Born at Bethlehem

One of the prophecies, that of the birthplace of Jesus, is probably one of the most well-known prophecies of all time even though people may not realize that Jesus’s birthplace is a matter of prophecy. We remember it through hymns such as “O Little Town of Bethlehem”.

Jesus was born in Bethlehem due to a census that required that Joseph, the guardian of the Holy Family, and Mother Mary to travel to Bethlehem for the census.

By whom and when was this prophesied? It was prophesied by Micah. Who was Micah and when did he live? Micah is called one of the twelve minor prophets, meaning his writings compose one of the twelve smaller books of prophecy found towards the end of the Old Testament. Micah lived approximately 737 to 696 BC. He was a contemporary of the prophet Isaiah, as well as two other prophets, Amos and Hosea.   Minor prophets refer to the fact that their books are shorter in length than those of the major prophets, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel who all wrote longer books.

His prophecy concerning the birthplace of Jesus is this:

Micah 5:2  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.

Micah’s prophesy was fulfilled in the New Testament.

Matthew 2:6  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.

If you have ever watched a movie dramatizing the birth of Christ, you will see King Herod questioning advisers as to the prophetic scripture regarding Jesus.

The long-awaited Messiah would be born at Bethlehem. It would be Jesus, who would be heralded by angels singing, shepherds visiting, and later, Wise Men bringing gifts.

This is why the study of Messianic prophecies is important. When it fully sinks in that about 737 years before Jesus came someone prophesied where He would be born, this is truly remarkable. What is even more remarkable is that there are 353 prophecies referring to Jesus. This article talks about the probability of just 8 prophecies coming to pass.

Some of the 353 prophecies have already come to pass, and some are in the process of fulfillment. For example, Daniel 2:44 And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.

The article above gave a mathematical analysis of just eight prophecies being fulfilled.  “That probability is 1in 10¹⁷ or 1 in 100,000,000,000,000,000.”  Source

But there are far more prophecies about Jesus.

People play state lottos hoping to match a few numbers for a monetary prize.

In the case of Jesus, the numbers already match, the prize is offered to mankind.  It is the prize of everlasting life for those who believe.  This is why the life of Christ and the message of Christ must be taken seriously.  The odds are so astronomically impossible, that only God can fulfill them, which He did in the person of Jesus Christ.

Therefore the message of Jesus Christ must be taken seriously.

Jesus was sent at his birth on a mission which he fulfilled with his life, death, burial and resurrection.  All who believe may inherit everlasting life instead of everlasting death.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Romans 10:1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.

3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.

6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)

7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)

8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.