The Ruler from Bethlehem
Micah 5:1-5 (ESV) “The Ruler to Be Born in Bethlehem. Now muster your troops, O daughter of troops; siege is laid against us; with a rod they strike the judge of Israel on the cheek. 2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. 3 Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labour has given birth; then the rest of his brothers shall return to the people of Israel. 4 And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth. 5 And he shall be their peace. When the Assyrian comes into our land and treads in our palaces, then we will raise against him seven shepherds and eight princes of men”
Out of a little Judean town would come Someone from eternity to be a ruler in Israel. David was a native of Bethlehem. The mention of this town stresses the humble origin of both David and His future successor.
When the wise men came looking for the new-born “king of the Jews,” King Herod asked the Bible experts where to search. They referred him to this passage, which foretold that the Messiah would come from the small town of Bethlehem.
Matthew 2:6 (NIV) ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’
Bethlehem means house of bread (beth: house, lehem:of bread), and bread held great importance in Bible times. It was a staple in the ancient diet and provided not only comfort but nourishment necessary for survival. Used in Temple worship, bread also came to symbolise God’s provision and presence and played an important role in Jewish Passover celebrations.
John 6:32-35 (NIV) “Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” 34 “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.” 35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
God sent His Son to give us peace, the Bread of life, birthed in the house of bread, to give us life, from now to eternity. This Christmas, may we all feast on the One who longs to daily nourish and sustain us and fill us with overflowing, beyond what we can imagine.