Out Of Bethlehem, The Ruler Has Come

About 700 years before Christ, Jesus’s birth, location and other key information about the Lord was revealed unto the prophet Micah. If it was not a prophesy but a guess, Micah could have easily said Jerusalem, just to cover his basis. However, God spoke to Micah and told him of Bethlehem and other characteristics of Christ. Here’s how it reads, 1“but thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” So let’s get right into this to see what we learn. In a small town of Bethlehem shall come forth a baby from God. He would be known as a ruler and King of the Jews. This person is God for He has no beginning or end. These characteristics are of Jesus, our Lord God, in the flesh. And for that reason, it would have been apparent to Micah and the people that their Savior and King was really coming. What is fascinating is that Isaiah (740-681 BC) and king Ahaz (735-715 BC) received different prophesies of Jesus’s birth as well and they also lived in the same time period as Micah (737-696 BC). There was much prophesy going forth at this time, more importantly of Jesus, their Messiah.

So with all prophesies, they need to be tested, in order to know if they are true. So we test the prophesy given to Micah with the coming of the Lord Jesus. His birth is recorded in Matthew 1 and 2, but for this fulfillment of prophesy we will focus on chapter 2. It reads, 2“now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, and thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.” Wow, what was recorded in Micah was right on par with the birth of Jesus. I will cover each of these things but before we do, who was the wise men looking for? The King of the Jews. And who was to come out of Bethlehem? The ruler of Israel. That is just one fulfillment to this prophesy.

As was mentioned in Matthew, the coming of Jesus was in fulfillment of the prophesy of Micah. Herod’s men knew this and mentioned the following to him, 1” in Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, and thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.” They knew of this day to come, as well as the Wise Men. Lastly, if Jesus is 1“from of old, from everlasting.” Then this had to have been mentioned as well. And with all prophesy, it was. Jesus said in the book of Revelation, 3“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.” To hear this should bring shivers down your spine as the Mighty God fulfilled this prophesy in what He said. What is more important is that obedience to His commandments are important. Only by doing as the Lord commands will a person have right to the tree of life, in heaven, and go through the gates of the city. If you are a believer of Jesus and wish this, then never forget the importance of following Jesus and abiding in His laws. Follow Your King, will lead you safely home.

Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that the prophesy and fulfillment of Your birth will spark more people into not only believing but following You. Yes, God, I know that this prophesy of You coming into the world, 700 years before your birth, was important enough as for Ahaz, Isaiah and Micah to find out about it. And as You are supreme and never go against Your Words, You were born in Bethlehem as prophesied. People did come to know You as the King of the Jews, which is your rightful calling. Yes God, You are the Lord of all, who has come to save us all from our sins. You are my King and therefore my desire is to come unto You often through the Bible and prayer. May Your counsel and teachings rest upon me and give me new insights on life and how to fulfill Your will. My desires are to follow You and do as You command. For I am nothing without You, Lord. Because You came into this world, I have a new found freedom that did not exist before. You came and suffered for my sins that I may not suffer for my own sins. You paid the price and took all my baggage upon Yourself, that I might live again. Thank You Lord. May You ever be with me that I may be led away from temptation and follow You. You are my delight, so lead me into Your light. I love You. Amen.

Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.

1Micah 5:1-4 (KJV)
1 Now gather thyself in troops, O daughter of troops: he hath laid siege against us: they shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek.
2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
3 Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel.
4 And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God; and they shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth.

2Matthew 2:1-12 (KJV)
1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,
2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.
3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.
4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.
5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,
6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.
7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.
8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.
9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.
10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.
11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.
12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

3Revelation 22:10-17 (KJV)
10 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.
11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.
14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.
16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

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