Day 8 – Bethlehem and Israel’s Heartland
Today we visit Israel’s “heartland.” What is a heartland? Geographically it’s the central, or most important part of a country, area, or field of activity. It can also mean the center of support for a belief or movement. Yes, we will be visiting some very important locations central to the land of Israel. But I think the second definition is also quite fitting since we will stand on the ground where the Tabernacle once stood, then the foundation where the Temple was erected and later destroyed, and finally Bethlehem where David was anointed as king and Jesus was born! These are quite central in both location and meaning to our faith and belief as Christians.
Our passages will take us on a progressive journey through prophecy, promise and anointing, covering about 2,100 years of history!
Micah 5:2
This single verse from Micah for our morning reading and prayer doesn’t just prophesy the coming ruler of Israel, but in many ways basically sums up the culmination of history through him.
Matthew 2:1-12 tells of the wise men who came to Herod to find our “where is he who was born king of the Jews?” (v. 2) However, Herod didn’t want anyone threatening his power, so he wanted to find the child. Verse 6 says that he called the chief priests and scribes to get insight, and they quote Micah 5:2 which indicated that the baby would come from Bethlehem. When the wise men didn’t return and bring the child to Herod, he ordered the killing of all the boys in Bethlehem who were under the age of two (Matthew 2:16-22).
The first part of Micah 5:2 tells us where (from Bethlehem), who (among the clans of Judah), and what (the ruler of Israel). The last part of the verse not only further clarifies who, but also offers insight into why. He is “coming forth from of old, from ancient of days.” The fact that God is eternal is stated throughout Scripture. Psalm 90:2b says, “from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” God existed before days were created. John 1:1 tells us that this applies to Jesus, the Word, also. But Micah isn’t just speaking about his eternality. Jesus coming as ancient of days also refers to his coming to pronounce judgement (Daniel 7:9-12) and culmination of redemptive history.
But before we make our way to Bethlehem, we are going to visit the ancient remains of Shiloh, dating back to about 1400 BC.
1 Samuel 1:1-20
Shiloh was the original capital of the twelve tribes of Israel before it was established in Jerusalem. The tent of meeting (Tabernacle) and the ark of the covenant were kept there. (Joshua 18:1, 1 Samuel 4:4)
And, Shiloh is the location where Hannah prayed in desperation for a child. Hanna and Elkanah were from Ramah (v. 19). But they would have gone to Shiloh three times each year for the Festivals – Passover, Feast of Weeks, and Feast of Booths (v. 3). Hannah took the opportunity to pour out her soul and plea to the LORD at the Tabernacle (v. 10,15).
Hannah’s faith is amazing to me. Not only did she cry out in “great anxiety and vexation” (v. 16), but she did so completely open handed. Hannah had been tormented by Peninnah year after year for not having a child (v, 3,6). Yet, when she prayed she promised to give her son back to God as his servant. Eli the priest told her to go in peace, which is what she did. Even before conceiving, her face was no longer sad (v. 18).
Hannah asked for favor to be upon her (v. 18). After being barren for years, Hannah finally conceived. And, she remained true to her vow and returned to Shiloh to give Samuel back to the LORD. (1 Samuel 1:21-28) This echoes another young woman whose son became the suffering servant of the LORD. Mary was told by the angel Gabriel that she had found favor with God. (Luke 1:26-33)
Samuel grew up in Shiloh, serving in the temple under Eli the priest, where he was called to be a prophet of the LORD. (1 Samuel 3:1-21) It was this prophet, Samuel who God called to anoint David as king of Israel that we’ll soon read about.
Looking at the ancient city of Shiloh from where the Tabernacle once stood
Looking at the platform on the land where the Tabernacle once stood
A broader view of the land where the Tabernacle once stood
Genesis 49:10
Something very interesting came up when I looked at a couple resources about Shiloh. Everything we’ve discussed has been about Shiloh the place. It is the same word through is used throughout the Old Testament for the city, and the Hebrew word that is spelled Shiloh.
However, there is a slight variation of the Hebrew word in Genesis 49:10 (Genesis 49:8-12 is Jacob’s blessing for Judah). Here it is spelled shilo or shilowo. This is the only place in the Old Testament that we see this particular spelling. Is this just a variation of spelling of the same word, or does it mean something different?
Both Christian and Jewish commentaries offer several options for the meaning and interpretation in Genesis 49:10. In our English bibles, it’s interpreted as Shilo (NKJV), tribute (ESV), whose right it is (CSB), and he to whom it belongs (NIV).
The actual Hebrew breaks down to shai, which means “tribute,” and loh, which means “to him.” On interpretation translates the meaning as “until the time that peace arrives.” Another translates it as the “gift” that will come to Judah as the Messiah.
Even though interpretations vary, and neither Jewish or Christian commentaries give a definitive or exact interpretation, it does seem very clear to all that Genesis 49:8-12 is prophesying the coming Messiah. Obviously, as Christians we believe that was fulfilled in the life and person of Jesus.
But, is there a connection between the word used in Genesis 49:10 and Shiloh the place? I think there is. Shiloh was the location of the Tabernacle, which was God’s dwelling place and where his people could find communion with him. The Gospel of John tells us that Jesus “tabernacled.” He dwelled among us. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
(John 1:14)
Shiloh, the place, was where the Tabernacle was erected, and the ark of the covenant was kept (which contained the Ten Commandments). But the baby born in Bethlehem ushered in a new age that would lead to our being able to have direct access to dwell with the Father because of the life, death and resurrection of the Son. “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” (John 1:17) That is the heart and soul of our faith.
But before we head to Bethlehem to reflect more on the miracle birth of Jesus and the anointing of David, we will have the opportunity to visit the Temple Mount.
Temple Mount
An overview of the significant biblical events that happened on Mount Moriah were included in the devotional for day 5, as well as a general overview of the Temple Mount. It is an important and holy site for Jewish and Christian people. It is also considered a holy site by Muslims since they generally trace their lineage to Abraham as well. Islamic tradition suggests that the Prophet Muhammad descended from Ishmael, which functions as a spiritual connection for all Muslims regardless of genealogy.
After spending a few days touring around the Temple Mount, you will have likely learned a few things. One, a lot of conflict, bloodshed and destruction happened here when empires and nations took control and occupation of Jerusalem. The Roman Empire destroyed the Second Temple in 70 AD. They had control for about 260 years until the Byzantine Empire captured Jerusalem. Muslim forces occupied the city in 638, building the Dome of the Rock between 685-692. A little over 400 years later the Crusaders captured Jerusalem briefly, converting the Islamic buildings for Christian use. However, Muslim control was restored in 1187. After the Six-Day War in 1967 Israel gained sovereign control and security oversight over the Temple Mount. However, the “status quo” agreement was put in place, meaning Israeli police manage security and access points, but the Islamic Waqf manages the daily concerns, maintenance and religious affairs inside the compound.
A second thing you’ll notice around the Temple Mount is the rather chaotic building structures. We will need to use some imagination at times to visualize how things looked in biblical times. Here in the US when we build on land where there is an existing structure, we generally tear down the old building before erecting a new one. That isn’t the case in Israel. The nations and Empires noted in the previous section typically altered or built right on top of what was already there.
This leads to a third thing that is fascinating about exploring the Temple Mount and Old City, and really all of Israel. Israel has been doing archeological excavations for years, with COVID providing an opportunity to amp up efforts when things were shut down. The result is the uncovering of ancient remains, in many cases dating back thousands of years.
When we visit the Temple Mount we will be standing on holy ground that holds thousands of years of history, and the foundation where the First and Second Temples once stood. There are some things that we’ll want to keep in mind. As non-Muslims we will be able to walk the compound and view the outside of the Dome of the Rock and Al-Aqsa Mosque. However, we will not be able to tour the inside of the Dome of the Rock which is an Islamic shrine. Also, since all religious affairs are under Islamic management, we will not be permitted to have public non-Muslim prayer, bring a Bible, or do Scripture readings while on site. But, like Mary, we can treasure up all these things and ponder them in our hearts (Luke 2:19), and then reflect on them together later.
Bethlehem
1 Samuel 16:1-13
After leaving the Temple Mount and the Old City, we’ll head a little southeast to Bethlehem. More than 1,000 years before the birth of Christ, an important event happened here – Samuel, the son of Hannah, anointed David to become king of Israel, and through him would come one whose kingdom will be established forever. (2 Samuel 7:1-17, Luke 1:30-33)
The story in 1 Samuel 16 is very encouraging to me for a couple of reasons. One, it demonstrates that God is in control, even in situations that don’t seem to make any sense. He tells Samuel in verse 1, “for I have provided for myself a king among his [Jesse’s] sons.” God, in his sovereignty, specifically chose David to be king, despite him seeming the least qualified. He was the youngest brother and a simple shepherd boy (v. 11).
Second, this passage is a great reminder that what God values and considers important is not what the world does. The world (man) often looks only at the surface level – power, wealth, beauty, popularity. “But the LORD looks on the heart.” (v. 7) David, and Samuel as his anointer, only needed to be willing, obedient vessels. Again, it was God’s power, not David’s, that enabled David to be an effective king. “The Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward.” (v. 13)
We’ll drive by Shepherd’s Fields as we pass through Bethlehem. Let that be a humbling reminder that God doesn’t call the equipped, he equips the called. That’s the story of David’s life, and it’s ours as well. We have the Spirit of the LORD that enables us to fulfill our calling.
Green Pastures of Bethlehem
Luke 2:1-7
We’ll end our day reflecting on the fulfillment of the prophecy we started our day with. Luke gives us the narrative details of Jesus being born in Bethlehem, fulfilling the first part of Micah 5:2. Jesus humbly came as Immanuel, God with us, being born a baby in the small town of Bethlehem. He was God’s anointed one who was to bring good news (Isaiah 61:1, Luke 4:18) and to be pierced for our transgressions (Isaiah 53). When we are in Bethlehem, we will visit the Church of the Nativity, which was built on the traditional site of Jesus’s birthplace.
What is believed to be the spot Jesus was born in the grotto of the church of the nativity
Bethlehem, the tribe and place that was considered to be small, and less significant than the large and powerful Judah was God’s chosen location for the one who came forth the be ruler in Israel. This is central to our faith. The Jews expected a great warrior to be their Messiah to conquer Rome. We know that God did in fact send a great warrior to not simply defeat the powers on this earth, but sin and death for all eternity. “The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered.” (Revelation 5:5)
Remains of a home in a cave in Bethlehem
Inside of another style of cave home in Bethlehem
Reflection Questions
How does looking into the Old Testament and historical details magnify your understanding of the gospel and birth of Jesus?
What comes to mind when you think about Jesus returning as the Ancient of Days? How should those thoughts effect your daily life?
How does the pressure of fulfilling our calling dissipate when we recognize that the Spirit of the LORD is what enables us?
What is the difference between responding to answered prayer with grateful praise and open handedly returning blessing to the Lord?
What would you say to someone who asked you what is central and at the heart of your faith?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for the whole of your Word and the way that you reveal yourself and Jesus to your people through it. Thank you for you perfect timing in all things. Help me to have understanding, appreciation, and humility when encountering these events in Scripture, and also the actual sites where they took place. Lord, help me to find favor with you like Hannah and Mary did. Put your Spirit upon me to help me to fulfill what it is that you have called me to do. Let me not lose the awe and wonder that you desired to dwell among your people. May I be ready for the Ancient of Days to return, and the day that I will be in your presence for eternity. Amen
Day 8 Locations/Sites:
(1) Shiloh
(2) Temple Mount
(3) Bethlehem
(4) Old City/Church of the Nativity
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