Tuesday, December 1
Read Micah 5
Think About It:
God selected “the little town of Bethlehem“ as the place where the king of the Jews was to be born. It was this prophecy that the priests shared with the magi who came to Jerusalem looking for the king (Matthew 2:1-12).
Bethlehem (“house of bread”) has an interesting history. Nearby is where Rachel gave birth, died, and was buried. Ruth and Naomi came to Bethlehem, and is where Boaz fell in love with Ruth and married her. Ruth is an ancestor of the Messiah. Of course, David was Bethlehem’s greatest son, and it was through David’s family that the promised Messiah would be born (2 Samuel 7; Matthew 1:1; Luke 1:26-27; Romans 1:3).
In this prophecy, Micah reveals a number of important facts about the Messiah. To begin with, He is Eternal God, for His “goings out are from old … from days of eternity”. Jesus stepped out of eternity into human history, sent by the Father to die for the sins of the world (1 John 4:14). But He is also truly a man, for He is born as a human child. We had here the miracle of incarnation (John 1:14).
You would think that the very Son of God would come to a great city like Athens or Jerusalem, but He chose to be born in a humble stable (or cave) in Bethlehem. But the day would come when He would be glorified in is thrown in heaven; and one day, He shall return to be ruler over His people.
However, before He can stand as Shepherd and care for His flock, His own people must reject Him. Between the cross and the kingdom age, Israel will be given up by the LORD until the time when Jesus returns, and the nation is born into her kingdom. This King will reign to the ends of the earth and bring peace to all nations.
The phrase “seven shepherds … eight leaders” Is a way of saying “Many shepherds, Many leaders,” and is similar to the repeated statement of Amos “for three transgressions ….and for four” (Amos 1:3, 6, 9). When the enemy attacks in the last days, God will raise up leaders to face the enemy, just as He has raised up the judges in heroes like David. But Amos makes it clear that God is the deliverer who will enable Israel to defeat her enemies and rule over their lands. That “He” of Micah 5:6 is the “Ruler” of verse 2.
Time after time, the LORD has sent messengers to the people to denounce their sins and warn of impending judgment, but the people wouldn’t listen. In the last days, Israel will return to her land in unbelief and practice these same sins. But God will purge the land and prepare them for a new life in the kingdom. They will see their Messiah, trust Him, and be saved (Zechariah 12:10-13:1).
God will destroy all their military defenses, the things that they trusted, instead of trusting the LORD. He will end their traffic with demonic powers and eliminate all the idolatry from the land (Zechariah 13:2). Israel will now seek to please God and obey His law and not imitate the sins of the Nation’s on which God will take vengeance.
God has not cast aside his people (Romans 11:1), for today there is a believing remnant of Jews in the church. One day God will gather the unbelieving Jewish nation to their land, cause them to experience suffering, and then reveal Himself to them and give birth to a new nation. The Prophet saw that day and tried to convey its message to the people of their day, but they wouldn’t listen.
Christians today look for Jesus to return to gather His people to Himself (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) and then establish His righteous kingdom. Peter assures us that “The day of the LORD will come as a thief in the night”; and in light of this fact, he asks “Therefore … What manner of person ought you be in holy conduct and Godliness?” (2 Peter 3:10). Future hope ought to produce present holiness.
Are we ready for His return?
Family Time:
- Did you know that in the Old Testament God promised to send a Messiah to be the Savior of the world?
- What is the name of the town where Jesus was born? Where did Micah say that the Messiah would be born?
- Did you know that there were many other prophecies about Jesus in the Old Testament and Jesus fulfilled every one of them? What does this fact tell you about God?
