Micah 5:2 “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”
After God gave His promise in the Garden of Eden that He would one day bring forth a Savior that would undo the curse, He also said that a sign would be given when the child would be born. Yesterday, we saw that He was prophesied to be born of a virgin. Later, God revealed where His Son would be born – in Bethlehem of Judea.
Bethlehem was a small town (“though thou be little”) that was not far from Jerusalem. The town was known as the birthplace of David. Many years before Joseph and Mary, God had told David that the Savior would come through his descendants. The people of Jesus’ day knew it and some of them said: “Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?” (John 7:42).
That Christ would be born of the descendants of David was promised several times in the Bible. One of the Scriptures that had promised this centuries before Christ’s birth (and centuries after David) was Jeremiah 23:5,6: “Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth. In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.”
Even though both Mary and Joseph were descendants of David, neither of them lived in Bethlehem. When the time came, God had to bring them to this little town so that Jesus could be born there.
God moved in Caesar’s heart at the right time to create a taxing of the people. When the taxing was declared, he demanded that everyone go to the birthplace of their ancestors – which brought them to Bethlehem right on time – and has God had said.
In addition to the promise that the One born in Bethlehem would be a King, note also the phrase that follows: “whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” This verse, as do many others, reveals that Christ was not just a human, but that He was also God – only God has lived forever past – and He will live forever in the future, too!
God also works all things out for those who will serve Him. He knows how to direct and keep each one of His children that will obey Him. He has always kept His word and will continue to do so. To His children that are saved by faith and serving Him, He says: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
Christian, are you following the Lord today? Can you trust Him enough to do His will for you? Why not recommit to serve Him better this Christmas season – and beyond?