Boo_Boo Loc: Jellystone

I know...tradition says that he was poor and born in a manger....and then there was the sacrifice that Mary made after the birth...that of two doves (a sacrifice of an impoverish family).


But, could tradition be wrong? Consider his humble beginnings. He was born in a stable. But, the scriptures are quick to point out the reason....no room at the inn. This does not say that his parents were poor, just there was no vacancies. Next, he was wrapped in swaddling. All children born of that time was wrapped in swaddling... just so they could be bound tightly...and if modern day mothers are smart, they too will wrap their new born tightly it makes the baby feel more comfortable like they are still in the womb.

Also, consider that he is from a rich line of Hebrews, that of a King...specifically King David. And Hebrew law made provisions for inheritance and for that matter for dowries.

Now to the sacrifice, after the birth. What Joseph and Mary brought to the sacrifice was appropriate. Many people get requirements for a Leprosy, minor sins, menstrual cycles, and birth of babies too difficult to follow....Consider that Mary and Joseph were still in Bethlehem along with a few thousand other Hebrews, all going to the temple, all requiring sacrifice .... I guess God was anticipating this because the laws of Leviticus has a built in alternative in that it reads: “two turtledoves or two young pigeons, such as he is able to get." And, then one must remember, the wise men had just gave gifts of GOLD, FRANKINSENCE, AND MYRTH.

So... what do you think. Was Jesus poor?

rumitoid

Rich far, far beyond any who have ever been born...but not in the material way, which is an inappropriate measure of riches. (Myrrh, frankincense)

Mirth is a richness beyond measure and what Jesus hoped to give as our inheritance.

Boo_Boo Loc: Jellystone

As usual... you failed to answer the question, that is okay I have come to expect nothing more from you.

I do hope that someone that is capable of considering facts will come forward with a comprehensive thought.

MajorAhrens Loc: Myrtle Beach

Ma'am, you pose a great question. In both matters JESUS was rich,(according to the greed standard of the world ), remember the soldiers cast lots for his robe which was purple, (only wealthy wore purple), in those days. As for what he has "given" to each that will just receive HIS gift HE is the most generous person to walk this earth. If you have a Greek Bible I will give you many verses on this subject, if you would like them, ma'am.

amvaap

I think that in the earthly monetary sense that Jesus was not wealthy, but not destitute either. His earthly Father (Joseph) had a sk**led trade that was more than likely in demand, however they weren't rich enough to buy their way into good accommodations. The rich never have to stay in a manger, they just throw down enough to get someone else moved to the manger, so my guess was that as a child, Jesus was middle class.

MsAtta2d Loc: Oregon

Jesus was VERY rich! That gold, frankincense and myrrh, were gifts that came from KINGS! They do not give a tiny gift EVER! These men further travelled with a full cavalcade of guards, which was why there was such a commotion within Herrod's court. They went there to ask concerning Jesus' whereabouts (remember). Jesus's being born in a manger was "because there was no room for them in the inn". NOT because his parents were poor. Joseph had a viable and lucrative trade as a carpenter. Last, and aside from scriptural facts, does it make sense that God would have allowed his son to be born into poverty? I highly doubt it! Joseph of Arimathea was a very rich man, and was Jesus' uncle! That Joseph dealt in trade with (of all places) England, and the Americas! There is much evidence that Jesus accompanied Joseph on his various journeys, which is why there is much written concerning Jesus coming out of places such as So. America, etc.
Read a book called: The Lost Ten Tribes of Israel....FOUND! The author has a bibliography at the end of "every" chapter!!!

Caboose Loc: South Carolina

Jesus owns the cattle of 1000 hills. This earth and all the heavens are his and you ask "was he rich or poor"???

MsAtta2d Loc: Oregon

"Owns the cattle of 1000 hills"? Where does that come from?

Dummy Boy Loc: Michigan

Why does it matter? Are you losing a lot sleep over this shallow concern?

MsAtta2d Loc: Oregon

The offering of two turtle doves was not a poor offering by Mary. It was a required offering per the Old Law.
Jesus was very rich. These were "three" KINGS who brought him gifts. They do not and did not bring a small bottle of myrrh, or frankincense, or even a few gold coins as a token! They travelled with a full cavalcade of military guards; they created quite a stir when they arrive; they were met by King Herod as they went to find out where Jesus was located. There was nothing and is nothing to indicate he was ever born under conditions of poverty except perverted and rewritten history! The statement as to why he was in a manger is: "because there was NO ROOM for them at the inn". As for the manger, how many women have given birth in a cab? Think all of them were poor? Mary was in labor and they went where there was shelter! If you get a book entitled: The Lost Ten Tribes of Israel...FOUND, it clearly and easily take you step-by-step through all of Jesus' life, and EVERY chapter has it's own bibliography! Can't get much more thorough than that.

Boo_Boo Loc: Jellystone

Hello Major,

Thank you so much for your comments. So many people listen to oral tradition and do not see that Jesus could have turned out quite different... instead of electing to live an easy life he elected to not follow his adoptive father and become a carpenter. A sk**l that was highly valued and would have earned him a better than average life style. In fact, if you read the bible it is clear that he was not born into financial poverty.

His robes... regardless of the author; one says his robes were red and one says purple. Both colors were reserved for the rich. Blue, purple, and crimson are frequently mentioned in the Bible as dyes for fabrics. The Israelites are commanded to put “a blue string above the fringed edge” of our garments as a reminder of their special relationship with God. (Numbers 15:38-40) The Hebrew words tekhe′leth, a shade of blue, and ’ar·ga·man′, usually t***slated “purple,” are the colors associated with the high priest’s garments and other decorative items in the tabernacle and temple.


With no synthetic colors at their disposal, the ancients developed permanent dyes for a surprising variety of shades and hues from the animal and plant kingdoms. For example, yellow dye was made from almond leaves and ground pomegranate rinds, and black dye from pomegranate tree bark. Red dye was extracted from the roots of the madder plant or from the kermes insect. Blue coloring came from the indigo flower. The combination of pigments from various murex sea snails could produce shades and colors ranging from royal purple to blue to crimson red.


How many sea snails were needed to dye a garment? Each individual sea snail produces such a small amount of pigment that according to one study, some 10,000 were needed to produce enough secretions to dye one robe or cloak a deep shade of aptly named royal purple. During the reign of King Nabonidus of Babylon, wool dyed purple was said to be 40 times more expensive than wool dyed other colors. In view of ancient Tyre’s prominence as a renowned supplier of this costly dye, the color purple became known as Tyrian purple.

Boo_Boo Loc: Jellystone

I do not lose sleep over much of anything, but thank you for asking. I presented this thread as a conversation point only. It is close to Christmas and I spend many hours and days at shelters for families and children. I listen to the children and their questions and the reassurances (actaully excuses) from parents. When a child asks for an expensive toy, I have heard parents tell their child that Jesus was poor and there is nothing wrong with being poor.... So, I thought that I would put the question out there....to ask the question... from your research on Jesus (as a Christian) do you believe him to be financially impoverished.

I can see by your response that you either do not care or have not thought about it. That is fine, so I will simply say again, thank you for your inquiry on my sleeping habits.

Boo_Boo Loc: Jellystone

I am asking about a child that traditions teach he was poor. I was not asking about his divinity. Only about his finances. But, thank you for your comments.

Boo_Boo Loc: Jellystone

Excellent response, my deep appreciation!

Boo_Boo Loc: Jellystone

Thank you. There is no mention of the prices at the inn.... but, negotiating such accommodations may have been lengthy and with Mary in labor...there may not have been time. And there is the other fact, money during that time was not brought on trips due to bandits that would rob. People who traveled in small caravans carried only what they would need and could run away with.... it did not represent their family wealth.