came much later, when the disciples realized that Jesus came to end His earthly life like one of the lambs the only difference being that He was the perfect, final sacrifice. I concede that the evidence related to Rachel is not definitive in supporting the case for Migdal Edar. Reference the Gemara. Therefore, according to the Jewish regulations, the flocks under the care of the shepherds near Bethlehem must have been for the Temple-services. These shepherds watched over sheep destined as sacrifices in the Temple at Jerusalem. Everything points to these shepherds watching over sheep used for sacrifice. He is, indeed, the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world.. The Levitical shepherds would take the sheep to specific caves used for birthing the sacrificial lambs. These sheep were apparently kept outdoors all year round. At the same time, Mish. Why Swaddling Clothes of Jesus are Mentioned Three Times in the Nativity Story. The Magi, who were astronomers from the east saw a special star in the sky. There good grazing land, and the hillsides contained numerous caves that shepherds could use for shelter. Sin is violation of Gods Word, a rebellion against God. Both were used, depending on the sacrifice. Pilgrims from distant lands brought animals to sacrifice at the temple in Jerusalem, fueling the city's economy, new research suggests. A sacrificial lamb is a metaphorical reference to a person or animal sacrificed for the common good. They were Levitical shepherds (shepherd-priests). People finding free livestock would want to offer something they did not have to pay for. Dont know. [7] The ancient rabbis referenced this passage in the writings of the Mishnah and Targum. By the way, I grew up on a sheep farm and shepherded them for 15 years. And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Ben-oni: but his father called him Benjamin. On the ground floor, a room was designated for the delivery and protection of these special lambs. And there was an excellent market for sheep in nearby Jerusalem. In Proverbs 14:4, in the Septuagint [Greek translation of the Old Testament], the word means a stall or a crib. What, then, was the stall or manger referred to in the New Testament; and what kind of animals were fed or housed there? And it came to pass, when she was in hard labour, that the midwife said unto her, Fear not; thou shalt have this son also. This tower of the flock mentioned in Micah 4:8 is in Hebrew Migdal Edar and literally means watch tower of the flock. Consequently, the Old Testament tells us that the Messiah, Jesus, would be born at Migdal Edar, in Bethlehem. Every important event in Yeshuas life corresponds to a Festival or day commanded by the Eternal. The daily Temple sacrifice required two unblemished sheep from Bethlehem. One sacrificed in the morning and one in the evening as a continual sacrifice before the Eternal. One year old lambs were also needed during Passover and other festivals. The shepherds in charge of these special lambs were from the tribe of Levi. The temple sheep, the ones raised for the purpose of these Passover sacrifices, would have been pastured and born in the fields outside Bethlehem. According to theMishnah(a rabbinic Jewish legal-historical document from the end of the second century AD), these were no ordinary sheep or shepherds, but were shepherds who watched over sheep that were destined to become burnt offerings, peace offerings and the Passover offering for the temple service in Jerusalem (Mishnah Sheq7:4;The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah, by Alfred Edersheim, pp. Pig smell is the worst! He sent the Set-Apart Spirit to his disciples on, In the writings of Hippolytus, early church father (ca. Now this is for N. America. According to the Mishnah Baba Kama, they banned livestock. When the [Second] Temple was destroyed [in 70 CE], all sacrifice eventually ceased, and only the Samaritans continued to bring the offering in their own community. They saw it at the time of Yeshuas birth and they journeyed from their country to look for him and honour him. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. I am currently researching the shepherds from Luke and shepherds/shepherding throughout the Bible. I grew up on a farm and we raised sheep. Ewes were brought there to give birth to the lambs. Bible Bloodbath: Temple Worship, Sacrifice WebWhen the ewes were ready to deliver, the shepherds moved them inside a manger. I am currently researching the shepherds from Luke and shepherds/shepherding throughout the Bible. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. was the second part of the sign and that made this baby unique because new-born babies were not normally put in a manger [feeding trough]. WebA small Alaska Native camp existed in Sheep Camp during the winter of 1897 98. One would think that the New Testament would tell us precisely where the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. Itdoes not. Dont know about the Middle East; I never bred and raised sheep there. What's special about Bethlehem-Ephrathah, is that it was a very small village where its sole purpose was to raise the sacrificial lambs that would be used in the Used by permission. Equally so was the belief, that He was to be revealed from Migdal Eder, the tower of the flock. What they saw was not a star but a rare phenomenon that happens every 6000 years and it pointed them to Israel and to Yeshua. Generations of hereditary shepherds tended the sacred flocks. It is the major source of the rabbinic teachings of Judaism. In addition to the statement by John the Baptist referring toJesus asthe Lamb of God, these bits and pieces of Scripture come from diverse sources, from both the Old and New Testaments in the Bible. It seems (?) There are several biblical references indicating that this procedure was also followed in Solomons Temple. Habib simply amazes all of us with the amount of knowledge that he possesses about all of the scared places within Israel. The Lamb of Bethlehem - Nerd in the Word I give credit to Cooper P. Abrams, III and his article Where Was the Birth Place of the Lord Jesus? The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". The Temple of God is the only place where the Jewish people are allowed to offer animal sacrifices to God. Abrahams hand was stayed, and God provided a substitute sacrifice, just as He would provide in His Son, Jesus. No alien sojourner, hired servant, or uncircumcised person may eat the meat of the paschal lamb (Exodus 12:43-45). The principal feature of the feast of unleavened bread is stated in the Bible: Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. The unleavened bread commemorated the speed with which the Jews had to leave Egypt and thus became symbolic of Israelite redemption. Every morning and evening a lamb was offered on the altar of sacrifice as a symbol of Reflecting on these passages in Genesis regarding to the death of Rachel, it is easy to imagine Jacobs anguish. According to the laws of the time the sheep that were used for the offerings had to be a one-year-old male sheep that had been outside for 365 days (one-year). Some of you here know that Jesus was born in Bethlehem-Ephrathah not Bethlehem (there were two). These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. When the Magi arrived in Jerusalem they went to Herod to inquire about this King that was to be born. It seems to me they have picked thru the oral law to fit their narrative of how fitting it was that God gave the message to the lowest of the low. I believe that Jesus was born in this same Tower of the Flock, and these shepherds went to see Jesus and His mother and father in that structure. 45. It was in this special manger, Migdal Eder, that Jesus was born after Mary and Joseph could not find other lodging. The Renewed Covenant is the Covenant of newness, it never gets old. Pronounced: ah-doe-NYE, Origin: Hebrew, a name for God. Animal Sacrifice Powered Ancient Jerusalem's Economy They were not there when Yeshua was born but around two years later they found him and his parents living in a house. A statue of Hippolytus in Rome today still mentions April as the month of Yehsuas birth [This date varies from year to year as the Hebrew months are based on the moon. Korban The festival served as a repudiation of idolatry. Once the other group left the cave Habib informed us that there is much more to the story of the shepherds. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. The Sadducees, in charge of Temple sacrifices, also owned the Bethlehem fields and the lambs raised there. But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be ruler in Israel, whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.[1]. The term is derived from the traditions of Abrahamic religion where a lamb is a highly valued possession. There is a teaching in the modern church that shepherds were outcasts, sinners, untrustworthy, banned from the Temple because they smelled and were unclean. The place these special Temple sheep used for delivery of their lambs was the tower of the flock, located close to the road between Bethlehem and Jerusalem. The Eternal is an Elohim of order. Actually, scientists now know that these ancient astronomers saw a series of conjunctions involving Jupiter, Saturn, Venus, Regulus (the brightest star in the constellation of Leo), Mercury and Mars. for bringing together many of the details in support of the case for Migdal Edar. That the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem, was a settled conviction. Every Their function was to serve in the Temple, even those with certain challenges. He was born in the very birthplace of tens of thousands of lambs, which had been sacrificed to prefigure Him. They saw it at the time of Yeshuas birth and they journeyed from their country to look for him and honour him. It was not just any stable in Bethlehem. He changes the calendar of our lives. The symbolism of the eating of the paschal lamb with the matzah and bitter herbs was a reminder to the Israelites of an enslaved past. Here they kept a place that was ceremonially clean for the ewes to lamb. The tabernacle in the wilderness, was decicated on Nisan 1. The construction of the magnificent Temple in Jerusalemlent new significance to the festival of Passover. A public celebration of Passover with the slaughtering of paschal lambs was the climax of the festivities. Nothing suggests there were full time special shepherds enlisted to keep watch over sheep. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. The Tower of the Flock was perhaps the only structure available on the long road through the fields of sheep between the two cities. How old did sheep have to be to be used for sacrifices? Priests and Levites slaughtered the paschal offerings for the returning Jews of the Babylonian captivity. How did they know about Yeshua? Lets look at two passages in Genesis (Genesis 35:521 and Genesis 48:7): And they journeyed: and the terror of the God was upon the cities that were round about them, and they did not pursue after the sons of Jacob. You can see this in Luke 2: 8, That night some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. The Rest of the Story: Shepherds Abiding in the Field The Bible repeatedly emphasized this facet of Passover, And this day shall be for you a memorial (Exodus 12:14); And Moses said to the people: remember this day in which you come out from Egypt, out of the house of bondage (Exodus 13:3); You shall remember what Adonai your God did to Pharaoh (Deuteronomy 7:18); that you may remember the day when you come out of the land of Egypt all the days of your life (Deuteronomy 16:3). And he built there an altar, and called the place El-beth-el: because there God appeared unto him, when he fled from the face of his brother [Esau]. This was an exception to the general rule that all festival offerings are to be sacrificed on the day of the festival. By his wounds, you have been healed For you had gone astray like sheep. and give no references, so I cant look it up to verify anything, and I like to verify everything either directly from original sources or from experts who have a good reputation in their field of study for being accurate historically, like Edersheim. [4] When the ewes were ready to deliver, the shepherds moved them inside a manger. Interestingly, the smearing of blood on the doorposts did not become a part of the Passover pageantry. The shepherds in charge of these special lambs were from the tribe of Levi. Before we look at the famous statement by John the Baptist upon seeing Jesus, it is helpful to first review the problem of sin, which relates tothe statement of John and gives us a better understanding of the context. (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2007); Rabbi Mike L Short; Bryce Haymond; Leo Hohmann Why are shepherds banned from the temple in the Bible? Once the sheep were of age the shepherds would bring them to the city of Jerusalem to be sacrificed for the Sabbath (Friday). These special lambs came from a unique flock that was designated for sacrifice at the temple in Jerusalem. (bibletruth.org) And the shepherds werent any old shepherds. This reference to Passover stresses the classical message of the festivalthe humble origin of the Jewish people, the covenant with Abraham, Gods intervention in Egypt, the fulfillment of Gods promises, and the reaffirmation of faith. Some scholars regarded the injunction to have the lamb roasted as a distinction from ancient pagan spring festival rites, when meat was eaten either uncooked or half-broiled. Surprisingly, the Old Testament gives us the answer. The Jerusalem Post Excerpted with permission from Every Persons Guide to Passover (Jason Aronson, Inc). After we were finished taking pictures of the incredible Franciscan church we made our way to a natural cave close by. A baby was not unusual in first-century Israel. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. King Solomons sacrifice was enormous 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep. Typically, Migdal Eder, at Bethlehem is the perfect place for Yeshua the Messiah to be born. The Eternal. GOD CONTINUE TO HAVE FAVOR,GRACE AND PEACE UPON YOUR LIFE,AS YOU DO HIS WILL. Swaddling helps prevent her from flailing her arms and legs, which can trigger her startle reflex and potentially cause her to wake up. It seems only fitting that Fathers Lamb that is to be sacrificed for the sins of the world be born with the other sacrificial lambs! Ibelieve he was making a statement which, among other things, pointed to a particular place in Bethlehem as the birthplace of Christ. They attended other tasks not related to the incense or sacrificial service. It should be noted that Ephrath (or Ephratah) was the ancient name for the area which later was called Bethlehem. Growing Christians Ministries Maybe he didnt. Both are component parts of the same festival, the festival of Passover. Migdal Edal: Tower of the Flock]. How do I choose between my boyfriend and my best friend? Ill let you research this subject out. She will remain in this estrus cycle until she becomes pregnant. Jesus Birth Traditional vs Actual Site, Jesus Birth The Significance of Migdal Edar, Where Was Herods Temple? The description reflects the procedure in the time of the First Temple: The paschal lamb was slaughtered in three groups when the first group entered and the Temple court was filled, the gates of the Temple were closed. In Hebrew, the name of the tower is Migdal Eder. At Migdal Eder the ewes delivered in a clean environment (as specified by Rabbinic regulations for these special temple animals) and their lambs were sorted and immediately inspected for spot or blemish. Clean cloths cleaned off the lambs, after which they were wrapped in cloths to keep them warm. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. We know that these things occurred somewhere in the city of Bethlehem. The Festivals of the Eternal Clue: [see THE MASTER PLAN OF YAHWEH for more information] were Why is it important that he would be born at this time? And Jacob set up a pillar of stone: and he poured a drink offering thereon, and he poured oil thereon. In the Bible we find several other names for Bethlehem, includingEphratah (Micah 5:2) andEphrath (Genesis 35:16, 19; 48:7). Copyright by Institute for Scripture Research. Paganism spread throughout Israel and Judea and reduced the number of Jews who made the annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem. * They were led into the city at the time of the Passover Festival to shed their blood like the ancient lambs before them. So the minimum age for any sacrifice is eight days. The Bethlehem Shepherds Were Not Just Country Bumpkins These strips ensured that the child was warm and that his limbs would grow straight. 3 What does it mean that baby Jesus was wrapped in swaddling clothes? Why did the shepherds bring the sheep to Jerusalem? Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. The Scriptures tell us that the shepherds were outside watching the sheep at night, The following are clues that will help us pinpoint when Yeshua was born. Lambs offered for sacrifice However, the other evidence provided here is strong; and I believe the case for confirming Migdal Edar as the birthplace of Jesus is compelling. Every firstborn male lamb from the area around Bethlehem was considered holy, set aside for sacrifice in Jerusalem. The lambs were born in this Tower of the Flock known as Migdal Eder under the watchful eye of the shepherds priests who would then inspect and certify them for use as sacrifices in the temple or designate them to be released for common use. In fact, any livestock found in a 6.8 mile radius of Jerusalem could be used for whole burnt offerings or peace offerings, depending on the sex of the animal for which offering. Debunking Popular Christmastime Myths: Temple Shepherds, There is a theological explanation for why Passover occurs in the spring. However, based on biblical record (, Migdal Eder was not the watchtower for the ordinary flocks. Which is correct poinsettia or poinsettia? There also were many spaces within the ceiling to allow the natural light to illuminate the room representing the star light and also the light of the heavenly host. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. Note: In my next Post I will discuss the significance of Migdal Edar. What about the watch tower of the flock? Undoubtedly, this was a military tower used to watch over the valley at the edge of Bethlehem and to provide protection to the city. If theres snow on the ground, they will be in the barn not because its cold but because they cant get to the grass, and the hay is in the barn. 132133). WebJohn's ministry was foretold by Malachi.trueJesus' baptism was unique.trueJesus' first recorded miracle occurred in Cana.trueOxen, sheep, and doves were used in the Temple sacrifices.trueNicodemus was a scholar and a ruler of the Jews.trueNicodemus readily accepted Jesus as the Messiah.falseJesus' work was to save only Jews.falseThe Then came the Feast of Unleavened bread (leaven symbolises sin). Edersheim also referenced the Targum (The Targum is an Aramaic translation of the Hebrew Bible (Tanak), which was written during Israels seventy-year captivity in Babylon. WebLas Cruces | 37 views, 3 likes, 1 loves, 0 comments, 0 shares, Facebook Watch Videos from Temple Beth-El Las Cruces: Recorded at Temple Beth-El Las Cruces . YOU POINTED OUT OLD TESTAMENT PASSOVER DATES,AND MONTHS. The beginning of the Hebrew year is in springtime on the first day of the month of Nissan. Shepherds and swaddling clothes Beyond this, and with regard to the other points you raise in your comment, youll have to provide specific references from the Mishnah and Gemara, so that I can look them up, or else Im just taking your word for it, like I did for that of Alfred Edersheim. Because of the planets involved and their position in the sky they deduced that a Righteous King would be born in Judea. (765) 361-6100, Civil Rights Road Trip: Selma and Tuskegee, Juthani 15 Seeing New Sides to Old Dispute, Morrison 14 Torn Between Beauty, Ugliness, Story of Bethlehem Sheep More than Legend. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. WebThese were the men who raised the lambs that were to be sacrificed in the Temple. On this day the calendar changes, the old calendar is gone and a new one begins. Thank you Habib. Once they would know to purchase the libation and meal offering, this would be out of pocket expense, they would then abandon the animal. Thus, Jewish tradition in some dim manner apprehended the first revelation of the Messiah from that Migdal Eder, where shepherds watched the Temple-flocks all the year-round. It is a Holy Day but there is no command for the males to be in Jerusalem on this day therefore, Yoseph (Joseph) could be in Bethlehem. Indeed, that was a unique sign to these shepherds that this baby was, indeed, the Savior, Christ the Lord, the promised Messiah, as told to them by the angel which appeared to them, and as foretold by the Prophets of Israel. In the year 720 BCE, King Hezekiah set out to restore the ancient covenant. But he did understand that God was all-powerful and that He was good, holy, and righteous. What is significant about that place? Personally, I lean towards Him being born closer to September but, it is really an endless argument with each side presenting their evidence. [10] Micah 4:8 composite translation, also uses definitions from Strongs Exhaustive Concordance. In the book of Exodus, we read that the Israelite shepherds were outcasts and detestable to the Egyptians, but I doubt this could have been the case in Israel, since raising sheep and other livestock was one of the main economic activities there. The Rabbis Forgot, Where Was Herods Temple? Many of Bethlehem's sheep were raised for sacrifice at the Temple. He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross. It was important that the sheep that was to be sacrificed did not possess any blemishes (broken legs, or injuries). The weather was not cooperating today. The Jewish religious authorities gave their answer from an Old Testament passage from Micah: But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he [Messiah; Jesus] come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting (Micah 5:2, KJV). And finally, the feast was to be held in one house, and no part of the meat was to be taken outside the house (Exodus 12:46). The rabbis did not ban shepherds. And God went up from him in the place where he talked with him. Hag HaPesach (the festival of the paschal lamb)the sacrificial rite of the paschal lamb and its consumptionwas the main feature of the ancient Passover ceremony that ushered in the holiday. Herod died in 4 BC, and we know that Jesus was already two years old, when the command was given to kill all male children in Bethlehem, 2 years and under. The diminishing sunlight in their eyes due to the changing seasons triggers hormones that kick the ewe into heat. 2002-2023 My Jewish Learning. Since these sheep needed to remain outside the shepherds were also outside, not using the cave during the awful winter (rainy season). And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. With the destruction of the Temple, the offering of the paschal came to an end. Gods ultimate plan of redemption is further seenin the account of Abrahams willingness to offer his son, Isaac, on an altar at Gods command (Genesis 22). The shekalim 7:7 of the Mishnah does not suggest that Migdal-Eder was used as a permanent location for sacrificial lambs. Jesus was not born behind an inn, in a smelly stable where the donkeys and other animals of travelers were kept. I suspect that shepherds and other lower class peasant type people might have been outcasts to the super-Pharisaical types who, like the Brahmam class in Hinduism, considered anyone belonging to a lower social-religious class to be vitally an untouchable. It was prophesied that he would be a descendant of David, the shepherd king who was also born in Bethlehem around a thousand years prior to Yeshua (for more information see THE BIRTH OF YESHUA ) Understanding how Passover was celebrated in biblical times. The account of the birth of Jesus in Luke includes the terms manger and swaddling clothes. What specifically are these referring to? Unlike humans, sheep have a season for giving birth. With regards to shepherds in the field and what Luke 2 says about that, no mention is made of lambs in this biblical passage or in Mish.
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