Hope Awakening: Caesar’s Census
“At that time, the Roman emperor, Augustus, decreed that a census should be taken throughout the Roman Empire. (This was the first census taken when Quirinius was governor of Syria.) All returned to their own ancestral towns to register for the census. And because Joseph was a descendant of King David, he had to go to Bethlehem in Judea, David’s ancient home. He traveled there from the village of Nazareth in Galilee. He took with him Mary, his fiancee, who was now obviously pregnant.”
Luke 2:1-5
God can use anyone – or anything! – for His good. Caesar Augustus ushered in a period of peace throughout the Roman Empire (pax Romana). He established a common language and built roadways connecting the Empire, making travel easier and safer. However, many would describe Augustus as brutal. He loved being in power and would go to any length in order to keep that power, including murder. Augustus was a Roman citizen and a Gentile.
Luke tells us of the census decreed by Augustus. The census let Caesar know how many people were under his rule. The tidbit in parentheses is Luke’s way of giving historically verifiable information to the reader. He isn’t making this up, in other words, and you can check for yourself! Remember Luke writing with the purpose of proving everything that’s been said of Jesus is true. Pay attention to this: God uses Augustus to get Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem, for the purpose of fulfilling prophecy! Micah 5:2 informed, “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from old, from ancient days.”
Wow!
My chronological NLT Bible notes, “Augustus’s decree went out in GOD’S PERFECT TIMING and according to GOD’S PERFECT PLAN to bring his son into the world” (p. 1280, emphasis mine). Paul, a highly influential Christian convert, echoed this sentiment in his letter to the Romans: “We know that God works all things together for good for the ones who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose” (8:28, CEB). God didn’t force Augustus to call for a census, but God used Augustus’s actions for His greater purpose!
I know I am a total nerd, but I do hope you are as excited as I am over zeroing in on these intricate details that brought about the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
Poor Joseph, though. He’s come to grips with God calling him to be the earthly father of the most important human that will ever live. Now he has to make a grueling trek with his nine months pregnant wife! James F. Strange, a New Testament and biblical archeology professor at the University of South Florida in Tampa wrote an article detailing this trip. Joseph and Mary would’ve traveled 90 miles south along the Jordan, then west over the hills around Jerusalem, and on into Bethlehem. Bethlehem is a higher elevation than Nazareth, so the journey would’ve been mostly uphill. It’s likely they traveled seven days before reaching their destination. The Judean desert, which they traversed through, has a brutal winter climate: rainy with temperatures only in the 30s during the day. At night, the temperatures would’ve dipped below freezing. Apart from the weather, Joseph and Mary (who likely traveled in a caravan, like we discussed when Mary visited Elizabeth) would’ve also faced threats from lions, bears, wild boars, and even bandits. (You can read the article for yourself here.)
Our modern minds glance over these words and miss the context. Being obedient to God was. not. easy. But God – He protected Joseph and Mary! He never left their side. He guided them, encouraged them, and provided for them.
He’ll do the same for us, friends! God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
All praise and glory be to Him, forever and ever!
Reflection: Read the linked article for a more in-depth description of the difficult journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Sit with God and praise Him for His perfect ways. The journey isn’t easy, but God never leaves us to our own devices! Look to Him for strength when the path He’s called you to walk isn’t a breeze.