Women in the Bible
Lesson Thirty: by turtle

Last week we looked at the Christmas story from Mary’s point of view. Yet the story for Mary
and the women of Bethlehem and the surrounding coast. For great sorrow will begin for the
women of Bethlehem after this time. For they will loose their children of two years old and
younger which is a part of prophesy.

Jeremiah 31:15 KJV
(15)  Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping;
Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not.

These words of prophecy would come to pass in a way only God could allow his enemy to come
against His people. For Jesus would be born in Bethlehem the city of David. King David came
from the tribe of the Benjamin  Benjamin’s mother was Rachel and she was buried in Ramah.
Rachel died in giving birth. Now her children would die for being born at the time of Christ
birth. In other words her ancestors. And it be on that road on which she traveled that they
would come seeking the life of  Jesus. Yet in order to get to the sorrow of women we have to go
first to how was this brought to pass.

Wise men from the east came, probably from Persia or Arabia. These wise men would of been
probably astrologers and medicine men for they study the stars and follow one all the way to
Bethlehem. However traditions state three wise men their was probably more then three. On
their way they stop by King Herod’s palace.  

Matthew 2:1-3 KJV
(1)  Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold,
there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
(2)  Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and
are come to worship him.
(3)  When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

The king was distressed by the news of a new king to be born. This would mean his thrown was
in jeopardy, orr so he thought. He was not aware of any king being born so he gather all the
scribes and leaders together to tell him where this king would be born. One must remember the
kings came from the line of Benjamin. King David and King Saul were both from this line. The
scribes explain to what the scriptures said about where the new king, the Messiah would be born.

Matthew 2:4-6 KJV
(4)  And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he
demanded of them where Christ should be born.
(5)  And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
(6)  And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for
out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

Prophetic in the day of Micah.

Micah 5:2 KJV
(2)  But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet
out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have
been from of old, from everlasting.

Prophetic in the day of Isaiah.

Isaiah 9:6-7 KJV
(6)  For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his
shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting
Father, The Prince of Peace.
(7)  Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of
David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice
from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

The scribes knew that the child would be born in Bethlehem and would be from the tribe and
linage of King David. God had spoken these things to the scribes so they would know when
Jesus was born. Yet the scribes hearts and many of the Jewish people hearts were harden also
according to prophecy at this time.

The King would send the wise men on to look for the child having them agree upon returning
when they find the child. He inquires of them how long ago the star first appeared to them. This
would be important to future events coming in the story.  Herod would lie about the reason he
wish to know the where about of this new king. He said he wanted to worship Him but this was
not so.

Matthew 2:7-8 KJV
(7)  Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time
the star appeared.
(8)  And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and
when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

The wise men continued to follow the star of Bethlehem. Some argue over the time period in
which they found Mary. Some feel the word child and the word house in the next verse indicates
the child could of been at least one to two years old. But on careful study I have found the word
child in the Hebrew could of meant an infant. Also the word house could of meant a dwelling
place. In Luke Mary and Joseph were planning to go back to Nazareth after sacrifices according
to the law on the eighth day. I tend to want to believe it was probably between these eight days
the wise men came bearing gifts.

Matthew 2:9-11 KJV
(9)  When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east,
went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
(10)  When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
(11)  And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother,
and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented
unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

The wise men fell on their knees and worshipped baby Jesus. They then present costly gifts.
Each gift is symbolic in a since. Lets begin with gold. Gold would be a normal gift to give a
king. But the two spices frankincense and myrrh, how were they used during that day and time.
Many just take it that these were expensive gifts. What makes these two gifts unique is their
usage. Frankincense and Myrrh were use in the temple for different sacrifice. Burned as incense
in the temple. Which would be a fitting gift for a priest. Christ was not only a king but also a
Great High Priest. Jesus would be our atonement for our sin.

Hebrews 2:17-18 KJV
(17)  Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be
a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the
sins of the people.
(18)  For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are
tempted.

Now the wise men were warned in a dream not to go back the same way.

Matthew 2:12-15 KJV
(12)  And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed
into their own country another way.
(13)  And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a
dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou
there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.
(14)  When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:
(15)  And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the
Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son.

Joseph was also warned not to go home, but to take the child and his mother to Egypt until he
sends word. Joseph then obeys. Soon after a town full of joy and celebration turns to sorrow.

Prophecy concern Egypt.

Hosea 11:1 KJV
(1)  When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.

Israel being the children of God was called out of Egypt on more then one occasion. Abraham
went to Egypt, Joseph went to Egypt after being sold in to slavery and his brothers would come
years later to seek help during time of famine. Moses would lead the Israelites out of Egypt and
Jesus would come out of Egypt.

Herod became angry that the wise men were taking so long.

Matthew 2:16-18 KJV
(16)  Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and
sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from
two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently enquired of the wise men.
(17)  Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying,
(18)  In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel
weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not.

We have now come full circle to where we begin this lesson, with the sadness that would swept
the area and the women would weep. No doubt the scribes and priest knew that someone special
had been born. Yet they seem not to understand in years to come. Now to conclude this story
what happened to Mary and Joseph and how did they ever get back to Nazareth.

Matthew 2:19-23 KJV
(19)  But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in
Egypt,
(20)  Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for
they are dead which sought the young child's life.
(21)  And he arose, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.
(22)  But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he
was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into
the parts of Galilee:
(23)  And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was
spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

Where in the old testament does it say the Messiah will be called a Nazarene? Will on careful
research a Nazarene was someone that was despised. This would actually fit the bill for Christ
disciples as well as for Christ. For Christ was consider despised by many.

Isaiah 53:2-3 KJV
(2)  For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he
hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should
desire him.
(3)  He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid
as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

Now as far has Mary goes, one can imagine all the excitement around Jesus’ birth as well as the
traveling being a chore to her. Yet the only comment you ever here is she ponder these things in
her heart. And no doubt Mary was devoted to God and will see through out Christ ministry her
support as well as her going to the cross where her son would die and later be risen again.  Even
with joy there is also sadness.