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A Ruler from Bethlehem  |
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| [ Micah 5:2 - 5:9 ] |
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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."
3. Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor gives birth and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites.
4. He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth.
5. And he will be their peace. When the Assyrian invades our land and marches through our fortresses, we will raise against him seven shepherds, even eight leaders of men.
6. They will rule the land of Assyria with the sword, the land of Nimrod with drawn sword. He will deliver us from the Assyrian when he invades our land and marches into our borders.
7. The remnant of Jacob will be in the midst of many peoples like dew from the LORD, like showers on the grass, which do not wait for man or linger for mankind.
8. The remnant of Jacob will be among the nations, in the midst of many peoples, like a lion among the beasts of the forest, like a young lion among flocks of sheep, which mauls and mangles as it goes, and no one can rescue.
9. Your hand will be lifted up in triumph over your enemies, and all your foes will be destroyed.
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Reflection |
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The Promise of a Ruler (5:2–6)
This passage is the Messianic prophecy of Micah. In the midst of prolonged suffering for God’s chosen people, Micah declares the promise of the LORD: that there will be a Messiah, a sovereign ruler over Israel and all peoples. This was a distant hope, especially for those who were waiting for the coming Messiah. Our lives on earth are subject to time, and waiting for God to fulfill His promises can feel long and endless. But God is not subject to time. He is eternal, and the hope He gives to His people is sure. This does not mean He is insensitive to our temporal limitations. Rather, He gave us His Word and His Son—Jesus Christ, the Word incarnate—so that we might be sure of the hope He gives.
Jacob among the Nations (5:7–9)
Even from the prophecy of Micah it is clear that although the Messiah will be a Jew, He will come for all nations. The remnant of Jacob will be in the midst of many peoples and the Ruler from Bethlehem will be over all. But it will not be a chaotic, tyrannical reign—verse 5 tells us that He will be our peace. The portrait that is painted here by the prophetic words of Micah is one that transcends time and reaches to the end of the last days when there will be perfect peace. We long for that peace. This Christmas season, let us pray for that day to come quickly.
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Application |
- The Messiah has already come once. We now eagerly await His second coming. It might feel like a long wait, but let us remember that He will indeed come. Let us wait with expectant hearts.
- Christmas is about the past, present, and future. It is about Jesus, who came to this earth as a child, saves us from sin, and will come again to take us into heaven for all eternity.
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A Letter to
God |
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Father, let Christmas be more than just a holiday. Let it remind us of Your personal intervention in human history. Let it remind us of Your loving pursuit of sinners, so much so that we are brought to our knees in humility. May our focus be on Christ alone. In His name. Amen.
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