What’s So Special About Bethlehem? Luke 2:1-7

Mary and Joseph’s route: 90 miles 8 – 10 days

Bethlehem “house of bread” Genesis 35

Genesis 35:16-20 Then Jacob and Rachel moved on from Bethel. While they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel began to give birth and had great difficulty. And as she was having great difficulty in childbirth, the midwife said to her, “Don’t despair, for you have another son.” As she breathed her last—for she was dying—she named her son Ben-Oni. But his father named him Benjamin. So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). Over her tomb Jacob set up a pillar, and to this day that pillar marks Rachel’s tomb.

Ruth 1:1-2 In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab. The man’s name was Elimelek, his wife’s name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there.

Ruth 4:11-12 “May you have standing in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem. Through the offspring the Lord gives you....”

Ruth 4:17 And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.

I Samuel 17:12 Now David was the son of an Ephrathite named Jesse, who was from Bethlehem in Judah.

Joseph…traveling to Bethlehem Benjamin born near Bethlehem Boaz and Ruth… David born in Bethlehem

Corruption

Micah

1:1 2:1 3:6-7 4:1

Micah 5:1-5

1903 B.C. Benjamin born 1140 B.C. Boaz and Ruth 1040 B.C. David born 750 B.C. Micah’s prophesy 722 B.C. Samaria destroyed 587 B.C. Jerusalem destroyed When? When?

Matthew 2:1-6

How many famous rulers? Alexander the Great Julius Caesar Napoleon Bonaparte Joseph Stalin Were their places of birth predicted 750 years in advance?

Micah 5:2 But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from old, from ancient times. Matthew 2:6 But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.

What’s So Special About Bethlehem? Benjamin born near there Boaz and Ruth began their family Hometown of King David City of Promise Christ born in Bethlehem

Bethlehem reminds us: God’s Word can be trusted

Bethlehem reminds us: God’s Word can be trusted God keeps His promises

Bethlehem reminds us: God’s Word can be trusted God keeps His promises Christ reigns

Bethlehem reminds us: God’s Word can be trusted God keeps His promises Christ reigns God works through human authorities

Bethlehem reminds us: God’s Word can be trusted God keeps His promises Christ reigns God works through human authorities Christ will come again… as promised