BETHLEHEM

A. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Bethlehem was of strategic importance from early times in history.  It was located on the route from Hebron to Shiloh, north of Jerusalem. It was on the caravan route from Jerusalem via Hebron to Egypt.  Before the time of David, the Philistines kept a garrison there in order to protect it against attacks from the north (II Sam. 23:14).  However, by the time of Micah (8th Century B.C.), it had already lost its strategic importance.

Bethlehem is first mentioned in the Bible in connection to Rachel’s death and burial (Gen. 35:19).  It is also mentioned in the story of Ruth (Ruth 4) in the period of the Judges.  Most significantly, Bethlehem marks the place of birth for David, and the place of anointing by Samuel (I Sam. 1).  The city thus became the symbol of David’s Dynasty and the center of Messianic belief.  Interestingly towards the first century, Herod the Great built an impressive palace just a few miles from Bethlehem.  It would have been built and completed at the time of Jesus’ birth.

As the birthplace of Jesus, it is one of the most sacred Christian sites.  According to Hieronymus, a Christian scholar of the 4th century, the cult of Adonis was practiced in the time of the Romans near the cave where Jesus was born.  However, Origin, another Christian scholar of the same period, makes no mention of the fact.  However, St. Jerome relates that from the time of Hadrian (132 A.D.) to the reign of Constantine (323 A.D.), Jupiter and Adonis were worshipped there.   

In about 330 A.D. after the pilgrimage of his mother Queen Helena, Constantine began to erect the Church of the Nativity.  The Pilgrim of Bordaeux, who visited the country in about 330 A.D., records that a basilica had been built there by order of Constantine.

For unknown reasons the church was demolished in the reign of Justinian (527-65 A.D.) and a new one was built.  The floor level was raised and a stone pavement laid.  In 1099, Bethlehem was conquered by the Crusaders, who restored the church in the middle of the 12th century A.D.  The main structure that stand today can be attributed to Justinian.

 The town of Bethlehem has changed hands many times and has been ruled by Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Crusaders, Mamelukes, and Turks.  Despite the many centuries of non-Christian rule, Christians have steadfastly clung to Bethlehem, visiting this significant place of redemptive history.

B. BIBLICAL REFERENCES

1.   Gen. 35:19   Rachel dies in Bethlehem

2.  Ruth 1:19-22   In returning from Moab, Ruth and Naomi came to Bethlehem in the beginning of the barley harvest.  Boaz is from Bethlehem.

3.  I Sam. 16:4   The Lord sends Samuel to Bethlehem to see Jesse. 

4.  I Sam. 17:15   David returns from the Elah Valley to Bethlehem to feed his  sheep during the battle with the Philistines & Goliath.

5.  II Chr. 11:6   Rehoboam fortifies Bethlehem.

6.  Micah 5:2   But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little  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.”

7.  Mt. 2:1-6   Jesus is born in Bethlehem in the days of Herod.

C. ARCHAEOLOGICAL FINDS OF INTEREST

1.   BYZANTINE I:  In about 330 A.D., Emperor Constantine began building a church, now called The Church of Nativity, for the purpose of  commemorating the birthplace of Jesus.  Many early Byzantine pilgrims to this site described it’s beautiful interior, ornamented with gold and silver, embroideries, marble, wall paintings and mosaics.

2.  BYZANTINE II:  Justinian (527-65 A.D.) built a new church here over Constantine’s building.  The main structure that can been seen today dates to Justinian.  However, part from the columns and the continuous line of carved wooden architraves above the capitals, nothing remains of the original decoration.