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Micah 5:2 - The coming Messiah
Matthew Henry referred to this verse as the most significant prophecy in the Old Testament and for good reason. Genesis 3:15 the prototype of the Gospel explains that the Redeemer shall crush the head of the serpent. Micah 5:2 narrows it down as to what tribe the Messiah would come from and where He would be born!
The coming Messiah
"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from old, from everlasting." (Micah 5:2-NKJV)
At least four statements are clear here.
- The Messiah is to be born in Bethlehem Ephrathah.
- Bethlehem Ephrathah is little among Judah
- Out of Bethlehem Ephrathah will come the Ruler of Israel.
- His goings forth are from of old from everlasting
Lets zoom in on those details. Firstly there were two Bethlehem's and the one in question here is five miles south of Jerusalem whilst the other one is in Zebulun. Bethlehem means house of bread and Ephrathah means fruitful and is interesting that our Messiah was born in a place by that name!
Secondly Bethlehem Ephrathah is little among Judah. So little in fact that it doesn't even get a mention in Joshua 15 where the cities and even some villages are listed yet we sing the hymn 'Once in Royal David's city'! But isn't it incredible that our Messiah chose not to be born in Jerusalem 5 miles up into great spledour and majesty yet condescended to come down and be born in a lowly cattle shed. In the same way Moses the most humble man on the face of the earth (see Num 12:3) was used despite being slow of speech to be a prophet, a spokesperson for God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. In Deuteronomy 18 Moses spoke of a 'prophet like me' from the midst of the brethren and unto Him would be the obedience of the people.
The Ruler of Israel would come from Judah. He is the Root of Jesse (Isaiah 11:1) and would also fulfill His covenant with David 'And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever.' (2 Sam 7:16)
Fourthly His goings forth are from of old, from everlasting. In the Hebrew 'Old' in this verse and context refers to always, continually. From everlasting is 'Yowm, Olam' meaning eternity always, continuance, eternal, perpetual.' In other words the Messiah is fully God, not a created being without a beginning. This smashes on the head the views of those involved in Christian cults who try and deny the deity of the God-Man aspect of Jesus our Messiah!
Micah 5:2 is also referenced and misquoted in Matthew 2:6. King Herod was an Edomite, a descendant of Esau and therefore an enemy of the lineage of Jacob. When he was approached by the magi as to where the Messiah was he enquired of the chief priests and the scribes. It was therefore in Herod's interests personally and politically to prevent the Jewish Messiah from being born!
They responded saying "In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: But you Bethlehem in the land of Judah, are not the least among the leaders of Judah; for out of you shall come forth a Ruler who will shepherd My people Israel." (Matthew 2:5-6)
Okay so where is the reference to the Messiah being from old and everlasting? Spot the deliberate mistake! What is even more tragic though is that the maji endeavour to make a great journey being guided by the star whilst the chief priests and scribes know the prophecy and would have studied the Scriptures their whole lives but it was too much for them to go five miles down the road to worship Jesus the Messiah! That's the difference between head knowledge and heart knowledge! You may be able to impress others and recite vast amounts of Scripture but if you don't know Jesus the Messiah spoken of in the Scriptures how will that benefit you?
Finally in Herod's spite to either test, delay or annul Micah's prophecy, like Pharaoh he tries to kill all the Hebrew baby boys in the vicinity. In doing so he inadvertently plays his part in fulfilling another three.
Joseph, Mary annd Jesus went to Egypt 'that it might be fufilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophets saying "Out of Egypt I called My Son" (Matthew 2v15) (see Numbers 24:8 & Hosea 11:1)
Secondly 'Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying:
"A voice was heard in Ramah. lamentation, weeping, and great mourning. Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more." (Matt 2:18)
and finally... 'And he came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, "He shall be called a Nazarene." (Matt 2:23)
Nowadays so many of us make great effort to trace their genealogy or their family trees through friends or by the Internet and the Mormons spend a fortune on their facility with the false hope of baptising the dead! Lets not make the same mistake, but seek to know Jesus our Messiah more intimately whose comings forth are from old, from everlasting!
Amen! |
