Bethlehem
Lesson 2
1. Now it came to pass, in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of __________, Judah, went to dwell in the country of Moab, he and his wife and his two sons. (Ruth 1:1)
Last week our study was concentrated around the “time” setting of the book of Ruth. This week we will take a look at the “place” setting. It sometimes helps us to better understand a story if we learn more about important factors in its background. The location of this story is full of significance. Elimelech and his wife and sons lived in Bethlehem.
Bethlehem means: "House of Bread". It was one of the oldest cities in Palestine. Originally called Ephrath, it was located 5 miles south of Jerusalem.
"Ephrathah, Ephrath - fruitfulness from NASV study Bible. An ancient name for Bethlehem (Ruth 4:11); prophecy concerning it (Mic. 5:2); Land of Palestine (Ps. 132:6); wife of Caleb (1 Chron 2:19, 50).
Ephrathah: Hebrew word meaning "fertility" in the Harper's Bible Dictionary.
Open up a Bible Gateway window (Type “Bible Gateway” in your web search text window. Next type “Bethlehem” in the keyword search. Click and find the following answers as you read the verses that appear:
2. Name three people who were buried in Bethlehem. (You will find this answer in three different passages)
3. Why did God send Samuel to Bethlehem?
4. Who was blessed by the elders at the city gate and told that he would be famous in Bethlehem?
5. Name two things that indicate David got homesick for his home town, which was Bethlehem.
There is a saying: “Be careful what you wish for...”
6. What did David wish for from Bethlehem, his hometown?
7. How did David’s “wish” come true?
8. What did David do when he received his “wish”?
9. Why do you think he did that?
10. Find a very significant prophecy concerning Bethlehem in the book of Micah.
11. Find a descriptive name for Bethlehem: City of ________.
12. Why did Joseph go to Bethlehem to be registered?
Let’s return to the context of our lesson.
13. The name of the man was Elimelech, the name of his wife was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Chilion—_________ of Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to the country of Moab and remained there.
14. Why were they called Ephrathites? (Look this answer up in a Bible dictionary.)
15. Did Elimelech ever return to Bethlehem?
Bethlehem
was a city rich with history and became more famous as time went on. The Book of
Ruth begins and ends in Bethlehem.