Bethlehem: Christmas Series Part 8

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from old, from everlasting. Micah 5:2

Tiny Bethlehem, just south of Jerusalem, has witnessed a mighty flow of history. Rachel died there and was buried by the wayside (see Genesis 48:7). Just east of there, Ruth gleaned the fields and met Boaz who, marrying her, would tie her into the Messiah’s direct genealogy. The psalmist David was born there, and as a teen he was anointed there as king by the prophet Samuel (see 1 Samuel 16:4-13). There three of David’s mighty men risked their lives to get him a drink of water from the well when he was being fiercely pursued by Saul (see 2 Samuel 23:13-17).

But above all other cities and every other notable event, Bethlehem stands alone—shining forever as a beacon in history—as the birthplace of Him whose goings forth were from old, from everlasting.

Micah, the prophet who foretold that Bethlehem would be the origin of the One who would be Ruler in Israel, lived about 700 to 750 years before the birth of Christ.

This Ruler would be One whose goings forth are from old, from everlasting. The people of God anticipated this Ruler; they knew He would be Someone very special; but here Micah declared that He would be from old and from everlasting. He was yet to be born, yet He was from before the days of antiquity. The thought boggled the mind.

Who could have been alive from everlasting except the Ancient of Days Himself?

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.…And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:1-2; 14

He—the One who would be Ruler in Israel—is also the One who was in the beginning with God and who was the Word of God—and who was God—yesterday, today, and forever. He became flesh, was conceived within the womb of a virgin, and entered the human race to dwell among us.

In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. John 1:4-5

At the right time, in tiny Bethlehem, was born the Word of God. He came to be Ruler in Israel; He came from everlasting into time and space. He came to those dwelling in darkness; in Him was life and His life was the Light of men.

He beckons to all—to the Jew first and also to the Gentile (see Romans 1:16)—calling to men and women throughout history and from all ends of the earth—I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life (John 8:12). Many have come to His light—the Light that was born long ago in the tiny town of Bethlehem.

His light still shines in darkness, and try as it might, the darkness has never been able to comprehend it. But to as many as receive Him, believing in His name, to them He gives the right to become sons and daughters of God (see John 1:12).

May the Light of life, born in Bethlehem, enlighten your path and shine through your heart and life as you trust wholeheartedly in Him.

Dorothy

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from old, from everlasting. Micah 5:2

© 2015, Dorothy Frick