History of Bethlehem
Below is the Message Audio. It is followed by the Message Notes
Bethlehem where Jesus was born has a long interesting history. It is in south Israel in Judah. It dates back to the 14th century B.C.
Bethlehem said to be the oldest town in Palestine. It is 5 miles south of Jerusalem. Scripture first refers to Bethlehem as Ephratah or Ephrathah a small town populated by Ephrathah's family.
During this period Jacob, the son of Isaac and grandson of Abraham, and his wife Rachel were traveling from Bethel to Bethlehem. Rachel gave birth to her son Benjamin in Bethlehem. Rachel died giving birth to Benjamin and Jacob buried Rachel in Ephrathah-Bethlehem. Genesis 35:15-19. Benjamin became one of the 12 tribes of Israel.
Ephrathah had a great grandson named Bethlehem and the city came to be known as Bethlehem Ephrathah. Bethlehem’s family came to dominate the city which would then be called Bethlehem.
King David, the son of Jesse was born in Bethlehem, a small town in the hill country of Judah. Bethlehem is called “the city of David” in Luke 2:4 and 11.
Ruth was a Moabite woman who married into an Israelite family who had come from Bethlehem because of famine. She was attracted by the God of Israel as opposed to gods of the Moabites. Ruth’s husband died. Naomi (Ruth's mother-in-law), having lost her husband and both her sons, decides to return to Bethlehem. She asked both daughters-in-law to return to their families. The first daughter-in-law, Orpah, returns to her home. However, Ruth stubbornly refuses to do so and says: “I must go with you. Your people shall be my people and your God my God.” Ruth marries Boaz and gives birth to a son who is named Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David. Ruth 4:17b.
During the days of King Saul, the Lord told the prophet Samuel to anoint a young shepherd boy as the next king over Israel. God sent Samuel to Bethlehem, where David lived with his family. 1 Samuel 16:1-4. Scripture describes David as “the son of an Ephreathite named Jesse, who was from Bethlehem in Judah” 1 Samuel 17:12-13.
Prophet Micah’s prophecy regarding Christ coming out of Bethlehem Ephratah the home of the Davidic royal line. Micah 5:2. “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you little among the thousands of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from everlasting.”
Jesus was born in Bethlehem to fullfill the Old Testament Prophesies. Luke 2:1-7. This was part of God’s eternal plan.
Below is the underlined link to the Typed Notes pdf