Advent Gems #14 

Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe 

More than 700 years before Jesus was born, the prophet Micah foretold His birthplace. Most of us are familiar with Micah 6:8: “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” That is a powerful message for today and everyday. 

Not so many of us are familiar with 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 have been from of old, from everlasting.'' 

To many Christians, ancient Bethlehem seemed to be a small, insignificant village located about 5 miles from Jerusalem.  

Bethlehem means house of the bread of God.  Many scholars believe that the bread used in the Temple was baked in Bethlehem.  Evidence also indicates perhaps the sacrificial lambs were shepherded near Bethlehem.  Biblical references teach that Bethlehem, though little, has long been significant. 

A significant 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). 

Rachel was also the mother of Joseph who rose from slavery to become a leader in Egypt and the one who saved his family from famine and extinction.  Her grave near Bethlehem reminds us even today of God’s love, protection and deliverance.