Bible History
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7. first-born--So
Mt 1:25;
yet the law, in speaking of the first-born, regardeth not whether any
were born after or no, but only that none were born
before [LIGHTFOOT].
wrapt him . . . laid him--The mother herself did so. Had she then none
to help her? It would seem so
(2Co 8:9).
a manger--the manger, the bench to which the horses' heads were tied,
on which their food could rest [WEBSTER and
WILKINSON].
no room in the inn--a square erection, open inside, where travellers
put up, and whose rear parts were used as stables. The ancient
tradition, that our Lord was born in a grotto or cave, is quite
consistent with this, the country being rocky. In Mary's condition the
journey would be a slow one, and ere they arrived, the inn would be
fully occupied--affecting anticipation of the reception He was
throughout to meet with
(Joh 1:11).
| Wrapt in His swaddling--bands,
And in His manger laid, The hope and glory of all lands Is come to the world's aid. No peaceful home upon His cradle smiled, Guests rudely went and came where slept the royal Child. KEBLE |
But some "guests went and came" not "rudely," but reverently. God sent visitors of His own to pay court to the new-born King.
JFB.
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