St Luke 2:1 “And it came to pass in
those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the
world should be taxed.” Caius Caesar
Octavianus Augustus, who was the nephew of Julius Caesar, ordered a census of
all the inhabitants in Judea and probably the whole land of Palestine which was
under the rule of the Romans. Albert
Barnes stated that, “Our word tax means to levy and raise money for the use of
the government. This is not the meaning of the original word here. It means
rather to enroll, or take a list of the citizens, with their employments, the
amount of their property, &c., equivalent to what was meant by census.”
Joseph,
therefore, was required to make the journey to Bethlehem. ST Luke 2:4 states, “And Joseph also went up
from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David,
which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David :)” What seemed to be the will of man was really
the fulfilling of God’s will. The prophesy recorded in Micah 5:2 tells us, “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.” The demand was
official and the human requirement was certain. However, God was working out
his plan and purpose for the birth of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ.
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