So Rachel died and was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem ).
Genesis 35:19 (NIV)
Father, the first time we read of this place called Bethlehem is when Jacob buried the wife he loved, Rachel. It was there that she gave birth to her last son whom she named, Ben-Oni, which means son of my trouble, before she died. It was Jacob who changed his name to Benjamin, son of my right hand, in some sense seeing the birth of this son as comfort from You to cope with his loss.
It is not lost on me the divine tension of loss and hope that exists in that city. Micah would declare, “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).” For there my Savior would be born, descended from David, whose home was Bethlehem. And in Christ, we would see the true Son of my trouble and the true Son of my right hand. Like birth of that child to Rachel, with Jesus we must die even as Rachel died. We are crucified with Him (Galatians 2:20). Yet, with Christ there is life for us in it and through it! What’s more, He is our strength, our right hand. Indeed, I can do all things through Him (Philippians 4:13)!
So Father today I praise You and thank You for sending Christ into my life. Though the road I tread with Him is not always easy, the path seemingly filled with trouble, I have a peace which blows my mind! I thank You for the strength that I have in Him. Though hardships and difficulty come, I know that in Him I am a overcomer, and greater is He Who is within me (1 John 4:4)! I thank You for that little town of Bethlehem, a blip on the Israel map, but the site where in death You manifested life for me. Thank You, LORD, in Jesus’ Name! Amen!