Bethlehem holds a special place in the Bible. We have already seen that David, a type of Christ, came from there. And we also find prophecy foretold that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:10).
First Time
The first time we encounter Bethlehem in Scripture is in Genesis 35. There, Rachel, one of Jacob’s wives, gives birth to a son in the fields of Ephrathah. She dies during childbirth and names the son born Ben-oni, which means “son of my sorrow.” But his father calls him Benjamin, which means “son of my right hand.” Rachel is buried on the road to Ephrathah, which is Bethlehem (Gen. 35:19).
Flock
This story beautifully illustrates how the Messiah would be born from the woman, a representation of Israel. Rachel means: female sheep (>ewe). Israel is presented in the Bible as a flock of sheep (Ezek. 34; Matt. 9:36).
The Man of Sorrows
Rachel calls the son who is born, “Son of My Sorrows.” For Israel, Jesus is only the Man of Sorrows (Isa. 53:3). But his father calls him, “Son of My Right Hand.” Note that this does not say Jacob, but “his father.” The birth of Benjamin is a representation of the Lord, who came to His people as the Man of Sorrows, but was exalted by the Father to be the Son of My Right Hand.
Israel in the Grave
Israel knew Jesus only in His humiliation. They rejected Him and were therefore cast aside. In 70 AD, the temple and the city of Jerusalem were completely destroyed, and Israel ceased to exist as a nation. They were placed among the nations. The end of the nation of Israel and their dispersion among the nations is depicted in Ezekiel 37 as a valley of dry bones. Israel is in the grave. Rachel’s death is a picture of this.
Resurrection!
But this isn’t the end. In Genesis 35, Jacob sets up a stone at Rachel’s grave. A stone set up in Scripture always symbolizes resurrection. Just as Ben-Oni became Benjamin, so will Israel in the future. God will raise His people from the grave and bring them into the land (Ezek. 37:12).
This is also illustrated in Ruth by a Jewish family who find themselves in a foreign land and experience much bitterness and sorrow. But at one point, they return to the land destitute, still without a husband and redeemer. But then Boaz appears…