BETHLEHEM’S SIGNIFICANCE

      What is the significance of Jesus being born in Bethlehem? We know he was born there to fulfill the scripture of Micah 5:2.  As I established in my last blog, part of the reason was to allow the Magi to visit him there during Mary’s time of purification.

      In what other ways is Bethlehem significant?

(John 7:42 (AMP)) Does not the Scripture tell us that the Christ will come from the offspring of David and from Bethlehem, the village where David lived?

      Bethlehem was also known as the city of David.  Jesus is in the linage of David which fulfilled what the LORD said to Abraham: (Genesis 22:18 (AMP)) And in your Seed [Christ] shall all the nations of the earth be blessed and [by Him] bless themselves, because you have heard and obeyed My voice.

(Matthew 1:1 (NASB)) The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham:

(Psalms 132:11 (NASB)) The LORD has sworn to David a truth from which He will not turn back: “Of the fruit of your body I will set upon your throne.

(Isaiah 11:1-2 (NASB)) [1] Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, And a branch from his roots will bear fruit. [2] The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him, The spirit of wisdom and understanding, The spirit of counsel and strength, The spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD.

      Bethlehem is five miles from Jerusalem where the location of the Jewish temple was during Jesus time.  For fifteen hundred years before Jesus was born the Jews had been keeping the spring Feast of The Lord by sacrificing thousands of lambs on Passover.  Where were these lambs born?  That is right, in Bethlehem.  Therefore, Jesus, the sacrificial Lamb of God was also born there.

Exodus 12:3 (NASB) “Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying, ‘On the tenth of this month they are each one to take a lamb for themselves, according to their fathers’ households, a lamb for each household.

1 Peter 1:19-20 (AMP) [19] But [you were purchased] with the precious blood of Christ (the Messiah), like that of a [sacrificial] lamb without blemish or spot. [20] It is true that He was chosen and foreordained (destined and foreknown for it) before the foundation of the world, but He was brought out to public view (made manifest) in these last days (at the end of the times) for the sake of you.

      Another significant about Bethlehem?  Bethlehem means “house of bread,” and this was where the “Bread of Life” came to earth.

John 6:51 (AMP) I [Myself] am this Living Bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this Bread, he will live forever; and also the Bread that I shall give for the life of the world is My flesh (body).

      Isn’t Father God GREAT!  He is so about detail in everything he does.  To Him be the Glory and the Honor and the Praise, for he is Great in all the earth.

Robert Ver Beek