It just occurred to me that God was VERY SPECIFIC
as to which of the Bethlehems He would have His Son
born in:
5:2 As for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, seemingly insignificant among the clans of Judah – from you a king will emerge who will rule over Israel on my behalf,
one whose origins are in the distant past.
Bethlehem Ephrathah!
This distinguishes the correct Bethlehem for an important
reason...
This Bethlehem was David’s birthplace, and of the clan of Ephratah, that of Jesse, David’s father. Christ is a descendant of David and is of the “tree of Jesse”.
David was annointed King of Israel there.
Jesus Christ was born King there.
God was very, very specific.
He did not say Jerusalem.
He said Bethlehem Ephrathah.
He meant if for a reason.
ampu
It just occurred to me that God was VERY SPECIFIC
as to which of the Bethlehems He would have His Son
born in:
***
Matt. 2: 6. (And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda,)
6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
Micah 5: 2.
2 But thou, Beth-lehem 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.
Luke 2: 4.
4 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:)
PSALM 122
David says: Go into the house of the Lord—Give thanks unto him.
A SONG OF DEGREES OF DAVID.
1 I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord.
2 Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem.
3 Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together:
4 Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the Lord.
5 For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David.
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.
7 Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.
8 For my brethren and companions’ sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee.
9 Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good.