“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.”
Therefore Israel will be abandoned
until the time when she who is in labour bears a son,
and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites.
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.
Gracious God and Heavenly Father,
There is no one like you. Your holiness, truth, goodness and mercy are unmatchable. We know your word is true. You are ever faithful and your prophecies always come to pass.
Hundreds of years before Jesus was born, we learn from Micah that the Messiah will come from Bethlehem from the tribe of Judah and rule over Israel, and that although Jesus is born in Bethlehem, his origins predate his birth. This is confirmed in John 1:1: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.”
You say through Micah that from his time until the birth of the Messiah Israel will be abandoned. We know that Malachi is the last Old Testament prophet and that there will be a silence of 400 years before John the Baptist comes to announce the coming of Jesus.
Micah describes the Messiah as a shepherd with the qualities of a king and that his greatness will be known throughout the world. This is only one prophecy of the coming Messiah but we are astounded at its accuracy. Jesus is known as the Good Shepherd who lays his life down for his sheep, and it is Jesus who willingly goes to the cross to save us from our sins. He is majestic and has the authority of a king – but is all humility and no pride like so many earthly kings and those who believe in him can live securely, without fear.
Abraham was told that through his line would come one who would be a blessing to all nations on the earth. Our Lord Jesus is indeed known and worshipped all over the world by countless believers, fulfilling this prophecy.
LORD, we thank you and praise you for everything you are and everything you have done for us. You alone are trustworthy and true and we bless your Holy Name!
AMEN.