In AD 1, give or take a few years, the people of Israel were described as “walking in darkness.”
What did that mean?
What were the conditions when Jesus was born?
Why would His arrival–the Messiah is here–have made a difference?
I’m going to abbreviate it!
Life in AD 1 under King Herod’s rule
Antipater the Idumaen, who came to power by unscrupulous methods (including sailing to Roman to convince the Roman Senate to make him the leader), ruled with an iron fist. Somewhere in his background, he had a Jewish mother.
A friend of Caesar’s and Mark Antony (of Cleopatra fame), upon his death, his son Herod 1 took control of Judea.
Raised as a Jew, King Herod curried favor with the Romans and instituted massive building projects.
These included a total expansion and restoration of the Jewish temple on the Temple Mount.
He did not, however, display a lot of personal religious belief. He dumped his first wife to marry another, and eventually executed several members of his family–including the second wife.
Named the King of Judea by the Roman Senate, he worked to accomplish their goals.
During our visit to Israel in 2022, our guide refered to Herod as “Bob the Builder,” because of his ambitious building schemes.
He was very jealous of retaining power–as demonstrated in his interview with the Magi looking for the newborn King Jesus circa AD 1.
In addition to the Jewish Temple, Herod directed the building of forts and lavish homes for himself around Israel.
This included Caesarea Maritima, Masada and Herodium in Bethlehem (Site of Herod’s burial in a glorious castle that could see to the Temple in Jerusalem).
Circa AD 6, Emperor Augustus of Roman deposed Herod and turned the territory into the Roman province of Judea. (Which it remained until 132).
Bethlehem itself at Jesus’ birth
Known as the city of David, because King David grew up in Bethlehem, it was still an agricultural center at the time of Jesus’ birth circa AD 1.
Shepherds raised the lambs for the Temple sacrifice on the hillsides in Bethlehem.
The city itself is built on a hill riddled with caverns–which often houses sheep during inclimate weather.
Indeed, people themselves often lived in the comfortable caves, as late as 100 years ago.
Farmers grew grain, just as they had when Naomi and Ruth returned hundreds of years before.
Some of the Temple grain offerings may very well have been grown in Bethlehem–which was only a small town.
It’s always about the taxes–even in AD 1!
Actually, the taxes were the reason for the census.
Roman records recount the census called by Caesar August actually took place in AD 6.
Matthew 2:1-12 recounts the story of Mary and Joseph traveling to Bethlehem where Mary gave birth.
The couple came down from Nazareth for the census because their families were from the line of King David, which made Bethlehem their ancestral home.
While they may have sheltered in one of Bethlehem’s caves that first night, the experience may not have been as forlorn as depicted. They had family in Bethlehem. I doubt Joseph needed to serve as a midwife very long.
But what darkness did people walk in circa AD 1?
The quote comes from the Prophet Isaiah, describing the coming Messiah:
Nevertheless the gloom will not be upon her who is distressed,
Isaiah 9:1-2 (NKJV)
As when at first He lightly esteemed
The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,
And afterward more heavily oppressed her,
By the way of the sea, beyond the Jordan,
In Galilee of the Gentiles.
2 The people who walked in darkness
Have seen a great light;
Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death,
Upon them a light has shined.
The Roman oppression, the troops stationed throughout Galilee and further north, the brutal demand for taxes and shake downs.
The Roman government did not like the Jews. The people of Israel begged God for their Messiah.
And one glorious night full of angels, he was born.
Whether recognized or not.
A blessed Advent to you all. The Messiah came.
Tweetables
What was Israel like circa 1 AD, or so, when Jesus was born? Click to Tweet
What sort of world was Jesus born into? Click to Tweet
“The Roman government did like the Jews.” ??
Thank you! Now corrected!