Biographical
Gospel of the Lord from the time Joseph took Mariam to himself.
Received
through the Inner Word by Jacob Lorber.
After the
11th edition in 1996.
Lorber-Verlag - Hindenburgstraße 5 - D-74321
Bietigheim-Bissingen.
All rights
reserved.
Copyright ©
2000 by Lorber-Verlag, D-74321 Bietigheim-Bissingen.
Preface
Proclaimed
by the Lord Himself as an introduction to His History of Youth on July 22,
1843, and May 9, 1851, through the same mouth that He chose to be the organ of
this work.
000,01] I
lived the known time up to the thirtieth year just as every well-bred boy, then
youth and then man lives, and had to awaken the divinity in me - as every man
awakens me in himself - by the way of life according to the law of Moses.
000,02] I
myself had to begin to believe in a God as well as any other ordinary human
being, and then I had to grasp Him more and more with all conceivable
self-denial and with ever more powerful love, and thus little by little I had
to make the Godhead completely subject to Me.
Thus I, as
the Lord Myself, was a living example for every human being, and so now also
every human being can put on Me just as I Myself put on the Godhead in Me, and
can independently become completely one with Me through love and through faith,
just as I Myself as God-Man in all endless fullness am completely one with the
Godhead.
To the
question how the child-miracles of Jesus and His divine spiritual activity are
connected with His as it were isolated humanity in the years of youth and
manhood and in these again the miracles performed in the same, if one should
think of Him in these years only as man, - serve as answer the sight of a tree
from the spring to the autumn.
000,05] In
the spring the tree blossoms wonderfully and is dominated by a great activity.
After the blossom falls off, the tree again becomes as if it were inactive.
Towards autumn, however, the tree appears again in its fullest activity: the
fruits, which are certainly wonderful, are seasoned, colored, more beautiful
than before the blossom, and thus ripen, and the blessing given to them is
loosed from its bonds and falls as such into the lap of the hungry little
children.
000,06]
With the eye of the heart one will be able to grasp this image, but never with
the eyes of the worldly mind. - The passages in question, without approaching
the divinity of Jesus, but holding it in the faith of the heart, which is a
light of love for God, can be explained only too easily, as soon as one becomes
pure of heart, that the full unification of the fullness of the divinity with
the man Jesus did not take place all at once, as with one blow, but - like
everything under the guidance of God - only gradually, like the successive
awakening of the divine spirit in the human heart, and only through the death
of the cross completely; Although the Godhead in all its fullness already dwelt
in the child Jesus, but only appeared for miraculous activity in the time of
need.
The bodily
death of Jesus is the deepest condescension of the Godhead into the judgment of
all matter and thus the completely new creation of the relationship between
creator and creature, which is made possible by it.
000,08]
Only through the death of Jesus God Himself becomes fully man and the created
man becomes a newly begotten child of God out of such supreme divine grace,
thus a God, and only then as a creature can he face his Creator as His
perfected equal and in Him see, speak, recognize and above all love his God,
Creator and Father and only through this gain the perfected eternal,
indestructible life in God, out of God and beside God. Through this, Satan's
power (better: will) is broken to such an extent that he can no longer prevent
the fullest approach of the Godhead to man, and vice versa of man to the
Godhead.
000,09] To
put it even more briefly: Through the death of Jesus man can now fully
fraternize with God, and Satan is no longer able to step in between; therefore
it is also said in the words to the women visiting the grave: "Go and tell
My brethren!" - Satan's activity in the outer form may still be
perceptible, but the once torn curtain between the Godhead and men he can no
longer erect eternally and thus restore anew the old insurmountable gulf
between God and men.
[000,10]
But from this brief discussion of the matter, every person thinking and seeing
in his heart can now very easily and clearly see the endless benefit of Jesus'
bodily death. Amen.
The Gospel
of James on the Youth of Jesus.
Biographical
Gospel of the Lord from the time Joseph took Mariam to himself.
July 22,
1843
[43.07.22]
James, a son of Joseph, recorded all these things; but they have been so much
distorted with time that they could not be admitted to be included in the
Scriptures as authentic. But I will give you the genuine Gospel of Jacob, but
only starting from the above-mentioned period; for James had also included the
biography of Mary from her birth, like that of Joseph. - And so then write as
the first chapter:
Chapter 1 -
Joseph the Carpenter. The drawing of Mary in the temple. God's testimony about
Joseph. Joseph's prayer. Mary in Joseph's house.
001:01] Now
Joseph was engaged in building a house in the region between Nazareth and
Jerusalem.
001,02]
This house was built by a nobleman of Jerusalem for a lodging house, because
otherwise the Nazarene had no shelter until Jerusalem.
001,03] But
Mary, who was brought up in the temple, became mature, and according to the
Mosaic law it was necessary to give her out of the temple.
001,04]
Messengers were therefore sent throughout all Judea to proclaim this, so that
the fathers might come and, if anyone was found worthy, take the maiden into
their house.
001:05] And
when these tidings came to Joseph's ears, he laid aside his axe at once, and
hasted to Jerusalem, and there to the appointed place of meeting and
consultation in the temple.
001,06] And
when, after the lapse of three days, the candidates had gathered again at the
appointed place, and every candidate for Mary had presented a fresh lily-stick
to the priest, the priest went as soon as he had received the sticks into the
inner chamber of the temple, and there he prayed.
001,07] But
when he had finished his prayer, he came out again with the staffs and gave
back to each one his staff.
[001,08]
But all the staffs became stained as soon as they were given, only the one
given last to Joseph remained fresh and spotless.
[001,09]
But there were some who were upset by this and declared this sample to be
partial and therefore invalid, and demanded another sample with which no
mischief could by any means be connected.
001,10] The
priest, somewhat agitated by this, sent for Mariam, put a dove in her hand, and
ordered her to go into the midst of the candidates, so that there she might let
the dove fly freely,
[001:11] and
before letting the dove out, he said to the suitors, "Behold, you false
interpreters of the signs of Jehovah! - This dove is an innocent pure animal
and has no hearing for our eloquence,
[001,12]
but live in the will of the Lord alone, and understand the almighty language of
God alone!
[001,13]
Hold up your staffs on high! - On whose staff this dove, if she will let out
the maiden, will alight and on whose head she will sit, let him take
Mariam!"
[001,14]
But the suitors were satisfied with this and said, "Yes, this shall be an
unmistakable sign!"
[001,15]
But when Mary released the dove at the priest's bidding, it flew as soon as it
came to Joseph, alighted on his staff, and then immediately flew from it to
Joseph's head.
001:16] And
the priest said, "Thus has the Lord willed it! To thee, thou honest
tradesman, has fallen the unmistakable lot to receive the Virgin of the Lord!
Take her, then, in the name of the Lord, into your pure house, for your distant
custody, amen."
July 24,
1843
When Joseph
heard this, he answered the priest and said, "Behold, thou anointed
servant of the Lord according to the law of Moses, the faithful servant of the
Lord God of hosts, I am already an old man, and have grown sons at home, and
have been a widower for a long time; how will I be a laughingstock before the
sons of Israel, if I take this maiden into my house?
[001,18]
Therefore let the election be changed again, and let me be without, that I may
not be numbered among the suitors!"
[001,19]
But the priest lifted up his hand and said to Joseph, "Joseph! Fear the
Lord God! Do you not know what He has done to Dathan, to Korah, and to Abiram?
[001:20]
Behold, the earth split asunder, and they were all swallowed up by it because
of their rebelliousness! - Do you think He could not do the same to you?
[001,21] I
say unto thee, Since thou hast seen and perceived the sign of Jehovah
unmistakably, obey also the Lord, which is almighty, and just, and ever
chasteneth the rebellious, and the apostates of His will.
[001,22]
But if not, fear greatly in your house, lest the Lord do to your house what He
did to Dathan, Korah, and Abiram."
[001,23]
Then Joseph was very afraid, and in great anguish he said to the priest,
"Pray for me, then, that the Lord may again be gracious and merciful to me,
and then give me the virgin of the Lord according to His will!"
[001,24]
But the priest went in and prayed for Joseph before the Blessed Sacrament, -
and the Lord said to the priest who was praying:
[001,25]
"Do not deceive Me of the man whom I have chosen; for righteous as he
walks there is none in Israel, and none in all the earth, and none before My
eternal throne in all the heavens!
[001,26]
And go forth and give the virgin, whom I Myself have brought up, to the most
righteous of the men of the earth!"
[001,27]
Here the priest beat his breast and said, "O Lord, Thou Almighty, some God
of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, be merciful to me a sinner before Thee; for now I
perceive that Thou wilt visit Thy people!"
[001,28]
Then the priest arose, went out, and, blessing in the name of the Lord, gave
the maiden to the afflicted Joseph
[001:29]
and said to him, "Joseph, you are righteous before the Lord; therefore He
has chosen you out of many thousands! And so you may go in peace, amen."
[001,30]
And Joseph took Mariam, and said, "So then, let the only holy will of my
God, my Lord, be done at all times. What Thou givest, O Lord, is good at all
times; therefore I also gladly take and willingly accept this gift from Thy
hand! Bless it for me and me for it, that I may be worthy of it before You now,
as always; Your will, amen."
July 26,
1843
001:31] And
when Joseph had spoken these things before the Lord, he was strengthened in
heart, and went out of the temple with Mary, and brought her into the region of
Nazareth, and there into his poor dwelling.
[001,32]
But Joseph's necessary work was waiting; so this time he did not tarry in his
dwelling, and therefore he said to Mary:
[001,33]
"Mary, behold, I have taken you to myself according to the will of God out
of the temple of the Lord my God; but now I cannot remain with you and protect
you, but must leave you behind, for I must go to see to my appointed
house-building in the place which I showed you on the journey hither!
[001,34]
But behold, thou shalt not therefore be alone at home! For I have a housewife
close to me, who is pious and righteous; she will be around you and my youngest
son; and the grace of God and His blessing will not leave you.
In a little
while I will come home to you with my four sons, and I will be a guide for you
in the ways of the Lord. But the Lord God will now watch over you and over my
house, amen."
Chapter 2 -
The new curtain in the temple. Mary's work on the curtain.
002,01] But
at that time there was still a need for a curtain in the temple, because the
old one had already become very defective here and there, to cover the
defective.
[002,02]
Then the priests took counsel, saying, "Let us make a curtain in the
temple of the Lord to cover what is defective.
[002,03]
For the Lord might come today or tomorrow, as it is written, - how then would
we stand before Him, if He found the temple thus neglected by us?"
[002,04]
But the high priest said, "Do not judge so blindly, as if the Lord, whose
sanctuary is in the temple, did not know how the temple is now ordered!
[002,05]
Call to me, nevertheless, seven virgins without blemish from the tribe of
David, and we will then hold a lottery as to how the work is to be
distributed!"
[002,06] So
the servants went out to look for the virgins from the tribe of David, and with
great difficulty they found barely six, and reported them to the high priest.
002,07] But
the high priest remembered that Mary, who had been given into Joseph's care
only a few weeks before, was also of the tribe of David, and as soon as he did
so he made this known to the servants.
[002,08]
And as soon as the servants went out, they made known this to Joseph, and he
went and brought Mariam back into the temple, led by the servants of the
temple.
July 27,
1843
[002,09]
And when the virgins were gathered together in the porch, as soon as the high
priest came, he brought them all into the temple of the Lord.
[002,10]
And when they were gathered together in the temple of the Lord, as soon as the
high priest spoke, he said:
[002,11]
"Hear, ye virgins of the tribe of David, who had decreed according to the
will of God, that the fine work of the curtain, which divideth the holy of
holies from the temple, should always be made by the virgins of his tribe.
002,12] and
according to his will the manifold work should be distributed by lot, and then
each virgin should do the work assigned to her according to her skill in the
best way!
Behold,
there before you is the damaged curtain, and here on the golden table lie the
manifold raw materials already prepared for processing!
002,14] You
see that such work is necessary; therefore let me go at once, that it may be
known which of you shall spin the gold thread, and the amiant thread, and the
cotton thread,
[002,15]
the silk thread, then the hyacinth thread, the scarlet thread, and the true
purple thread!"
[002,16]
And the virgins timidly drew lots, as the high priest prayed over them; and
when they had drawn lots according to the order marked out, it had come out how
the work was to be distributed.
[002,17]
And the scarlet and the purple fell by lot to the virgin Mary, the daughter of
Anna and Joacim.
[002,18]
But the virgin, thanking God for such gracious award and allotment of such most
praiseworthy work for His glory, took the work and, being led by Joseph, went
home again with it.
002:19]
Arriving home, Mary immediately set to work with joyful courage; Joseph
commended her to all diligence, blessed her, and then immediately set about
building his house again.
002,20] But
this happened at the same time, when Zacharias, while he was making the incense
in the temple, became dumb because of his little unbelief, therefore a
substitute was chosen for him, under whom this work was done by lot.
002,21] But
Mary was related to Zacharias as well as to his substitute, therefore she also
doubled her diligence, in order to be finished with her work quite soon, even
possibly as the first.
002,22] But
she did not double her diligence for the sake of glory, but only in order, in
her opinion, to give God the Lord great pleasure, if she would finish her work
as soon as possible and in the best possible way.
002,23]
First came the work on the scarlet, which had to be spun with great attention,
so as not to make the thread thicker or thinner here and there.
002,24]
With great mastery the scarlet thread was spun by Mary, so that everything that
came into the house of Joseph was highly astonished at the extraordinary skill
of Mary.
In a short
time of three days, Mary finished the scarlet and immediately began to work on
the purple, but since she always had to wet it, she often had to take the jar
and go out to get water while she was working.
Chapter 3 -
The announcement of the birth of the Lord by an angel. Mary's humble
submission.
003,01] Now
one Friday morning Mary again took the water pitcher and went out to fill it
with water, and hark! a voice spoke to her:
[003,02]
"Hail, rich in the grace of the Lord! The Lord is with thee, thou most
blessed of women!"
[003,03]
But Mary was very much frightened at such a voice, not knowing where it came
from, and therefore she looked around nimbly to the right and to the left; but
she could discover no one speaking.
003,04] But
because of this she was filled with tormenting fear, and hastily took the
filled water-pot, and hurried from thence into the house.
003,05]
When she arrived there trembling, she immediately put the water jug aside, took
the purple again, sat down on her work chair and began to spin the purple again
very diligently.
003,06] But
she had scarcely settled down to her work when the angel of the Lord stood
before the busy maiden and said to her:
[003,07]
"Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found an endless grace before the face of
the Lord; behold, thou shalt conceive by the word of God!"
[003,08]
But when Mary had heard this, she began to ponder these words to and fro, and
could not comprehend their meaning; therefore she said to the angel:
[003,09]
"How then shall this be, since I am not yet a man's wife, nor have I ever
made the acquaintance of a man who would take me as a wife, that I may conceive
like other women, and then give birth like them?"
[003,10]
But the angel said to Mary, "Hear, thou chosen virgin of God! Not so shall
it be done, but the power of the Lord shall overshadow thee.
[003,11]
Therefore also the holy one that is born of you will be called the Son of the
Most High!
[003,12]
But thou shalt give Him, when He is born of thee, the name of Jesus; for He
shall redeem His people from all their sins, from judgment, and from eternal
death."
[003,13]
But Mary fell down before the angel, and said, "Behold, I am but a
handmaid of the Lord; therefore let it be done unto me according to His will,
as thy words were!" - Here the angel disappeared again, and Mary went back
to her work.
Chapter 4 -
Mary's childlike innocent conversation with God and the answer from above.
August 1,
1843
004,01] But
as soon as the angel disappeared again, Mary praised and glorified the Lord God
and said thus in her heart:
[004,02]
"O what am I then before Thee, O Lord, that Thou shouldest show me such
grace? - –
[004,03] I
should conceive without ever having known a man; for I know not what difference
there is between me and a man.
004,04] Do
I know then what this is in truth: to be with child? O Lord, behold, I know it
not!
004,05] Do
I know what it is, as they say: "Behold, a woman begetteth"? - O
Lord! behold me graciously; for I am but a maid of fourteen years, and have
only heard it spoken of, and yet know nothing of it indeed!
004,06]
Alas, how will it be with me, a wretch, when I am with child, and know not what
such a state is!
004,07]
What will Joseph the father say to this, if I tell him, or if he notices that I
am with child?
004,08]
Surely being pregnant cannot be a bad thing, especially if a maidservant, like
Sarah, is mentioned by the Lord Himself?
004,09] For
I have often heard in the temple what great joy the women have when they are
pregnant!
[004,10] So
being pregnant must be something quite good and exceedingly blessed, and I will
certainly also rejoice when it is given to me by God that I become pregnant!
[004,11]
But when, when will that happen, and how? - Or has it already happened? Am I
already with child, or will I first become so?
[004,12] O
Lord! Thou ever Holy One of Israel, give me, Thy poor handmaid, a sign when
this will happen, that I may praise and glorify Thee for it!"
[004,13] At
these words Mary was blown by a light etheric breath, and a very gentle voice
spoke to her:
[004,14]
"Mary, do not worry in vain; you have received, and the Lord is with you!
- Set about your work, and finish it, for no more of this kind will be made for
the temple!"
[004,15]
Here Mary fell down and prayed to God, praising and glorifying Him for such
grace. - But after offering her praise to the Lord, she arose and took her work
in hand.
Chapter 5 -
The delivery of Mary's finished temple work. Mary and the high priest. Mary
visits her mother Elisabeth.
August 2,
1843
In a few
days, Mary also finished the purple, then arranged it and took the scarlet and
put it with the purple.
005,02]
Then she thanked God for the grace that He had allowed her to complete her work
so well, and then wrapped the linen in pure linen and set out with it for
Jerusalem.
005:03] She
went alone as far as the building of the house, where Joseph was working, but
from then on she again accompanied Joseph to Jerusalem and there to the temple.
005,04]
When she arrived there, she handed over the work to the high priest.
005,05] He
inspected the scarlet and the purple, found the work excellent, and praised and
greeted Mariam with the following words:
[005,06]
"Mary, such skill does not naturally dwell in you, but the Lord has worked
with your hand!
[005,07]
Therefore God has made you great; you will be honored among all the women of
the earth by the Lord God, since you were the first to bring her work to the
Lord in the temple."
[005,08]
But Mary, full of humility and joy in her heart, said to the high priest:
[005,09]
"Worthy servant of the Lord in His sanctuary! O praise me not too much,
and exalt me not above others; for this work is not my merit, but the Lord's
alone, who there guided my hand!
[005,10]
Therefore to Him alone be all praise, all glory, all praise forever, and all my
love and all my worship without ceasing!"
[005,11]
And the high priest said, "Amen, Mary! thou pure virgin of the Lord, thou
hast spoken well before the Lord! - Now therefore go again in peace; the Lord
be with thee!"
[005,12]
Then Mary arose and went with Joseph again as far as the building site, where
she took a little refreshment, consisting of bread and milk and water.
005,13] Now
there lived half a day's journey from the building site over a small mountain a
mother of Mary, named Elizabeth, who wanted to visit her and asked Joseph for
permission.
But Joseph
soon gave her permission to do so, and for this purpose he also gave her his
eldest son as a guide, who had to accompany her so far until she saw the house
of Elizabeth.
Chapter 6 -
The miraculous reception of Mary by Elizabeth. Humility and wisdom of Mary.
Mary's return home to Joseph.
August 3, 1843
006,01]
Having arrived at Elizabeth's house, that is, at her house, she soon knocked at
the door with a timid mind, according to the custom of the Jews.
006,02] But
when Elizabeth heard the timid knocking, she thought to herself, "Who is
knocking so unusually softly?
[006,03] It
must be a child of my neighbor; for it cannot be my husband, who is still mute
in the temple and awaits redemption!
[006,04]
But my work is important; shall I put it away because of my neighbor's naughty
child?
[006,05]
No, I will not do that, because it is a work for the temple, and this is higher
than the naughtiness of a child, who surely again wants nothing but to tease
and taunt me as we all know.
[006,06]
Therefore I will sit fine at the work and let the child throb well for a long
time."
[006,07]
But Mary throbbed once more, and the child in Elizabeth's womb began to leap
for joy, and the mother heard a low voice from the region of the child leaping
within her, and the voice was:
[006,08]
"Mother, go, go hastily; for it is the Mother of my Lord and of thy Lord,
of my God and of thy God, who knocks at the door and visits thee in
peace!" - –
[006,09]
But Elizabeth, when she had heard this, immediately threw down all that she had
in her hands, and ran and opened the door to Mary,
[006,10]
then, according to custom, immediately gave her her blessing, then embraced her
with open arms, and said to her:
[006,11]
"O Mary, blessed among women! Blessed art thou among all women, and
blessed is the fruit of thy womb!
006,12] O
Mary, most pure virgin of God! - Whence comes this great grace to me, that the
mother of my Lord, my God, should visit me?"
[006,13]
But Mary, who understood nothing of all the mysteries, said to Elizabeth:
[006,14]
"Oh, dear mother! - I have come to you only for a friendly visit; what
things do you say about me that I do not understand? - Am I already seriously
pregnant that you call me a mother?"
[006,15]
But Elizabeth answered Mary, "Behold, when thou didst knock at the door
the second time, the little child which I bear under my heart leaped for joy,
and told me so, and greeted thee in me beforehand!"
[006,16]
Then Mary looked up to heaven and remembered what the archangel Gabriel had
spoken to her, although she did not yet understand anything of all this, and said:
[006,17]
"O great God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, what have You made of me? What
am I, that all the families of the earth should call me blessed?"
[006,18]
But Elizabeth said, "O Mary, thou chosen of God, enter into my house and
strengthen thyself; there let us confer and praise God together out of all our
strength!"
August 4,
1843
And Mary
immediately followed Elizabeth into her house, and ate and drank and
strengthened herself, and was filled with cheerfulness.
006,20] Now
Elizabeth asked Mary many things about all that she had experienced in the
temple during her time there as a child of the Lord, and how all this had
seemed to her.
006,21] But
Mary said, "Dear mother, who is also well blessed of the Lord! - I mean,
these things are too high for us, and we women do unwise, if we consult about
things, over which the Lord has set the sons of Aaron.
[006,22]
Therefore I am of opinion that we women should leave divine things to God and
to those whom He has set over them, and should not brood over them.
006,23] If
we only love God above all things and keep His holy commandments, then we live
entirely according to our station; what is above that belongs to the men whom
the Lord calls and chooses.
006,24] I
mean, dear mother, that is right, therefore let me leave the gossiping out of
the temple; for it is neither better nor worse because of it. But when it shall
be right in the sight of the Lord, then He will chasten the temple and change
it in due time."
[006,25]
But Elizabeth, recognizing in these words the high humility and modesty of
Mary, said to her:
[006,26]
"Yes, you merciful virgin of God! With such dispositions, indeed, one must
find the highest grace before God!
[006,27]
For thus, as thou speakest, only the most pure innocence can speak; - and he who
lives according to this, surely lives righteously before God and all the
world."
[006,28]
But Mary said, "The righteous life is not ours, but the Lord's, and is a
grace!
[006,29] He
who thinks he lives righteously of himself certainly lives least righteously
before God; but he who always confesses his guilt before God is the one who
lives righteously before God.
[006,30]
But I do not know how I live, my life is a pure grace of the Lord; therefore I
can do nothing else but love, praise and glorify Him at all times from all my
strength! - If your life is like mine, do likewise, and the Lord will be more
pleased with it than if we were to chatter so much about the conditions of the
temple."
[006,31]
But Elizabeth, recognizing very well that a divine spirit was blowing from
Mary, therefore ceased her temple questions and, praising and glorifying God,
surrendered to His will. - –
August 5,
1843
[006,32] So
Mary spent another full three months with Elizabeth, helping her like a maid to
do all the housework.
006,33] In
the meantime, however, our Joseph had also finished his construction and was
again at home with his sons, and there he took care of his small, admittedly
only rented property.
[006,34]
But one evening he said to the eldest son, "Joel, go and prepare my beast
of burden for me for tomorrow morning, for I must go and fetch Mariam!
[006,35]
The girl has now been out of my house about three months, and I do not know
what will happen to her.
[006,36]
Even if she is with the wife of the mute high priest, there is no way of
knowing whether this house is free from all the temptations of the one who
enticed Eve!
[006,37] So
I will go tomorrow and fetch the girl again, lest by and by Israel's sons
should speak evil of me, and the Lord chasten me for my care of the girl."
[006,38]
And Joel went and did according to the words of Joseph; but Joel had scarcely
finished his work, when Mary also stood before the hall of the house, and
greeted Joseph, and besought him to receive her again into his house.
[006,39]
Joseph, quite surprised at this appearance of Mary, immediately asked her,
"Is it you, O unfaithful one of my house?"
[006,40]
And Mary said, "Yes, it is I, but not unfaithful to your house; for I
would have been glad to be there again for a long time, but I did not dare to
go alone over the woody mountains, - nor did you send a messenger for me! So I
had to stay away for such a long time!
[006,41]
But now three Levites visited Zechariah's wife, and when they returned to
Jerusalem, they took me with them, brought me to the border of your land,
blessed me then and your house, and then went on their way, and I hastened here
to you again, my dear father Joseph!"
[006,42]
Although Joseph would have liked to scold Mary a little for her long absence,
he could not bring himself to do so; for, in the first place, Mary's voice had
touched his noblest heart too much, and, in the second place, he saw himself to
blame, since he had not sent for Mariam by messenger for so long.
He
therefore sent for the girl to come and bless her, and the girl jumped up to
Joseph and kissed him, as the most innocent children kiss their parents and
other benefactors.
And Joseph
was moved with joy, and said, "Behold, I am a poor man, and am of old age;
but thy filial love maketh me forget my poverty and my old age. The Lord has
given you to me for a great joy, therefore I will also go and work with joy to
provide you, my little child, with a good piece of bread!"
[006,45] At
these words tears fell from the old man's eyes. Mary, however, nimbly dried his
wet cheeks and thanked God that He had given her such a good foster father.
[006,46] In
that time Joseph suddenly heard, as if psalms were being sung before his house.
- – –
Chapter 7 -
Joseph's forebodings and prophecy. Mary's consolation. The blessed supper. The
manifestation of Mary's pregnancy.
August 7,
1843
[007,01]
But Joseph was filled with high forebodings and said to Mary: "Child of
the Lord! Much joy is given to my house in you; my soul is filled with high
forebodings!
007,02] But
I also know that the Lord always grievously afflicts those whom He loves;
therefore let us always pray Him that He may always be gracious and merciful to
us all!
[007,03] It
is even possible that the Lord will want to renew the old, already rotten ark
of the covenant through you and me!
007,04] But
if such a thing should happen, woe to me and to you; we will have to endure a
very hard work! - But now no more of that!
[007,05]
What must come will surely come, and we will not be able to prevent it; but
when it comes, it will seize us with an almighty hand, and we will tremble
before the will of Him who has set up the strongholds of the earth!"
[007,06]
But Mary understood nothing of all this, and therefore comforted Joseph, who
looked very distressed, with such words:
[007,07]
"Dear father Joseph! Do not grieve over the will of the Lord; for we know
that He always wants only the best for His children! - If the Lord is with us,
as He was with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and as He has always been with those
who loved Him, what harm and evil should we encounter?"
[007,08]
But Joseph was satisfied with this consolation, and thanked the Lord in his
heart out of all his strength, why He had given him such a consolation angel in
Mary, and said thereupon:
[007,09]
"Children, it is already late in the evening; therefore let us join in the
hymn of praise, then consume our blessed supper, and then go to rest!"
[007,10]
This was done, and Mary hurried and brought the bread, and Joseph distributed
it; but everyone was surprised that the bread this time was of such good taste.
But Joseph
said, "All praise to the Lord! What He blesses always tastes good and is
of the best flavor!"
[007,12]
And Mary then remarked to Joseph most sweetly and wisely, "Behold, dear
father, so you should not be afraid of the visitations of the Lord; for they
are also His most delicious blessings!"
[007,13]
And Joseph said, "Yes, yes, thou pure daughter of the Lord, thou art
right! I will bear with all patience whatever the Lord will burden me with; for
He will not make His burden too heavy and His yoke too hard for me, for He is a
Father full of goodness and mercy - also in His zeal! And so may His holy will
always be done!"
[007,14]
Thereupon the pious family went to rest and worked at home the following days.
007,15] Day
by day, however, Mary's womb grew fuller; since she was well aware of this, she
sought to conceal her pregnancy from the eyes of Joseph and his sons as best
she could.
[007,16]
But after a time of two months her concealment was of no avail, and Joseph
began to be suspicious and secretly consulted with one of his friends in
Nazareth about Mary's strange condition.
Chapter 8 -
The Doctor's Opinion. Joseph interrogates Mary. Mary's explanation.
August 9,
1843
[008,01]
But Joseph's friend was an expert, for he was a physician who knew the herbs
and not infrequently assisted the wailing mothers in dangerous births.
[008,02]
This man went with Joseph and secretly looked at Mariam, - and when he had
looked at her, he said to Joseph:
[008,03]
"Hear me, brother from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, a great evil has befallen
your house, - for behold, the maid is heavily pregnant!
[008,04]
But thou thyself art also to blame for it; for behold, it is now the sixth
moon, when thou wast out building thy house! - Say, who then should have taken
heed to the maid?"
[008,05]
But Joseph answered, "Behold, Mary was at home scarcely three weeks at a
time, and that at the beginning, when she came into my house; then she spent
full three moons with her mother Elizabeth.
008,06] But
now two months have already passed, since she is under my constant supervision,
and I have never seen anyone who has come to her openly or secretly!
008,07] And
in the time of my absence she was in the best hands anyway; my son, who led her
to Elisabeth, gave me the dearest oath beforehand that, except in case of
emergency, he would not even touch her dress on the whole way!
008,08] And
so I know with great certainty that Mary must be completely pure from my house;
but whether this is also the case with the house of Zacharias is, of course,
subject to another question!
008,09]
Should this have happened to her in the temple by one of its servants? - Let
the Lord keep me from it, if I should be of such an opinion; for such a thing
the Lord would long ago have made notorious through the all-time wisdom of the
high priest!
008,10] But
now I know what I will do to get on the right track to the truth of the matter.
- You, friend, may now go in peace again, and I will subject my house to a
strong test!"
[008,11]
Joseph's friend did not delay, and went out of Joseph's house as soon as; but
Joseph turned to Mary as soon as, and said to her:
[008,12]
"Child! with what brow shall I now look up to my God? What shall I say
about you?
[008,13]
Did I not receive you as a pure virgin from the temple, and did I not keep you
faithfully by my daily prayer and by the faithful who are in my house?
I beseech
thee, therefore, that thou tell me who it is that hath dared to deceive me, and
so to deal most shamefully with me, a son of David, and with thee also, who art
sprung from the same house!
[008,15]
Who hath deceived and defiled thee, a virgin of the Lord?! - Who has been able
to cloud your purest mind in this way? - and who, to make of you a second Eve?!
008,16] For
so in me the old story of Adam is repeated in the flesh, for obviously a
serpent has deceived you like Eve!
008,17] So
answer me to my question! But go, and compose thyself; for thou shalt not
succeed in deceiving me!" - Here Joseph threw himself on his face with
grief on a sack filled with ashes, and wept.
[008,18]
But Mary trembled with great fear, and began to weep and to sob, and could not
speak for too great fear and sorrow.
[008,19]
But Joseph rose again from his sackcloth and spoke to Mary in a more moderate
voice:
[008,20]
"Mary, child of God, whom He Himself has taken into His care, why have you
done this to me-Why have you so humbled your soul and forgotten your God!
[008,21]
How could you do such a thing, who were brought up in the Holy of Holies, and
received your food from the hand of the angels, and had these shining servants
of God always for your playmates?! - O speak, and be not silent before
me!"
[008,22]
Here Mary stiffened and said, "Father Joseph, thou righteous hard man! I
say unto thee, As truly as a God liveth, so truly am I pure and innocent, and
to this hour know not aught of any man!"
[008,23]
But Joseph asked, "Whence then is that which thou bearest under thine
heart?"
[008,24]
And Mary answered, "Behold, I am yet a child, and understand not the
mysteries of God! But listen to me, and I will tell you what I have
encountered. But this is also true, as there lives a righteous God over
us!"
Chapter 9 -
Mary's narration of the mysterious holy occurrences. Joseph's sorrow and
anxiety and his decision to remove Mary secretly. An angel of the Lord appears
to Joseph in a dream. Mary remains in Joseph's house.
August 10,
1843
[009,01]
And Mary told Joseph all that she had encountered while she was still working
on the purple, and then concluded her narrative with this affirmation:
[009,02]
"Therefore I say to you again, Father, that as truly as God, the Lord of
heaven and earth, lives, so truly am I pure and know of no man, nor do I know
the secret of God, which I must now bear under my heart, to my own great
anguish!" - –
[009,03]
Here Joseph fell silent before Mary and was terrified; for Mary's words
penetrated deeply into his troubled soul, and he quiveringly found his secret
presentiment confirmed.
009,04] He
therefore began to ponder to and fro what he should do, and thus said in his
heart:
[009,05]
"If I conceal their sin from the world, as it is now, yet irrefutable,
because I no longer recognize it as such, then I shall be found to have done
wrong against the law of the Lord and shall not escape the sure punishment!
009,06] But
if I reveal her against my innermost conviction as a fine sinner before the
sons of Israel, since that which she carries under her heart comes only -
according to her unequivocal statement - from an angel,
[009,07]
then will I be found out by the Lord God as one who has delivered up an
innocent blood to the judgment of death!
009,08] So
what shall I do with her? - Shall I leave her secretly, that is, shall I put
her away from me secretly and hide her somewhere in the mountains near the
border of the Greeks? - Or shall I wait for the day of the Lord, that He may
make known to me the same day what I am to do?
009,09] But
if tomorrow or the day after tomorrow someone comes to me from Jerusalem and
recognizes Mariam, what then? - Yes, it will be best for me to remove her
secretly and take care of her secretly, without anyone else except my children
knowing anything about it!
[009,10]
Her innocence, in time, the Lord will surely make manifest, and then all will
be saved and won; and so be it done in the name of the Lord!"
[009,11]
Thereupon Joseph made this known to Mary quite secretly, and she complied with
Joseph's intended good will in preparation, and then, since it had already
become late in the evening, went to rest.
[009,12]
But Joseph also sank into slumber over his manifold thoughts; and behold, an
angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said to him:
[009,13]
"Joseph, be not afraid for Mary, the most pure Virgin of the Lord! - For
what she bears under her heart is begotten of the Holy Spirit of God, and you
shall give it, when it is born, the name of Jesus!" - –
[009,14]
Here Joseph awoke from sleep and praised the Lord God who had shown him such
grace.
[009,15]
But since it was already morning, Mary came to Joseph already ready for the
intended journey and indicated to him that it might already be time.
[009,16]
But Joseph took hold of the girl, pressed her to his bosom, and said to her,
"Mary, thou pure one, abide with me; for this day the Lord hath given me a
mighty testimony concerning thee, that which shall be born of thee shall be
called Jesus!"
[009,17] By
this Mary immediately knew that the Lord had spoken to Joseph, since she heard
the same name given to her by the angel, since she had mentioned nothing of it
to Joseph before!
[009,18]
And Joseph took good care of the girl and left her in no need of anything that
she needed in that condition. - – –
Chapter 10
- The Roman Census. Joseph's non-participation in the council of the people in
Jerusalem. The traitor of Anna.
August 11,
1843
010,01] But
two weeks after this a great council was held in Jerusalem, because it had been
heard from some Romans living in Jerusalem that the emperor would have the
entire Jewish people counted and described.
[010,02]
Such news had caused a great fright among the Jews, who were forbidden to count
people.
010,03]
Therefore the high priest called a great assembly for the purpose, to which all
the elders
to which
all the elders and men of art, such as Joseph was, were to attend.
[010,04]
But Joseph had just made a little journey into the mountains for timber, and
was absent some days.
010,05] The
messenger from Jerusalem, however, who came to Joseph in the meantime and
delivered to him the invitation to the great meeting, did not find Joseph, but
gave his elder son the commandment that he, as soon as Joseph came home, should
immediately inform him of this in the most urgent manner!
010,06] But
Joseph came home the very next day in the morning. The son of Joseph
immediately informed him of what had come from Jerusalem.
[010,07]
But Joseph said, "Now I have been going about in the mountains for five
days, and therefore I am exceedingly weary, and my feet would never carry me if
I had not rested a few days before; therefore this time I am constrained not to
answer the call of Jerusalem.
[010,08] By
the way, this whole great assembly is not worth a hollow nut; for the mighty
emperor of Rome, who is now already wielding his scepter even over the lands of
the Scythians, will take little notice of our consultation and will do as he
pleases! Therefore, I now remain finely at home!"
[010,09]
But after three days a certain Annas of Jerusalem, who was then a great scribe,
came to Joseph and said to him:
[010,10]
"Joseph, thou expert in arts and learned in the Scriptures, of the tribe
of David! - I must ask thee why thou didst not come into the assembly?"
[010,11]
But Joseph turned to Annas and said, "Behold, I was five days in the
mountains, and knew not that I was called.
[010,12]
But when I came home and received the news through my son Joses, I was too
tired and weak to set out for Jerusalem as soon as I could! - Besides, I saw at
first sight that all this great gathering would be of little or no use."
[010,13]
While Joseph had spoken these things, Annas looked around and unfortunately
discovered the very pregnant virgin.
[010,14] He
therefore also left Joseph as if quite silent, and hastened what he could to
Jerusalem.
[010,15]
Arriving there quite breathless, he immediately hastened to the high priest and
said to him:
[010,16]
"Hear me, and ask me not why the son of David came not into the assembly;
for I have discovered unheard-of abominable things in his house!
[010,17]
Behold, Joseph, to whom God and you bore witness by entrusting the virgin to
him, has profoundly and grossly erred beyond description before God and before
you!"
[010,18]
But the high priest was quite horrified at Anna's news, and asked very briefly,
"How so, how so? - Speak the fullest truth to me, or you will be of death
this very day!"
[010,19]
And the Annas said, "Behold, the Virgin Mary, whom, according to the
testimony of God, he received from this temple of the Lord for safekeeping, he
has profaned most wantonly; for her already high pregnancy is a living
testimony of it!"
[010,20]
But the high priest said, "No, Joseph never did that! - Can even God bear
false witness?!"
[010,21]
But Annas said, "Send then thy most trusted servants, and thou shalt be
convinced that there is the virgin in the fullest of pregnancy; but if she be
not, I will be stoned here!"
