History is His-story
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"In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)" (Luke 2:1-2)
Passage: Galatians 4:1-5
In the history of the Roman Empire, Caesar Augustus ruled from 44 B.C. to 14 A.D. He shared rule with two others after his father, Julius Ceasar, was assassinated on March 15, 44 B.C. The three later led their armies in battle against the others and Augustus was the ultimate victor, who took complete control in 30 B.C. During his rule, he was mainly responsible for what is known as the Pax Romana (Roman Peace) and the expansion of the road system throughout the empire. To get more money, he needed more tax, so he ordered a census of the empire to be sure he could make everyone pay.
Ancient history views Augustus as the central figure at that time, but his history, as all of history, is really His-Story, the story of how God is working to bring about His plans for the world. The center of God’s plan is Jesus, and it is during the reign of Augustus that Jesus was born. God used Augustus’ desire for more tax, to get Mary to Bethlehem from Nazareth just in time to be born. In all the things that are happening in the world today, remember that God is always working to make the way for Jesus to be known.
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