Wednesday, December 3

Scripture: Micah 5:1-5a

[1] Mobilize! Marshal your troops!

The enemy is laying siege to Jerusalem.

They will strike Israel’s leader

in the face with a rod.

[2] 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.

[3] The people of Israel will be abandoned to their enemies

until the woman in labor gives birth.

Then at last his fellow countrymen

will return from exile to their own land.

[4] And he will stand to lead his flock with the Lord’s strength,

in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.

Then his people will live there undisturbed,

for he will be highly honored around the world.

[5] And he will be the source of peace.

Some thoughts

This passage from Micah is one of the most familiar prophetic passages in the Old Testament. Israel was under a vicious attack from the Assyrians to the north. Though crushed in defeat, God preserved a remnant of His people Israel. Being struck in the face with a rod was a sign of further contempt (v.1). The nation was being purified. The prophet proclaims that a future ruler will come from the tiny village of Bethlehem.

Ephrathah was the ancient name of Bethlehem (Ruth 4:11). It was also the birthplace of King David. The phrase “one whose origins are from the distant past” suggests this is an unusual king, suggesting a divine-human ruler, the Ancient of Days. Often in prophetic literature there is a more immediate fulfillment, a kind of “shadow” of the future. Then there is the final fulfillment, which completes the prophecy. Often, we are living between the two, awaiting the completion of the proclamation.

Zerubbabel, a descendant of King David, did rule Israel when they returned from the Assyrian captivity, but no peace followed. A greater king was needed. This king would be the source of peace. The only king who ever brings peace is King Jesus! The Prince of Peace came to earth in the fulfillment of Micah’s words, and He brought another prophetic message from heaven itself. Jesus is where you will find your peace today as well as in eternity.

Prayer:

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. O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel. (Phillip Brooks)