Bethlehem Ephrathah
I heard of Bethlehem Ephrathah before, but never questioned what it was; I merely skipped over the Ephrathah part. Being the inquisitive sort that I am (NOT), I checked into this and discovered there are two cities named Bethlehem in Israel. One can be found to the north near Nazareth and one to the south near Jerusalem, where our Savior was born.There is much Biblical history associated with Bethlehem Ephrathah, as it is the place where Rachel died, the story of Ruth took place, and David was born and anointed king by Samuel. It was because of Jesus' ancestry to King David that Mary and Joseph were in Bethlehem when He was born. It is this ancestry we have been studying all week, as we witness the Old Testament meeting the New Testament.
It is interesting to note too that Bethlehem means 'house of bread,' fitting name for the Bread of Life to call His birthplace. I find so much of the scriptures surrounding and foreshadowing the fulfillment of God’s word, hail from humble beginnings. Bethlehem is a small town; Mary and Joseph are unassuming people from modest families.
From humble beginnings a Savior was born. From less than noteworthy parents, a King was brought into this world. God's plan was never to dazzle us with pageantry or royal robes or ambitious warriors. God's plan was to wow us with "a gentle whisper." (1 Kings 19:12)
Read the texts here.
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