What Child is this who laid to rest On Mary’s lap is sleeping Whom angels greet with anthems sweet While shepherds watch are keeping? This, this is Christ the king Whom shepherds guard and angels sing Haste, haste to bring Him laud The Babe, the Son of Mary. The song, What Child is This, was written in 1865 by William Chatterton Dix. Source: “What Child is This?” Godtube. https:// www.godtube.com/popular-hyms/what-child-is-this-/
Scripture: Luke 1-2 Who was Luke? He is considered the author of this, the third book of the Gospel, in addition to the Book of Acts. In Colossians 4:14, the apostle Paul calls Luke “the beloved physician.” How does he know Luke? We are told that apparently he was a companion of Paul’s on his second missionary journey. It is said that Luke is the only Gentile author in the New Testament. He is believed to have died at the age of eighty-four years old.
Don’t have a Bible? Here are audios of Luke 1 and 2 Luke 1:5-25 (Birth of John the Baptist Foretold) Luke 1:26-38 (Jesus Birth Announced) Luke 1:39-56 (Mary Visits Elizabeth) Luke 1:57-80 (John the Baptist is Born) Luke 2:1-21 (Jesus is Born) Luke 2:25-40 (Jesus Presented to God) Luke 2:41-52 (Jesus’ Childhood)
Bible Insights The Birth of Jesus “….and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” Luke 1:33 I must admit that I’ve been shopping for Christmas decorations for the past couple of months. I don’t suppose that is anything new to those who know me. I eagerly anticipate Christmas music, movies, and the display of red, green, and white lights. But there is more to Christmas than these items. This is an exciting time of year in which we eagerly await the opportunity to celebrate the birth of our Savior. Like the peaceful, silent falling snow, Christmas brings us the beautiful gift of a soft, quiet light from heaven: a baby who came to earth “to guide our feet into the way of peace.” (See Luke 1:79) People, over two thousand years ago were anticipating the arrival of the Messiah. But they didn’t know when. There weren’t any decorations to put out in anticipation of such an event. There weren’t any Christmas trees on display. There weren’t any Christmas sales of any kind. There was just this eagerness from an oppressed people that their long-awaited king was coming soon. Several hundred years before, the prophet Isaiah speaks of this “king” in Isaiah 9:6: For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be Upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor,
Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Joseph Farah states in his wonderful book, The Gospel in Every Book of the Old Testament, “The gospel is so apparent, so obvious, so conspicuous in Isaiah that one would need no other book to make the persuasive intellectual case for Jesus as Messiah.”
What does the word “gospel” mean: It means “good news.” What is the good news? It’s what God has given us in Jesus Christ. Jesus came to earth to die for our sins on the cross and then rose from the dead on the third day. He defeated both sin and death. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father. Through Jesus Christ we have salvation and victory over sin and death.
Luke, the physician and author, apparently felt compelled to tell others about the coming of the Messiah in the gospel of Luke. As you may know, there are four books of the gospel - Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. They are found at the beginning of the New Testament. The books of Matthew and Luke speak of Jesus’ birth. The book of Luke, however, gives us great insight into the period that came before Jesus’ birth. In chapters 1 and 2, we read about: - the foretelling of the birth of John the Baptist who was born to Zechariah and Elizabeth, a childless older couple, - the selection of Mary, a virgin, to be the mother of Jesus, - the meeting between Mary and Elizabeth in which we are told Elizabeth felt the joyful movement of John in her womb upon the arrival of Mary to Elizabeth’s home, - the birth of John the Baptist - the birth of Jesus - Jesus being presented in the Temple Light of the World Just how important is light in our lives? Well, we are basically incapacitated in the dark. We need light to see where we are going. Living in the dark is not pleasant. In Luke 1 and 2 we have God’s love for us on display. God knew the time had come to bring light into a dark world. The apostle Paul says in Galatians 4:4-
ff
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of woman, born under the law.
Today, in the midst of so much turmoil, we too need the light and the freedom that Jesus o ers us. We adorn our Christmas trees and outdoor displays each year with lights. We turn them on when darkness is in the room or when the night sky appears. But the light of Christ is not a oncea-year display. He is the light that is extended to us all year, every year. We just need to accept it!
Speaking to the Pharisees, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (See John 8:12) Paul tells us in Colossians 1:13 “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son," The Prince of Peace As we come to the end of another trying year for many, let us remember how Isaiah “Peace is not the absence of stress but the presence of the Savior.” labeled Jesus, the Dr. David Jeremiah Messiah. He said Author, A Life Beyond Amazing Jesus is our “Prince of Peace.” How we need peace in this world today! In a recent article, the author said the people of this world just want peace. Particularly after these last few years, most of us are tired of warring, tired of divisions, tired of the lies, tired of the elements that seek to create strife among family, friends, and coworkers. Oh, there will always be that one or two who are less than Christian-like. Most of us just want a handshake and/or a hug, to agree to disagree, to laugh, to love, to move on in harmony. We are a weary bunch. But certainly no more weary than those who lived over two thousand years ago who had heard, and had been praying and hoping for their Messiah to come. A Savior who would be king, rescuing them from the hardships placed on them by Herod and those harsh rulers before him.
Whether it be then or now, peace came to us with
“Oh, little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie
Gideon acknowledges such as stated in Judges 6:24 - Then Gideon built an altar there to the LORD and called it The LORD is PEACE. With God being the origin of peace, Jesus is indeed the Prince of Peace.
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by Yet in thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting light The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.” “O Little Town of Bethlehem” was written by Phillips Brooks in 1868. He was an ordained preacher. After visiting Bethlehem during Christmas in 1866, he wrote “O Little Town of Bethlehem” in 1868.
the arrival of Jesus Christ. On that night, in the town of Bethlehem, where there was no room at the inn, our hope and salvation was gifted to us by God Himself. We couldn’t bring peace into the world ourselves. Only God could. Since the days of Adam and Eve, man has had a rebellious way about him. Scattered across the lands throughout history are the sinful ways of man, contrary to the way God has so desired for us to live. Did you know that, according to the website, www.wordso aithhopelove.com, the word “peace” is mentioned 237 times in the Old Testament. The word rst appears in Genesis 15:15 in which God tells Abraham “As for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace.” Peace in the Old Testament means “completeness” or “to make whole.” In the Hebrew language, the word shalom is used for the word peace. In the New Testament, “peace” appears 92 times. It is from the Greek word eirene, which means one, quietness, and rest.
fi
fi
ff
Ken Sande states in his book, The Peacemaker, “God loves peace. From Genesis to Revelation, He communicates a deep desire to bless His people with peace and to use them to bring peace to others.”
Today’s World
But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.
As we approach Christmas, let us not forget that Jesus is the greatest gift God could ever give us. It is not the presents Micah 5:2 under the tree that should matter to us, but the baby in the manger who came for you and me over two thousand years ago. And she gave birth to her rstborn son and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths and laid Him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. (See Luke 2:7) And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born Written by Joseph Mohr, a young priest, in 1816, the song Silent Night was penned following the toll that the 23 years of war had taken on the people in Europe. Silent night, holy night! All is calm, all is bright. Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child. Holy infant so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace.
this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (See Luke 2:10-11)
God Cannot Be Pushed Nineveh Comes To An End
T H E
"Aren't the messages of prophets like you only for those living in their period of time?"
B O
"What is the difference between a major prophet and a minor prophet? Is one greater than the other?"
"Well, a prophet such as myself is one who conveys God's message to the people and foretells what will happen as a result."
O K
Chapter 1 - Verses 1-6
"God used prophets such as myself to address the behaviors of the people at a particular time. In my case, I'm bringing a fateful, dooming message to the Assyrian Empire. However, my message also applies to the people on the earth today. God will not tolerate oppression and injustice for too long."
"It doesn't have anything to do with who is greater than the other. There are five major prophets and twelve minor prophets. The books of the minor prophets are smaller as to the number of pages. My book, Nahum, contains just three chapters. That's all."
"Hey, Nahum! What is a prophet?"
O Chapter 1 - Verses 7-8
F
God protects those in His fold; Nahum, in verse 8, states that God’s adversaries (those that didn’t believe in Him) will meet their end with an “overflowing flood.”
T H E
P
We need to trust in the Lord. He is a good, good father to those who believe in Him. Psalm 46:1 tells us “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Nahum warns the Assyrians that they “will not rise up a second time.”
R
Chapter Keep 2 - Verses a Log 1-10 Nahum prophecies:
O
1“The
Help is coming - from the Lord! Nahum prophetically tells Judah of the scattering of Nineveh, a city who once scattered others.
P H
2“For the LORD is restoring the majesty of Jacob, as the majesty of Israel.”
6“The river gates are opened; the palace melts away. 8Nineveh is like a pool whose waters run away.”
E T
scatterer has come up against you.”
N
= =
What good news this is for Judah! For the Assyrians have been ruthless against Jacob (the two tribes), and Israel (the ten tribes).
=
The enemy, the Medes and the Babylonians, force open the gates of the city. The city itself was built on theTigris River. The onslaught of the waters entering through the gates brought down the walls of the city and the palace.
The enemy of Nineveh takes all of Vivamus sagittis lacus vel augue laoreet the silver, plunder the gold!!” = auctor. the city’s wealth. rutrum faucibus dolor Morbi leo ”Desolate! Desolation and ruin! Hearts A city thought to be invincible by its risus.leader melt and knees tremble; anguish is in all is now full of fear as it faces its loins; all faces grow pale!”
=
Slow to Anger
Great in Power
A Strong Hold
Keywords and Phrases
Nahum tells the Assyrians that God has had enough! In verse 3, Nahum states that the guilty will not get a free pass for their atrocities. “And the LORD will by no means clear the guilty.”
Chapter 1 - Verses 9-15 Nahum speaks directly to the ring leader and his terrorist Assyrian group: “From you came one who plotted evil against the LORD, a worthless counselor.”
our to y ss es thle neir oma woromeo c the o Whind aslor? Sss in or m unse rkne itler ps? a H a o c ith d art. erh W he lin p Sta
It’s sad when others follow a person who has evil in his/her heart. Nothing is ever gained. 1 Samuel 16:7 says: But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
Hold on Judah! In verse 10, we read of what’s coming. Nahum pronounces the fate of the enemies of God: ‘They shall be devoured like stubble fully dried.” Annihilation was coming to Assyria and their gods, their “carved images.” Today we are awakening to the unfathomable evil that has stealthily lurked around us for centuries, causing so much destruction. I believe God is in the midst of destroying such evil. But we must turn to Him, repenting of our sins.
Chapter 2 - Verses 11-13
Nahum speaks of lions in verses 11 and 12. He is referring to those who have ruthlessly ruled Nineveh. Lions are powerful animals instilling fear. The rulers of Nineveh have acted similarly, pushing fear on the people. The people were being oppressed, tyrannized by the king. To make himself rich, the king resorted to both violence and blackmail.
The toppling of the king!
But the rulers, the oppressors, had overlooked God who avenges the wrong. Verse 13 says “Behold, I am against you, declares the LORD of hosts.” There was nothing the Assyrians could do to stop what was coming. What they stole or exhorted from the people would not be enjoyed by them.
demise.
Chapter 3 - Verses 1-7
Chapter 3 - Verses 8-19 No help is coming to save Nineveh.
A
As they say, “it can happen to any Of us.” The same is being said In verse 8 in which Nahum reminds The people that the city of Thebes seemed impenetrable But fell to the Assyrians. No one In Nineveh should believe that Their city can’t be destroyed.
H U M
Avenging
Time Runs Out For Nineveh’s King! Nahum sneers at Nineveh, telling the Assyrians that war was just around the corner.
9”Plunder
10
God is…
Somewhat tauntingly, Nahum says in verse 12 that it was going to be easy defeating the city of Nineveh. After all, “The gates of your land are wide open to your enemies.”
Nineveh Under Siege
Nahum prophesied that destruction was coming! And why not! The city of Nineveh with its evil rulers was full of lies - there wasn’t any truth! Honesty didn’t exist! The rulers believed they would rule the world using sinful means of charm to sway the masses, to gain power. However, in verse 5, Nahum conveys God’s message again: “‘Behold, I am against you,’ declares the LORD of hosts.” All the evil will be exposed to the people! And those who suffered under such evil will not show any sympathy when all is said and done! Certainly, those in Judea were greatly relieved with Nineveh’s demise.
Oh the pride of the people in Nineveh! Nahum sarcastically calls the people of Nineveh to “Draw water for the siege; strengthen your forts.” Why does he say these things? Authors Fuhr and Yates point out in their book The Message Of the Twelve that “Nahum calls the people to build defenses even though they thought of themselves as the impenetrable city.”
Nahum speaks of locusts In verse 17: “Your commanders are like swarming locusts.” When it gets hot during the day locusts scatter. The inner core of people in the city will run when defeat is apparent. In verse 19, we read that Nineveh with all its evil will not be given another chance; its atrocities are too great. Its destruction will bring the applause of many. Overview The book of Nahum may be short in size, but its message is powerful - not just for the people during the mid-seven century th B.C. but throughout history including today. Nahum reminds us in 1:3: “The LORD is slow to anger and great in power, and the LORD will by no means clear the guilty.” Today, as well as in the days of the Israelites “The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble.” (See 1:7)