Reflections on Bethlehem: Little among the Thousands of Judah

Reflections on Bethlehem:  Little among the Thousands of Judah

By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

"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." (Micah 5:2)

Bethlehem, in Hebrew, means “House of the Bread of God.”  It is no coincidence that Jesus, the Bread of Life, was born there.

Bethlehem, a little, seemingly unimportant, village a few miles from Jerusalem pictures God’s use of little, seemingly unimportant, people and incidents to bring forth His plans and His purposes.  We often overlook the ancient history of Bethlehem.  Yet from the book of Genesis on, significant events have taken place in that tiny hamlet.

One such event occurred as Jacob journeyed back to the Promised Land with his wives and children:  “Then they journeyed from Bethel. And when there was but a little distance to go to Ephrath, Rachel labored in childbirth, and she had hard labor. Now it came to pass, when she was in hard labor, that the midwife said to her, "Do not fear; you will have this son also." And so it was, as her soul was departing (for she died), that she called his name Ben-Oni (son of my sorrow); but his father called him Benjamin (son of my right hand or strength). So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem). And Jacob set a pillar on her grave, which is the pillar of Rachel's grave to this day” (Genesis 35:16-20 NKJV).

The gospel writer Matthew referred to Rachel and a prophecy of the prophet Jeremiah when he related the Massacre of the Innocents after the Magi visited King Herod “Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying:  "A voice was heard in Ramah, Lamentation, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, Refusing to be comforted, Because they are no more." Matthew 2:16-18 (NKJV).

Several years ago, I visited Bethlehem and then went on to Jerusalem to the Holocaust Museum.  Part of that museum complex is The Children’s memorial.  This unique memorial, hollowed out from an underground cavern, is a tribute to the approximately 1.5 million Jewish children who died during the Holocaust.  Memorial candles are reflected infinitely in a dark, somber space, creating the impression of millions of stars shining in the heavens.  Visitors hear, in the background, the names, ages and countries of the murdered children. 

My heart cried out, not only for the children lost in the Holocaust, but for all children who have been hurt, neglected, and aborted.  I felt led by the Holy Spirit to write the following poem.

Rachel Weeps

And Rachel still weeps for her children

For those little candles crushed in the crucible of cruelty.

Rachel, Rachel, sound forth your anguish against

All the bruising, bloody Herods of all the darkening ages.

Rachel, find your comfort in the Christ

Born near your tomb in Bethlehem

Find comfort in the One who says,

“Bring the children to me.”

“Bring the children to me.”

“Bring the children to me.”

Today, all of Bethlehem, except the Tomb of Rachel, is under Palestinian authority.  A mosque, across from the Church of the Nativity, calls Muslims to prayer five times each day.  Christmas décor is seen year around. Cheap souvenirs are ubiquitous.  Yet, the presence of God is still manifest in Bethlehem.

How silently, how silently
The wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His heaven.

---Phillip Brooks.