Bethlehem - The House of Bread - 7 Things

Here are 7 things that describe Bethlehem - the city where Jesus was born. When Mary, Joseph, the Wise Men and the Shepherds came to Bethlehem, this was the third significant journey to Bethlehem that is recorded in the Bible for us. I am including facts from the first two journeys in this list:

Come to Bethlehem:

• To The City Of God's Praise - (Judah = Praise) Judges 17:9; Ruth 1:1 It is called Bethlehem Judah. Bethlehem was the place where the Lord was honored and exalted.

There was praise before Jesus was conceived – Lu. 1

There was praise before Jesus came – Lu. 1:46-55 (Mary’s song); Lu. 1:64-79)

There was praise right after He was born – Lu. 2:8-14, 20

There was praise 8 days after He was born (Simeon) – Lu. 2:29-32; Anna the prophetess – Lu. 2:38

The Wise Men came to worship Him – they praised God on the journey (Matt. 2:10) and when they saw Him (Matt. 2:11)

Matt. 2:8 Herod Said he wanted to come and worship Him

• To The City Of God's Presence -  Emmanuel Matt. 1:23 Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us; (Is 7:14; 8:8) – God with us.

His name is Emmanuel  - an expression of the incarnation – for He is “God with us.” (Is. 9:6)

The Old Testament begins with man in the image of God – Gen. 1:26

The New Testament begins with God in the image of man – John 1:14

• To The City Of God's Provision - (Bethlehem = "House Of Bread")

Ruth and Naomi left Bethlehem for Moab because of a famine in the place of bread – they returned to Bethlehem during the time of supernatural provision of the Lord.

John 6:51 I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world."

• To The City Of All God's People –  He makes Himself known in the exact way for the heart that needs Him

• Matt. 1:18-24 He came to the poor (Mary and Joseph) He made His coming known in Nazareth (John 1:46 And Nathanael said to him, can anything good come out of Nazareth?) - A little Babe of wonderful destiny was born there in a stable and cradled in a manger.  His Father chose the poor to bring Him into the world, the poor to nurture and care for Him – the poor place as His first home

• Matt. 2:3-8 He came for Kings (Herod) – He made His coming known in the palace - Herod thought Jesus was a threat as King over him. (one man) Matt. 2:8

• Matt. 2:1-2 He came to the Wise Men – He made His coming known in the stars - These thought He was a King for the Jews. (a small group of people) Matt. 2:2

• Lu. 2:8 He came for the working people - Shepherds – He made His coming known in the open fields - The shepherds heard that Jesus  was King for all the earth. (All people)

Lu. 2:10; 14

God chose Ruth (of child-bearing age) – a Gentile – she became a wealthy wife and faithful daughter-in-law

God chose David (about 20 years old) – the youngest – he became the greatest and most remembered King of Israel

God chose Mary (between 14 and 17 years old) – a young, innocent, poor girl – she became the mother of the Messiah

God's choices are not determined by what anyone can measure, see or comprehend. He does not always choose who, or what seems obvious. God often chooses the ordinary so that He can make it extraordinary, and so we might understand that He will use willing and surrendered vessels. He will choose and use the life that is tender and obedient to him. Often His choices seem unreasonable to us.

Lu. 1:38 Then Mary said, "Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word." And the angel departed from her.

• To The City Of God’s Promises - Ephratah (Ephrath means fruitful) Micah 5:2 "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, 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 are from of old, From everlasting."

Bethlehem’s population was probably 100 to 200 people when Christ was born – about 30,000 today – this is a startling prophecy and promise for such an "insignificant" little town.

Lu. 1:32-33 – …God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there shall be no end.

V 37 – for with God nothing is impossible

John 7:42 Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the seed of David and from the town of Bethlehem, where David was?"

Titus 1:2 in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began,

You might seem like an insignificant person, but the promises of God pay no respect to your status. Whatever He has promised over your life - He will do.

• To The City Of God’s Peace: Is. 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given: and the government shall be on his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Lu. 2:14 The angels sang “Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth peace and goodwill toward men.”

Receive the peace of God for your life and circumstances this Christmas.

• To The City Of God’s Purposes – future/destiny. Every journey to Bethlehem had such a significant impact on the future of God's people all over the world. Ruth became the great-grandmother  of David the greatest King of Israel; Samuel (who made the 2nd journey to Bethlehem) anointed young David as the future King. His actions in obedience to God's choice for His people effected the whole world at that time; and, of course, the greatest event in Bethlehem gives purpose to all mankind: 

 Christ the Savior is born!