Day 13: Hearing the Prophets
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor bears a son, and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites. He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. And he will be our peace when the Assyrians invade our land and march through our fortresses. We will raise against them seven shepherds, even eight commanders. - Micah 5:2-5
Devotional:
A few years ago, I was helping my daughter with a puzzle. She was getting frustrated because she couldn't see how all the pieces would come together to match the picture on the box. "Trust me," I told her, "each piece has its place." Two hours later, when we placed the final piece, her eyes lit up with understanding. The picture had been there all along; we just needed patience to see it unfold.
This reminds me of a men's retreat I led at a remote camp retreat in Kentucky. Before we left, we spent months fundraising, planning, and preparing. Ted, my Men's team leader kept a journal of every donation, every encouraging word, and every "coincidence" that helped us get there. When we finally arrived and saw how perfectly everything aligned he pulled out that journal and said "Look, God was writing this story long before we got here."
Micah's prophecy about Bethlehem is like that. Written roughly 700 years before Jesus' birth, it was one piece of a divine puzzle that God was carefully assembling. Bethlehem, despite being a small, seemingly insignificant town, was designated as the birthplace of the Messiah. This wasn't just a random prediction; it was part of God's intricate plan, spoken long before Mary and Joseph made their famous journey.
What's particularly striking about this prophecy is its detail. Not just any Bethlehem, but "Bethlehem Ephrathah" – distinguishing it from another Bethlehem in Israel. Not just any ruler, but one "whose origins are from of old." The prophecy even describes his character and the scope of his reign – he would be a shepherd to his people, bringing peace and security. When we read these words alongside the Christmas story, we see God's masterful planning, where every detail serves a purpose.
This prophecy reminds us that God's voice often speaks long before we see the fulfillment. Sometimes we're called to trust the pieces before we see the whole picture. Just as Bethlehem's significance wasn't apparent until that first Christmas night, God might be working in what seems small or insignificant in our lives, preparing it for something greater than we can imagine.
Reflection Questions:
What promises from God are you waiting to see fulfilled in your life?
How does knowing that God plans things centuries in advance affect your trust in His timing?
Prayer Prompt: Ask God to help you trust His long-term plans, even when you can't see how all the pieces fit together, and to give you patience in waiting for His promises to be fulfilled.