One born king of the Jews

When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

This is an amazing statement. It is as historically true then as it is today.

Why was this king troubled and was all Jerusalem with him?

The wise men, did not come looking just for one born a king. It was specific, born king of the Jews.

Considering, this statement alone, it certainly supports the view that the maji were part of a remnant that had stayed in Babylon, and perhaps dispersed. Hence, they were familiar with the faith of the Jews. If they were not, then they still must have been educated men, and why would they attribute the sighting of this star with a baby having been born in the land of Israel.

These men had made a long journey, their belief in the sighting of the star and that it lead to a baby having been born in the land of Judea was not an untested fanciful imagination. These men had prioritized their entire lives in response to this sighting and what it represented, a baby born king of the Jews.

Not only had they left behind all other concerns (family) & projects, and all cultural and political involvements, to prioritize that which they had understood concerning the sightings of this star, but they had brought treasure, they had brought him gifts that honored him as one born a king.

How much gold had they brought? Was it enough to buy Joseph & Mary there own house? What happened to this gold, did it sustain them throughout their time in Egypt. One must assume that Jospeh was not a man of great means, hence, the birth coming in a manger in Bethlehem. The right price opens doors, and no man with a pregnant wife is unwilling to foot the inflated bill.

Did the Gold get saved and given to him, as he reach adulthood? Did Jesus use its sale as a part of his ministry. How much was given to the temple, as an offering?

But these gifts only represented the heart of their quest! For they had come to worship him.

Now this had made Herod troubled and all Jerusalem with him. They witnessed not just faith. But faith in action, faith as an act of worship.

These wise men, teach us so much, as they were the first people to respond to that which God was speaking! The shepherds returned with Joy, but their quest began with a divine visitation, that had impart the Joy. But the wise men, how had they come to understand the motions of the Stars. And in their study of the cosmos, they had come to hear his voice. These wise men, were receptive to God speaking unto them, that which he had to speak to all men. It was not through compulsion that they went on this journey, nor through a dramatic angelic proclamation. They had been drawn through a desire to worship the creator more than the creation. Their science had not become blurred by a false narrative, a hidden agenda to suggest or even hint that God didn’t speak this universe into being & therefore, creation guided them to truth.

These men, believed that the universe was controlled by a divine narrative.

When Herod heard this he was troubled and all Jerusalem with him.

And assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.

Something carried by these wise men, was not dismissed by Herod nor all the people. This is a great challenge. It was not just truth alone that they carried, these wise men were part of the narrative. Truth was carried by these men, as in their hearts they desired to Worship God.

Gods truth is inseparable from the narrative of men! God has incorporated man in truth. This is an essential foundation of creation, and of reality.

Truth guided these men to a baby, a human being, who is and was and is to come the Word of God.

This is what troubled Herod and all Jerusalem, the witness of these men to the narrative of truth! Herod and all Jerusalem, they all knew that they were not in tune with GOD, they all knew that they were not hearing God, but they all knew that the response of the wise men to the speaking of God and of his creation was a priority of worship – not under duress but the wonder of worship – they had the inner witness themselves that this narrative was true.

And this narrative concerned one born a king! A man born to rule and reign.

This cuts right through the false narrative of science so called. Before ever evolution could be taught, the darkened philosophers first had to create the notion of deep time, and to do this they ridiculed all and any who held to a biblical timeframe for man.

One born a king, troubled them, as it cuts through the narrative of the fall. Lying, deception, self preservation and self reliance, these are all characteristics from the fall of man. Natural selection & the survival of the fittest are not representative of Gods original image upon earth. And Herod and all Jerusalem knew it, when they heard the witness of truth carried by other men.

The narrative of truth is for all men, the stars teach us that, as too the specific promises to Abraham.

Herod knew who to assemble and to enquire of where the Christ was to be born. Herod knew the narrative of scripture in measure. Herod knew in part the hope of the Jewish nation of a messiah. The very people who he had risen to reign over, this very people had promises given to them from the living God, concerning a messiah.

This narrative also bore witness as it was a narrative ingrained within man, God having given man a conscience, having made him through the character and nature of his own Word.

Mans conscience is awakened through Gods word as it carries this truth.

Truth is fully manifested to man, through the Word of God made flesh, a man who was full of grace.

Herod had not come to the throne, through being of Davids seed. And yet he knew the narrative truth. He had nothing to fear concerning this star, nor these deluded men who had journeyed far, nor from the promises of God in ages past. What did he have to fear, the natural order would prevail! But deep down within his souls, Herod was troubled, Herod was encountering the God who always keeps his promises no matter who is claiming to rule.

Their is only One LOrd over all.

But he was troubled! He perceived and knew that this was a narrative he personally could not reign and rule over. He and all Jerusalem knew that this was a narrative that required the relinquishing of their own private personal throne rooms.

Herod and all Jerusalem knew that the response of the wise men was the correct response to the God of covenant promise. The wise men witness to the truth of the cool of the day, to a God who gave men free will, but cried with passion deep; ‘Where are you’?

The chief priests and the scribes, they all had the answer to Herod’s question. They all knew where the Christ was to be born, but they were not answering the question God was asking them! God, foretold actually where he would be born. And the wise men rejoiced when they saw the star again, as it affirmed the text of scripture true! They were heading for an encounter with the one unto whom man had enjoyed fellowship sweet, before the great rebellion and the false narrative of a multitude of thrones.

God announced hundreds of years before he came, where he could be found. Here I am.

No wonder the angels could not contain themselves, the wonder and majesty of it, that God himself would answer to the great question he had asked of his image upon this earth. The angels knew that the true narrative was again being told, and it had always been a narrative of life & life more abundantly. The truth that God has shared all of himself with his creation, all that I have is thine, having not withheld his only beloved Son.

Herod went first to those people who could affirm where Christ would be born. Next he summoned the wise men, secretly to ascertain from them what time the star had appeared. Herod was not devoid of intellect, his mind was rationale and calculating. He was systematic in his approach to learning.

Natural selection, does not mean that men do not respect these sciences, they do not mean that men are merely brute beasts governed by animalistic impulses, no, it means that those who respect systematic learning and apply it best to rise through the ranks of using the survival skills to the finest degree.

Herod has acquired the piece of the jigsaw that the wise men where missing. And then he speaks to the wise men, as a king, instructing them what to do. But his truth intentions are concealed within his private throne room.

Herod uses another skill used in diplomacy, to reach his objective he reciprocated their own mission. But his mission was not to enhance international relations, that was just a temporal convenience.

They listened to the king! What a contrast…an eloquent man and able to use all his mental faculties even diplomacy, and a baby unable yet to even speak a single word! Yet, when they saw the star over his home they rejoiced exceedingly with great Joy.

The whole narrative and journey of the wise men speaks of rest, the whole journey is a Sabbath parable. The star rested, some may be afraid of galaxies colliding or comets hitting earths atmosphere, but these wise men had no such fears. They understood that the living God ruled over the cosmos, and that rest is an abiding inheritance to all who believe his journeys end: God shall provide himself a sacrifice.

Covid 19 & an explosion of racial awareness, economic uncertainty and environmental fears concerning the life blood of the earth itself! This star rested, and the wise men rejoiced with great joy – the babe of Bethlehem speaks rest to all who hear loves cords despite the chaos of this world.

In the world you will have tribulation! But peace is a spiritual narrative to those who know the number of the stars.

Had God not spoken to the wise men, it is likely they would have returned to Herod, else God would not have given them the dream.

These wise men, did not offend Herod, they were cordial to him, and dare say they had committed to returning to him. But ultimately they obeyed God, they were not willing to compromise between two kingdoms. They had no dichotomy regards the secular and the sacred. They wise men obeyed God.

Warned not to return to Herod. I guess this is a prophetic word, that also carries the witness of truth to all who believe, and have encountered the Christ. We do not return to that kingdom, of having a measure of knowledge, of using are intellect and strategic thinking, of acquiring and positioning ourselves within the hierarchy of men.

We do not return to being troubled with all of Jerusalem. We do not return to the narrative of this world, of Covid 19 & racial awareness etc. We rest upon the promises of Gods word, the original narrative of Gods blessing unto his image, every race and nation and family of the earth! Selah.

Herod spake to them ‘Go and search diligently ’, but the one born king, said ‘Go and bless every nation, race and family’. True diplomacy can only be found when the hidden motive is revealed: I am my brother keeper, Genesis Ch 37 v16.

Herod when he realized that the wise men could not be controlled by the throne room of his heart, became furious.

Herod first encountered the witness of truth, and it troubled him. Then he goes unto them who he expects to be able to give him the answer he himself had never been inclined to research despite having a knowledge of the promise, and once having this knowledge he uses them who are already part of the narrative to identify the Christ.

Then when they did not return to him, he becomes furious! Herod’s will turns to violent anger, indiscriminately – his rationale now applies a ruthless logic. If I cant identify the Christ, then I will leave nothing to chance. This rationale was manifested by the extremity of right wing politics in Germany during the rise and fall of the Nazis,

Not all men seek positions of power. But those who seek it, when they realize they do not have control of the narrative, will turn to fury, revealing that their life source and mandate do not come from the rest of Bethlehem.

How did Herod justify this act of violence to himself. There is no sense in which he did. He only had one agenda, and that was retaining his status as king. And that was reason enough, the means to the end. How did this man, wake the next morning after this deed had been done. And the day after that, and the day after that and the day after that. Soldiers under his command carried out this act. Yet, the midwives show us that their is a place for civil disobedience when the commandment is to bring death.

These soldiers, obeyed his command, the command of his fury and indiscriminate violence. Why did they do that. Fear governed them or ambition. These soldiers were realists and they knew where their pay came from, and they also knew the brutality meted out to all and any who step out of line with the juggernaut of power and the ascent of man within the heart of empire.

But the wise men came from the east, a place Daniel had been carried too. And the place Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego would not bow down to the image of a man.

Jospeh had dreamed a dream, that his brothers would bow down to him. But the Hebrew slaves knew to worship any image of man was blasphemy, and so despite the fury of the throne and the fire, they relied upon God.

Only the believer is free. Not to offend and not to be unwise, but the believer is free to obey Gods word of blessing above every other throne. To go against the tide, and be a man truly of peace.

At this juncture a difficult question can be asked? Why did God allow this to happen? A mans fury murdering innocent lives. Foretold hundreds of years beforehand.

This increase in suffering, directly related to his birth into humanity. Two kingdoms had collided. One of darkness and one that is light.

Why did God allow it to happen? When we consider the stories of Joshua, Samson & David we have conquers who did not suffer defeats unless they disobeyed Gods instructions. But here his perfect Son has been born king, and the suffering increases.

Two important points must be highlighted here. Firstly, that the weeping and loud lamentation is not detached from God, it concerns his seedline. And secondly, that his own Son was only spared until the sabbath of passover, when God rested for all his works!

He rested from all his works, his chief aim having been the redemption of his image.

He was not born in Jerusalem but his coronation, ended with the cursed crown. His ascension to a throne, a cruel mockery of his message and mantra: Love your neighbor and care for the Palestinian left abandoned upon the Jericho road.

The King of the Jews!

God has a different modus operates for this world captive to darkness. It is the love that went to Calvary. God allowed it, as he has shed his blood @ Calvary even for mass murderers. Cain was marked, so that his in his judgement he might seek the blood that speaketh better things. The blood that can only be offered by faith, the provided sacrifice that only God can provide. An innocent lamb, offered not just for one mans sin, but discriminately for all the thrones of Adam.

‘My God, My God, Why have you forsaken me’

So that the loud lamentation of the Son, may bring reconciliation with God. Mans conscious is awakened at Calvary.

‘Out of Egypt I called my Son’.

Joseph’s father is Jacob. And Joseph is guided to go into Egypt, so that scripture is fulfilled. This is not by chance. Joseph is specifically guided three times by dreams, concerning the life of the Christ. And in the Old Testament Joseph is also guided three times by dreams, pairing them together. Two in the land of his fathers. Two in prison, and two interpretations of another mans dreams.

Josephs, dreams are of interest. The first two are dreams given to him, concerning him. The two in prison concern other men with polar opposite outcomes. And the final one concerns one mans two dreams which both have the same outcome.

These three pairings will no doubt contain spiritual principles.

Joseph’s personal dreams contained no suffering and no death. Perhaps that’s why he shared it with his brethren. He had not understood yet what he would go through.

But once he was in Prison he understood. After recovering from the deepest betrayal, his loud cry’s in desperation being ignored, he had rose to prominence within his masters house. And now the place that had become a success, and turned into a prison, all because of his integrity before God. Fairness can be the enemy of faithfulness.

Joseph’s dreams had followed obedience. Joseph had sought the honor of his Father, prior to his dreams. And he had been sold into slavery due to being obedience to his fathers instruction to ‘GO’. Had Jospeh learned something of Gods ways, with his promotion in Egypt. Did Joseph, retain his dreams given to him from God, while he was in that Prison! Ones must state that he did, as the LORD was with him in that prison, equally, as when he served Potiphar or later Pharaoh.

But his understanding concerning suffering, and death, and why God allowed such things was being honed and perfected. And how that wrought an understanding that contrasted with the fury of Herod, Joseph weeping upon all his brethren who had betrayed him. They had hated the dreams that God had given him, but he once ascended to the very right hand of power, held nothing against them, other than: God has provided a sacrifice, all that I have is thine.

What a contrast in kingdoms.

One prisoner died and the other lived. Perhaps one was innocent and the other guilty. Or maybe they were akin to the thieves on the cross, one showed respect and honor to the King, while the other could not hide his contempt to the majesty of meekness. Believers never seek to offend, especially those who have worldly authority, only they stand upon God Word in the Spirit of meekness when it is required.

Pharaohs dreams had both offerings!

The first was animal & the second was crop.

7 abundant years & 7 lean years.

These both contain the same distinct contrast to the dreams of the two in prison. Yet, they are different in nature, as Joseph is now out of prison and he is now entering the third event to complete the dream that God had given to him.

The final dreams completes them all. The distinction of life and death, had lead to Jospeh standing before Pharaoh.

Valuing life and fearing in the right sense death (moral death) had lead to Joseph standing before Pharaoh.

Great Joy & suffering and sorrow. Ying and yang it is not though. Joseph had always sought to honor his Father and to walk with God. Gods light is always Gods light, its never darkness.

But in the 7 abundant and the 7 lean, all things came under the rule and reign of the King. This speaks to us today concerning, the beloved Son, unto whom Jospeh was warned in a dream to withdraw to Galilee.

Jesus had known great Joy & honor in his life. And betrayal and suffering.

Jacob served Laban. And Joseph Potiphar.

Jacob left Laban, only once Jospeh born. This must be an Isaac issue, in respect to the promised land, in respect to not being heir with mount Sinai.

From Abraham to the birth of Jesus Christ is 3 x14 generations (7+7).

2 is the number of witness. And 7 the sabbath of his rest. Three, represents the dieting of the seed to give its life more abundantly. An innocent sacrifice, that others might become a blessing unto other nations and families.

Pharaohs two dreams had only one interpretation. Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and forever. Jesus Christ has brought all things under his reign, even sin and death. We can walk in white in the cool of the day, when unto Jesus we behold.

The same in the land of promised, even without a son or territory. The same in captivity, the same in the ascension. Go, and baptize in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The God, who spake light and there was life.

Genesis Ch 38 is an unmistakable interjection in scripture. Jospeh, the main narrative has just been sold into slavery. Yet, the Holy Spirit follows the seedline of Jesus, the Christ, the one born King of the Jews.

Jospeh had been seeking his brethren. Whereas, Judah had departed from his brethren. And the fruits of it are very quickly made manifest. Just as with Adam and Eve. And that gets to the heart of the real narrative, and the real personal questions. Judah, was the seed of Abraham, but what is he doing in this scene. Has he learned nothing from Abraham, not from Isaac and nothing from Jacob, nor from Noah.

Both Isaac & Jacob, the main narrative concerning the children’s birth had been concerning who they marry. So it just goes to show, that despite all the heritage, and privileges, the Children of Israel needed one born king of the Jews. They needed a saviour from sin, Just like every other race, nation and family.

What an honorable man Joseph was with Mary. His Father had evidently named him with a full understanding of the narrative of his name. A scandal! Joseph faced false accusation, with dignity and honor.

Genesis Ch 39 v7-9.

Here we see a principle in Jospeh life. Joseph had an awakened conscious to God, fostered through the love of his Father, but here manifested in its personal application and maturity.

Maybe we weep at Jospehs life. The rightness of it, is without debate. All men know that these laws are written upon their hearts, all men would be filled with fury if another man betrayed their trust concerning this issue. It matters not whether we live by these laws, we all know, it witnesses, it is the reality of having been made in Gods image. But death, spiritually, is unavoidable to those who disregard these laws, as man was made for a holy jealous love. Natural selection cannot circumnavigate these design templates, as prisoners of crimes of passion will attest.

Judah had given to Tamar his signet, cord and staff.

These he would get back if exchanged for a provided sacrifice. The Ram is the peace offering, the reconciliation between the son and the Father, ‘Peace’ his first words unto his brethren.

And, akin to Rebecca, she is given twins, the younger of whom through the promise Christ would come.

Did he get the signet back. Perhaps not, its not the point of the narrative at this juncture. More important it was that when the women caught in the act of adultery was brought before the tribunal, that mans conscious awoke and that they came to themselves and confessed their sin before the God of heaven.

The women who you have given me – Adam: ‘I have sinned and am no longer worthy to be called your son’! Clothed, by the lamb of God, God covering the knowledge of the fall – that man may walk with him in the cool of the day.

Jesus, was born King of the Jews, because David did not loose his blessing. The New Testament even starts with David before Abraham, because the generation of Jesus the Christ has procured the promised land, boldly approaching his throne of Grace, in times of need.

What a contrast Joseph was to Judah at this juncture. Having not only been placed in his situation, through loyalty to his brethren, is then actively pursued. Joseph shines as a bright light, amidst a sad and unfulfilling world.

And after his stint in the clink, what does Joesph get given? A signet ring, a garment of fine linen and a gold chain about his neck.

And as the narrative unfolds, Judah, stands into the gap, least his father goes to the grave in sorrow. With his brethren, and not willing that one be sold in slavery. Rather offering himself.

Judah must have considered the wisdom of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, after witnessing the pain evil had brought to his life. But God had meant it for good, a converted Pharisee said it this way: God works all things together for good, to those who will to love God. Gods rest, is a work of love that only produces good fruit, believe the work of Calvary others will be blessed indeed.

Judah, acts as Joseph would have done, in his Fathers interest, obeying the instruction to check on their welfare. He may have favored Joseph but his favored one is sent out to communicate his heart of compassion and care unto all his sons. This is fulfilled in Christ, who was anointed with gladness.

Judah steps up for Rachels weeping.

When Moses designated the land of promise, it is the narrative of Gods redeeming love. Calvary, probably runs across the very line that joined Benjamin and Judah into one accord. And the greatest legacy of his father Jacob, was not lost in testimony, having been reconciled with his brother the birthright never to be stolen but always the ministry of reconciliation. Be ye reconciled to God; Scientists, Philosophers, little Herod’s of corporate plc, all employees of planned parenthood.

An awakening to truth, the word of God that brings light & life.

Joseph was 17 years old when he was sold into slavery.

And 17 years he spent reconciled to his Father in Egypt.

This has no negative. The love of the Father unto his Son, is not a double negative. It is a multiplier, the people multiplied, as the Church did when Christ ascended.

It is not a contrast of life and death, nor of abundance and leanness.

The reason for that is eternal truth, it is the purpose for why God made man, the bit in between is allowed so that we may discover the narrative true: For this my Son was dead, was lost and is found.

Bring quickly the best robe and place it on him, and place a ring on his finger and shoes on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate.

The double portion is this, a maid in captivity leading a leper to his cleansing. It is the covenant of blessing, unto sinners near and far, aliens to the promises drawing near to hear him.

The Father and the Son, an inheritance that can never run dry.

Worship God.

The Spirit and the bride say come.

Note: The fattened calf was reserved by the Father. There had been a serve famine in the far away country. On Monday, I had to go into are loft to collect a camp bed and inflatable mat for a friends friend of my mums. While looking for these items I had to pass a box of books that I had placed up their some time ago. The following book was face upright on top of all the other books,