“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for Me One Who is to be Ruler in Israel, Whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.”
Micah 5:2 (ESV)
From the small town of Bethlehem (the House of Bread) would come the Messiah, the Bread of Life. Although Bethlehem was small, the Israelites loved the town because of its history. From smallness to the greatest. From the House of Bread to the Bread of Life.
Bethlehem was first mentioned in Genesis 35. Rachel, Jacob’s beloved wife, travailed in childbirth and died. Benjamin survived, but Rachel was buried in Bethlehem.
Naomi was from Bethlehem, but during a famine, her husband moved her and their two sons to Moab. There, the two sons married. Time passed, and Naomi’s husband died. Then, her two sons died. Naomi returned to Bethlehem with one of her daughters-in-law, Ruth. There, Ruth met Boaz, and he became her kinsman redeemer. They married and had a son, Obed, who became the father of Jesse, the father of David the King.
God promised David that his descendant would reign as the Everlasting King, Jesus Christ.
God chose Bethlehem, the city of kings, the “House of Bread,” as the birthplace of the Bread of Life, the King of Kings, Jesus.
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Bethlehem Ephrathah. “Ephrathah” means “fruitfulness” or “abundance.” Those who abide in the Bread of Life bear much fruit.
Notice, that Jesus would come from Bethlehem Ephrathah for God, the Father.
“Whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days,” (Micah 5:2c). The Messiah existed from the beginning of time (John 1:1).
Behold, The Ruler from the ancient days.
Father, You are the God who sent His Son into the world. You sent Him to a small town to become the Bread of Life Who would give Himself abundantly to the world. Thank You. Flood us with understanding and awe as we meditate on Your promises. Amen.
Reflections
- Read Micah 5:2-4. What does the Scripture reveal about Jesus? About God?
- Why is this Scripture included as a prophecy of Jesus’ coming?
- How will you personalize this Scripture?
Free Devotional
Behold Our Savior … 31 Reflections
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