"But as for you, Bethlehem (Ephrathah), too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity." (v.2)
Here, the prophet Micah, inspired by God, pinpoints the site where the Messiah would be born, 700 years before the event. It would not be Rome, nor Athens, or Jerusalem but in the little town of Bethlehem – home to shepherds, the outcasts of the religious elite. This birthplace speaks volumes of our Lord’s personality and priorities – topics for deeper consideration and study.
In our text we also see the glorious prophecy (which was fulfilled by Jesus Christ) that the One Ruler of Israel (although He would be born in Bethlehem), His goings forth are from eternity past. The Bible tells us that Jesus is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End (Revelation 22:13). This means from the very beginning, Jesus was there - from Genesis to Revelation you will find Him.
There simply was never a time when the Jesus did not exist.
The Truth: “But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the rulers of Judah; For out of you shall come a Ruler, One who will shepherd My people Israel.” (Matthew 2:6)
