The Prophets Foretold: As Promised in Bethlehem

As Promised in Bethlehem

Summary: The Second of Six in the series "The Prophets Foretold." An in depth manuscript but explores the promise and hope of the Messiah born in Bethlehem. In forty brief words, Micah tells the story of a very special town. Though his words may be brief, they contain a wealth of spiritual truth. The Story Of Bethlehem is a special story that needs to be told and retold. Especially in these days... how God had prepared Bethlehem for 1700 years for the birth of His Son, Jesus.

Series: The Prophets Foretold

Scripture Reference: Micah 5:2-5;

Date: 29 November 2015.

INTRODUCTION 

When you look at the life of Jesus, He fulfills all 322 of the prophecies in the Old Testament about the coming of the Messiah. The odds of just 8 of the  major prophecies being fulfilled by one person is 1 in 10 to the 17th power, or 1,000,000,000,000,000,000. And this is only 8 of them! To help illustrate the odds of this, it would be like taking 10 to the 17th power of silver ₹10 coins and laying them on the surface of Karnataka. They would cover all of the state two feet deep. Now mark one of these silver coins and stir the whole mass thoroughly, all over the state. Blindfold a man and tell him that he can go anywhere he wants, but he must pick up one silver coin and say that this is the right one. What chance would he have of getting the right one? The same chance that the prophets would have had of writing these eight prophecies and having them all come true in any one man.

Can you imagine what the odds would be for all 322 prophecies being fulfilled by one man? 

It would be astronomical. Too small to be listed among the cities of Judah--It was so small that in both Joshua 15 and Nehemiah 11 it is overlooked in the listing of cities in Judah.

Too small to produce a military leader — larger towns had their own commander, a town of Bethlehem’s size was lumped in under another city’s commander.

We think of Bethlehem ONLY as the birthplace of Jesus. Some might even realize that King David was born there. BUT… Bethlehem is mentioned 53 times in Scripture.

There are actually TWO BETHLEHEM’s mentioned in the Bible:

•  NORTH – in Galilee – only 7 miles from Nazareth, where Mary And Joseph grew up.
•  SOUTH – in Judea – only 5 miles from Jerusalem, where Jesus was born.

The NORTHERN Bethlehem is mentioned only ONCE in Scripture – Joshua 19:15. 

It’s interesting, that Mary and Joseph traveled 75 miles to the Bethlehem in Judea, where Jesus was born. The Bible makes it clear WHICH Bethlehem would bring forth the Messiah – Micah 5:2.

SCRIPTURE READING

Take your copies of the Scripture and turn to the book of Micah 5. We’ll look at verses: 2-5. See if you can spot the verse where the Messianic Prophecy appears.

2 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.

3 Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel.

4 And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God; and they shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth.

5 And this man shall be the peace, when the Assyrian shall come into our land: and when he shall tread in our palaces, then shall we raise against him seven shepherds, and eight principal men.

This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. May the sweet Holy Spirit add His manifold blessings to our text this morning... in our hearing. 

Amen! 

You may be seated in God's Presence.

  

SERMON

Bethlehem-Judea wasn't a large town… YET it was the CENTER of many historical events:

• 15 miles South, was Hebron, the home of Abraham, Isaac & Jacob.
• 10 miles N.W. was Gibeon, where Joshua made the sun stand still.
• 12 miles West was Sucoh, where David slay Goliath.
• 5 miles North was Jerusalem, where Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek.

It was a little town, yet so important… as the birthplace of our Lord. 
YET, 
so many things happened there as a PREVIEW to the main event. God set the stage throughout 1700 years of history… to prepare the world for this great event in history.

I. RACHEL IS BURIED THERE– Genesis 35:16-19

This is the FIRST REFERENCE to Bethlehem. Rachel is the wife of Jacob, called Israel, She is the bride of Israel. Rachel is a picture of the JEWS.

Jesus came into the world at Bethlehem, as a child of Israel. He came to His own people, Israel, to redeem them from the curse of the Law. Matthew 15:24 – “But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”

Rachel was Israel’s FIRST CHOICE as a wife. BUT… he had to settle for Leah, her sister, for 7 years. For 7 years Israel wasn't allowed to go in unto Rachel. Leah is a picture of the CHURCH.

Jesus came to the lost house of Israel, but was rejected. John 1:11 – “He came unto his own, and his own received him not.”

The CHURCH is the bride of Christ… like Leah, not His first choice. It was Leah that gave Israel his first-born sons. It is only be being in the true Church, that one can become the “Sons of God”… through re-birth. 

Israel had to wait 7 years for Rachel. After the 7 years of Tribulation, Jesus will be crowned King of Kings, and will be accepted by His people Israel as He ushers them into the promised Millennium Kingdom.

When Jacob and his family are journeying home to Canaan,... Rachel goes into labor... and gives birth to a son. Rachel dies in childbirth, and as she is dying, she calls her son's name "Benoni" (Ben-O-nI),... which means "Son of my sorrow". 

And Jacobs wife Rachel... was buried... just outside of Bethlehem. Jacob changed his son's name from Benoni (Ben-O-nI)... to "Benjamin", ...Which means The "Son of my right hand". So Bethlehem is initially associated... with sorrow and death... but was transformed prophetically... knowingly or unknowingly... into a place... that seats the son... of my right hand. 

Jesus, Who was born in Bethlehem 1700 years later, would die in child-birth… As He would give birth to the Church.  As I said earlier DEATH is associated with Bethlehem… and Jesus was wrapped in “swaddling clothes”… grave clothes… and laid in the manger. 

Jesus too... can take a place... associated with grief and suffering... and transform it... into a place of... strength and glory. (Pause)

Jesus was called by the Prophet Isaiah...(Slow)

"a Man of Sorrows", Isa. 53:1-3.

The One Who created the universe... had nowhere... 

to lay... His head. Matt. 8:20.

The One Who left Heaven to come and die... Was rejected by the those He came to reach, John 1:11.

He knew pain...

He knew sorrow...

And in the end,...

Was crucified. 

Isa. 53:4-6.

He is our "Benoni" (Ben-O-nI)!

He is the "Son of My Sorrow"!

But he is also the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.The Son of the Right Hand. (Long Pause)

I. RACHEL IS BURIED THERE– Genesis 35:16-19

II. RUTH IS REDEEMED THERE – (Ruth 4:10-11)

The beautiful story of Ruth... Also transpired in the town of Bethlehem... 

It was in Bethlehem... That Ruth found... Redemption from her pain... And from her past...  

Ruth’s Mother-in-Law, Naomi, was from Bethlehem … then moved to Moab. When Ruth’s husband and Father-in-Law died, they moved back to Bethlehem. There, Ruth met Boaz, and they fell in love. They couldn't marry, because they weren't the nearest of kin. When the near-kinsman wouldn't purchase her property, Boaz talked with him. Boaz was given permission to purchase Ruth, along with her property.

Read Ruth 4:10-11

She found grace,... 
She found mercy, love, and acceptance,... 
She found restoration, hope, family and a future,... 

All in that place... 
That place... 
Is called Bethlehem. (Pause) 
Beloved,... 
The salvation found in Christ Jesus... 
Promises all these same things... 
That Ruth found in Bethlehem... 
And so much more, (Pause)... 
Ephesians. 2:1-10; Heb. 7:25. etc...

How?

Boaz redeemed his bride in Bethlehem. Jesus, born in a manger in Bethlehem, came to redeem His bride… the Church. 1 Peter 1:18-19 – ribbon.

The Great-Grandson of Ruth and Boaz, King David, set up his kingdom… over which his descendant Jesus will one day rule.

REDEMPTION is associated with Bethlehem. A PREVIEW of the main event 1100 years later.

I. RACHEL IS BURIED THERE– Genesis 35:16-19

II. RUTH IS REDEEMED THERE – (Ruth 4:10-11)

III. DAVID WAS ANOINTED KING THERE – 1 Samuel 16:1,13

King David was the Great (39 times) Grandfather of Jesus. King David was also born in Bethlehem. This is why May And Joseph had to come to Bethlehem to be registered for the tax. Jesus came into the world as a King. The Wise Men said: “Where is He that is born, the KING of the Jews?” A few days before His crucifixion, the crowds chanted (Luke 19:38) – “Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord:”

Although rejected by the people as their King, He was chosen by God. The people wanted a King to:

• Free them from the oppression of Rome.
• Perform miracles, feed the poor, heal the sick, raise the dead.

BUT… 

Jesus came to give them an INNER peace … to be the King of their hearts … NOT to set up an EARTHLY kingdom at that time.

•  He was crowned with THORNS, not a golden crown.
•  His scarlet robes were placed upon Him in mockery.
•  They placed a frail reed in His right hand for a scepter.

They spat upon Him… Mocked Him… beat Him. 

YET… 

He was born in Bethlehem to be the ONLY KING who could rule in the hearts of mankind and bring salvation to our souls. 

Rev. 1:5-6 – “…Jesus Christ, who is… the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood… to Him be glory and dominion, forever and ever. Amen.” 

David was anointed as King of the Jews in Bethlehem. The ANOINTING OF A KING is associated with Bethlehem… just a PREVIEW of what would happen 1000 years later in Bethlehem.

I. RACHEL IS BURIED THERE– Genesis 35:16-19

II. RUTH IS REDEEMED THERE – (Ruth 4:10-11)

III. DAVID WAS ANOINTED KING THERE – 1 Samuel 16:1,13

IV. DAVID WAS REFRESHED THERE – 2 Samuel 23:14-17

It was a drink from the well in Bethlehem... that refreshed the soul of David during a day of battle, 2 Sam. 23:14-16. The Philistines had taken over Bethlehem, and David was hold up in a cave there. David desires some refreshing water from the well in Bethlehem. 

1000 years later, the WATER OF LIFE would come forth as a babe in a manger from the same town. John 4:13-14 – ribbon. And... 
When Jesus was born in Bethlehem,... 
a spiritual well... 
was given to us all. 
Everyone who drinks from this well...  
From this living water...  
Will find that they will thirst no more...  

Their thirst is quenched... 
For all eternity, 
John 6:35; John 7:37-38.

John 7:37 – “In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.” 

REFRESHING WATER is associated with Bethlehem. This is just a PREVIEW of what would take place there 1000 years later.

I. RACHEL IS BURIED THERE– Genesis 35:16-19

II. RUTH IS REDEEMED THERE – (Ruth 4:10-11)

III. DAVID WAS ANOINTED KING THERE – 1 Samuel 16:1,13

IV. DAVID WAS REFRESHED THERE – 2 Samuel 23:14-17

V. THE MESSIAH IS PROPHESIED AS COMING FROM THERE – Micah 5:2

Here we have the prophecy of the birth place of the Messiah. TWO PICTURES are painted here:

From everlasting … 

YET… 

Born in Bethlehem. 

John 1:1,14 – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”

Jesus, the Son of God, was eternal … 

YET… 

came in the flesh to live among us.

There could be no mistake as to where the Messiah would be born. The Chief Priests and Scribes knew… 

they told King Herod – Matthew 2:3-6 – ribbon.

Herod told the Wise Men – Matthew 2:7-8 The angels told the Shepherds - Luke 2:11 – “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”  Luke 2:15 – “And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.”

The Messiah is associated with Bethlehem… 700 years before His birth.

Bethlehem was the focus of an amazing prophecy by the prophet Micah.

And... That prophecy is the focus of our text today.

Bethlehem witnessed the most amazing miracle ... the world has ever seen. Jesus Christ,... the very Son of God,... God in flesh... came into the world...(Slow) and was born Bethlehem (Pause), Luke 2:1-20. 

Bethlehem was where the wise men found the Christ Child... 

the child Jesus... 

and offered Him not only their gifts but... 

their worship... 

Matt. 2:1-12. 

Wise men and wise women... still seek Him!... 

For he is... 

The King of Kings and the Lord of Lords. Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace...

Yes...

Wise men and wise women... still seek Him! (Pause)...

(1 Finger) Bethlehem is a story of a place. Secondly (2 Fingers) But, it is also... a story of a plan. 

The words from the Old Testament proclaim... 

BIBLE "From you (Bethlehem) shall come forth for me... one who is to rule Israel" END

These words... tell us that God has a glorious plan for humanity. And Bethlehem... was a part of his plan.

• When mankind turned from God... in Eden,... God gave humanity... the first glimpse of His plan. 
• We saw last week that: He told Adam and Eve... that a Redeemer... would be born, Gen. 3:15.
• And As the years went by,... more and more of God's plan... was revealed. 
• When God saved His people from their bondage in Egypt... by the blood of a Lamb, Ex. 12, He revealed... (Slow) a little more... of His plan. 
• When He gave them Manna in the wilderness... and brought water from the rock... He revealed... a little more... of his plan. 
• When He gave Israel the Law... and the sacrificial ceremonies,... He was revealing... more of His plan. 
• Every aspect of the Tabernacle,... the priesthood and the sacrifices... revealed more and more... of God's plan.
• Through the mouths of the prophets... God gave insight INTO His plan... 

"When Isaiah wrote about a virgin birth, Isa. 7:14, he was writing about the plan. Then the prophet Micah revealed the birth place of the Messiah. He shared where the King would be born. He proclaimed that the One Who would fulfill the plan... would come... from the little town... of Bethlehem. This glorious plan... involved God becoming... a human being. "

For Him to come into this world... and to live... as a man... As one of us. It involved Him going to the cross... to die... to die for the sins of the world. His plan called for our Lord's resurrection and for his Ascension. And it involves Him coming again... Returning in glory... to rule and to reign on this earth.

It is a plan designed... with you and me... in mind!...

The prophet Micah closes his prophecy with these words concerning the Christ: "Whose origin is from of old, from ancient days." These words reveal the truth... that this One...

...This One Who would be born in Bethlehem... was no ordinary Man... The Prophets Micah tell us that... that while He may be coming out of Bethlehem,... (Slow) He is eternal! ... He may be born in Bethlehem,... but His beginning is not there.

Beloved... He is Eternal... Jesus is eternal and he is in our midst this day. For where two or three are gathered together in his name ...  He (Jesus) is in their midst. Jesus is in our midst...  He is with us this day. Some time ago  a beloved saint... shared a poem with me titled " If you look for me at Christmas".

The first stanza is so appropriate for this day:

If you look for Me at Christmas you won't need a special star -- I'm no longer... just in Bethlehem, I'm right there...  where you are. Beloved... the gift... The treasure from Bethlehem is right here... where you are. (Pause)

The story of Bethlehem...

is a story of a miracle... It is a miracle more profound than the healing a leper,... restoring sight to the blind,... casting out demons,... or even raising someone from the dead.

The miracle to which I refer... is the miracle that took place in Bethlehem...  When The god man was born... when Jesus Christ was born. The story of Bethlehem is that God... became man... He did not stop being God! He merely added... humanity to His  deity. 

Theologians call this "The Hypostatic Union".

Miraculously,...

God placed Himself within Mary's womb. Some nine months later... Mary gave birth to a Son. And when she looked into the face of her little boy,... she was looking.... into the face of God.

God in human flesh!

We cannot fully comprehend... the incarnation... of our Jesus. He was Fully God... Yet, He... was fully man... He was as much God...  as if He had never been a man... And, He was as much man... as if He had never been God!... He experienced humanity...  in its fullness. He suffered, He was hungry, thirsty, He knew loneliness, He knew grief,... He grew weary, slept, wept, was rejected,... and He died. 

YET,

while He was absolutely human,... He lived His entire life... sinless! (Pause) 

Jesus came to this earth because He loves you... and he gave His life as a ransom... for you. He came to offer you salvation. As the poem clearly stated: "I'm no longer just in Bethlehem, I'm right there where you are." 

O' Beloved He loves you so much... that he offered himself upon the cross for your sins... and for the sins... of the whole world.

INVITATION AND THE FINAL CHALLENGE

“Bethlehem” means ‘house of bread’. Jesus said (John 6:35) – “I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.”

God chose Bethlehem out of all the towns on the earth. Then… through 1700 years of history … He set the stage for the main event … the birth of His Son, Jesus.

o Through Rachel… BIRTH AND DEATH are associated with Bethlehem.

o Through Ruth… REDEMPTION is associated with Bethlehem.

o Through David… the ANOINTING OF A KING is associated with Bethlehem.

o Through David… REFRESHING WATER is associated with Bethlehem.

o Through Micah… the MESSIAH is associated with Bethlehem.

God had it all planned out… through 1700 years of history… so we could celebrate the birth of His Son 

LET'S STAND – PRAY

O the Spirit of the Holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray; Cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today.  We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell; O come to us, abide with us, our Lord... Emmanuel!

Amen and Amen!