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Many claim that the birthdate of Yeshua (Jesus) isn’t recorded in the Bible, but the historical references in Luke 1 and the prayer of Miriam (Mary) on the day the angel Gabriel announced the conception of Messiah in her carry the themes of dedication to God, the focus of Chanukah, the Festival of Dedication.
Food for thought from the recorded discussion
Notes on Miriam’s prayer in Luke 1
How does the account of Luke 1 relate to Hanukkah?
What connection do both Elizabeth and Miriam have with Hannah, the mother of Samuel (1st Sam. 2:1-10)?
Who was called King of Judea at this time? (Gen. 49:10) What was Herod’s lineage?
Why are names important in the Bible?
What is Elizabeth’s name in Hebrew? What does Elisheva mean?
How was John dedicated to God before he was born (Luke 1:24)?
What other barren woman was told to dedicate her child as a Nazirite from the womb (Judges 13)? Are there other cases of barren women giving birth to a son?
Who gives Miriam the message she would carry the Messiah into the world as a baby to be named Yeshua (Luke 1:26-31)? What is one of the longest prophesies about the coming of the Messiah (Dan. 9:25-27)? Who gave Daniel that prophecy?
How does Hannah, whose Hebrew name means “favored” (Strong’s 2584), relate to Chanukah?
What is the meaning of the name Yochanan (Strong’s 3076), rendered as John? What is the connection between dedication and favor?
Discussion of Miriam’s prayer of thanksgiving, dedicating herself to the LORD’s service as He prepares to do a marvelous work through her in bringing the Messiah, the Son of God, into the world as a human. (Luke 1:46-55)
What causes Miriam to rejoice? Why does Miriam consider herself blessed?
What does the Greek word doulos mean? How is this word used in the New Testament? How is it used in the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures?
What is a bondservant? How did Hannah and Miriam fulfill this role?
How is Miriam “boasting in the Lord”? (Psa. 34:2; Psa. 35:9)
How does Miriam refer to the Lord in Luke 1:49? (Psa. 111:9-10)
How did Miriam understand God’s mercy? (Psa. 103:17)
What kind of mighty deeds of God did Miriam allude? (Psa. 89:11)
Why is it important to “recount the mighty deeds” of God?
Who does God scatter and why does He scatter them? (Psa. 59:11)
How does God cast down the humble and lift up the lowly (Matt. 5:5; Luke 18; Psalm 51; Psa. 107:9)?
Speaker: Jeff.
Banner image: “The Annunciation” by Henry Ossawa Tanner, 1896 (Wikimedia Commons)