ESSAY: "A Sign For You"

A Sign For You

"And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger"-Lk2:12.

Websters says a "sign" is: [-a symbol; a gesture expressing a command or thought; public notice to advertise or warn; trace (verb), as to: 1, mark with or make a sign - 2, write one's name on-]. The archangel Gabriel says "this" (the whole quote) is our "sign". I've noticed we modern humans don't read or pay attention to signs much. We tend to take things for granted and ignore directions as long as we feel we "know" our own way around! Have we done this with Jesus too?
Three things; "babe" and "swaddling clothes" and "manger". The "babe" speaks of helplessness, defenselessness, dependency. Oh I know it also speaks of innocence, beauty and lovableness too, but the first three were not characteristics expected by His people from their long-awaited Messiah! If He was to be "Saviour" of His people, well, that would mean certain things (so they thought!). But a "babe"?
Now "swaddling clothes"...? That term didn't just mean diapers (as we know them today). It was a medical term which meant a bandage for a cut (as with the umbilicus). "Swaddle" is used by God (Ezk 16:4) as the fourth action ("cut" being the first) in the "birthing" process. These four steps were 1-cut, 2-wash, 3-salt, 4-swaddle (bandage). Now it also needs to be pointed out here that the Hebrew word for "covenant" is "to cut" (as in a blood covenant, AND as for it's mandatory & subsequent ceremonial meal - hence, to "cut-&-seal-a-deal" with a "meal"! Hence, to "break" ("CUT ") bread together!).
Now the last word of the sign, "manger"; The Greek word used means literally, "feeding (fodder) trough" (for domestic beasts). Now if the other aspects of this "sign" might have struck the average Jew as strange, this part would have seemed ludicrous!
But again, there is a clue mentioned in Isa 30:24, "The oxen likewise and the young asses that ear (plough) the ground shall eat clean ("salted"-R.V.+) provender ("fodder"-A.S.B.+), which hath been winnowed (thrashed, tribulated & separated {cut-off}) with the shovel and with the fan (pitchfork)." "Clean" may refer to non-fermented (silage), as having been "salted", leaven is prevented! Therefore, "unleavened, "processed" (harvested/bruised) grain"!
The symbology of Gabriel's "sign" unto us is far too significant (taken in context with other scripture) not to speak volumes to us of the Character of "this One" Chosen by Jehovah to Save us!
Salt is humility. Grain is bread. Messiah is ("Unleavened") Bread of Heaven ("Manna") - BORN UNTO MAN! Jesus said we must "eat Him"! The "salted fodder" (given in a "manger-feeding-trough") is intended for domesticated ("broken-willed") beasts who "ear" (Till, plough, work) the ground (land/garden/earth) for the Husbandman Owner!
That the "cut" should prepare a covenant ("babe"), and that blood-oath should be in the form of God's Person - even His Son - well, it goes on & on! My imagination? Signs are to SEE! So, judge for yourself, BUT at least take a LOOK!

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