Scripture

But you, O Bethlehem Ephratha,

are only a small village among all the people of Judah.

Yet, a ruler of Israel will come from you,

one whose origins are in the distant past.

Observation

The enemy is laying siege to Jerusalem, and they will strike down Israel’s leader. But a king will come out of Bethlehem whose origins are from the past.

The people of Israel will be abandoned to their enemies, but they will return from exile. This king will lead his flock with the Lord’s strength, and his people will live peacefully in the land. He will be the source of peace.

Application

When the wise men asked Herod where the Messiah was to be born, it was this passage that his advisers quoted.

While Jerusalem, the centre of power, was under siege, the Lord was pointing to a small inconsequential place, from where an important king would emerge.

Bethlehem was the home of King David. It was the pace to which Joseph and Mary were forced to travel to have their baby.

Bethlehem became the birth place for this king, Jesus whose origin was in eternity past.

Today Bethlehem is famous all over the world as the place where the King of Kings was born.

God’s ways are truly amazing.

For those of us who are inconsequential in the way the world sees things, we know that God sees us. That is all that matters.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, you choose the lowly to confound the high born, the poor to overcome the elites. Please help me to always be submitted to you and to follow your ways. Amen.