ProblemsDr. Bailey points out that the traditional understanding of the account in Luke 2:2-18 contains a number of critical flaws.[1]
Joseph Son of Levi
The first flaw in the account is that Joseph was returning to the village of his origin. Bailey says “In the Middle East, historical memories are long, and the extended family, with its connection to its village of origin, is important. In such a world a man like Joseph could have appeared in Bethlehem and told people, ‘I am Joseph son of Heli, son of Matthat, the son of Levi’ and most homes in town would be open to him.”
Joseph of the Family of David
The second flaw that Bailey mentions is that Joseph was from the family of King David, and that the family of David was so famous in Bethlehem that local people apparently called the town the “City of David.” The official name of the village was Bethlehem. Of course, Jerusalem was called the “City of David” too (Lk. 2:4). Again Bailey asserts: “Being of that famous family, Joseph would have been welcome anywhere in town.”
Sense of Honor in Bethlehem
The third flaw is that “In every culture a woman about to give birth is given special attention…. Are we to imagine that Bethlehem was an exception? Was there no sense of honor in Bethlehem? Surely the community would have sensed its responsibility to help Joseph find adequate shelter for Mary and provide the care she needed. To turn away a descendent of David in the ‘City of David’ would be an unspeakable shame on the entire village.” Read the rest HERE
For Part 2 go HERE
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