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The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Vol 1 - Predestination

The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah Vol 1 - Predestination

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have been enrolled according to tribes (niDo))<br />

fo/rnUies or clans (ninfiB^)) <strong>and</strong> <strong>the</strong> house <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

fa<strong>the</strong>rs (nuK n^s)- But as <strong>the</strong> ten tribes had not<br />

returned to Palestine, this could only take place to<br />

a very limited extent,^ while it would be easy for<br />

each to be registered in ' his own city.' In <strong>the</strong> case<br />

<strong>of</strong> Joseph <strong>and</strong> Mary, whose descent from David<br />

was not only known, but where, for <strong>the</strong> sake <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

unborn <strong>Messiah</strong>, it was most important that this<br />

should be distinctly noted, it was natural that, in<br />

accordance with Jewish law, <strong>the</strong>y should have<br />

gone to Bethlehem. Perhaps also, for many reasons<br />

which will readily suggest <strong>the</strong>mselves, Joseph <strong>and</strong><br />

Mary might be glad to leave Nazareth, <strong>and</strong> seek, if<br />

possible, a home in Bethlehem. Indeed, so strong<br />

was this feeling, that it afterwards required special<br />

Divine direction to induce Joseph to relinquish this<br />

chosen place <strong>of</strong> residence, <strong>and</strong> to return into<br />

Galilee.* In <strong>the</strong>se circumstances, Mary, ' st ium.<br />

now <strong>the</strong> ^ wife' <strong>of</strong> Joseph, though st<strong>and</strong>ing to him<br />

only in <strong>the</strong> actual relationship <strong>of</strong> * betro<strong>the</strong>d,' *<br />

would, <strong>of</strong> course, accompany her husb<strong>and</strong> * »•<br />

i**«*^ to Bethlehem. Irrespective <strong>of</strong> this, every

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