Mary and Joseph were both from the tribe of Judah (2000ish BC). It also seems that they were both descended from King David (1000ish BC). Mary a descendant of King Solomon, and Joseph a descendant of another of David’s sons – Nathan. That means, all the kings of Israel/Judah were in Mary’s lineage. While Jesus was not Joseph’s blood son, he was Josephs lawful son, and was of royal blood any which way you looked at it.
When I first got excited about the Feasts of Israel, I kinda had this notion that the Jews, for the following 1600 years from the time the law was given to Moses, followed that law with dedication and detail. The more I’ve read of the Old Testament, the more I’ve seen that was not the case. The cycles of disobedience, judgement, repentance and restoration rotate over and over… so much so that disobedience and compromise was more the norm. And while they did experience many painful judgements, always always, God was working the plan to bring the Messiah. Always always, He was working His plan to draw them to Himself.
The temple that was standing at the time of Jesus life and until 70AD had been a major renovation by Herod. It had taken DECADES to achieve. Herod didn’t do this out of any goodness of his own heart, He did it as a monument to himself, to cause his mark to be made on History for providing such a piece of magnificence. He did do that, even though it was destroyed much sooner than anyone could have envisaged.
At the time of Jesus birth, possibly because of the renovation on the temple, there seems to have been something of a resurgence in the law keeping. Much of the law revolved around the temple, and with the Scribes and Pharisees in full power swing, much Jewish life bustled through the temple. We know that Mary and Joseph were keepers of the law, and I think because of the shown character of both, that their hearts were invested in this law keeping… it was not a dry, rote exercise. And certainly, if it had ever been so in either of their lives, it was NOT, once the appearance of angels foretelling Jesus birth took place.
2000 years ago, each of their households would have been doing similar things at this exact time of the year. Why? Because they followed the law, the law meant keeping the Passover, the Passover is in 10 days time and there are preparations to be made in anticipation of all the law required.
First, all the menfolk had to appear in Jerusalem from wherever they lived roundabout. That meant a journey of many days for a great many of them.
The womenfolk were not REQUIRED to go by law, but were FREE to go. We know when Jesus was 12 that the whole family went along.
If any of us leave home for a period of time, there are things that need to be done. Food, clothes, packing, minding of animals at home etc etc etc. Try making that journey on foot, needing to camp along the way and things get more complicated.
Next, the day after Passover begins the Feast of Unleavened bread. They were commanded to rid their homes from every SCRAP and CRUMB of ANYTHING containing leaven. It was to be cleaned right OUT of their homes and borders which probably means it was destroyed. Not just popped in the back shed or spare room.
Ever wonder where the meaning of ‘spring cleaning’ comes from? Google it! Preparation for this feast is one of the possible origins.
Throughout the 7 days of Unleavened bread they were commanded NOT to eat anything containing leaven and TO eat UNleavened bread each day. Every part of these instructions is LOADED with foreshadows/types which I’ll talk more about as the actual days pass us soon. If you are one of about the 5 people I know that will read this far, and you want to start the unfolding of that, look up the meaning of leaven and let the beauty of these Biblical object lessons begin to reveal themselves.
So, at this time of year, Hebrews are preparing for a journey. They are preparing their homes and themselves for all that is to take place.
On top of appearing in Jerusalem at the right time, there is the need to fulfil all the purification laws before they can go to the temple and participate. So mostly they travel many days beforehand so they have time for all the purification laws to be met.
(There was a time when Jesus surprised His followers and brothers because HE did not leave to go to Jerusalem when they did. He did go later and in time for the feast, but it was only through studying the laws and feasts that I saw that He was the only person EVER to not legally NEED to go early, as He did not NEED to fulfil the purification laws! He WAS (is) pure. He was (is) the total fulfilment OF the laws.
Also, they need to choose a perfect lamb for each household sacrifice ON THE 10th day. This has to be separated and ready for the slaughter and subsequent family meal on the 14th day.
So. Busy busy busy was this time of the year on the Hebrew calendar, and the Feast itself is still nearly 10 days away.
(This little series has been posted with dates in the opposite order to which it was written so as to appear sequentially to readers)