In the days when Israel had newly entered Canaan and the land was being divided up by lot for each of the tribes, there were two towns called Bethlehem. One was in the north in the territory of Zebulun, the other was in the south in the territory of Judah. The Bethlehem in Judah was in a territory known as Ephrath, thus the reference to Bethlehem Ephrathah. It was probably not unlike saying Portland, Oregon, or Vancouver, B.C.
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me
one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
from ancient times.”
Micah 5:2
The prophet Micah not only nails the precise location of Jesus’ birth, but he makes sure there is no confusion by distinguishing between the two Bethlehems. This particular Bethlehem is mentioned in the first chapter of the Book of Ruth and is the place where Ruth and Naomi return to live after the famine is over. Naomi marries Boaz and they have a son, Obed who grows up and fathers Jesse, who in turn fathers the man who would become king of all Israel, David. Thus it is David’s hometown that Joseph and Mary must return to.
Continue reading “A Tail of Two Towns”