Prophecy 6: Micah 5:2

Daily Thoughts – December 9^th

Prophecy 6: Micah 5:2

"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

Micah 5:2 and cross references

Micah was one of the minor prophets in Judea in the mid to late 700 BC century. His prophecy regarding the birthplace of the Messiah was referenced over many generations as they awaited the arrival of the Messiah. There is more than one Bethlehem referenced in the Bible, but the reference to Bethlehem Ephrathah was directed toward the Bethlehem in Judea, 5 miles south of Jerusalem. I've been to this small village and to the Church of the Nativity, marking the spot where many believe Christ was born. Micah's prophecy is fulfilled in Matthew 2:1 and is used by King Herod to identify the location of the Messiah's birth in Matthew 2:3-7.

In looking at this prophecy, I think it's important to break it into 3 questions: Who sent the Messiah?, Where did he come too?, and finally What did he come for?

First, Who sent the Messiah? To address this we must realize that Micah is speaking as a prophet of the Almighty God, and therefore the words are the words of God as captured by the man Micah. Keeping this in mind, read "...out of you will come for me...".  In this statement, God the Father is giving His approval and acknowledgment that His Son will come from Bethlehem, and by doing so, in essence, is sending His Son to be born in Bethlehem Ephrathah.

Second, Where did he come to? Of course, the scriptures are clear on this point. The Messiah would be born in Bethlehem Ephrathah, but why? What was so special about Bethlehem that God would send His Son to be born in this little village? A little history lesson from my research on Bethlehem. Within this city were significant biblical events: Rachel dies while giving birth to Benjamin; the marriage of Ruth and Boaz was celebrated in the streets of Bethlehem and they were blessed with the fruitfulness of the Lord. This lead to the genealogy of David: Boaz - Obed - Jesse - David, and as we have studied up to this point the House of Judah, Stump of Jesse and Tent of David are all prophesied to the same Messiah. This alone justifies Bethlehem, but wait there's more. The word Bethlehem means "The House of Bread" and "The House of War". Jesus Christ came to become the bread of life for all mankind's nourishment, and yet at the same time declared war on the unrighteous and evil nature within man's soul. Finally, humility. Bethlehem was little among the thousands of cities in Judah. In the shadows of the mighty Jerusalem with its temple, polished stone, gold, and marble. Yet, Mary and Joseph travel from Nazareth in the North past Jerusalem another 5 miles to the small village of Bethlehem at the very moment she is to give birth. Coincidence? Do you think Caesar Augustus was trying to force this prophecy to come true by his own hand?  I think not. Only by God's hand influencing Caesar Augustus to decree that all men return to their home at that very time in history could align these specific events to fulfill the scripture. 

Finally, What did he come for? Micah clearly states that the Messiah will rule over Israel. A baby as the King of the Jews? This would be hard to accept for any from that time, Roman, Assyrian, Israelite or Gentile. Becoming a King was a process that required education, anointing and an appointment by the authority at that time. This would pose a threat to the current rulers of the day, and for years I am sure it caused them to keep a close eye on Bethlehem for one coming out of that city in prominence. How surprising to have the King of the Jews born in a stable and leaving the village on a donkey with no fanfare or celebration of his royalty.

Here again, we are drawn to the realization that Jesus Christ's birth in Bethlehem Ephrathah fulfills this prophecy from the mid-700BC century.

- Rich

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A Little City on a Hill

"But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf. "  -  Micah 5:2

Twenty one days until Christmas.  So, I’ve decided to take 21 of my favorite Christmas songs and dive deeper into the lyrics.

O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth the everlasting Light;
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

For Christ is born of Mary, and gathered all above,
While mortals sleep, the angels keep their watch of wond’ring love.
O morning stars, together proclaim the holy birth,
And praises sing to God the King, and peace to men on earth!

O holy Child of Bethlehem, descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin, and enter in, be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels the great glad tidings tell;
Oh, come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel!.

Humble beginnings, servant, peace and modesty describes the child born to Mary and Joseph.  He was born in a stable, be it a stable made of wood or carved from the stone in the countryside, it doesn’t truly matter.  He was born in a lowly place, a small village rather than the posh palace of the King.  Yet, he was born King of the Jews, destined to bring them salvation and redemption.  A light from heaven above and a choir of angels proclaimed his birth and his deity.

He came for us, to cast out our sin, to give us eternal life.  He came to live with us, not just in the human form, but in the form of the Holy Spirit, to dwell in each of us.  He came to teach us, to set an example by his very life.  He came to bring peace to men on earth and the path to eternal righteousness.  He came as Emmanuel and proved his divine power, God with us.

Be Blessed,

Rich

 

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A Deep and Dreamless Sleep

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A Deep and Dreamless Sleep

“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 everlasting.”  – Micah 5:2

The prophetic words of Micah, spoke of a location that was small by stature in those days.  Bethlehem means house of bread and Ephrathah means fertile in the original Hebrew, and was used to distinguish this location from Bethlehem of Zebulon.   This prophetic verse is well known as it describes from where the Messiah will come.  It is referenced in the New Testament as King Herod sought to extinguish the rise up of the new King and is quoted as being fulfilled in the in the birth of Jesus Christ.  This small city was nestled in the hill side a few hours walk from Jerusalem (about 6 miles) and was known in that time as the city of David’s birth and the city of Rachel’s death.

When Caesar Augustus puts forth the decree that a census be taken of the Roman Empire, could he have known that he was in fact being used by God Almighty to put in motion the fulfillment of this prophecy?  The obvious answer is no.  For it to happen in the late term of Mary’s pregnancy could only be God inspired, controlled and ordained.  As Joseph loaded their things onto the small donkey, and gently set his pregnant wife upon the animal, was this prophecy upon his mind?  From the time of the prophet Micah, God is silent to the Israelites for 400 years.   So, the chance that Joseph was thinking about this as he and Mary left Nazareth is highly unlikely.  But, I must imagine over the course of the trip to Bethlehem he had to be pondering the magnificence of God’s timing.

We know from scripture that Joseph had been visited by the angel of the Lord, to declare that indeed Mary was carrying the Messiah.  From that moment on, I must believe that Joseph had poured over the ancient scrolls and prophecies regarding Messiah and sought God’s directions in preparing for this event.  I know I would if I were in his sandals.  At some point in his studying, Joseph had to have read Micah 5:2.  The real question is did he grasp the meaning from Micah’s text and correlate it to the child that Mary was carrying.

God’s ability to bring the entire plan to fruition exactly as it had been prophesied 400 years earlier is the richness of this story.  Taking a step back and watching the events unfold in perfect sequence over the span of time opens our eyes to how God works.  For four hundred years He was quiet, and then in 1 year put the plan into motion.  What was the trigger?  What was it that made God decide to choose Mary and Joseph, during the reign of Caesar Augustus in Rome and King Herod in Jerusalem?  Why then was the timing perfect for Him to begin executing His plan?  These are all reasonable questions to ask, and I’m sure there is a perfectly sound answer to every one of them.  But none of that matters.  It could have happened 399 years earlier, if God wanted it to. 

God is sovereign and all powerful.  His plan and timing is perfect in all things.  Who are we to question His perfection and demand answers from the most holy.  The sooner we get our heads around the fact that God is in control and doesn’t need our approval to execute His plan, the more peaceful and simple our walk with God becomes.  Complete trust, faith and confidence in Him is required even today.  For we have waited nearly 2000 years for Christ’s return, much like the Israel nation in Joseph’s day.  We have read the scriptures, studied the Word and seen that It has all been mapped out for us, yet some and many will miss it when it happens.  Don’t let this be you.

             

© Sondove Enterprises, 2012
For an archive of Daily Thoughts go to: http://www.10minutereader.com

Don't Miss It

"“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

One of the more familiar Messianic prophecies found throughout the Old Testament.  We especially call this one to mind at or around Christmas because it symbolizes the celebration of our Lord’s birth.  Yet, I think we often fail to recall the prophetic passages throughout the year as we busy ourselves with the realities of life.  This morning, it is my desire that you should pause, reflect and ponder the significance of the words that God placed on the heart and lips of these men at that time. 

Kings come from palaces and are destined to greatness from the moment of birth.  We observe the popularity of Prince William today and stand in awe and wonder at his life.  The opulence that has been bestowed upon him throughout his life of luxury awaiting his throne.  The world applauds his actions and watches his every move through the lens of some photo-journalist trying to make a buck or two along the way.  Prince William was born in London to Prince Charles and Princess Diane.  From birth he was acknowledged as the future King of England one day.  This was the people’s expectation when they thought of a King’s birth.  Very public, very much anticipated and very much on display.

So, by comparison, Jesus is born in a small village a few kilometers from Jerusalem, the center of Israel’s existence at that time.  King David and King Solomon both established Jerusalem as the Kingdom’s heart and built the temple there to worship God.  Without fanfare or celebration the King of all Kings was not born in the lime light of mankind’s power and authority.  How was it missed?  With the prophetic word from Micah, the Pharisee’s and rulers of Israel at the time missed the birth of their King in a stable just a half days walk away.  Who were they looking for?

Was it expected that the King of the Jews would be born in Jerusalem, despite the prophetic word of Micah?  Was the humble settings of his birth what caused him to go un-noticed throughout the land?  We can look back and see the events unfolding and see how the prophecies were fulfilled, yet when living amongst them were they blind to his birth.  Scriptures tell us of the wise men that visited King Herod and explained the prophecy, which led to the slaughter of hundreds (perhaps thousands) of boys under the age of 2 in the city of Bethlehem.  He seemed to recognize the power and authority as a risk to his own throne and reacted in such a way to put an end to it.  He was looking for an earthly King to come from Bethlehem and was threatened by it.  We are told the wise men from the East recognized his prominence at birth, as did the shepherds in and around Bethlehem that night.

So, what are your expectations of Christ’s return?  Will you miss it, as you wait patiently?  How are you preparing for His return, as prophesied by John in Revelations?  I do not know when but I do know He will return and claim His rightful place upon the throne as the King of Kings, to whom every knee will bow.  I emphasize the word every, regardless of faith, culture, belief or non-belief – every knee will bow in recognition of Jesus Christ as Lord.  Do not let His return come and go without you.  Now is the time to prepare your heart and mind for His coming be watchful for the signs are plentiful, and you won’t want to miss it.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Start right here Lord.  Change my heart to accept your word as truth and change my mind to accept your truth as the one voice in the wilderness.  Help me overcome the tools of the devil that lead to confusion and blindness.  Strengthen me to stand strong for Your word and Your promises, that I might be able to share these with others.  Patiently, I await your return and live for You while I’m waiting.  In Your name we pray – Amen

© Sondove Enterprises, 2012
For an archive of Daily Thoughts go to: http://www.10minutereader.com