This event is not recorded by Jewish historian, Josephus.
It is hardly likely that a Jewish infidel historian should have recorded a particular act of local cruelty, which would have been the strongest testimony possible that Jesus was the Messiah. Indeed the omission of one local cruelty in a village is nothing extraordinary. The killing a few children was nothing to the hard-heartedness of Josephus and Herod, if there was no particular reason. If there was, it was the last thing Josephus would mention.
Going on its belly and eating dust (Genesis 3:15) shows the complete humiliation of the serpent. In its fullest extent it is a symbol of death. The whole thing is scorned but it gives the source, explanation and judgment of what has characterised the human race, everywhere and at all time.
The Sentence on the Serpent: Serpent Worship
Objection: The sentence of the serpent is just a fable
Answer: Going on its belly and eating dust (Genesis 3:15) shows the complete humiliation of the serpent. In its fullest extent it is a symbol of death. The whole thing is scorned but it gives the source, explanation and judgment of what has characterised the human race, everywhere and at all time.
Man has worshipped the serpent, perhaps more than anything else, with the possible exception of the Sun in Greece and Rome. Ophiolatry, or serpent worship, is found in China, Egypt, Babylon, England (Stonehenge), Ireland, France, North and South America, Russia, Scandinavia, India and Africa. People kept serpents as household gods, wore ornaments as talismans, and tattooed images of the serpent and the sun on their skin. It is often portrayed erect, being fed with sweet cakes, with a naked woman as priestess in attendance. The Hivites who were driven out of Palestine by Joshua were serpent worshippers. Scripture presents that old serpent as the one who elevated himself as god of all the world. Yet the serpent is a venomous prostrate reptile. So when we see the whole world of these traditions of the serpent, of the worship of the serpent (erect), a sober mind must deduce the immense moral importance of this phenomenon, as exposing, the terrible and real secret of it all – the ruined condition of rebellious and disobedient man. Scripture has not invented these facts.
Also, the notion of gaining wisdom from serpents is universal. Satan seized upon the idea of God in men’s minds, and, where possible has connected man’s obscure traditions with himself. The sun is seen as the benefactor; the serpent the one giving intelligence, and both became associated with the idea of the unity of deity and the universe. Moreover, in Egypt above the serpent-worshipping temple of Isis there were the words ‘I am all that hath been, and is, and shall be; and my veil no mortal hath ever removed’. All wisdom was purported to be there.
Sometimes the worship of the sun drove out serpent worship, yet it was always remained connected with it. Apollo (the sun), established his worship at Delphi by slaying Typhon, an immense serpent, who was also said to have been cast down from heaven by Jupiter. He then gave oracles in his place, Delphi. Scandinavian mythology is similar, the great serpent being Loke. Hercules, Thor and Krishna kill serpents. (or dragons).
It would appear that idolatry came in after the flood. There is a vague tradition of a reign of bliss under Saturn, his three sons, Jupiter, Neptune, and Pluto, becoming the supreme gods of heaven, earth, and sea. In some way these correspond to Shem, Ham and Japeth. They carried a statue about in a kind of ship. Indeed they used the same word for ‘temple’ and ‘ship’.
There is the pain of childbirth, a pain borne by the woman, the man being exempt. But faith can lay hold of the real meaning of the statement that the woman’s seed will crush the head of the serpent.
By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned
Objection: The thought of the fall of man, or original sin, is totally irrational. Evolution shows that people die, just like the animals. And there is good in everybody.
Answer: Paul wrote, “By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” (Rom. 5:12).
We are taught, and accept by faith, that when man was created, God breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, a thing never said of animals. Death was to be the result of failure to obey God’s word. Beasts are described as perishing beings — “The beasts that perish.” (Ps. 49:20) Peter says, “Natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed.” (2 Peter 2:12).
Darby makes an interesting observation: God does not answer our curiosity as to the condition of the animals prior to the fall or man. We are told that the creature has got into misery and ruin by our fall, and will not be restored till we are manifested in glory; and this is true even of our bodies. This is morally important for us to know, so that we might be humbled by the way in which man has dragged the animal creation with him. Things will be restored; our glory would be the occasion of the restoration of blessing for all creation. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. (Rom. 8:22
hardy deniers of the flood simply expose their desire to raise objections for their own sakes.
Objection: Noah’s ark is a myth
Answer: Accounts of the deluge and the issue of the human race from one family are not limited to the Bible. Ancient eastern writers confirm the account of Moses even to the sending forth of the birds.
Traditional mythology of Egypt, Greece, and all the neighbouring countries preserve the various facts and words connected with the flood. A sacred ship is carried in procession in many places, and the word ‘ark’ is used for a place of protection (Moses, the Ark of the Covenant). Eight persons were saved and eight has become a ‘lucky’ number in the Middle and Far East.
The East preserves the general historical account that the various colonies of the human race stemmed from Noah. In Greece and elsewhere history starts with the first king of the appropriate colony, but associated with a ship.
[The Chinese Miao Legend states that a single human couple escaped the deluge in a wooden drum, and then gave birth to the first members of post flood humanity – Sosthenes from RL Hales http://creationism.org/csshs/v06n2p04.htm]
After the deluge the population of the earth must have increased rapidly, indeed amazingly fast, in proportion to the space over which the population spread.
So hardy deniers of the flood simply expose their desire to raise objections for their own sakes.
Different names in different listsSome had two names, very common among the Jews. Levi had also the name of Matthew, as Saul had that of Paul, Simon that of Peter. Thaddaeus, Lebbaeus and Judas (not Iscariot) would appear to be the same person.
14 names instead of 18, and in saying that there were only fourteen generations.
Different genealogy in Luke
Was Jesus the biological son of Joseph?
Inconsistency in names e.g. Ahaziah and Uzziah
14 names instead of 18, and in saying that there were only fourteen generations.
Matthew has omitted three kings, but this does not prove he made a mistake in doing so. The point he is showing is Christ’s legal connection with the throne of David. The term “begat” is employed in Hebrew for a descendant. Matthew left out three kings, the children of an apostate woman, recommencing with him in whose reign the prophecies of Messiah dawned brightly on Israel, and he has counted his genealogies correctly.
Inconsistency in names e.g. Ahaziah and Uzziah
Little problem when looking at the Hebrew and its transliteration into Greek.
Was Jesus the biological son of Joseph?
The legal descent is evident. Matthew does not for a moment leave a cloud on the fact that Jesus was not Joseph’s son. He says, “The husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.” He is not giving the natural descent, and Christ’s miraculous birth follows.
Different genealogy in Luke
Luke gives that of Mary. If Mary had no brother and was the daughter of Eli, the Lord was descended from Eli; and Joseph would be called τοῦ Ηλὶ (tou Eli) as heir and representative of Eli.
The Slaughter of the Innocents
