The Little Town of Bethlehem
Fulfilled prophecy increases and validates our faith in the power of God. He
makes things happen the way He declares they will, even in the most unlikely of
circumstances. He will not be defeated in anything. He will do everything He has
said He will do, and when you read of the final hour and judgment, know that He
will accomplish all. As pointed out in the Book of Job, "Were He to snatch away,
who could restrain Him? Who could say to Him, 'What art Thou doing?' (Job 9:12).
Fulfilled prophecy also increases our respect for God's wisdom and knowledge,
including His foreknowledge. How willing we should be to put our souls and
eternal well being into His care. He knows what He is doing! (ISA 46:10)
"Declaring the end from the beginning And from ancient times things which have
not been done, Saying,' My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish
all My good pleasure'" (Isaiah 46:10).
Also, when prophesy speaks of Jesus, fulfillment increases our appreciation of
His love for us that led to His willingness to leave heaven and come to our
world to become our Savior. The Lord said He cared enough about us that He would
send us a Redeemer who would love us enough to suffer for our guilt. The coming
of Jesus declares unto us His love for us. "For you know the grace of our Lord
Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, that
you through His poverty might become rich." (2 Corinthians 8:9). In every case,
we are reminded of God's power and control, often above human comprehension
(Isaiah 55:8-11).
The Man Caesar's Decree
All the world was commanded to be enrolled in a census. (Luke 2:1-3). Augustus,
the Caesar who issued this decree, ruled the Roman Empire from 30 B.C. to 14
A.D. The decree required that each one return to their hometown and sign up so
that Rome could collect taxes. Augustus does not know Joseph, Mary, the prophets
or Jehovah. He was the first Roman emperor to claim the position of a god. He
had no idea that his decree was a part of God's mechanism to fulfill prophecy
and the promise of a Savior.
The few lines devoted to the telling of the journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem
do not describe the rigorous nature of the trip. It was about 70 miles in
length, mostly uphill. Mary is close to giving birth. Perhaps Joseph and Mary
had a cart. It was about a one week trip each way.
This obscure couple would go from obscurity to fame. Certainly they had little
idea that we, 20 centuries later and thousands of miles away, would know their
names. But we do.
They both knew who the Child was because of the angelic messages they had each
received (Matthew 1:18-25). If they recalled the prophecies (had they thought
about Micah's prophecy concerning Bethlehem?) then they knew full well it was
actually God, not Augustus, that was ultimately behind the decree.) Whether they
knew or not, we do.
The Prophecy of God
There were many prophecies about the coming of the Messiah, including the
circumstances of His birth (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6). In addition to Isaiah, the
prophet Micah lived about 700 years before Christ and prophesied during the
reigns of Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah of Judah. His business was to call the
people to repentance. Since many reforms were made under Hezekiah, probably most
of the prophecy was made during the reigns of the first two.
Micah stressed the need for justice in the land and the putting away of
immorality; and that these could only be successful when accompanied by a
renewed loyalty to God and spiritual revival. He warned that if they did not
return to God, that their nation would be punished (it was) but still, there
would be a final hope in the Messiah to come.
Micah pinpoints the location of the Messiah's birth which would take place seven
centuries later. It would occur in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2).
Isaiah told that a child would be born and gave some unique circumstances so it
could be recognized when it happened. Daniel told that it would happen during
the days of the 4th empire from the one ruling in his day (That would make it
the Roman Empire), and Micah says the birth will take place in Bethlehem.
Bethlehem, about 6 miles SW of Jerusalem, was merely a small village at this
time. Jacob had buried his wife Rachel there. David, the second king of Israel
was from there. Earlier, this is where Boaz and Ruth had made their home. So,
the prophecy pinpointed this small village. The problem is that Joseph and Mary
live nowhere near Bethlehem. They live in Nazareth. Perhaps no one on earth,
except these two, were able to see the working of God in the Augustus' decree.
Everyone no doubt grumbled at the inconvenience, except these two. They were
privy to additional information!
The Word Made More Sure
"The Old Testament is the New Testament concealed." -attributed to Augustine
(not to be confused with Augustus!) He was right about that - it well expresses
the relationship between Old and New (2 Peter 1:19-21). Paul tells us that this
is why familiarity with the Old Testament is still important for us living under
the New (Romans 15:4). That which was written in "days past" gives patience,
comfort and hope. How?
In it is the revealed mind and purpose of God (1 Corinthians 2:9-11). Its origin
is of God and it equips us (2 Timothy 3:16,17). Consider how Micah's prophecy
concerning Bethlehem does this.
Note the selection of a small, rather obscure village, as well as the selection
of Joseph and Mary as the parents even though they live far to the north. So
unlikely that Mary would give birth in Bethlehem! But God puts all these
unlikely events together and that is precisely where Jesus is born! This is
comforting because it tells me God is capable of doing what He intends to do; it
gives patience and endurance because it shows how just because I cannot always
observe God's workings and providence does not mean He's not there, and that He
has our best interests at heart, and therefore my hope in Christ is reasonable
(Colossians 1:27).
Bethlehem's Rising Star
The wise men followed the star to Jerusalem and inquired where the king was to
be born. Herod did not know (Herod didn't care much about spiritual things) but
some of his advisors knew (Matthew 2:1-8). It would occur in "the city of David"
(Luke 2:4;11; see also 1 Samuel 16:1; 17:12) But David lived 900 years before
and not much had happened there since. Jesus would grow up in Galilee, but had
been born in Bethlehem.
Caesar Augustus had no idea of the role he was playing in the story of
redemption. Often that had been the case in history as God took difficult
circumstances and worked His purpose. But you and I know. Joseph and Mary made
that journey, and the Messiah came. He lives today for our hope. Do you believe
in Him?
By Jon W. Quinn
From Expository Files 14.8; August 2007
