Mic 5:2  "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

  

Through the voices of the prophets came words that made the scholars wonder. Again and again there was mention of a coming one who would do great things for the people of God. Micah has been prophesying against Jerusalem but then it is like his eyes (catching the eyes of the Lord?) wander a few miles south and catch sight of Bethlehem.  Jerusalem, the great city, is going to be chastised but out of little Bethlehem in the area of Ephrathah is going to come a ruler. You would expect Israel's king to be born in the capital, in Jerusalem, but instead this king will be born in the lowly city of Bethlehem. It is almost as if the Lord does this as a reminder that He is not impressed with greatness and His king will come in humility.

 

This is not ‘just' a king, this is one whose origins are in ancient history. This one has been planned before the foundation of the world. This happened to be David's home town (1 Sam 16:1) and so, Joseph, being of the line of David went there with his pregnant young wife: “So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David , because he belonged to the house and line of David.” (Lk 2:4). God's plans are very detailed, for the birth of Jesus – and for us. They were preplanned for Jesus – and for us. Do we realise we are living in the plan of God? (Eph 2:10)