Micah

Micah 5: A ruler comes from Bethlehem

Begin in prayer

Before Micah names the ruler from Bethlehem, who comes “from of old”, please ask the Lord to show your family who He is. Ask Him to teach you what His peace means.

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.

Revelation 22:13

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us the ruler You promised from Bethlehem, who is from ancient times, and help us to see that He is Jesus. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

The chapter opens with a siege of Jerusalem, and the judge of Israel is struck on the cheek with a rod. Then the LORD turns to Bethlehem Ephrathah, small among the clans of Judah, and says that out of it will come a ruler in Israel. His goings out are “from of old, from ancient times”. The ruler will stand and shepherd the people in the LORD’s strength, and He will be great to the ends of the earth. He will be our peace even when Assyria invades the land. The remnant of Jacob will be among the nations like dew on the grass, and like a lion among sheep. Last, the LORD says He will cut off the horses, chariots and strongholds of His people, and destroy their witchcraft and idols.

As you read Micah 5, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God sends a ruler from little Bethlehem, who is from ancient times, to shepherd His people and be their peace.

Micah 5 begins with a siege, and the judge of Israel is struck on the cheek with a rod (verse 1). Israel’s rulers have been shamed, so the LORD points to a small town and promises a ruler from it (verse 2). Bethlehem was the city of David, Israel’s great king (Luke 2 verse 4). Yet this ruler’s goings out are from of old, from ancient times, so His life did not begin in Bethlehem (verse 2). The ruler will shepherd the people in the LORD’s strength, and He will be great to the ends of the earth (verse 4). Micah says, “He will be our peace”, and Paul says that Christ is our peace (Ephesians 2 verse 14).

How does Micah 5 show us that God sends a ruler from little Bethlehem, who is from ancient times, to shepherd His people and be their peace?

God chooses small Bethlehem for the ruler of Israel.

Bethlehem was small among the clans of Judah, and Ephrathah was another name for its district (verse 2). God does not pick the strongest city to give Israel its ruler. The priests and scribes told Herod the Christ would be born in Bethlehem (Matthew 2 verses 4 to 6). Luke tells us that Jesus was born there, in David’s city (Luke 2 verses 4 to 7).

This ruler is from ancient times.

The ruler’s goings out are from of old, from ancient times (verse 2). That means His life did not begin when He was born. John calls Jesus the Word, who was God in the beginning and became flesh (John 1 verses 1 and 14). The child in Bethlehem is the eternal Son of God.

He will shepherd His people and be their peace.

In Micah’s day Assyria was the great enemy, and God says the ruler will be peace even when it invades (verse 5). A shepherd feeds, guides and guards his flock, so this ruler will care for His people as a shepherd does. Jesus called Himself the good shepherd, who lays down his life for the sheep (John 10 verse 11).

The LORD removes every false trust from His people.

The LORD says He will cut off their horses and chariots and tear down their strongholds (verses 10 and 11). He will also destroy witchcraft, engraved images, pillars and Asherah poles (verses 12 to 14). These were what they leaned on instead of Him, and they will no longer worship the work of their hands (verse 13). He also promises vengeance on the nations that did not listen (verse 15).

Memorise

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, being small among the clans of Judah, out of you one will come out to me that is to be ruler in Israel

Micah 5:2

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what do I trust instead of the Lord Jesus, and why do I need Him?

Micah said the ruler would come from Bethlehem, a town “small among the clans of Judah”. Long after Micah, a baby was laid in a feeding trough in that same town, and wise men came to worship Him.

That baby was the One whose goings out are from of old. He is the Son of God, who left heaven to become a man. He grew up to be the shepherd who gave His life for His sheep. On the cross He was struck and mocked, and the price of His people’s sin was fully paid. God raised Him to life, and He lives as the ruler of His people.

Turn from your sin, and put your trust in Jesus. Come to Him, and He will give you peace with God and forgiveness for your sins.

Parent's note

Tell your children that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, and that He is the ruler and shepherd of His people. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart. Parents, please explain verses 8 and 15 in your own words, since they speak of judgment on the nations.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for sending the ruler from Bethlehem, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

For there is born to you today, in David’s city, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.

Luke 2:11

Lord God, thank You for sending Your ruler from Bethlehem, whose life reaches back to ancient times. Thank You that Jesus is the good Shepherd. Please help each one of us to leave our idols and trust Him, and give our family His peace. Amen.