Micah 5 · The Lantern

A Ruler from Bethlehem

Now gather yourself in troops, O daughter of troops: he has laid siege against us: they shall strike the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek.

But you, Bethlehem Ephratah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall he come forth to me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

By designating Bethlehem, they [the Jews] were like the builders of Noah's ark, providing others the means of escape, yet themselves perishing in the flood. Like milestones, they showed the way but were incapable of walking along it. They were asked where the Christ was to be born. They answered, "In Bethlehem of Judah.

The text says, "His origin is from the beginning," the beginning, that is, according to the promises made to Abraham and David.

Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which labors has brought forth: then the remnant of his brothers shall return to the children of Israel.

(Verse 3) Because of this, He will give them until the time when she who is in labor gives birth, and the rest of his brothers shall return to the children of Israel. LXX: Therefore, He will give them until the time of the one giving birth: she shall give birth, and the rest of his brothers shall return to the children of Israel.

But now, the same star which led the magi to the place where the infant God was to be found with his virgin mother could of course have led them right to the very city. But it withdrew, and didn't appear at all to them again, until the Jews themselves had been questioned about the city where Christ was to be born.

"He shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has brought forth." This is what the prophet calls Jerusalem. This means he will abandon them to the afflictions of captivity until the time of the return. This means that these predictions will not come true before they are back from their captivity.

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 remain: for now shall he be great to the ends of the earth.

And this man shall be the peace, when the Assyrian shall come into our land: and when he shall tread in our palaces, then shall we raise against him seven shepherds, and eight principal men.

And they shall waste the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod in its entrances: thus shall he deliver us from the Assyrian, when he comes into our land, and when he treads within our borders.

The Remnant of Jacob

And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many people as a dew from the LORD, as the showers upon the grass, that does not wait for man, nor waits for the sons of men.

And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles in the midst of many people as a lion among the beasts of the forest, as a young lion among the flocks of sheep: who, if he go through, both treads down, and tears in pieces, and none can deliver.

Your hand shall be lifted up upon your adversaries, and all your enemies shall be cut off.

And it shall happen in that day, says the LORD, that I will cut off your horses out of the midst of you, and I will destroy your chariots:

And I will cut off the cities of your land, and throw down all your strong holds:

And I will cut off witchcrafts out of your hand; and you shall have no more soothsayers:

Your carved images also will I cut off, and your standing images out of the midst of you; and you shall no more worship the work of your hands.

And I will pluck up your groves out of the midst of you: so will I destroy your cities.

And I will execute vengeance in anger and fury upon the pagans, such as they have not heard.

Micah5

A Ruler from Bethlehem

The Remnant of Jacob