December 10, 2006
“The Place of Christ’s Birth: Bethlehem”
Micah 5:2
Many cities and towns have songs sung about them, my city of birth; Chicago has “My kind of town Chicago is” some of you I know lived in New York, which also has a song about it, even Abilene, “Abilene, My Abilene …” has a song about it! Yet, of all the towns we sing about none quite matches Bethlehem, as it is the town of our Dear Savior’s birth!
I. It’s Name – Bethlehem Ephratah
Bethlehem has a double meaning:
1. House of Bread – John 6:35
2. House of War –
A. Typically we relate war more to David than Christ and Bethlehem is also the City of David – 1 Samuel 17:48-58; 2 Samuel 17:7-8
B. Yet, for the unbeliever Christ is a warrior against them – Revelation 17:14; Psalm 2; Matthew 10:34-36
3. Ephratah – fruitfulness, abundance – John 15:5
Our fruitfulness comes when we abide in the Vine – Christ!
II. It’s History –
1. It is the place of Rachel’s death and burial – Genesis 35:16-20
A. She named her son: Ben-Oni – son of my sorrow
B. Rachel’s weeping (sorrow)has connection even to Christ’s life and Bethlehem’s children – Jeremiah 31:15-17; Matthew 2:17-18; Isaiah 53:3
C. Jacob names him Benjamin – also a type of Christ – Son of my right hand – Acts 7:55-56
2. It was the home of Izban the Judge – Judges 12:8-10
3. It is also home to Naomi, Ruth, Boaz and birthplace of Jesse and David King of Israel – Ruth 4:18-22
4. Boaz is a type of Christ as she redeems Ruth – 4:1-14
5. Bethlehem is called the City of David – Luke 2:4 & 11
A. David had tended sheep there – 1 Samuel 17:15
B. David’s mighty men got him a drink from the well there – 2 Samuel 23:14-16
6. Of course most important Christ was born there – Luke 2:11
III. It’s Description – “little among the thousands of Judah” – Micah 5:2
1. A small / humble town even in Israel which was a small / humble nation – Deuteronomy 7:7
2. Christ would be similar – Isaiah 53:1-6
3. Similar are Christ’s people – 1 Corinthians 1:26-31
IV. The Prophecy and God’s Providence –
1. 700 years earlier Micah said Christ would be born in Bethlehem
2. Joseph and Mary were not in Bethlehem
3. It took a census / registration to get them in the right place – Luke 2:1-5
4. Consider the timing of the census / the requirement of returning to a city of origin / events in the Roman empire all worked together perfectly that Christ might be born according to God’s prophecy!
5. Augustus issued a degree – Luke 2:1; but the decrees of God were quietly accomplishing their PURPOSE!
Applications:
1. God delights in using humble people from small places, He can use us – Psalm 25:9; James 4:6-10
2. God is in sovereign control of all situations and all kingdoms and will work all things together for good for His people – Romans 8:28-29
3. As our Savior was born in a humble place and came in a humble manner let us not despise the little things we do or have done as God values things differently than we typically do – Matthew 10:40-42
