The Town of Bethlehem

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be the ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting (Micah 5:2).

Bethlehem lies about six miles southwest of Jerusalem in Judah. It has a long history and is mentioned almost thirty times in the Old Testament. Micah had prophesied that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. Caesar Augustus had unknowing set this in motion when he decreed a census for the purpose of taxation be held, and every person was to register in the city given to their ancestors. Therefore, Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, unto Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) (Luke:2:4).

In the Old Testament, Jacob's beloved wife, Rachel, died in childbirth near Bethlehem. Another of the Bible's strong love stories took place there. Ruth and Boaz met around Bethlehem and married there. They had a son, Obed, who was David's grandfather, and King David himself was from Bethlehem. When he hid in a cave while in exile, David remarked that he wished he had a drink of the clear water from the well at Bethlehem. Three of his soldiers heard him and managed to bring him back some, but David refused to drink it because they had risked their lives for his simple whim. It was to this town that Mary and Joseph journeyed to find it crowded, and they could find no inn that wasn't full, so Mary delivered her special Son in a stable.

For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world (John 6:33).

"Bethlehem" means "house of bread" and came from the fact that the land in the area produced well. Bread was a life-giving substance. It was common knowledge among the Jews that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, and Jesus came to be the Bread of Life for all people who would accept Him. The prophecy of prophets such as Isaiah, Micah, and Daniel had been fulfilled. Christ, the Lord, was born in Bethlehem.

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