Poverty and Provision
22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
Luke 2:22-24
And if she is not able to bring a lamb, then she may bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons—one as a burnt offering and the other as a sin offering. So the priest shall make atonement for her, and she will be clean.
Leviticus 12:8
After circumcision on the eighth day and an additional 32 days of waiting for ceremonial uncleanness to pass, Joseph and Mary will hike with baby bundled up the Jerusalem hill to the temple mount. They are poor, even very poor. We know this because they do not offer a lamb as the Mosaic law prescribes, but instead offer two turtledoves or pigeons. It is an exception allowed by the law in cases of poverty. We can also ascertain that no magi have arrived with their precious gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, else they could afford to offer a lamb for sacrifice.
Even the messiah’s blessed parents would not be afforded an exemption from the hardships normal to life, this much we know. In this instance, there would be no miracle ram in bushes, or special provision allowing them the dignity of a respectable sacrifice. Mary will be afforded the excruciating honor of presenting an unblemished lamb in Jerusalem at a future date. For now, they go in obedience and give of the little they have.
Joseph is working in Bethlehem, most likely, as a craftsman to provide for his small family. They don’t have their own home to live in, instead depending upon the extended hospitality of Joseph’s extended family. The somewhat awkward couple now live with relatives in a two-room house, if it conforms to the customary design typical of the time and place. Mary will work diligently and contribute to the household while caring for infant Jesus, navigating new relationships with new relations. It seems, at face value, at least moderately uncomfortable.
Yet, provision is present. They have shelter and sustenance in some measure. They will have a choice, the one we’re so often given during seasons of our lives: to be grateful for the provision afforded, or struggle under the weight of dissatisfaction. Will their poverty shift their mood to gladness or groaning? Or some of both? They are human after all. It would not be unreasonable to expect that God would provide for this son of His, and oversee the complicated circumstances arising from his birth. And there’s the rub! He is overseeing it. And He sees fit to see them poor.
Is it this poverty of his own family which will be so instrumental in allowing Jesus to have such deep and personal compassion for the poor? Is his heart and perspective tuned to the struggles and strains of working class rhythms in his youth? Of course, we will say he is tuned to exactly what the Father’s heart is tuned to, for he is God. But He is also man, and God would arrange the providences which would influence him, be it language, labors, or learning. Let us not underestimate the value of our poverties, our provisions, and our parentage. Not all are pleasant, but they are profitable when purposed by God’s providence and to our willing reception.
Are you at peace with your present circumstances, whether wealth or want?
Can you see the purposes of your present circumstances? If not, what might some positive outcomes be from an eternal perspective?
Is your mood marked more frequently by gladness or groaning? What could shift your perspective?
