Micah 5:2-4 (NIV)
2 “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”
3 Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor bears a son, and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites.
4 He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth."
Micah is not exactly a prophet who stands out in one’s mind. Most of the book of Micah is pretty gloom and doom. In fact, Micah is probably more famous as a currently popular boy’s name than it is as a book of the Bible. But then there is Chapter 5, the chapter of power and hope. Although you are small, you have not been forgotten Judah. God has great things in store for you. You are small, yet powerful.
I especially love verse 2 and the line “out of you will come one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times”. I think this verse appeals to me because it reminds us that God had a plan long, long ago for his people, and that through Jesus we are part of that plan. We are part of something ancient and powerful.
These verses also remind us that Jesus will bring His people back together. There is a powerful truth to that as well. Only Jesus can make us one. One as Christians, one as neighbors, and one as humankind.
There is powerful imagery in these verses as well. Close your eyes and picture a victorious Jesus standing as shepherd of his flock. Shepherd of his people. I draw such comfort from this image.
We are the people of a powerful God, with an ancient and powerful plan to bring a lasting and powerful peace and security to his people.
That’s my God...powerful.
Prayer: Thank you God for being awesome in power. For giving your people hope in ancient times and still today. Amen
-RSL
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