The appointed place

“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 NKJV

One of the incredible things about the birth of Jesus Christ is the way God worked through the lives of so many people.

Ruth 1:1-4,16 KJV —1 Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Bethlehem Judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. 2 And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehem Judah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there. 3 And Elimelech Naomi’s husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. 4 And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years….16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:

The Lord used this family from Bethlehem, although they left not only their home, but their country.

When the family returned to Bethlehem, it’s only two women, left with very little expectation for the future.

But God knew exactly how He was going to use this family.

Ruth 4:13, 17 KJV — So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bare a son….17 And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.

God used the family of Elimelech to bring Ruth to Bethlehem where she became the great grandmother of David.

1 Samuel 16:11-13 KJV — And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither. 12 And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.

David wasn’t even assembled with his older brothers to this feast with the prophet of the Lord, Samuel, but God had chosen him.

The Lord was with David throughout his life and his legacy was the kingly line which Jesus would be born into.

David was a humble shepherd from Bethlehem.

Hundreds of years later and many generations we come to Joseph.

Joseph was a carpenter who lived in Nazareth.

Luke 2:4-5KJV — And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

It’s not a coincidence that Joseph is from the lineage of King David, neither was the timing of this census a mer happen stance; it was ordered by God.

Luke 2:1 KJV — And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

Caesar Augustus is a figure whose life is well documented.

The fact that he was in power to make this decree of a census at this exact point in history requiring Joseph and Mary to return to Bethlehem is another point where we can see how God was working through the lives of so many people to bring about His promise.

For God is faithful to fulfill His Word and there’s no better example of this than the birth and life of Jesus Christ.

For God appointed Him to be born in Bethlehem and He was.

Luke 2:6-7KJV — And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

May we never forget the faithfulness of God and that His Word is truth.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for the fact that You were born in Bethlehem and how many circumstances and people were a part of that happening. Thank You that we have the ability to look back through thousands of years of history to see how You wove all the pieces together to bring about such an amazing gift: salvation. Lord, thank You for these truths. Thank You that Your Word is life and never stops being relevant to our lives. Lord, thank You for Your life and the incredible things we can learn through Your example. Lord, please help me to be focused upon You this day and not to become distracted nor complacent about the blessings You have bestowed. May my life be a reflection of You, that all might see and give glory to God. Thank You, Jesus. Amen.

Four days before Christmas

Bethlehem,

the place of Jesus’s birth.

It’s a place which is rich in Biblical history.

Israel (Isaac’s son) buried his wife Rachel there.

Genesis 35:19 KJV — And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem.

One of the men who judged the children of Israel was from Bethlehem.

Judges 12:8 KJV — And after him Ibzan of Bethlehem judged Israel.

And one of the most beautiful romance stories in history is set in Bethlehem.

Ruth 1:22 KJV — So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.

If you’re unfamiliar with this story, please take the opportunity to read the book of Ruth.

This sets the stage, because a baby boy named Obed was born there.

He’s the grandfather of another baby boy, named David.

Through this boy, God grew a man, a king, and a nation.

Now therefore, thus shall you say to My servant David, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “I took you from the sheepfold, from following the sheep, to be ruler over My people Israel. And I have been with you wherever you have gone, and have cut off all your enemies from before you, and have made you a name like the name of the great men who are on the earth. Moreover I will appoint a place for My people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own and move no more; nor shall the sons of wickedness oppress them anymore, as previously, since the time that I commanded judges to  be over My people Israel. Also I will subdue all your enemies. Furthermore I tell you that the Lord will build you a house. And it shall be, when your days are fulfilled, when you must go to  be with your fathers, that I will set up your seed after you, who will be of your sons; and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build Me a house, and I will establish his throne forever. I will be his Father, and he shall be My son; and I will not take My mercy away from him, as I took it from him who was before you. And I will establish him in My house and in My kingdom forever; and his throne shall be established forever.” ’ ”
I Chronicles 17:7‭-‬14 NKJV

The Lord spoke through the prophet Micah.

Micah 5:2 KJV — But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

Jesus is the Son whose kingdom will never end.

And He is the king of Kings, the lord of Lords.

Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
Revelation 19:11‭-‬16 NKJV

Let us never forget,

Jesus is a babe no longer.

He is a king.

He’s kingdom is everlasting.

And one day He’s coming back.

Let us come and adore Him!

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for being our Savior. Thank You for giving us Your Word. Thank You for being Lord! Please help us to remember Who you are and what You have done. Please teach us how to honor You in all we do. Thank You. Amen.