BETHLEHEM- BIRTH PLACE OF GOD’S DEAR SON. LUKE 2

God chose the simple town of Bethlehem for the birth of His esteemed Son.  He did not choose Athens, a centre of learning, nor Rome, a religious centre, nor one of the prestigious cities of our generation for the long-awaited birth of the Son of God.

Luke records that ‘Joseph went up from Galilee out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David. (Luke 2:4)  In the same chapter, the angel from the throne of heaven announced to the lowly shepherds, ‘There is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, Christ the Lord.’(v11).  This city is historically the ‘city of David.’  This distinguished Person (the Babe) is not only Mary’s Son, He is our Saviour; He is the Christ or Messiah; He is sovereign Lord. All this at Bethlehem.

Benjamin, meaning son of the right hand, was born tragically at Bethlehem, when his dear mother, Rachel travailed in difficult labour, delivered a son and died.  Historically Bethlehem held precious memories to God’s people. (Genesis 35:18)  Our Australian nation reveres Gallipoli in Turkey, where many Australian and New Zealand men died during WW1. Special services are held each year, with thousands attending; Gallipoli is hallowed.   So with Bethlehem.

Naomi returned from the country of Moab with her daughter-in-law Ruth, who expressed her loving allegiance, ‘Entreat me not to leave you or to turn back from following you.  Your people shall be my people; your God shall be my God’ (Ruth 1:16).  They headed for one city, as ’The two of them went until they came to Bethlehem,’ where God directed events amazingly.  Boaz, as land-owner came from the same city with a benediction, ‘The Lord be with you. ‘ Divinely-led, Ruth gleaned in the fields which Boaz possessed.   A beautiful love story blossomed.

Boaz as kinsman-redeemer, alone had the right to redeem Ruth’s mother-in-law’s property. Ruth had discreetly lain at the feet of Boaz one night, alerting him to her deep love. Then Boaz called on the elders of the city to witness him as Ruth’s husband, who responded, ‘The Lord make the woman who is coming to your house like Rachel and Leah, the two who built the house of Israel; and may you prosper in Ephratah and be famous in Bethlehem.’ (4: 11) Amazing prophecy. ‘A son was born to Naomi, whose name was Obed, the father of Jesse, the grand-father of David.’ (4:17)  Ruth was 4 generations from the famous King David of Bethlehem, from which line the Lord Jesus would descend. God is omniscient. (all-wise)

When God sought a replacement for the erring Saul, HE turned to Bethlehem for that person. The Lord said to Samuel the prophet, ‘Fill your horn with oil, and go: I am sending you to Jesse, the Bethlehemite.’ (1 Samuel 1:1)  Seven of Jesse’s sons passed before Samuel, who said, ’neither had the Lord chosen this one. Send for the one caring for the sheep. He was ruddy, with bright eyes, and good-looking.’ The Lord said, ’Arise! Anoint him; for this is the one.’ Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers: and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward, David had 4 generations of praying ancestors.

When the Philistine, Goliath, taunted God’s people, the boy David simmered with anger, that God‘s glory had been battered; for the Lord had planned a mighty deliverer through the young Bethlehemite.   Later the Lord planned the greatest Deliverer through the Man Christ Jesus born of Mary at Bethlehem.  Choosing 5 smooth stones, David slung one only (just as Christ defeated Satan, quoting from one book of the Moses’ five), slaying the blaspheming giant, and routing the enemy.

When ’Abner took him, and brought him before Saul with the Philistine’s head in his hand, Saul asked ridiculously, ’Whose son are you, young man?’  David responded, ’I am the son of your servant Jesse, the Bethlehemite (1 Sam 17:58).   David’s initiation assured us of Christ’s birth at Bethlehem; and his victory Christ’s total triumph at the cross. 1,000 years between these events is as a day with our God.

When the Philistines occupied the city, David longed for a drink of the water from the well of Bethlehem.’ ( 2 Samuel 23:15)  He longed for water, a type of Christ the living water.  Bethlehem means the ‘house of bread’: and our Lord is the bread of life, satisfying the deepest longings of all who love Him. 

Hundreds of years later, Micah receives a startling prophecy concerning the place of our Lord’s birth. ‘You, Bethlehem Ephratah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be ruler in Israel, whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting’  (Micah 5:2).
The preceding verse ‘They will smite the Judge of Israel with a rod on the cheek; prophesies the suffering of the Lord Jesus leading up to the cross. The following verses tell of the Great Shepherd, feeding His flock in the strength of the Lord.  Bethlehem was central in the Lord’s planning: never accidental.

The wide men from the East (statesmen) had seen His star in the east and had come to worship Him. The evil king Herod had heard of the wise men and enquired from the chief priests and scribes where the Christ (the Messiah) was to be born. They knew intellectually,’ In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written of the prophet, quoting from Micah. (Matthew 2:1-6)  They did not experience the wonder of the Babe of Bethlehem; and His miracle conception.  I trust you reverently do! 

The angels from heaven knew where to go to tell the shepherds the joyful news. They responded,’ Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing, which the Lord
(through HIS angels ) has made known to us. (Luke 2:15).
Bethlehem is more important than Rachel or her tomb; than Ruth and her prayerful generations; than Samuel, the prophet or King David in his glory.
Our Emmanuel began His earthly life there in fulfilment of bible promises.

Let’s bow like the shepherds and the wise men at the feet of our Beloved.