Micah 5:1-2 What Jesus did in his coming as the Messiah

Micah 5
Verse 2
Bethlehem Ephrathah
- Ephrathah (older name) is added to distinguish Bethlehem from the town of the same name in the territory of Zebulun.

- Bethlehem is also addressed with the masculine pronoun to distinguish it
from the feminine reference to Zion being dominated by foreign soldiers in
verse 1.

A.1. This text is set up with the consistent use of the word “now” in chapter 4 and carried over into chapter 5 verse 1.

4:9-13 helps us see that this work of God is his sovereign plan to fulfill his purpose even if the other nations are not aware of it.

So God still works today. As he sovereignly brought Messiah into the world so he is sovereignly working history out to his appointed end even if nations are not aware of it.
A.1.1 This should comfort us
A.1.2 This should cause us to watch the world with awe
A.1.2.a Watch the news to see the sovereign hand of God in history
A.1.2.b Watch the news and read the prophets to strengthen your
trust in God

As we turn to Micah 5, what do we see about Jesus’ coming?

1. Jesus’ coming demolishes merit
A. Bethlehem was the expected location from which the Messiah would come
1. Matthew 2:6
2. John 7:42
3. This passage was applied to Jesus by Matthew and probably carries
future implications for Israel in the coming reign of Christ at his
return.
a. This creates a challenge for us in reading the OT.
1. What time is the prophet referring to? Now?
Five years from now? Five hundred years?
2. And the answer is usually, YES!

B. Bethlehem means “house of bread” and Ephrathah means “fruitful”
1. Jesus said “I am the bread of life” and taught about the “fruit”
produced by remaining in him. (John 6:35; 15)
2. Note the intricate way the Lord even chooses cities and their names
to speak to the nature of his work.
a. If he chooses even the names with care, how much more does he care for us? He cares for us down to the most minute detail.

C. Bethlehem’s insignificance is stressed
1. Joshua 15:21-63 does not even list Bethlehem among the more than
100 cities allotted to Judah. But clear references (Genesis 48:7) point
to the ancient existence of the city.
2. God chose a city that was so small that it was left off of the registry of cities to bring the Messiah.
3. What is the point?
a. God delights in choosing the weak to highlight his strength
(1 Corinthians 1:27-31)
b. God delights in choosing the weak to demolish and crush
any sense of merit (1 Corinthians 1:31)
c. As God would not allow there to be any claim to significance
to come from a city that Jesus would come from so God will not
allow there to be any boast to come from anyone he saves. God
chooses and saves on his own merit and perfection. We are
not saved by our own significance. We have none. We are
saved by the merit of God’s own perfection counted to us by
the justifying work of Jesus on the cross.

2. Jesus’ Coming Will Accomplish God’s Purpose v. 2 “shall come forth for me”
A. This is stated in contrast with how the King’s viewed their rule
1. Jesus is seeking the Father’s praise
2. Jesus is seeking the Father’s praise in being a king who leads his
people rightly
3. Jesus is seeking the Father’s praise in being a prophet who tells
his people what God has said faithfully
4. Jesus is seeking the Father’s praise in being a priest who faithfully
and constantly intercedes on his people’s behalf even when they don’t know what to say or do while making his people a kingdom of priests
themselves

3. Jesus is himself God v. 2 “whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.”
A. “from of old” (miqqedem) generally refers to ancient historical times
B. “from ancient days” (mime ‘olam) refers to ancient historical times
1. This text is referring to Messiah’s ancient Davidic lineage
confirming the ancient covenantal promises made to David stand
and are being kept
2. Isaiah 9:1-7 identifies this Messiah as Wonderful Counselor,
Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace
a. Jesus identifies Holy Spirit as “counselor”
b. Jesus is the Mighty God of the Old Testament
c. Jesus is the Everlasting Father
d. Jesus is the maker of peace between Holy God and
rebellious humanity