A Life Worth Living

Micah 5:2 (NLT)But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf.

The promise of the Messiah’s birth in Bethlehem was so certain that about 800 years later when questioned by Herod about the Messiah’s birthplace, the chief priests and rulers confidently referred to Bethlehem. God’s people were well aware that He had chosen this seemingly weak town as the Messiah’s birth site (Matt 2:3-6). It is a recurring theological truth that God employs the weak to showcase His power, a principle reiterated time and again. However, I want to point us to a transformation in Bethlehem’s status.  

When they quote Micah, the chief priests, and rulers state; 
“‘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.” (Matt 2:6)

Bethlehem is no longer described as “least” but rather as “by no means the least.” Why the change in status? The Bible Knowledge Commentary helpfully explains, “By virtue of its divine choice as the site for the Messiah’s birth, the most insignificant place will bring forth the most pre-eminent person.” That was Micah’s point all along. Bethlehem once considered weak would undergo a transformation in status because the Messiah, the most preeminent figure, would emerge from it.

Matthew 2:6 is directing our attention to a profound truth — The divine selection of the insignificant Bethlehem not only fulfills prophecy, it elevates the chosen to a status beyond its former limitations. Let me restate it this way; The divine selection of the insignificant elevates the chosen to a status beyond their former limitations. Not by their own doing, but by God’s. (See Psalm 113:7-8). 

Does Messiah live in you? If yes, then though you are weak, you can say ‘I am strong because of what the Lord has done.’

Writing this brings Don Moen’s ‘Give Thanks’ to mind. He sings;

And now, let the weak say I am strong. Let the poor say I am rich, because of what the Lord has done for us. Give thanks!

I invite you to sing that song with me this week.