The Little Town, the Big King
By Dean Collins
One must read through much that can be difficult to understand and painful to absorb when considering the prophets and minor prophets in the Old Testament. Yet in these pages we find a few of our favorite and often-quoted verses. There is one familiar passage in Micah that always appears in Advent and Christmas celebrations. There is a second one in Micah that I would suggest we also consider during our Advent preparations.
Extreme difficulties
Micah lived in a time when he saw the extreme difficulties that came upon Judah and Israel as a result of the Assyrians. But as you read Isaiah, Hosea, and Micah, you come to realize that these difficulties were the judgment of God on his unrepentant chosen people. The book of Micah is filled with both judgment but also hope.
When we get to chapter 5, we find our familiar Christmas passage quoted in Matthew chapter 2.: “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.” Before we jump to singing “O Little town of Bethlehem” this Christmas Eve, let’s take a minute to consider how these verses fell on the local citizens who first heard them from Micah.
Those who first heard or read Micah’s words felt beaten down, out of control, and hopeless. The idea that a ruler in Israel would arise from Bethlehem was both odd and hopeful. Odd because a listener would likely expect a king or ruler to come from a bigger center of power than Bethlehem. Hopeful for some who remembered their most famous king, David, also came from insignificant Bethlehem. But in either case they were looking for a much quicker rescue and deliverance than that of Jesus born centuries later.
In some ways, I suspect the passage elicits similar feelings from us as we anticipate the return of Christ. His birth in Bethlehem is good news, but old news. When we celebrate Christmas each year, the birth of Jesus is further and further away. And how long we wait for his return is unknown. Yes, it will be wonderful when Jesus comes at the sound of trumpets and renews and restores all things. But we do wonder when. And sometimes our hope wanes.
What we know
We must build on what we know and have seen as we anticipate the second coming.
Jesus was born in Bethlehem. We know this to be historically true. He lived a perfect and sinless life, also well documented in the four Gospels. His death, burial, and resurrection were all confirmed by historical records and eyewitnesses. As his followers, we can testify to our experience of transformation. We once were lost and now are found. And we know the joy and comfort of the Holy Spirit who lives in us and guides us in truth. Knowing all of this, we can feel hope arise as we consider and pray for the day that Jesus returns!
And as we await that day, even as we celebrate Christmas again this year, we can consider the other familiar passage, this one in Micah 6.
What we can give
When the wise men came bearing gifts to present to Jesus (Matthew 2), they brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh. As we come to celebrate the birth of our Savior and await his next appearance, our three offerings might be to follow the words of the prophet Micah.
Micah asked what should be given to the Lord. Burnt offerings? And how many? Thousands upon thousands wouldn't be enough to satisfy our sin problem. We might consider that thousands and thousands of dollars in an offering plate is also not sufficient. Micah gives us three gifts God will eagerly accept: “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
Do justice. Don’t just think about it but practice it.
Love kindness. Not just sometimes but show it in our daily behavior and attitude toward others.
Walk humbly with God. No tone of arrogance at how special we are or superior to another, but humbly walk with God, revealing his kindness to those around.
To a little town of just a few hundred came the Savior and King of the universe. As we remember this gift this Christmas, may we share his love freely in our little towns and big cities and everywhere until he comes again.
Your time with God’s Word
Micah 5:2-5; Matthew 2:5-6; Micah 6:6-8 ESV
Photo by Robert Thiemann on Unsplash
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