Micah 5:2 – “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 of old, from everlasting.”
I am always amazed when I read this verse! 700 years before the birth of Christ the prophet Micah pinpoints the birthplace of Jesus Christ. The gift of prophecy, when it is exercised in its authenticity, is extremely accurate and bold. It would have been much easier just to say, “But you, Israel…” A much broader geography would have been a much safer approach. But God wanted us to be sure about the Savior. There would be no question as to who He would be. He is characterized as not only born in Bethlehem, but also a Ruler, and One whose origins are from the distant past (“Before Abraham was, I am” – John 8:58).
His reign and ministry on earth is characterized a few verses after our text in verses 4 and 5.
He will be a Shepherd – “He shall stand and feed His flock…” Jesus Himself makes this abundantly clear in John chapter 10.
He will be the Anointed One – “…In the strength of the Lord…” His ministry will be done in power and might. We know this to be true by simply reading the gospels and seeing the wonderful works of our Savior. The great news is He is still doing them today!
His ministry shall fill the earth – “…For now He shall be great to the ends of the earth…” The greatness of Jesus has been reaching to the ends of the earth since the early days of Pentecost. The gospel was not meant to be contained in Jerusalem. But as Jesus said, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature…” – Mark 16:15.
He will be the Prince of Peace – “And this One shall be peace…” The turmoil of the soul finds rest in the Savior. There is a peace that is provided that passes all understanding; a peace that guards the heart and mind; a peace that surrounds us and says, “be still.”
Micah 5:2 is a great prophecy for the Christmas season. Grab hold of the beginning of our text, “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…” Great things can happen in humble places.