Saturday 2021.09.25
Shabbat Shalom. Today is the Seventh Day of the biblical week. Lest us keep the Fourth Commandment by resting from all our work until sunset this evening.
This morning, my reading of the OT covers chapters 5 through 7 of the book of Micah.
In chapter 5 verse 2, Micah of Moresheth prophesies about someone whose origins are "from of old", from ancient times, who will arise from Bethlehem to rule over Israel for God.
Micah 5:2 NIV
‘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.’
This prophecy was eventually fulfilled when Iesous was born in the town of Bethlehem where Joseph and Mary had gone to register themselves under a census of the Roman Empire ordered by Caesar Augustus. At that time, Quirinius was the governor of Syria. (see Luke 2:1 - 7)
The prophecy of Micah 5:2 is quoted in the account of the chief priests and scribes telling King Herod in Matthew 2:1 - 6 that, based on Micah's prophecy, the Messiah will be born in Bethlehem.
Matthew 2:1 - 6 NIV
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2and asked, ‘Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.’
3When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5‘In Bethlehem in Judea,’ they replied, ‘for this is what the prophet has written:
6‘ “But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for out of you will come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.”’
