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The Decree · Bible in a Year with Jack Graham

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  Speaker 1: If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny
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  Speaker 1: himself and take up his cross and follow me. Matthew
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  Speaker 1: 16.24 Dear Heavenly Father, As we celebrate the birth of Jesus,
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  Speaker 1: remind us of the profound journey He embarked upon for
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  Speaker 1: our sake. A journey that called for sacrifice, selflessness, and
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  Speaker 1: enduring love. This Christmas, as we exchange gifts and share
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  Speaker 1: in festivities, may we also remember the greatest gift of all, Christ,
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  Speaker 1: who came not just to be born in a manger,
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  Speaker 1: but to lay down His life for us. Empower us
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  Speaker 1: with the same mind and will of Christ, who set
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  Speaker 1: aside His comforts to carry His cross. Show us every
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  Speaker 1: day how to follow in the footsteps of Jesus, serving
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  Speaker 1: and loving those around us. Thank you for the priceless
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  Speaker 1: gift of your Son and the invitation to follow him.
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  Speaker 1: Fill our hearts with gratitude, love, and true joy this Christmas.
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  Speaker 1: In the precious name of Jesus, we pray.
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  Speaker 2: Amen. The winds of change swept across Israel with increasing fervor.
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  Speaker 2: It was as if the very breath of God stirred
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  Speaker 2: the dust between the Roman-ruled province, whispering of a tumult
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  Speaker 2: yet to unfold. Rebellion and discord, long smoldering in the
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  Speaker 2: hearts of the oppressed Hebrews, started to spark. A group
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  Speaker 2: of rebels known as the Dagger Men grew by the day.
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  Speaker 2: Some knew them by a different name, the Zealots. They
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  Speaker 2: were men of tact, skill, and secrecy. Fueled by Roman
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  Speaker 2: hatred and a desire to usher in Israeli independence, they
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  Speaker 2: assassinated some of Caesar's highest ranking officials. They were growing
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  Speaker 2: in number and needed to be stopped. Caesar Augustus, ruling
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  Speaker 2: from the heart of the Roman Empire, was not ignorant
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  Speaker 2: of these dagger men. His eyes, though distant, were sharp,
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  Speaker 2: and his paranoia simmered alongside the rebellion. He had not
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  Speaker 2: risen to power by being ignorant. In a move uncharacteristic
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  Speaker 2: of Roman custom, he issued a decree, one that both
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  Speaker 2: revealed his desperation for control and reflected his fear of
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  Speaker 2: the burgeoning unrest. Each individual under Roman rule, from the
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  Speaker 2: richest aristocrat to the poorest shepherd, was to be counted
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  Speaker 2: in a census. But it was not to be an
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  Speaker 2: ordinary census. No, this one bore the insidious mark of
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  Speaker 2: Caesar's paranoia. The people were required to return to their
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  Speaker 2: ancestral homes, the towns of their forefathers, to be registered
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  Speaker 2: and accounted for. To execute this decree, Caesar dispatched Quirinius,
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  Speaker 2: the stirred and unwavering governor of Syria. We cannot stop
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  Speaker 2: these zealots unless we disorganize them, Caesar told Quirinius. Therefore,
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  Speaker 2: we will force every man to travel, uproot them and
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  Speaker 2: their families. This will make them vulnerable. Quirinius agreed and
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  Speaker 2: immediately began preparations to force the census upon the people
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  Speaker 2: of Israel.
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  Speaker 3: I'm so glad you joined us on the Bible in
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  Speaker 3: a Year podcast today. But before we get to today's episode,
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  Speaker 3: I want you to know that I would absolutely love
• 3:44
  Speaker 3: to send you my daily devotional that will give you
• 3:47
  Speaker 3: fresh encouragement every single morning and day. From the moment
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  Speaker 3: we wake up to the moment our head finally hits
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  Speaker 3: the pillow, there are thousands of things demanding our attention.
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  Speaker 3: But it's in the midst of all this crush and
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  Speaker 3: hustle and bustle that you and I need peace and
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  Speaker 3: truth in God's Word. That's why I want to help
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  Speaker 3: you spend time each day growing in God's life-giving, life-changing
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  Speaker 3: Word by sending you my free daily email devotional, PowerPoint, today.
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  Speaker 3: So visit JackGraham.org to sign up for your PowerPoint Today devotional.
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  Speaker 3: That's JackGraham.org. JackGraham.org. This episode begins Mary and Joseph's journey
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  Speaker 3: to Bethlehem, the harrowing journey that will test their faith
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  Speaker 3: and stamina. It was prophesied that the Messiah would be
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  Speaker 3: born in Bethlehem, the birthplace of David. For Jesus to
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  Speaker 3: be born in Bethlehem, Dodd had to use the geopolitical
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  Speaker 3: struggles of the time. The political landscape of Israel during
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  Speaker 3: this time was wrought with civil unrest, corruption, and conspiracy.
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  Speaker 3: The harsh hand of Caesar on the people of Israel
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  Speaker 3: caused many radical Jewish factions to rise. One of the
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  Speaker 3: more infamous groups was the Dagger Men, also known as
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  Speaker 3: the Zealots. Simon, one of Jesus' twelve disciples, was one
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  Speaker 3: of those men. This story speculates that they might be
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  Speaker 3: the reason for the census. Although it is speculation, historical
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  Speaker 3: clues suggest it's a possibility. Historians have wrestled with the
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  Speaker 3: historical accuracy of Luke's account of the census, so scholars
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  Speaker 3: are forced to speculate reasons why the census occurred. Our
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  Speaker 3: story today is speculation for the sake of storytelling. But
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  Speaker 3: it isn't outside the realm of possibility. Rome's relationship with
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  Speaker 3: the Jewish nation was complex and dysfunctional. They saw Rome
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  Speaker 3: as another oppressive ruler like Babylon. As a result, the
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  Speaker 3: Jews were riled up with a renewed prophetic passion for
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  Speaker 3: the Messiah to come and deliver them. This was the
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  Speaker 3: stage that was set for the coming of Jesus. Even
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  Speaker 3: amid all the madness of culture, God was on the move.
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  Speaker 3: We believe in a God who can tame chaos and
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  Speaker 3: bring beauty from ashes. As the nativity story intensifies, look
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  Speaker 3: for God's hidden hand of providence. Genesis chapter 50 verse
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  Speaker 3: 20 reminds us that what men intend for evil, God
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  Speaker 3: can use for good. This census strained the Jewish people,
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  Speaker 3: but God would use it to bring about their redemption.
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  Speaker 3: Let's hop back into the story now. Joseph is about
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  Speaker 3: to receive the news that he must uproot Mary in
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  Speaker 3: her pregnancy's late stages. What will he do? How will
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  Speaker 3: he respond when the pressure mounts? Let's find out now
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  Speaker 3: in this dramatic telling of Luke chapter 2, verses 1
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  Speaker 3: through 5. Afterward, we'll unpack the story to find Christmas themes.
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  Speaker 2: Quirinius was not a beloved man. He cared very little
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  Speaker 2: about being loved or admired. He wanted their fear. If
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  Speaker 2: he could not gain their fear, their respect would be
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  Speaker 2: a consolation. Quirinius journeyed to every major city in Israel
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  Speaker 2: with a battalion of soldiers. They flooded town squares, marketplaces,
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  Speaker 2: and city gates with Caesar's demands.
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  Speaker 4: Hear ye! By order of Caesar Augustus, all men in
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  Speaker 4: their families are to be registered for a census in
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  Speaker 4: the city of their family lineage. Failure to register will
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  Speaker 4: result in punishment. This is the will of Rome.
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  Speaker 2: His voice, steely and unemotional, echoed through the streets and alleys,
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  Speaker 2: leaving a chill in the hearts of those who heard it.
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  Speaker 2: His soldiers nailed the decree onto the doorpost of every home. Quirinius'
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  Speaker 2: voice shouted through the city streets of Nazareth, where Joseph
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  Speaker 2: was buying supplies for his workshop. The proclamation threw him
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  Speaker 2: into a storm of uncertainty and worry. The house of David,
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  Speaker 2: Joseph's lineage, was traced back to Bethlehem. Joseph approached one
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  Speaker 2: of the Roman soldiers.
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  Speaker 5: Sir, my wife is nearly nine months pregnant. She can't
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  Speaker 5: make the journey to Bethlehem in her condition.
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  Speaker 2: She'll... The soldier shouted, shoving Joseph to the ground. His
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  Speaker 2: command is from Caesar himself. If you fail to obey,
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  Speaker 2: you will face the rod of Corineus. Joseph looked up
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  Speaker 2: at the soldier and then at Corineus on his dark horse.
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  Speaker 2: Joseph clenched his fist and looked away. He knew better
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  Speaker 2: than to pick a fight, especially when Mary was depending
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  Speaker 2: on him. The soldier spat at Joseph's feet and walked away.
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  Speaker 2: Joseph picked up his tools and went back home. He
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  Speaker 2: walked the dusty path to their humble home, wondering how
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  Speaker 2: he would afford the journey to Bethlehem. He entered through
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  Speaker 2: the door slowly. Mary was inside, weaving together blankets for
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  Speaker 2: Jesus and humming lullabies. Her gentle and quiet grace enraptured Joseph.
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  Speaker 2: His heart ached that he had to uproot her from
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  Speaker 2: the comfort of their home.
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  Speaker 5: Mary, he said gently.
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  Speaker 2: He knelt down beside her and held her hand.
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  Speaker 5: A decree has come from Carinius. We have to depart
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  Speaker 5: from here to Bethlehem for a census. I don't know
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  Speaker 5: why this has come now, but I swear I will
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  Speaker 5: protect you and the child. We will find a way
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  Speaker 5: to get there safely.
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  Speaker 2: Mary's eyes were fogged with fear and anxiety. How, Joseph?
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  Speaker 1: At best, it's a two-week journey, and all the carts
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  Speaker 1: for merchants.
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  Speaker 2: Will be used up. Mary was rightfully concerned. The journey
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  Speaker 2: from Nazareth to Bethlehem was not a straightforward journey. There
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  Speaker 2: were vast valleys and hills to pass. Additionally, the frenzy
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  Speaker 2: of the census would mean bandits stalking lone travelers. Joseph
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  Speaker 2: felt helpless. They didn't have enough money to pay for
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  Speaker 2: a wagon to taxi them, nor did they have a
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  Speaker 2: donkey for Mary to ride on. Such things were out
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  Speaker 2: of reach for a humble craftsman like Joseph. He didn't
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  Speaker 2: know how to proceed. Mary held Joseph's face and pressed
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  Speaker 2: her forehead against his. They closed their eyes and shared
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  Speaker 2: a somber moment of love and prayer. Joseph stood up
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  Speaker 2: and wiped a tear from his eye.
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  Speaker 4: I'll be back.
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  Speaker 2: I have to do something. Joseph grabbed his tools and left.
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  Speaker 2: He rounded the alley beside his home down to the market.
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  Speaker 2: There was no way Mary could endure the road to
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  Speaker 2: Bethlehem in her condition. If Joseph was going to keep
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  Speaker 2: her safe, he needed to provide her with a donkey
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  Speaker 2: to ride on. The marketplace was chaotic, with people desperately
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  Speaker 2: haggling for supplies. Many people had journeys to plan for.
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  Speaker 2: Joseph knocked on the door of the blacksmith. He was
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  Speaker 2: a large and surly man, uninterested in people and more
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  Speaker 2: interested in things.' Hello, Joseph, my boy,' he said with
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  Speaker 2: a raspy voice.
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  Speaker 4: If you are here to ask for another discount on materials,
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  Speaker 4: I'm afraid you're out of luck.
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  Speaker 2: Joseph placed his large leather bag of tools on the table.'
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  Speaker 2: I am here to sell you my tools.' The blacksmith's
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  Speaker 2: eyes widened. A craftsman like Joseph was only as valuable
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  Speaker 2: as the tools he used.
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  Speaker 4: What is the meaning of this?
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  Speaker 2: He asked. Joseph ignored the question, holding back any cues
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  Speaker 2: that he was greatly distressed at the thought of selling
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  Speaker 2: his livelihood.
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  Speaker 5: How much will you give me?
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  Speaker 2: The blacksmith examined the tools, laying each out on the
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  Speaker 2: table next to each other. He crossed his arms and
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  Speaker 2: stroked his beard.
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  Speaker 4: I could use many of these and sell the rest.
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  Speaker 4: I will give you two hundred denarii for it all.
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  Speaker 4: Four hundred if you do some work for me after
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  Speaker 4: the census.
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  Speaker 2: You have a deal, Joseph said. The tools shook on it,
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  Speaker 2: and Joseph was given the money he and Mary would
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  Speaker 2: need for the journey. He took the denarii and headed
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  Speaker 2: straight for the city stables. There he brought a donkey, saddle,
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  Speaker 2: and packs filled with enough food for a two-week journey.
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  Speaker 2: He also purchased a dagger to strap to his side.
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  Speaker 2: Joseph sacrificed his livelihood to keep his wife safe. Much
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  Speaker 2: would be required of him for the journey ahead, but
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  Speaker 2: he knew that God would protect them.
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  Speaker 3: Imagine setting forth on an 80 to 90 mile journey
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  Speaker 3: on rugged terrain with Mary in the advanced stages of
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  Speaker 3: her pregnancy. The trek from Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem
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  Speaker 3: in Judea was neither short nor easy. It would have
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  Speaker 3: demanded resilience, stamina, and a deep commitment. The concerns of
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  Speaker 3: an expectant mother, the potential dangers of the journey, and
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  Speaker 3: the uncertainties awaiting them in Bethlehem would have weighed heavily
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  Speaker 3: on their minds. Joseph's role as Mary's protector, guide, and
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  Speaker 3: support cannot be understated. The sacrifice he made to ensure
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  Speaker 3: Mary's safety was monumental, but he did so with the
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  Speaker 3: knowledge that there was more to be gained in his
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  Speaker 3: sacrifice than lost. That's an encouragement for all of us.
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  Speaker 3: What we give up in pursuit of Christ pales in
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  Speaker 3: comparison to what we gain. In the next few episodes,
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  Speaker 3: we'll get to see Joseph and Mary's unwavering commitment to God,
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  Speaker 3: Their dedication to each other and to the Lord is
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  Speaker 3: a testament to their faith and obedience to God's call.
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  Speaker 3: The reason for their journey, a decree from Caesar Augustus
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  Speaker 3: for a census, speaks to the geopolitical realities of the time.
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  Speaker 3: On the surface, this seems like a mere administrative move
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  Speaker 3: by a vast empire. But in the grand tapestry of
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  Speaker 3: God's design, it was a pivotal move to ensure the
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  Speaker 3: fulfillment of prophecy. that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem.
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  Speaker 3: Look at Micah 5, verse 2. This use of a
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  Speaker 3: geopolitical event is a poignant reminder that God's redemption plan
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  Speaker 3: is not isolated from the realities of our world. He
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  Speaker 3: uses emperors, decrees, and worldly events to achieve His purposes.
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  Speaker 3: This gives us hope, reminding us that no matter how
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  Speaker 3: challenging or chaotic our world might seem, God is always
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  Speaker 3: at work, bringing his plans to fruition. As we reflect
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  Speaker 3: on Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem, let's consider the
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  Speaker 3: sacrifices we're all called to make. Jesus says in Matthew
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  Speaker 3: chapter 16, If anyone desires to come after me, let
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  Speaker 3: him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
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  Speaker 3: The path for Mary and Joseph is only going to
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  Speaker 3: get more difficult. But just because things are hard doesn't
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  Speaker 3: mean they aren't good. The cross of Jesus showed us
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  Speaker 3: that some of the greatest triumphs emerge from the ashes
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  Speaker 3: of our greatest trials. When you face difficulty, think less
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  Speaker 3: about how to minimize your suffering and think more about
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  Speaker 3: maximizing the meaning you can glean in the midst of it.
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  Speaker 3: This Christmas, let the story of Luke 2, verses 1-5
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  Speaker 3: inspire us to have faith in the journey however difficult.
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  Speaker 3: Let us be reminded that God often uses the intricate
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  Speaker 3: complexities of our world to unfold His divine narrative. In
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  Speaker 3: the midst of our challenges, may we find comfort in
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  Speaker 3: knowing that God is orchestrating a redemption story, not just
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  Speaker 3: on a global scale, but in our personal lives as well.
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  Speaker 3: Our next few episodes will highlight the intense difficulty Mary
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  Speaker 3: and Joseph faced on the journey to Bethlehem but even robbers, Romans,
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  Speaker 3: and raging waters can't thwart the plans of God. Thank
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  Speaker 3: you for listening to today's Bible in a Year podcast.
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  Speaker 3: I'm Jack Graham from Dallas, Texas. And before we go,
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  Speaker 3: I want you to know that I would love to
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  Speaker 3: send you my daily devotional to give you fresh encouragement
• 16:04
  Speaker 3: every single day. So visit jackgraham.org to sign up for
• 16:08
  Speaker 3: your PowerPoint Today devotional. That's jackgraham.org.