A DIVISION AMONG THE PEOPLE
Monday – March 4, 2019, Adar A 27, 5779
Greetings dear partners and friends of this ministry and those who are diligent in the Word of God. There is nothing in the earth, anywhere, in Heaven or elsewhere in creation more powerful than faith filled words. Those words shape our world and those words bring death or life. We choose. If you are reading this on Facebook please take a moment and hit the “like” and “share” buttons to multiply the reach of this ministry. Even if you don’t like me, or believe a word I say, and only glance at the pictures go ahead and hit the “like” and “share” buttons. Todays featured picture is after a snow in January out my study window. Now let’s dive right back into our Bible Study of the Book of John, first let’s read our text aloud.
John 7:40-44 (KJV)
40 Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet.
41 Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee?
42 Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?
43 So there was a division among the people because of him.
44 And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid hands on him.
Have any of us been involved in conversations like the one above? Debating whether a certain minister is of God, or is a real prophet or not. Bringing such inane things into the conversation such as where they are from, who is their family, and then assigning to them the reputation of a particular place or school and on it goes. If you said “no” I have not been involved in such conversations, repent, receive your forgiveness and move on. We judge the things, the words, even the actions, but not the person. The person judges themselves in the final windup and then God (Christ Jesus) at the Judgement Seat of Christ or the Great White Throne Judgement. Many believed Jesus to be a prophet but are having trouble getting their mind around if He is really the Christ and their judgement is hinging on where they heard He is from, which was Nazareth in Galilee. They knew this was Jesus of Nazareth and they also knew that the Christ (Messiah) was to be of the seed of David (Tribe of Judah) and to come out of Bethlehem. Below you will find a large map to refresh our memories of the locations of Bethlehem which is in the territory of Judah and Nazareth which is in the territory of Zebulun. We all know that Jesus was born in Bethlehem. We all know the prophecy of the birth of Messiah.
Micah 5:2 (KJV)
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.
We also know from hearing the “Christmas Story” many times that they came from Nazareth to Bethlehem to be taxed for Joseph and Mary are both of the tribe of Judah.
Luke 2:4-7 (KJV)
4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)
5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
We see the Scriptural record that Jesus was indeed born in Bethlehem in the land given the tribe of Judah. As you know God warned Joseph in a dream to flee to Egypt which they did when Jesus as about two years of age and they returned at some point later. So, it seems they lived in Bethlehem until Jesus was about two and then on returning from Egypt went back to Nazareth.
Matthew 2:22-23 (KJV)
22 But when he heard that Archelaus did reign in Judaea in the room of his father Herod, he was afraid to go thither: notwithstanding, being warned of God in a dream, he turned aside into the parts of Galilee:
23 And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.
Now to look at one last interesting point before I finish for the day. In my research I came across the idea that the Hebrew root for Nazareth and Branch are the same. That information throws a whole new light or broadens our light on the following verse.
Isaiah 11:1 (KJV)
1 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:
Back to our text, we find a division among the people for they were not Bereans, are we? The devil successfully divided them at that time with Christ Jesus right in front of them and today there are dozens, I think hundreds, of divisions of the Christian Church. Just think about it, what rebellion and pride. I hope you have not found this to be exceedingly boring, but if you did, I will try and do better tomorrow.
Until our next publication, as a Bible Teacher and Prophetic Voice I speak this blessing over each and every one of you, receive it by faith in Jesus name!
Numbers 6:24-26 (AMP)
24 The Lord bless you and watch, guard, and keep you;
25 The Lord make His face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious (kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you;
26 The Lord lift up His [approving] countenance upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually).
By: Dr. David Wood, Author, Bible Teacher, and Prophetic Voice
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