Highlights:
Micah details astonishing power and might of God (Mic. 1:3-4), who is worthy of our praise and worship (7:7-20). Predicted judgment breaks the Father's heart. He sheds tears (1:8). Jesus foreshadowed (2:13; 5:2,4). Persecution by nations but God has a plan (4:11-12). Check out the bottom line (6:8).
Seven hundred years before Christ was born, God led the little-known prophet Micah to foretell His birthplace — Bethlehem Ephratah, about six miles southwest of Jerusalem (Mic. 5:2). This prophecy was the answer given by the scribes to Herod when he demanded to know where Christ was to be born (Matt. 2:3-6).
Thou, Bethlehem Ephratah (Mic. 5:2) — Bethlehem in Hebrew means "House of Bread"; and it is, literally, because Christ, who is the Bread of Life, was born there (John 6:35).
Christ is the Bread of Life that sustains the believer. Jesus, after His 40-day fast, said: Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God (Matt. 4:4). This means we cannot separate Christ and the words He spoke from the Word of God — the Bible — all of which is His Written Word. Ephratah signifies fruitfulness or abundance. Our Lord not only sustains the believer but He always satisfies.
A significant statement of Micah's prophecy is: Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting (Mic. 5:2). This proclaims the deity and eternal existence of the Redeemer King Jesus who said: Before Abraham was, I am (John 8:58). He could not be the Savior of mankind and suffer for the sins of the world if He had had a sinful nature like everyone else. Because of this, Jesus the Son of God was born without a human father. Therefore, the Angel Gabriel announced to Mary, a virgin: Thou shalt . . . bring forth a Son, and shalt call His Name JESUS (God is Salvation). . . . of His Kingdom there shall be no end. . . . (He) shall be called the Son of God (Luke 1:31-35).
Notice the position of Bethlehem — little among the thousands of Judah (Mic. 5:2). Bethlehem was an insignificant place. Your life may seem insignificant; but, when you receive Christ as your Savior, your body becomes a Temple of the Living God — and that makes you very important to God. Know ye not that your body is the Temple of the Holy Ghost (Spirit) which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's (I Cor. 6:19-20).
Thought for Today:
Not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spake concerning you; all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof (Josh. 23:14).
Christ Revealed:
As the Ruler in Israel (Mic. 5:2). Jesus will rule not only Israel but the world. She brought forth a man Child, who was to rule all nations (Rev. 12:5).
Word Studies:
1:16 Make thee bald, and poll thee for thy delicate children shave your head as a sign of sorrow for your children, who shall be taken from you into exile; 2:5 none that shall cast a cord by lot no one who shall divide inheritances (because there shall be no inheritance to divide — see vs 4); 2:7 straitened limited; do not My words do good to him that walketh uprightly this speaks of our Creator, the Spirit of the Lord, and His Word, His perfect Guide to life; 2:13 The Breaker refers here to Messiah; 6:9 hear ye the rod obey the rod, the instrument of the coming judgment of God.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts in honor of Joshua Belisle's 10th Birthday • Government Officials: Rep. Jerry Costello (IL), Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (FL), Sec. Robert Gates (Dept. of Defense), Rep. Doris Matsui (CA), and Rep. Gregory Meeks (NY) • Country: Angola (11 million) in west-central Africa • Major languages: Portuguese and Bantu dialects • Christianity is gradually being driven underground by communism • 60% Roman Catholic; 20% Protestant; 5% belief in ancestor spirits, witches, and medicine men • Prayer Suggestion: Cry out to God daily for mercy (Ps. 86:3).
Memory Verse for the Week:
