Why The Shepherds?
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Pedrito
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Why the shepherds?
The appearance to the shepherds shows that the baby being referred to was born when the night time temperature was temperate. Other Scripture may pinpoint the time of year with greater precision.
It is sufficient to understand that the idea that Jesus was born in December is totally precluded by this information.
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Why only the shepherds?
Psalm 138:6: Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.
Zechariah 9:9: Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.
Matthew 11:29: Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
1 Corinthians 1:26-29:
26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called :
27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea , and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
===================================================================================
Why the shepherds?
The appearance to the shepherds shows that the baby being referred to was born when the night time temperature was temperate. Other Scripture may pinpoint the time of year with greater precision.
It is sufficient to understand that the idea that Jesus was born in December is totally precluded by this information.
===================================================================================
Why only the shepherds?
Psalm 138:6: Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.
Zechariah 9:9: Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.
Matthew 11:29: Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
1 Corinthians 1:26-29:
26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called :
27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
28 And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea , and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:
29 That no flesh should glory in his presence.
===================================================================================
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Why not? We have good reason for thinking that the site of Jesus' birth, an unimposing stable or cave mainly used by animals, was located somewhat away from the city and the inn that we're told had no room for Joseph and Mary, etc.
However, the bigger reason may be symbolic. The newborn king did not come in glory as might be expected, but having been born in a lowly manger, it is considered meaningful to us that he was first visited by ordinary people.
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Odë:hgöd
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.
As it turned out, the shepherds were useful as heralds.
• Luke 2:16-18 . . So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby,
who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word
concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were
amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
The hearers were entertained but apparently not persuaded because to my
knowledge none of them went to see for themselves-- that was not the best
response.
• Acts 13:41 . . Look on, you mockers, be amazed and perish. For I am doing
something in your own day, something you wouldn't believe no matter who tells
you about it.
» I'm curious to know why the heavenly host didn't themselves rattle Bethlehem
instead of leaving it to the shepherds.
_
As it turned out, the shepherds were useful as heralds.
• Luke 2:16-18 . . So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby,
who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word
concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were
amazed at what the shepherds said to them.
The hearers were entertained but apparently not persuaded because to my
knowledge none of them went to see for themselves-- that was not the best
response.
• Acts 13:41 . . Look on, you mockers, be amazed and perish. For I am doing
something in your own day, something you wouldn't believe no matter who tells
you about it.
» I'm curious to know why the heavenly host didn't themselves rattle Bethlehem
instead of leaving it to the shepherds.
_
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You think, then, that having the townsmen acclaim the newborn child was what God intended??
See my previous post.
atpollard
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Not in Judea.
December is the rainy season when the grass is lush enough for multiple flocks to graze on a single hill … in the dry season, the angels would have appeared to one shepherd with one flock since the land would not have supported multiple shepherds/flocks in one location.
Odë:hgöd
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.
• Luke 2:8-11 . . And in the same region there were some shepherds staying out in
the fields, and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of The Lord
suddenly stood before them, and the glory of The Lord shone around them; and
they were terribly frightened.
. . . And the angel said to them: Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good
news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David
there has been born for you a savior, who is Christ the Lord.
The Greek word for "savior" in that verse is soter (so-tare') which means: a
rescuer.
Rescuers typically help people who are in grave distress and/or imminent danger of
death and/or serious injury, and helpless to do anything about it; e.g. Red Cross,
Firemen, Emergency Medical teams, snow patrols, mountain units, and the Coast
Guard and National Guard.
Wouldn't it be awful if those agencies refused to assist desperate folk until they first
proved themselves deserving? Well lucky for everyone that those agencies work on
the basis of need rather than merit or many of us would end up thrown back to the
wolves.
I think quite a few people are under the impression that Christ is some sort of
probation officer; viz: if people "endure to the end" as they say; then he grants
them a clearance for heaven. But God forbid they should fail to satisfy the
conditions of their probation, because then they're out the door.
Probation can be likened to a sword of Damocles hanging over people's heads by a
slender thread easily broken by conduct unbecoming. How dare the angel of Luke
2:8-11 describe his announcement as "good news of great joy" if probation were
actually what's meant by sozo instead of rescue.
On the other hand; if Christ is in the business of rescuing people from the wrath of
God in accord with the humane principles underlying normal emergency services;
then yes, I fully agree with the angel that the birth of Christ is something to get
excited about.
_
• Luke 2:8-11 . . And in the same region there were some shepherds staying out in
the fields, and keeping watch over their flock by night. And an angel of The Lord
suddenly stood before them, and the glory of The Lord shone around them; and
they were terribly frightened.
. . . And the angel said to them: Do not be afraid; for behold, I bring you good
news of a great joy which shall be for all the people; for today in the city of David
there has been born for you a savior, who is Christ the Lord.
The Greek word for "savior" in that verse is soter (so-tare') which means: a
rescuer.
Rescuers typically help people who are in grave distress and/or imminent danger of
death and/or serious injury, and helpless to do anything about it; e.g. Red Cross,
Firemen, Emergency Medical teams, snow patrols, mountain units, and the Coast
Guard and National Guard.
Wouldn't it be awful if those agencies refused to assist desperate folk until they first
proved themselves deserving? Well lucky for everyone that those agencies work on
the basis of need rather than merit or many of us would end up thrown back to the
wolves.
I think quite a few people are under the impression that Christ is some sort of
probation officer; viz: if people "endure to the end" as they say; then he grants
them a clearance for heaven. But God forbid they should fail to satisfy the
conditions of their probation, because then they're out the door.
Probation can be likened to a sword of Damocles hanging over people's heads by a
slender thread easily broken by conduct unbecoming. How dare the angel of Luke
2:8-11 describe his announcement as "good news of great joy" if probation were
actually what's meant by sozo instead of rescue.
On the other hand; if Christ is in the business of rescuing people from the wrath of
God in accord with the humane principles underlying normal emergency services;
then yes, I fully agree with the angel that the birth of Christ is something to get
excited about.
_