As you know “The Pew” loves the Word…and we try hard to share and make your day a little stronger through the hope and comfort of God’s word. Sometimes we like to stray a bit and examine a little closer what’s behind the words we are reading. We are close to the day Christ was born and all the many parts of the story are coming together to fulfill the prophecy that will start us on the path of reconciliation with our God. Today we spend some time in the village of Bethlehem.

First off how did such a town rise to such prominence? That’s a simple question for most anyone to answer. Bethlehem was the birth place of Jesus…Christ…The Messiah. Messiah comes from the Hebrew word mashiach and means “anointed one” or “chosen one.” …..Anointed One… In that time anointing someone with oil was a sign that God was consecrating or setting apart that person for a particular role. Someone with a special God appointed purpose. In old testament times people were anointed for the positions of prophet, priest, and king. God a long time before through Isaiah foretold the coming Deliverer, chosen by God to redeem Israel (Isaiah 42:1; 61:1–3). This Deliverer the Jews called the Messiah. Now let’s move on to Bethlehem, an city of that time whose importance in the Bible comes from its relationship to Jesus Christ. Both Matthew and Luke wrote that Jesus was born in the humble village of Bethlehem. Some other points…also known as the City of David. Bethlehem was also mentioned in… 

Genesis 35:19…So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem.)NLT…

A few points of interest about Bethlehem. Bethlehem is near bountiful fields within the Judean desert. The village of Bethlehem is situated about five miles southwest of Jerusalem in the hill country of Judah. It’s fertile fields, orchards, and vineyards surround it. It is also a place of diverse people of all cultures of that time. In New Testament times it was or had become a rather humble village. But all that was about to change…Bethlehem was soon to fulfill the prophecies of old. For it is here that Joseph returned due to the decree of Caesar Augustus to register and pay taxes…with him, heavy with child was Mary…and here as prophesied in the City of David was born The Messiah…King of the Jews. More than a place on the map, it was the place where our Lord and Savior was born…the beginning of the reconciliation of God to His People. 

Life is Good

jk