READING: Micah 1-7, Revelation 14
It seems so appropriate that today’s Old Testament reading takes us to Micah 5:2, a text that foreshadows the coming of the Messiah: “Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are small among the clans of Judah; one will come from you to be ruler over Israel for me. His origin is from antiquity, from ancient times.” Whereas many of the kings whose thrones rested in the magnificent city of Jerusalem failed in their leadership, the Messiah would come from Bethlehem—a small, apparently unimpressive place. From that area came King David, and from that same area would come King Jesus.
The eternal One would come to earth. He would shepherd His people, and His reign would be “to the ends of the earth” (Mic 2:6). The town of Bethlehem may have been small, but Matthew nevertheless affirms that place as central to the plan of God: “And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah: Because out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.” No town or city—other than Bethlehem–would carry the significance of this non-descript birthplace of the Redeemer.
More than one writer has noted that God’s willingness to be born in this town is evidence of His humility and His willingness to work within the weakest, least-expected followers of Yahweh. This message is surely good for us to hear, as not one of us is so gifted that God somehow “needs” us; rather, He chooses to use nobodies so He alone gets the glory.
PRAYER: “Father, make me willing to be a nobody for Your glory today.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Nahum 1-3, Revelation 15-16
