Luke 2:8, Shepherds living out in the fields. According to the Mishnah (a rabbinic Jewish legal-historical document from the end of the second century AD), these were no ordinary sheep or shepherds, but were shepherds who watched over sheep that were destined to become burnt offerings, peace offerings and the Passover offering for the temple service in Jerusalem (Mishnah Sheq 7:4; The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah, by Alfred Edersheim, pp. 132–133).
Such sheep were kept in the environs of Jerusalem including Bethlehem, which lies just five miles south of that city. These sheep were apparently kept outdoors all year round.
Presumably they were carefully watched over to keep them safe from incurring any blemish that might render them unusable for the temple service.
Imagine the spiritual and prophetic significance of heaven’s angelic messenger revealing to these shepherds the birth in Bethlehem of the spotless and sin-free Lamb of Elohim who was destined to be sacrificed from the beginning of the world (Rev 13:8; John 1:29; 2 Cor 5:21; 1 Pet 2:22; 1 John 3:5). The angel announced that he was YHVH the Messiah (Isa 53:1; Christ the Lord)—the Savior (Luke 2:8 cp. Isa 53:6, 10–11). He once and for all would take away the sins of the world (Heb 10:10, 12), thus rendering their jobs as temple shepherds unnecessary.
Very interesting. When debating the date of Yahshua’s birth many often say that The shepherds were never in the fields during the winter season! Guess we better stop using that one.
I think you’re right Jim. I’ve heard that argument used many times as well.
You know, I grew up on a sheep farm in rural western Oregon, and it was my job to care for the sheep for about 15 years, so I guess that I might be sort of an expert on the subject.
I’ve also been in Jerusalem in the late winter and early spring. It can be cold and rainy as well as very hot (in the 80s) at that time of the year. I can assure you that western Oregon is a lot colder than this at that time of the year because it’s about 1500 miles north of Jerusalem longitudinally. Even in the winter in Oregon, the sheep are outdoors in the cold rain and snow. Why? First they have to eat. Second, duh, they’re covered in wool, which, as all outdoorsmen know, stays warm when wet. Bottom line? Cold and even wet weather doesn’t bother sheep in the least!
So you’re right, let’s stop using the argument that sheep weren’t grazing outdoors all night in the winter as a means to disprove the December 25 birth date of Yeshua. That’s urban legend. There are much more compelling arguments to use instead.