The Messiah had to be born in Bethlehem.
Prophecy -
Micah 5:2
"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting."
I read an article recently by someone skeptical of this prophecy. Their main point was that we Christians take this verse out of context and just make it fit the life of Jesus. But to this I say that if you will read the whole counsel of God, you will find your answer. When the wise men came from the east to worship the Christ, they came to King Herod to inquire where He could be found. Herod had to ask the scribes (the scholars), they told him the Christ was to be born in Bethlehem. See Matthew 2:5-6. And then about 30 years later, during Jesus' ministry years, some people were debating as to whether He was the Christ or not. Their determining criteria was that the Christ had to be from Bethlehem! See John 7:40-43. Jesus was born in Bethlehem, but grew up in a region called Galilee, (Bethlehem is in Judea) so they were a bit confused. We don't even know if they knew Jesus was born in Bethlehem, so it is easy to see why they were doubtful. I imagine Jesus didn't come in showing his birth certificate (they probably didn't have those back then) and telling everyone His life history, everywhere He went. We have something they didn't have--Matthew and Luke's accounts of His life--they were written after Jesus died and ascended.
I love what Matthew Henry has to say on the matter. "It is only fitting that Bethlehem, which means house of bread, should be the birthplace of the one who is the Bread of Life."
Fulfillment -
Matthew 2:1-2
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him."
Luke 2:4-7
Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her first-born Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
This is a continuation of our Christmas Prophecy series. To read part one and two, click here:
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