Matthew 2:1-2 The Magi And The Mazzeroth, Part One

After Y'shua (Jesus) was born in Beit-Lechem (Bethlehem), in the land of Y’hudah (Judah) during the time when Herod was king, Magi from the east came to Yerushalayim (Jerusalem) and asked, “Where is the newborn King of the Jews? For we saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”

Here we have Magi, from the east, coming to see the Messiah, the newborn King. Who are these Magi? Where did they come from? How did they know about the star and it's significance?

Good questions. From biblical and historical accounts, we know that the Magi were originally soothsayers, from the time of the Babylonian King, Nebuchadnezzar, between 604-561 BC. If you remember, God used Nebuchadnezzar to punish Israel, by subjecting Israel to the king's servitude, for 70 years.

I have to add, that the 70 years was exactly how long Jeremiah prophesied, concerning the coming judgement of Israel, for not obeying God's commandment about giving the land, a Shabbat, a rest. 2 Chron. 36:21 Jeremiah 25:11.

The Magi originally interpreted dreams, for the king, but was taken to a higher level of understanding, when Dani'el dramatically arrived of the scene and became one of them, most likely their leader and began to fill them in on God's plan. He showed them the Mazzeroth, and how God wrote his plan, in the stars. The Magi continues today, within the Remnant of God.

Next time, we'll go over the Mazzaroth and how the Magi recognized the Star of the Messiah.

Matthew 2:1 The Birthday Of The Messiah, Part Three

It has been 27 weeks from the discourse of Abiyah, the conception of John, to Chanukah, the conception of Yeshua. That leaves 14 weeks to Johns birth, which was at Pasach, Passover, the 14th of Nisan, first month of the Hebrew religous year. That leaves six more months to Yeshua's birth which would have occured during the seventh month, the month of Tishri. If John was born on 14th of Nisan, then Yeshua would have been born the 15th of Tishri, which would have been the first day of Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles).

It's interesting to note that all of Israel are to build temporary dwellings called a sukkah and dwell in them [Leviticus 23:34-43]. These sukkahs were erected to house families with some bare comforts and food for the eight days. Food was placed in a stall or a crib for storage in this sukkah or tabernacle. Does that not sound like the nativity story found in the B'rit Hadashah. Yeshua was not born in a manger, but rather in a temporary tabernacle which had been built for the celebration. He was placed in a food stall or crib. This is most fitting, because this models what Yeshua is to all of us. He is the Bread of Life from heaven.

In conclusion, the date of Yeshuas birth was the 15th of Tishri, 6-7 BC, not the 25th of December. Why not celebrate the true birthdate of Y'shua this year on October 17, 2016? Please prayerfully consider this information and let the Holy Spirit guide you into the truth. There is a reason why G-d commands us to continually celebrate his feasts. This is because, just as the stars in the heavens revealed the glory of God, so does the feast revealed the salvation plan of G-d and points to the Messiah of all mankind, our Lord and Savior, Yeshua.

Matthew 2:1 The Birthday Of The Messiah, Part Two

During the sixth month of Elisheva' s, Elizabeth, pregnancy Gavri-El, Gabriel, came to Mariam, Mary. Gavri-El told Mariam that Elizabeth was six months pregnant. This was six months after the priestly course of Abia which puts us at the end of the month Kislev (November-December). This would have been the time of Chanukah, the Festival of Lights, the rededication of the Temple.

Mariam is also told that she would be a vessel for the Messiah. This is confirmed when Mariam goes to Natseret, Nazareth, to the home of Elisheva and Zachar'yah a few days after Gavri-El announcement. I find it exciting that it's a three day trip to Elisheva. Can we say, "on the third day"?

Upon her arrival, John leaps for joy within Elisheva's, Elizabeth, womb. Elizabeth also, upon hearing Mariams voice, is filled with G-ds Holy Spirit. She says, "Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb."

Therefore, on the third day, following Gabriels announcement to Mariam, Yeshua was in her womb. Yeshua was conceived at Chanukah, the Festival of Lights. It's only appropriate since He is the Light of the World, and he is responsible for the rededication of the present day temple of G-d, that is you and me.

You can read this account in Luke 1:26-55.

Matthew 2:1 The Birthday Of The Messiah, Part One

Before getting started, I forgot to mention, in the last enty, that Y'shua, Jesus, was born in Bethlehem. This was according to prophesy, as written in Micah 5:2

"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."

Now, back to the actual day of the Messiah's bith. Even though this is important, we must remember, that is more important to as to the why, not nessesarily the when Y'shua came. Over the next few days, we will state only the facts concerning this controversial subject. Remember, it is only by God's Holy Spirit and your relationship with him that you arrive at the truth. This is written in Acts 17:11.

"... in that they received the message with all eagerness of heart, but searched the scriptures to whether those things were so."

Otherwise, check the fact for yourself. God wants you to have an informed faith, not a blind one.

To establish the birth month of Yeshua, we have to first look at the birth of Yochanan, John, the baptist which begins with his conception.

In Luke 1:5-25, the angel, Gavri-El Gabriel, appeared to Zachar'yah, Zacharias, John the Baptist's Father, as he was performing his duties in the Temple. This was during the priestly course of Abiyah,Abia. This course of priests ministered in the Temple the eighth week of the Hebrew year as dictated by King David in 1 Chronicles 24:10. This is also backed up and documented in both the Talmud and the Mishnah.

The eighth week runs its course during the last week of the second Hebrew month of Iyar and the first week of the third Hebrew month of Sivan, ending at Shavuot, Pentecost. This is our starting point to establish the month of our Messiahs birth.

The angel indicated that Zachar'yahs prayer, for a son, had been answered. Keep in mind the wording here. He said that Zachar'yahs prayer, for a son, has been answered, not going to be answered. That means that we can put the conception of Yochanan, John the Baptist, around the time of Zachar'yahs priestly service, during the last week of the Hebrew month of Iyar, very near the time of Shavuot, the Feast of Pentecost, in the second week of the month of Sivan, the third Hebrew month. Pentecost or Shavuot is approximately May-June time period.

Remember, there is a lot to look at, so we'll break it up into small managable and consumable parts and finish this up over the next few posts.

Matthew 2:1 The Birth Year Of The Messiah

"Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod..."

Unfortunately, the birth date of Y'shua is in dispute, within the church today. However, it doesn't have to be.  Let's take a look at the facts and come to a logical conclusion.

1. In the first verse here in chapter 2, we find that Y'shua was born in the days of Herod.  According to historical sources, King Herod rude between  63–4 BC.  Therefore, Y'shua was born within that time period.

2. And Luke chapter 2, verse one, we are told that Y'shua, Jesus, was born during the reign of Cesar a Gustus. Who ruled  from 27 BC to 14 AD.  This narrows down the birth of the Messiah to between 27 BC and 4 BC.

3. Now let's jump ahead temporarily to Matthew 2:16, where we are told that Y'shua was around two years old at the time that the Magi, from the east, came to visit Herod.  That tells us that Y'shua was born, at the latest, in the year 6 BC, since Herod died two years later.

4. In Devarim, Deuteronomy 18:15, Moses, when prophesying about the Messiah, says, 

"The LORD your God will raise up unto you a Prophet from the midst of you, of your brethren, like unto me; unto him you shall hearken"

In Acts 7:22, it says that Moses was 40 years old when he began his ministry until his people, the Jews.

Therefore, Y'shua, Jesus, had to be 40 years old, when he started his ministry.

Y'shua, Jesus, allowed himself to be publicly called the Messiah, for the first time, when he rode into Jerusalem, in 32 AD, making him approximately 40 years old, in 32 AD. If you are following me, it's important to remember that there is no year zero, in our calendar.

That puts Y'shua's, Jesus's, birth date around 7 BC.

5. In Genesis, 49:10, it states:

"The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh comes."

Chapter 4, folio 37 of the Babylonian Talmund records:

“When the members of the Sanhedrin found themselves deprived of their right over life and death, a general consternation took possession of them: they covered their heads with ashes, and their bodies with sackcloth, exclaiming: ‘Woe unto us for the scepter has departed from Judah and the Messiah has not come.'”

Josephus, a comtemporary historian, at the time of Y'shua, give us the year of this incident, as 6-7 AD, in his book, "Antiquities of the Jews."

6. According to the Law of Moses, it was determined that the age of accountability, for a human, is 13 yrs old. That would mean that the Messiah would have been 13 yrs old, 6-7 AD

Working backwards, we come to 7 BC.

7. Finally, there was a supernova, that could be seen by the naked eye, in 7 BC. This was most likely the Star of Bethlehem, that led the Magi.

Next time, we will zero in, on the actual birth month of Y'shua, the Messiah.

Matthew 1:19-25 Joseph Is Obedient Unto God's Law and Word.

"And Joseph her husband, being a just man and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily."

Here we find that Joseph was a man, who believed and followed the Law. He was also gentle and kind. This is a rebuttal to the atheists and other non-believers that say the Bible is brutal and unjust. According to the Law, Joseph could have had Mary stoned to death for unfaithfulness, but he didn't. The Law, like the laws in most countries, give the highest penalties for an infraction. Whoever, the judge, would have been, would have access the situation and penalized the transgressor. Joseph assessed the situation and was going to give her a minor penalty.

"But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a Son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins.”"

WOW! Put yourself in Joseph's place. You have been a just man, righteous before the Law and now, you are visited by an Angel of the Lord. That had to be very overwhelming. Here, after reminding Joseph that he was part of the Messianic line, an angel of the Lord tells Joseph, three important things, his wife Mary is still a virgin, the baby is part human and part God and best of all, his name will be Y'shua, Yahweh Saves. God will save mankind, through the blood sacrifice of his son.

"Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, “Behold, a virgin shall be with child and shall bring forth a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel” (which being interpreted is, “God with us”)."

Now, the angel shows him how the scriptures, Isaiah 7:14, foretold of this situation. Therefore, Joseph gladly accepted Mary, as his wife, because he was a just and righteous man and wanted to follow the law.

"Then Joseph, being raised from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife, and knew her not until she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus."
Honestly, how could a just and righteous man not follow the Law and the Prophets, little alone an Angel of God.

Matthew 1:18 God Intervenes To Bring About The Messiah, According To The Law.

This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about. His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit.

I know that it probably means the same to most people, but I feel a better way, to interpret this verse and mimic the Greek more closely, would be:

Now, the birth of Y'shua, Jesus, happened in this manner. Mary, Y'shua's, Jesus', mother was promised to marry Joseph. However, before they had sex, she was found to be pregnant with a child, conceived by the Holy Spirit.

In this time period and culture, the daughter would rarely decide, on her own, to marry someone. Instead, the parents, most likely the father, would arrange a marriage between his daughter and someone of the same tribe or family, but not the immediate family.

I would like to interject that Y'shua's, Jesus', birth had to be supernatural. Why? Because there is a prophecy that said the Messiah would be born of a Virgin in Isaiah 7:14.

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

However, there is another reason.

You probably have noticed or have heard that the genealogy, listed here, is different from the one in Luke. The reason is simple but a little complex, as I will explain. This one shows the Messianic line through the man, Joseph, while the one in Luke is through Mary. If you have been reading your Bible, then you realize a problem with the genealogy through Joseph. It is cursed.

If you remember the curse that God put on Jehoakim, the father of Jechonias, in Jeremiah 22:30, where God, speaking of  Jehoakim, said,"

"Thus says the Lord, ‘Write this man down childless, A man who will not prosper in his days; For no man of his descendants will prosper Sitting on the throne of David Or ruling again in Judah."

That curse disqualifies all descendents of Jehoakim, including Y'shua, Jesus, from sitting on the throne.

However, God had a way around it. First of all, here the Messiah is about to be supernaturally born, by way of a virgin woman, of the line of Judah, another vein of the Messianic line, independent of the cursed seed of the Messianic line through Jehoakim and Joseph.

To drive that point home, the Y'shua, Jesus, that will sit on the throne of David, isn't the babe that is about to be born here. This Y'shua, Jesus, will die on the cross, with the sins of the world and the curse of Jehoakim on him. The Y'shua, Jesus, that will sit upon the throne of David, will rise, from the grave, three days later, with a perfect resurrected body, free from sin and the curse of Jehoakim.

You see, God intervened supernaturally, but still adhered to his Law. Isn't he an amazing strategist?

However, I'm going to leave you hanging for a little while, until we get to Luke, where I'll bring up the provision, through which God gave the women of Israel, the right to carry on the family name and seed, independent of her husband.