Bethlehem

It is the Messiah who will deliver the people of Israel from tribulation and bring peace to the earth. Today’s passage is a prophecy concerning the Messiah.

Micah 5:2 is one of the well-known Messianic prophecies: “But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will come forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His times of coming forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity.” (1) The place of the Messiah’s birth is Bethlehem, located in the territory of the tribe of Judah. This teaches that the Messiah would be born as a human being. (2) It says, “from long ago, from the days of eternity.” The word “long ago” is the Hebrew “gedem.” This word is used in reference to God in passages such as Proverbs 8:22-23 and Isaiah 37:26. The fact that this word is used concerning the Messiah indicates that the Messiah possesses divinity. (3) That the Messiah possesses both humanity and divinity is also prophesied in passages such as Isaiah 9:6-7 and Jeremiah 23:5-6. “For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us; and the government will rest on His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from then on and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of armies will accomplish this” (Isa. 9:6-7). (4) The first half of verse 3 says, “Therefore He will give them up until the time when she who is in labor has given birth.” “They” refers to the people of Israel. The people of Israel will pass through tribulation until the end of the Great Tribulation (until she who is in labor has given birth). After that, the time of their salvation will come.

The restoration of Israel

The latter half of verse 3 says, “Then the remainder of His Kinsmen will return to the sons of Israel.” In another translation it reads, “Then the residue of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel.” When Israel is restored, two things will take place. (1) “The remnant of Israel” will be gathered into one. In other words, Israel and Judah will be restored as one people. (2) The reign of the Messiah will be established. “And He will arise and shepherd His flock In the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord His God. and they will remain, because at that time He will be great to the ends of the earth.” “He” refers to “the ruler in Israel” (v 2), that is, the Messiah.

What an astonishing thing it is that the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem was prophesied seven hundred years beforehand. Our God is the One who transcends time and exists from eternity to eternity. Let us worship Him.