Jesus was Born in Bethlehem

Lk 2:4-6 Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. Key Points: - Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. - Bethlehem was an insignificant city, so much so that there have been almost no mentions of ancient Bethlehem in archaeology. - Bethlehem in Hebrew means "House of Bread" - Mic 5:2 also verifies that Messiah would be from everlasting, from eternity past. - Bethlehem was the birthplace of King David, most Hebrew kings were born in Jerusalem. - The first century Jews all understood the reference to be the town of Bethlehem. - Ruler in Mic 5:2 is not the usual word for king "melech" but the word "mashal" which speaks of a civil or economic ruler like a powerful merchant, prince or king. The New testament translates the word as a Shepherd Ruler. - It is interesting that the Magi in Matt 2 sought the One who was "born king of the Jews" rather than appointed. - Bethlehem was located about 5 miles from Jerusalem.