Taxes
“And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 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:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.” (Luke 2:1-5)
Today’s Morsel: When Israel wanted a king to governor them like of the other nations of the land, the Lord told Samuel to tell them: “And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants.” (1 Samuel 8:15) In other words, he is going to tax you. But what the enemy always means to use for evil, God can turn it around and use it for His good. For the scriptures were to be fulfilled which had been spoken by the prophets of old of God sending a deliverer and a Savior, the location, place, and cause had to be in place. Mary and Jospeh were living in Syria. But Caesar Augustus was used by God to implement a tax to force everyone back to their hometown. Thus, Joseph and Mary had to return to Bethlehem, the city of David. The city of bread. The house of God. It was here that Jacob saw the ladder extended from heaven and earth and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the earth and God standing at the top (Genesis 28:10-22) It was here that Jacob buried Rachel after her death birthing Benjamin. He was here, Bethlehem, that Boaz married Ruth. Thus the King to rule the earth would also need to be born in the place that was spoken of His Kingdom. “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. Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel.” (Micah 5:2-3)Don’t be upset with taxes. It just may be what God is using to draw you to where He wants you to be.
Sing: Jesus! Jesus! You know what’s best for me; So, lead on, Jesus, I’ll go wherever You lead.
Thought For Today: Don’t despise the day of small things.
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