BETHLEHEM

PREPARATION

Micah 5: 1-5a

BETHLEHEM PREPARATION 1 Chronicles 2:51 Salma, the son of

Caleb “father of Bethlehem”. Rachel’s tomb near Bethlehem

Genesis 35:19 From OT times a Messianic

connection. Ruth & Boaz lived in Bethlehem. Ruth great-grandma of King David… The family home area where David

was young shepherd. Fame went away till Micah 5:2.

BETHLEHEM PREPARATION

In NT they expected Messiah to arise. Jesus was born there! Shepherds and Magi visited him there! Predicted by Nathan 2 Samuel 7: 15-16: “But my love will never be taken away …

(and) Your house and your kingdom will endure forebver before me; your throune will be established forever.”

Royal city was start of eternal kingdom! David’s prayer of 1 Chron. 29: 10-13:

BETHLEHEM PREPARATION “Praise be to you, O Lord, God of our father

Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.

Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.

Now, our God, we give you thanks and praise your glorious name.”

BETHLEHEM PREPARATION This prayer followed great giving:

David gave 110 tons of gold, 260 tons of silver. People gave 190 tons, 185 pounds of gold, 375 tons of silver, 675 tons of bronze, and 3,750 tons of iron. Why?

To build a temple to God in thanks for establishing a FOREVER kingdom!

Micah prophesied in a ‘down’ time, saying Forever kingdom coming!

Israel’s hope the theme of ch 4-5.

BETHLEHEM PREPARATION Jesus suffering and death 5:1. Great Shepherd 5:4, eternal peace. Bethlehem in ‘down’ time when

Jesus born, shepherds & Magi visit. Where is Christ to be born? (Notice

how they translated 5:2-4) How will we meet the Bethlehem

child promised over 700 years earlier?

Prepare for and accept the Gift of God brought to us at Bethlehem!