Bethlehem's Story

What is Bethlehem famous for? Our first thought is that Bethlehem was the birthplace of Jesus, but for a long time the little town had a bad reputation. In Genesis 35 we read that Rachel died and was buried “on the way to Bethlehem,” just after she gave birth to her second son Benjamin.

Remember Rachel’s story? She was the beloved wife of Jacob, who was the grandson of Abraham (and whose name God changed to Israel). Jacob was tricked into marrying Rachel’s older sister Leah, and eventually he married Rachel as well. Leah was having no problem having children, but Rachel was barren. Both sisters gave their handmaidens to Jacob for the sake of childbearing (a common practice then), but Rachel continued to struggle with her infertility. This was a cause for sorrow, leading Rachel to lament, “Give me children, or else I will die!”

She finally had a son, Joseph, whose name means, “The Lord will add.” Rachel was glad to have a son, but she believed God would give her another. He did, but it would cost Rachel her life. Knowing her life was leaving her, Rachel named her son Ben-oni, “Son of my Sorrow,” but Jacob changed it to Benjamin, “Son of my Right Hand.” For Israelites, Bethlehem was always thought of as the place of death for their mother.

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem King Herod put out an order to kill all baby boys two years old and under. Matthew said that event fulfilled Jeremiah 31:15, the voice of Rachel weeping for her children. When Jeremiah wrote those words he was speaking of Israelite mothers weeping for their children being taken into captivity, but Matthew saw it as a fulfillment of Messianic prophecy.

For so many years Bethlehem signified the birth of Benjamin, but the death of Rachel. Now, because of Jesus, Bethlehem represents not the Son of Sorrow, but the Son at God’s right hand. It is no longer a place of death and sadness, but of life and victory. So what is Bethlehem famous for? It is no longer death, but life.

That’s what Jesus does. He redeems things. He turns death into life. When we were dead in our sins and trespasses, Jesus brings us to life in Himself. I was once like Bethlehem, a picture of death because of my sin; but now thanks to Jesus, I am alive and well.