Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative, cities often play a significant role, yet many of them are portrayed as seemingly insignificant or humble in their beginnings or status. This theme underscores the biblical principle that God frequently chooses the lowly and the least to accomplish His divine purposes, highlighting His sovereignty and the reversal of human expectations.Bethlehem Bethlehem is a prime example of a city that, despite its small size and apparent insignificance, holds a crucial place in biblical history. Known as the birthplace of King David, Bethlehem is also prophesied as the birthplace of the Messiah. The prophet Micah declares, "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me one to be ruler over Israel" (Micah 5:2). This prophecy is fulfilled in the New Testament with the birth of Jesus Christ, emphasizing the theme that God often chooses the humble to fulfill His grand designs. Nazareth Nazareth, a small and seemingly inconsequential town in Galilee, is another city that exemplifies this theme. It is the hometown of Jesus, yet it is met with skepticism and doubt. In the Gospel of John, Nathanael famously questions, "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" (John 1:46). Despite its lack of prominence, Nazareth becomes central to the life and ministry of Jesus, illustrating how God can elevate the lowly to fulfill His purposes. Jericho Jericho, one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world, is notable for its role in the conquest of Canaan. Despite its fortified walls and strategic importance, it is not the might of Israel that brings victory, but the power of God. The fall of Jericho, as described in the Book of Joshua, demonstrates that human strength and significance are secondary to divine intervention. "By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days" (Hebrews 11:30). Gibeon The city of Gibeon, though not initially significant, becomes pivotal in the narrative of Israel's conquest of Canaan. The Gibeonites, through cunning, secure a treaty with Israel, and their city becomes a site of divine intervention when God aids Israel in battle. "The LORD threw them into confusion before Israel, so Joshua and the Israelites defeated them completely at Gibeon" (Joshua 10:10). This account highlights how God can use even the seemingly insignificant to achieve His purposes. Shiloh Shiloh, a city in the territory of Ephraim, serves as an early religious center for Israel, housing the Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant. Despite its initial importance, Shiloh eventually fades into obscurity. The psalmist reflects on its decline, "He abandoned the tabernacle of Shiloh, the tent He had pitched among men" (Psalm 78:60). Shiloh's account serves as a reminder of the transient nature of human significance compared to the enduring purposes of God. Conclusion The biblical portrayal of cities often deemed insignificant serves to illustrate a recurring theme: God's preference for using the humble and lowly to accomplish His divine will. Through these cities, the Bible communicates the message that true significance is not found in human status or power, but in alignment with God's purposes. Torrey's Topical Textbook Genesis 19:20Behold now, this city is near to flee to, and it is a little one: Oh, let me escape thither, (is it not a little one?) and my soul shall live. Torrey's Topical Textbook Ecclesiastes 9:14 Library The Rewards of the Trading Servants On the Advisableness of Improving Natural Knowledge. Sodom, Capernaum, Manchester The Temples and the Gods of Chaldaea Again on the Calamity of the City of Antioch. ... An Exhortation to virtue -- and Particularly Upon the Passage... The Nations of the North-East The City of Gold O Thou that Bringest Good Tidings Against those who Say that Demons Govern Human Affairs, and who ... Resources Does God killing people make Him a murderer? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the strange flesh in Jude 1:7? | GotQuestions.org What were the Dark Ages? | GotQuestions.org Cities: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Cities of Refuge of the Hope of the Gospel Cities of Refuge: (The Way To) Christ Cities of Refuge: Afforded No Asylum to Murderers Cities of Refuge: Required to Be: Easy of Access Cities of Refuge: Required to Be: Open to all Manslayers Cities of Refuge: Strangers Might Take Advantage of Cities of Refuge: Those Admitted to not Protected Outside of Cities of Refuge: Those Admitted to Obliged to Remain In, Until the High Priest's Death Cities of Refuge: Those Admitted to Were Put on Their Trial Cities were Called For: The Country in Which Built Cities were Called For: The Family of the Founder Cities were Called For: The Proprietor of the Land Cities were Frequently: Besieged Cities were Frequently: Burned Cities were Frequently: Depopulated Cities were Frequently: Made Heaps of Ruins Cities were Frequently: Pillaged Cities were Frequently: Razed and Sown With Salt Cities were Frequently: Stormed Cities were Frequently: Wasted by Famine Cities were Frequently: Wasted by Pestilence Cities: A Great Defence to a Country Cities: Afforded Refuge in Times of Danger Cities: Arranged in Streets and Lanes Cities: Artificial Mode of Supplying Water To Cities: Built in Desert Places Cities: Built in Pleasant Situations Cities: Built of Brick and Mortar Cities: Built of Brick and Slime Cities: Built of Stone and Wood Cities: Built with Compactness Cities: Built: Often of a Square Form Cities: Built: On Solid Foundations Cities: Designated as Merchant Cities: Designated as Treasure Cities: Designed for Habitations Cities: Different Kinds of Chariot Cities: Different Kinds of Commercial Cities: Different Kinds of Fenced Cities: Different Kinds of Levitical Cities: Different Kinds of Refuge Cities: Different Kinds of Royal Cities: Different Kinds of Store Cities: Different Kinds of Treasure Cities: Difficulty of Taking, Alluded To Cities: Government of, by Rulers Cities: Inhabitants of, Called Citizens Cities: Often Built to Perpetuate a Name Cities: Often Deserted on the Approach of an Enemy Cities: Often Fortified by Art Cities: Often Fortified by Nature Cities: Often Founded and Enlarged by Blood and Rapine Cities: Often Great and Goodly Cities: Often of Great Antiquity Cities: Prosperity of, Increased by Commerce Cities: Protected at Night by Watchmen Related Terms Chariot-cities (3 Occurrences) Treasure-cities (1 Occurrence) Kiriath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kir'iath-je'arim (18 Occurrences) Kirjath-jearim (17 Occurrences) Kirjathjearim (17 Occurrences) |
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