2)
And thou Bethlehem Ephrathah art little to be among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me, that shall be the ruler in Israel: whose goings forth have been from the beginning and from everlasting.Micah 5:2 (1599 Geneva Bible)
Introduction
The Bible is straightforward. There is no major doctrine at all that leaves its reader stuck in the throes of the mysterious or the unclear. This includes the birth of Jesus in the Bible. For this we can and must be thankful.
God has given us a religion free of questions as to its major statutes. Through His Word we know how to be saved, how to live as we were originally meant to, and we come to know ultimate meaning through a relationship with Jesus as our Savior.“The Bible’s literality means we can trust it, and its depth means we can learn and grow from it.’
The Bible is also supremely rich. Its depths are literally endless. So then, humanity has at its disposal in the Bible something at once clear and insightful.
Every time you interact with scripture, its important to remember that. It will make your Bible reading and spiritual growth that much better. Why?
The Bible’s literality means we can trust it, and its depth means we can learn and grow from it. Therefore, we can come to the Word of God with confidence and expectation.
With that in mind, a verse like Micah 5:2 opens up to us with magnificent grandeur as it teaches us about who Jesus is.
All About Our Savior-King
As Micah transitions in this chapter of his book from a pronouncement of judgement to describing the future hope for Israel and Judah, he gives readers a verse overflowing with profound gospel truth, including lessons to be learned and applied.
It is one of the many Messianic prophecies in the Bible. These were moments when prophets in the Old Testament divinely fore-spoke Christ’s incarnation. From these we learn to appreciate the gravity behind the birth of Jesus in the Bible.
There are many of them, and their fulfillment represents a great apologetic for Christianity and an encouraging reminder of God’s sovereign hand over the world and His people.
In this great prophecy by Micah, we learn not only that Jesus was to come, but also about who He is. The shear immensity of theology in this little verse, particularly in terms of Christology, is astounding.
First, there is insight into the trinity. Jesus will “come forth unto” God the Father. We see that the plan of God the Father is in full concert with His Son.“In this great prophecy by Micah, we learn not only that Jesus was to come, but also about who He is.”
In this Jesus is shown to be both God and man. He is at once everlasting, and divine and yet a man (“he”) who will be born. Through it all stands His relationship with His Father.
Second, we learn about the mission of Jesus. He will come forth unto God to fulfill and do God’s will. Jesus confirmed this when he stated that His mission was to do the will of Him that “sent” Him. (Jn. 6:38)
To accomplish the plan of so great salvation, He will come as a “ruler in Israel,” for only one endowed with divine Kingly authority as the “King of kings” and “Lord of lords” could be the substitute for our sins and fulfill the Father’s will.
When Jesus came He sought and saved the lost. (Lk. 19:10) He accomplished this by pointing us to the Father and by showing us that He must be the King of our hearts. Knowing Jesus is synonymous with life eternal. (Jn. 17:3)
Lastly, we learn about Jesus’ eternal nature. The cosmic imagery implied in the phrase “from the beginning and from everlasting” is arresting.
From it we glean that Jesus’ “goings forth,” meaning His origin, has always been. Jesus has continually existed and will continue to exist for all time. When He came to earth He stepped out of eternity to save us and redeem us.“Through it all, He knows us, and loves us more than we can ever fathom.”
Jesus looks down at us all at once. He sees our past, present and future.
All that we go through, He understands, even when we do not.
In times of anguish, He is there and He is equally with us during seasons of joy. Through it all, He knows us, and loves us more than we can ever fathom.
Parents, think about how you feel about your children as you watch different parts of their lives unfold. When bad moments come you want to wish them away, while you cheer on and desire the good times for your children to never end.
It is so much the same yet infinitely more with God. As Christians, we are His children, and if we, as sinful humans, lavish on our children good gifts, how much more will our “Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” (Matt. 7:11)
Conclusion
Ultimately, He doesn’t just give us good things, He gives us the best thing!
Micah has shown us that Jesus is part of the trinity, that He is a King, that He came for an express mission and that He is eternal.
Lest we focus too much on these great theological insights, let us not forget the why behind it all – that best thing that He came to give us if we but ask – that thing which is life! (I Jn. 5:11-12)
For more content about the birth of Jesus in the Bible, check out our latest Christmas Bible study.