December 20th - The Promise of Bethlehem
"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 labor 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. And he will be our peace." - Micah 5:2-5
In the quiet hills of Judah lay a town so small it barely registered on the maps of its time. Bethlehem, though insignificant in the eyes of the powerful, held a promise that would echo through centuries. God's choice of Bethlehem reminds us that He often works through the unexpected, the overlooked, and the humble to accomplish His greatest purposes.
The prophecy speaks of a ruler whose origins stretch back to ancient times, yet who would be born in this humble setting. This beautiful tension between the eternal and the immediate, the divine and the human, points directly to Jesus. Like many of us, the people of Israel were waiting - waiting for deliverance, waiting for peace, waiting for God to fulfill His promises.
This passage reveals God's heart for His people. The promised ruler wouldn't be a distant, detached figure, but a shepherd who would lead with strength and care. In our world of quick solutions and instant gratification, God's timing might seem slow, but His promises are certain. The centuries between this prophecy and Jesus' birth remind us that God's timeline often differs from our own.
The promise concludes with peace - not just any peace, but a peace that comes from knowing we are securely held in God's care. This ruler's greatness would extend beyond Israel to the ends of the earth, offering hope and security to all who would follow Him. In Jesus, we find this promise fulfilled - the shepherd-king who brings peace not through force, but through love and sacrifice.
Further Reading:
"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this." - Isaiah 9:6-7
Ask the Following Questions:
1. How does God's choice of Bethlehem challenge your understanding of where and how God works in the world?
2. In what areas of your life are you waiting for God to fulfill His promises? How does this passage encourage you in your waiting?
3. The prophecy describes Jesus as both a powerful ruler and a caring shepherd. How does this dual nature of Christ impact your relationship with Him today?
Prayer:
Lord God, thank you for fulfilling your promises in ways we couldn't imagine. Help us to trust in your perfect timing, even when we struggle to understand it. Give us the patience to wait for your purposes to unfold, and the faith to believe that you are working even in the smallest and most overlooked places in our lives. May we find our peace in Jesus, our shepherd-king, who came to seek and save us. In His name we pray, Amen.