Micah chapter 5 v2-5:

Wednesday December 16th:  Read Micah chapter 5 v2-5:

Another remarkable prophecy, again centuries before the birth of Jesus, yet so exactly fulfilled in that birth. Bethlehem is named as the place where One Who is to be ” ruler in Israel” will be born. Bethlehem, though the City of David, Israel’s greatest king, was by this time seen as a small and unimportant town – yet the place God has decreed for this promised ruler to be born. We clearly learn that to the  teachers among the Jews, this was recognised as a reference to the coming of the promised Messiah, the Anointed one of God, by the reaction of Herod’s advisers in Matthew 2 v 4-5. Here the prophet is given by the Holy Spirit the awareness that this is God’s eternal purpose ( ” his coming forth is from of old, from ancient days ” )  and He is spoken of as the One who ” shall shepherd His Flock” – we think of Jesus’ own words in John 10 v 11 -16, and of Psalm 23. He will make His flock ( His people) to ” dwell secure”, and ” He shall be their peace”. How clearly, the Lord Jesus is set forth here, and the birth in Bethlehem which we remember at Christmas, but not only His birth, His love and care for His people, those whom he came to save and make His own. If we know the Lord as our Shepherd, by His grace, let us rejoice and praise His Name.