Micah 5:2-But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, although you are small among the tribes of Judah, from you will come forto for Me one who will be ruler over Israel. His orgins are from of old, ancient days.
ASV- Micah 5:2- But thou, Beth-lehem Ephrathah, which art little to be among the [a]thousands of Judah, out of thee shall one come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth are from of old, [b]from everlasting.
Bethlehem-Beth Lecham in greek. A “house of bread,” a city in Judah.
Ephrathah-Ephrath or Ephrathah in the greek, means proper name, of a location. In this text that location is “Judah.”
The Prophet Micah was one of the 12 minor prophets, which means he was one that God used to write one of the shortest books of the old testament called the book of “Micah.”
Micah prophesied during the reigns of kings Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah of Judah.
In this text found in the book of Micah vs#2, God Himself prophecies that “though small among the tribe of Judah, although Bethlehem was not a place of importance to the unbelievers, although Bethlehem may be small and unimportant in the eyes of the enemy, although David may have been insignificant among his brothers, “YET”, out of Bethlehem and through the lineage of David will come forth unto God, a “RULER” over God’s people Israel.
This “RULER” WILL come forth unto Him (God) to rule in Israel. God goes on to say that this “Ruler” is not someone new, but one whose going forth is from eternity past. None other than “Jesus The Christ” whom God is referencing here.
Many people today view this prophecy as not yet being fulfilled, but scripture declares that over 2k years ago God put on flesh and dwelt among men.
John 1:14-The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
Jesus first came as Savior of the world. To “Redeem” us from the penalty of sin and death through the shedding of His blood.
Luke 19:10-For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.”
Jesus 2nd coming will be as “Judge. Matthew 16:27-For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
Matthew 24:36-But of that day and hour knoweth no [man], no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.
David may have seemed insignificant to his brothers and Bethlehem may have seem to be an insignificant place to man, but it was a place like no other in the eyes of God for indeed it would be the place where God’s Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior would enter into the world as a human like you and I in hopes of showing us the way to the Father in heaven, through the spiritual lense of faith, grace, mercy and hope.
Joy awaits those who expects His return and horror awaits those who are not prepared to meet Him.
1 Corinthians 1:27-But God choose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.