By Dr. Robert C Crowder
Reading:
Micah 5:2-5 But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. 3 Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel. 4 And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God; and they shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth. 5 And this man shall be the peace…
Luke 2:1-7 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. 2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
Reflection:
Micah’s prophecy is one of the most precise in all of Scripture. Seven hundred years before Christ’s birth, the prophet identified the exact location where the Messiah would be born: Bethlehem Ephratah, a small town in Judah, distinguished from another Bethlehem in the north. Though Bethlehem was “little among the thousands of Judah,” from it would come forth the Ruler whose “goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” This is a clear declaration of the Messiah’s eternal preexistence; He who would be born in time is the One who has existed from eternity past.
The prophecy reveals both humility and majesty. The eternal God would enter the world not in Jerusalem, the royal city, not in Rome, the center of power, but in Bethlehem, a village so small it barely registered on the political map. God’s ways are not our ways. The world searches for power in palaces; God reveals power in a stable. The world measures significance by size and status; God measures it by obedience and purpose. Bethlehem’s obscurity magnified God’s glory. No one could claim that human effort or political maneuvering produced the Messiah. This was divine intervention in its purest form.
Micah describes the coming Ruler in pastoral terms: “He shall stand and feed in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God; and they shall abide.” The imagery is of a shepherd tending his flock, standing watch, providing food, giving rest. This is not a picture of a distant monarch issuing edicts from a throne. This is the picture of Immanuel, God with us, dwelling among His people and caring for them personally.
Jesus identified Himself with this image: “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”[1] A hired hand flees when danger comes, but the true shepherd lays down his life. Christ did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many (Mark 10:45).[2] The child in the manger was the eternal Shepherd who would one day lay down His life on a Roman cross to purchase His sheep with His own blood.
The security Micah prophesied flows from the Shepherd’s strength: “They shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth. And this man shall be the peace.”Notice the connection; greatness and peace are inseparable in Christ’s reign. He is not great or peaceful; He is great therefore peaceful. His power is not tyrannical but protective. His strength is not oppressive but sheltering. Under His rule, the flock abides in safety because the Shepherd is mighty to save.
The world dictates that to have peace, it can only be found through power; military strength, economic dominance, or political control. Nations arm themselves and build alliances, hoping that superior force will guarantee security. But true peace is not found in chariots or horses.[3] The Shepherd’s power and tenderness bring peace. When Christ shepherds your heart, even chaos around you cannot overthrow the calm within.
Luke’s account of the nativity brings Micah’s prophecy into sharp focus. Caesar Augustus, the most powerful man in the world, issued a decree that set in motion the fulfillment of ancient prophecy. He thought he was conducting a census for taxation. However, God was positioning a virgin from Nazareth in Bethlehem at the exact moment for the Messiah’s birth. The emperor’s decree served the eternal plan. Human power, at its zenith, was merely the instrument of divine sovereignty. And while Caesar sat on his throne in Rome, the true King was born and resting in a feeding trough in Bethlehem.
This Advent, remember that peace is not the result of controlling your circumstances or eliminating your problems. It is the gift of surrendering to the Shepherd who controls all things. Let Him feed you in His strength when your own resources run dry. Let Him lead you in His majesty when the path ahead seems uncertain. Let Him give you rest in His security when fear threatens to overwhelm you. The child of Bethlehem is the eternal Shepherd, and under His tender care, you shall abide in safety all the days of your life.
Prayer:
- Ask the Gentle Shepherd to quiet your restless soul and teach you to rest in His care.
- Thank Him for coming in humility to bring peace to His flock, and pray that He would lead, feed, and protect you today.
Consider:
Take ten minutes of complete silence today; no phone, no music, no distractions. Sit quietly and let the stillness remind you of God’s nearness. Meditate on Psalm 23 and thank the Shepherd for His faithful care over your life.
[1] John 10:11
[2] Mark 10:45
[3] Psalm 20:7
Robert C. Crowder Ministries 
Leave a comment