Charles Spurgeon Commentary Luke 2:1-6

"Now it came to pass in those days, there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be enrolled. This was the first enrolment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to enrol themselves, every one to his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David; to enrol himself with Mary, who was betrothed to him, being great with child. And it came to pass, while they were there, the days were fulfilled that she should be delivered." — Luke 2:1-6 (ASV)

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the City of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

Little did Caesar realize that he was accomplishing the purpose of God by bringing Mary to Bethlehem at that particular time, so that her Child might be born there.

But God can accomplish the purpose of His providence and His grace in any way He pleases. Although Caesar was not aware of all that was involved in his action, his decree—which he intended simply as a means of registering his subjects and filling his treasury—was to be overruled by God for the fulfillment of the prophecy, spoken centuries before the event occurred, that Christ must be born at Bethlehem.

It may seem strange to some of you that an imperial edict, issued from Rome, should have an important influence on the place of the Child's birth.

Yet I do not doubt that, in God's esteem, the whole of the great Roman Empire was of very little importance in comparison with His Son, our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

And today, the thrones and dominions of the mightiest monarchs are only like the small cogs in the wheels of divine providence when the welfare of even the least of the Lord's people is concerned.

He does not reckon events according to their apparent importance; the standard of the sanctuary is a very different measure from that which worldly people use.

When any purpose of God is to be accomplished, all other things will be subordinated to it.