He Shall Be Their Peace

 

From Bethlehem Comes the Ruler – Micah 5:2–end

Dear Friends, Micah 5:2 is one of the great messianic promises of the Old Testament. Out of Bethlehem Ephrathah, “too little to be among the clans of Judah,” shall come forth one who is to be ruler in Israel, “whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.” The little town that seemed insignificant is the place God chooses for the birth of the One who has always been.

The verses that follow describe both the waiting and the work of this ruler. Israel will be given up until the time when she who is in labour has given birth. Then the rest of his brothers shall return, and he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord. He shall be great to the ends of the earth, and “he shall be their peace.”

Micah then turns to what this coming King will do among the nations and among his own people. He will deliver from the Assyrian. The remnant of Jacob will be like dew from the Lord, like a lion among the beasts. Yet the chapter also contains a searching word of purification: God will cut off horses, chariots, cities, strongholds, sorceries, carved images and Asherah poles. He will destroy the things his people have trusted instead of him.

The passage holds together two truths we must not separate. The promised King is from eternity, born in humility, and he will be our peace. At the same time he will not leave idolatry and self-reliance untouched. The One who comes from Bethlehem comes both to save and to cleanse.

For us the promise has already begun to be fulfIilled. Jesus was born in Bethlehem. He is the shepherd of his flock. He is our peace. Yet the call of Micah 5 still stands: to trust him rather than our own strength, and to let him put away whatever we have set up in his place.

Pause & Pray: Thank the Lord that he chose what is little and that the One from of old came among us. Ask him to shepherd you today in his strength, not your own. Pray that he would be your peace, and that he would show you any “horses and chariots” — any substitute securities — that still need to be cut off.

Verse to Remember: “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.” (Micah 5:2 ESV)

Question to Consider: What am I still trusting besides the Shepherd who is our peace?

Article written by Shaun Fereday, Leader @SFGH Church