As we trace the events in Bethlehem recorded in the Scripture, we find Bethlehem becomes a place of hope. Hope for the nation of Israel as their choice of king - Saul - fails but God's choice, David, succeeds. Then when the Davidic line fails, God points people back to Bethlehem (Micah 5) because the Messiah will come from their. But when Jesus left, the world seems to fall apart. God once again points us to the future hope from 'the stump of Jesse' and paints a clear picture of the Messiah's future reign on earth in the Millennium.