By Chaplain (Col) Stephen W. Leonard, USA, Ret.
“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be Ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.” Micah 5:2
Little Bethlehem and not Jerusalem, or even Rome; the more “proper” birthplaces for a king. The prophet Micah (5:2) foretold the Messiah would be born in tiny Bethlehem 700 years prior to the event. That in itself is a miracle to know his specific birthplace far in advance.
Bethlehem is translated “the house of bread,” and He who is the “Bread of Life” was born in the “house of bread.” The Holy Spirit goes to incredible lengths to show that the Son of God is exactly who He is, the Creator of the Universe, the Almighty God, the Redeemer and Savior of men, including the foretelling of his birthplace. All points to his magnificent glory.
We must wonder at what is simply marvelous. God is surprising and amazing in all He does. His Son, the promised Messiah, is born Himself in a manger in an obscure village known as the House of Bread, King David’s place of birth, with his human seed, Jesus, the Bread of Life, born as well in King David’s natal town separated by centuries.
Yet his mother, Mary, and Jesus’ human father, Joseph, were from Nazareth and not Bethlehem. What had to be done to get them to Bethlehem for Jesus to be born literally hours before his birth actually took place?
The emperor, Caesar Augustus, had to declare a census years prior, to eventually consign Joseph, at just the exact time in the 9th month of Mary’s pregnancy, to be required to be in Bethlehem to register, and pay the world-wide tax.
All those requirements working together to accomplish that exact outcome is another remarkable miracle at the hands of the Holy Spirit. God’s providence is the direct cause of all these miraculous events to fulfill prophecy and bring about God’s specific purposes.
Little Bethlehem rises from obscurity to become memorable for millions in modern times as the birthplace of the Son of God. Now unmistakably known, Bethlehem will never be obscure again.
This little Bethlehem, in all its original obscurity, is certainly part of the waiting, prominent in the first Advent, for 700 years from its being named until, in relative silence, baby Jesus is born there in a stable of animals on Christmas night. Bethlehem stands as a reminder of the waiting that was endured down through the ages for the Messiah. Now, we wait patiently and eagerly for our returning King.
The Psalmist powerfully says, “You have multiplied, O Lord my God, your wondrous deeds and your thoughts toward us; none can compare with you! I will proclaim and tell of them, yet they are more than can be told.” Psalm 40:5.
Yes, the prophecy of Bethlehem is one of God’s mighty wonders.
Encouragement
O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep, the silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting light;
the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.
(1st verse of Phillips Brooks’ hymn, “O Little Town of Bethlehem” 1868)
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