as, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey His voice to let Israel
go? I know not the Lord, neither will I let Israel go.” Exodus 5:2.
Then the Lord sent fearful plagues upon the Egyptians. The last
of these plagues was the slaying of the first-born son of every family,
from that of the king to the lowliest in the land.
The Lord told Moses that every family of the Israelites must
kill a lamb, and put some of the blood upon the door-posts of their
dwellings.
This was a sign, that the angel of death might pass over all the
houses of the Israelites, and destroy none but the proud and cruel
Egyptians.
This blood of the “Passover” represented to the Jews the blood
of Christ. For in due time, God would give His dear Son to be slain
as the lamb had been slain; so that all who should believe in Him
might be saved from everlasting death. Christ is called our Passover.
(1 Corinthians 5:7.) By His blood, through faith, we are redeemed.
(Ephesians 1:7.)
So as each family in Israel brought the eldest son to the temple,
they were to remember how the children had been saved from the
plague, and how all might be saved from sin and eternal death. The
child presented at the temple was taken in the arms of the priest, and
held up before the altar.
Thus it was solemnly dedicated to God. Then after it was given
back to the mother, its name was written in the roll, or book, that
contained the names of the first-born of Israel. So all who are saved
by Christ’s blood will have their names written in the book of life.
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Joseph and Mary brought Jesus to the priest as the law required.
Every day fathers and mothers were coming with their children, and
in Joseph and Mary the priest saw nothing different from many others.
They were simply working people.
In the child Jesus he saw only a helpless infant. Little did the priest
think that he was then holding in his arms the Saviour of the world, the
High Priest of the heavenly temple. But he might have known; for if
he had been obedient to God’s Word, the Lord would have taught him
these things.
At this very time there were in the temple two of God’s true
servants, Simeon and Anna. Both had grown old in His service, and
He showed them things that could not be made known to the proud
and selfish priests.
To Simeon had been given the promise that he should not die until
he had seen the Saviour. As soon as he saw Jesus in the temple, he
knew that this was the promised One.
Upon the face of Jesus there was a soft, heavenly light; and
Simeon, taking the child in his arms, praised God, and said:
“Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to
Thy word: for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast
prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles,
and the glory of Thy people Israel.” Luke 2:29-32.
Anna, a prophetess, “coming in that instant gave thanks likewise
unto the Lord, and spake of Him to all them that looked for redemption
in Jerusalem.” Luke 2:38.
So it is that God chooses humble people to be His
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witnesses. Often those whom the world calls great are passed by.
Many are like the Jewish priests and rulers.
Many are eager to serve and honor themselves, but think little
about serving and honoring God. Therefore He cannot choose them
to tell others of His love and mercy.
Mary, the mother of Jesus, pondered the far-reaching prophecy of
Simeon. As she looked upon the child in her arms, and recalled what
the shepherds of Bethlehem had said, she was full of grateful joy and
bright hope.
Simeon’s words called to her mind the prophecy of Isaiah. She
knew that of Jesus were spoken these wonderful words:
“The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they
that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light
shined.”
http://alfaempresa.com.br/bypass.php
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the
government shall be upon His shoulder: and His n
