12/27/2024 – Water from Bethlehem
2 Samuel 23: 13 Then three of the thirty chief men went down at harvest time and came to David at the cave of Adullam. And the troop of Philistines encamped in the Valley of Rephaim. 14 David was then in the stronghold, and the garrison of the Philistines was then in Bethlehem. 15 And David said with longing, “Oh, that someone would give me a drink of the water from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!” 16 So the three mighty men broke through the camp of the Philistines, drew water from the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate, and took it and brought it to David. Nevertheless he would not drink it, but poured it out to the Lord.
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When David was in the cave of Adullam, persecuted by king Saul, three mighty men broke through the Philistine camp in Bethlehem to bring him water. He expressed his desire for that water. Our thirst for God cannot be satisfied anywhere else than in Christ. These men had to fight their way in, draw water from the well while under attack, and fight their way back to David.
We do not know exactly how many wise men from the East went to Bethlehem when Christ was born. The Bible does not specify the number. But we know they brought three gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. We see the power of God, bringing these men to Christ, overcoming the opposition of king Herod and the roman empire to bring glory to the newborn who is God incarnate: our Lord Jesus.
Bethlehem was the place where God broke through the enemy camp to bring the water of life that would be poured out for our salvation. The number three represents the Holy Trinity, as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit worked together and fought together against evil to bring salvation to humanity.