As has been our tradition for the past several years, for the week preceeding Christmas, we will pause our verse studies in the current book to focus on a few Christmas verses. We will return to our verse studies after the first of the year.
Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.
Truth to Learn
Christmas was first announced to those who were banned from the accepted religious observances.
Behind the Words
“Shepherds” is translated from poimēn, which refers to “someone who watches over to protect and provide for a flock or herd of animals.”
The word “country” is from chōra which is based on choros, meaning “a place where cattle range and feed.” By extension, Chōra is used to refer to a region, a country, or a land.
“Living out in” is the translation of the Greek verb agrauleō, which is made up of agros, referring to “the country” as opposed to “the city” and aulidzomai, which means “to spend the night.” Thus, these shepherds were spending the night camped out in the country.
The words “keeping watch” are from the verb phulassō, meaning “to watch over” or “to guard.” The Greek text actually says phulassontes phulakas, meaning “watching watches.” These men were taking turns watching the sheep throughout the various "watches" of the night which were evening, middle of the night, cock crowing, and morning.
Meaning Explained
In Greek, word order is significant, implying importance or emphasis. In the Greek text, this verse starts out with “and shepherds …” because this is an account of what transpired with the shepherds on the night of Jesus’ birth.
Shepherds spent most of their time out in the fields with their flocks, especially in the spring and summer (these events probably occurred in the springtime). Because of this, they were not able to keep the religious ordinances and ceremonial responsibilities that were required by the religious leaders. As a result, these same religious leaders considered shepherds little better than the heathen Gentiles. They were even banned from entering the Temple. This is particularly ironic since these shepherds were most likely watching the very sheep which were to be used in the temple sacrifices.
Based on the Prophet Micah, the Jews believed that Messiah would be born in Bethlehem:
But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting. (Micah 5:2)
Near Bethlehem, on the road to Jerusalem, there was a watchtower called Migdal Eder, meaning “watchtower of the flock.” This is where shepherds watched over the animals destined for sacrifice in the Temple in Jerusalem. It was a commonly held belief among the Jews that their Messiah would be revealed from Migdal Eder. And the prophet Micah said:
And you, O tower of the flock [Migdol Eder], the hill of the daughter of Zion, to you it shall happen … (Micah 4:8 a).
These shepherds, responsible for guarding the sacrificial lambs and who were banned from the Temple, are likely the very ones to whom the Sacrificial Lamb of God was announced by God’s angelic messengers.
Application
Isn’t it amazing. Even though the Jews believed that their Messiah would be born in Bethlehem and that he would be revealed at Migdal Eder, they completely missed His birth? They were likely too busy living their lives and following their "religious" observances to be bothered with looking for their Messiah! How about you? Are you so busy “celebrating” His birth with presents that you completely miss the presence of the One for whom the celebration is intended? Are you busy decorating, shopping, wrapping, cooking, and otherwise preparing for Christmas Day, or are you reading, studying, praying, and humbling yourself before the God-child who was born on this day so that He could die to pay for your sins.
This year, instead of celebrating Christmas, let's celebrate the Christ Child!
In God's service, for His glory,
Copyright © 2015 Will Krause. All rights reserved