Evidences Class

Walking in Jesus’ Footsteps – Part 1

An international team of archaeologists [has found evidence that the] tribes of Edom may have indeed come together in a cohesive society as early as the 12th century B.C., certainly by the 10th. The evidence was found in the ruins of a large copper-processing center and fortress at Khirbat en-Nahas, in the lowlands of what was Edom and is now part of Jordan.

Thomas E. Levy, a leader of the excavations, said in an interview last week that the findings there and at abandoned mines elsewhere in the region demonstrated that the Edomites had developed a complex state much earlier than previously thought.

Current Events – Edom in the News

"We have discovered a degree of social complexity in the land of Edom," they wrote, "that demonstrates the weak reed on the basis of which a number of scholars have scoffed at the idea of a state or complex chiefdom in Edom at this early period."

These are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom, before any king reigned over the Israelites. (Gen 36:31)

Current Events – Evolution Front

National Geographic Society

SacrificeCooperationSympathyCompassion JusticeLovePro-Life

Uncaring Evolution or Chance

Located about 5 miles south of Jerusalem

Book of MormonAlma 7:10 “land of Jerusalem”

These were the descendants of Caleb. The sons of Hur the firstborn of Ephrathah: Shobal the father of Kiriath-jearim, Salma, the father of Bethlehem, and Hareph the father of Beth-gader. (1Ch 2:50-51)

Starting from the Beginning

Founded in the time of the judgesRuth and David

Bethlehem Ephrath or Judah

Not Bethlehem ZebulunSo Rachel died, and she was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem), and Jacob set up a pillar over her tomb. It is the pillar of Rachel's tomb, which is there to this day. (Gen 35:19-20)

Traditional site of Rachel’s Tomb

Now David was the son of an Ephrathite of Bethlehem in Judah, named Jesse, who had eight sons. In the days of Saul the man was already old and advanced in years. (1Sa 17:12)

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 origin is from of old, from ancient days. (Mic 5:2)

About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for. So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David's town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there. (Luke 2:1-4)

The Accuracy of Luke

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. (Luke 2:1-3 ESV)

Luke appeared to have got it wrong: No census Quirinius not governor at that time Everyone did not have to return to their

ancestral home

Think Again …More recent archaeological discoveries

show:

No census – Romans held censuses every 14 years (9-8 B.C.)

Quirinius - Governor in both 7 B.C. and 6 A.D.

Everyone did not have to return to their ancestral home – Papyrus found in Egypt gives directions for everyone to return to their own homes

Hills of Bethlehem

There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. (Luke 2:8-11)

Rise of Herod the Great

• 47 B.C. Started out as governor of Galilee

• 41 B.C. Tetrarch (secondary prince of Judea)

• 40 B.C. Appointed king of Judea by Marc Antony

Herod’s Life

• Consolidation (37-25 BC)

• Prosperity (25-13 BC)

• Domestic Troubles (13-4 BC)

Securing his power

• Herod was Idumean (from Edom) and a friend of the Romans

• Herod executed 45 of the wealthiest of his opponents and took their inheritance

• Hasmonean Family – Married Mariamne, Placed Alexandra (his mother-in-law) in chains

CleopatraWhen civil war broke out between Antony and Octavius, Herod wanted to help Antony. But Cleopatra persuaded Antony to set Herod in battle against an Arabian king who had failed to pay tribute to her. ……… On September 2, 31 BC, Octavius defeated Antony in the Battle of Actium, resulting in the suicides of Antony and Cleopatra (asp/cobra bite according to legend). Herod surrenders to Octavius leading him to believe he was against Antony and Cleopatra all along.

Herod’s Life

• Consolidation (37-25 BC)

• Prosperity (25-13 BC)

• Domestic Troubles (13-4 BC)

Herod’s Palace

Herodium

Herodium

Herodium

Herod’s Palace at Jericho

Masada

2 levels below

960 Zealots Resisted Roman Rule

Romans laid siege for 3 yearsMass suicide by the Jews

Harbor at Caesarea

Herod’s Life

• Consolidation (37-25 BC)

• Prosperity (25-13 BC)

• Domestic Troubles (13-4 BC)

Killed James

Killed John the Baptist

Alexander

10 Wives

Doris

Antipater

Herod was an outstanding athlete, soldier, and builder. He was passionately devoted to his family, yet unspeakably depraved and cruel. He was responsible for the death of his favorite wife Mariamne, of her grandfather, and for the execution of three of his sons, to say nothing of the large number of lesser persons who fell victims to his suspicion or anger. He changed loyalties with the wheel of political fortunes and succeeded in making himself thoroughly mistrusted and hated by the general populace.

Merrill C. Tenney --- New Testament Times

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him." When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him; and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: "'And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.'"

Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him." After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was.Matt. 2:1-9

Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, "Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him." And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, "Out of Egypt I called my son." Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men.

Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: "A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more." But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, "Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child's life are dead." And he rose and took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there, and being warned in a dream he withdrew to the district of Galilee. (Mat 2:13-22)

Thus says the LORD: "A voice is heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping. Rachel is weeping for her children; she refuses to be comforted for her children, because they are no more." (Jer 31:15)

According to wikipedia

It should be noted, however, that the historical accuracy of this event is in question, since the author of the Gospel of Matthew may have had a religious motivation for presenting such events, and neither the other canonical gospel accounts nor any other document from the period makes any reference to such a massacre.