Study of all 4 Gospels at the Same Time The Praise of Angels and Homage of Shepherds to Babe in Manger - Post 8

Why were there shepherds outside Bethlehem at this time of year?  This is a good question and requires some thought in order to answer it.  The Lord's Temple was located in Jerusalem, some 7 miles from Bethlehem.  Lambs and goats were used in sacrifices in the Temple.  The animals used in the sacrifice were considered clean, but when they were part of the flock they were considered unclean.  Due to the smell that seems to follow the flock, they were not allowed any nearer to Jerusalem.  The Jews were not the only group of people that thought this way.  When Jacob brought his family to Egypt, they had to keep their flocks at Goshen, miles from the Palace of Egypt, because the Egyptians felt the flock or herd animals were unclean.  Notice the lambs for sacrifice were considered clean, but where they were born and kept was considered unclean.  It is kind of the same way with us.  When we are born we are born into sin, through the human nature that caused Adam to sin.  When we are introduced to the Holy Spirit (the first time we realize that there is a God); we start on the road to becoming clean.

We found out why the sheep and goats were on the hillside outside Bethlehem, but who are the shepherds?  In order for the lambs to be considered clean they would have to be kept in compliance with the Jewish Laws dealing with the handling of the animals.  You have probably heard the word "Kosher" before.  Kosher means that the item labeled that was inspected by a Rabi in all the processes used to bring that item to your market.  The idea in this situation is the same.  Who better to guarantee that the sheep were raised according to Jewish law, would be young Levites.  Levites were the tribe of Jews whose job it was to run all aspects of the Temple.  Just like David was a shepherd before he became king, so the young Levites would work as shepherds making sure the sacrifice animals were clean to be used at the Temple.

These sheep and shepherds were enjoying a quiet peaceful night on the hillsides outside Bethlehem, when all of a sudden the sky became full of Light, and a host of angels proclaimed the good news that God had brought His Son into the World.  If these shepherds were Levites, they would understand the message that the Angels gave to them.  They would send representatives to Bethlehem to see all that the Angels had told them.  The Levites would understand what this means.  God has sent His Messiah into the world to save His people, all people from their sins.  No other God loved His people, all people this much to bring His Son into the world to suffer and die to save us from our sins.