Why Bethlehem, the Redeemer City?

Jehovah had spent four thousand years preparing, creating, and setting the stage for this moment in history. It is totally amazing to see how it all came together in a tiny little hamlet called Bethlehem.

Judah’s tribe was known as the redemption tribe because of the law of the kinsman redeemer. This law was initiated when a husband died and left his widow with no children. This law stated the nearest male relative would marry the widow to provide an inheritance for her and also to carry on the dead man’s name. Through a series of events found in Genesis 38, Judah’s tribe originated based upon this law.

Moving along the family line, 1 Chron. 2:51 tells us, Salmon, of the redeemer tribe of Judah, married Rahab, the courageous woman of Jericho, and was the father of Bethlehem. It was in Bethlehem where Boaz, son of Rahab, married Ruth to redeem the inheritance of her dead husband and Bethlehem became known as the redemption city. King David and Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, were both from Bethlehem of the bloodline of Judah.

And Bethlehem, meaning the “house of bread” was and still is known for its delicious bread. In the house of bread, the Bread of Life was born.

Not only was this the land of the redemption tribe of Judah, in the redemption city of Bethlehem, but it was also the place where the sacrificial lambs for the Temple were born. It was necessary for Jesus, our Passover Lamb, to be born in the redeemer city of Bethlehem, known as the house of bread, in the redeemer land of Judah of the bloodline of the redeemer tribe of Judah.

“Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David (Bethlehem) a Savior (Redeemer), who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:10-11 NKJV)

Again, why Bethlehem? Of course Bethlehem! No other place in the earth could have received the Savior of the world, the Redeemer, the Passover Lamb.

O Little Town of Bethlehem

How still we see thee lie
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
The silent stars go by
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
The everlasting Light
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight

For Christ is born of Mary
And gathered all above
While mortals sleep, the angels keep
Their watch of wondering love
O morning stars together
Proclaim the holy birth
And praises sing to God the King
And Peace to men on earth

How silently, how silently
The wondrous gift is given
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His heaven
No ear may hear His coming
But in this world of sin
Where meek souls will receive him still
The dear Christ enters in

O holy Child of Bethlehem
Descend to us, we pray
Cast out our sin and enter in
Be born to us today
We hear the Christmas angels
The great glad tidings tell
O come to us, abide with us
Our Lord Emmanuel
O come to us, abide with us
Our Lord Emmanuel

Songwriters: Jeremy Michael Lubbock / Pierre Marchand / Sarah Mclachlan. © The Bicycle Music Company