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Micah 5 The First Coming and Second Coming of Messiah

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Names and places in the Bible are incredibly important. However, Bethlehem Ephrathah is not even listed in the vast collection of the cities of Judah in Joshua 15 but it is of immense importance in biblical history. It is the setting for the book of Ruth, the birthplace of David and David’s greater Son, Jesus our Messiah. There is another Bethlehem, known as Bethlehem of Zebulun, or Bethlehem of Galilee, half a dozen miles northwest of Nazareth. Nevertheless, the Bible is both specific and clear, that our Saviour was foretold and born in Bethlehem Ephrathah.

Messiah’s first coming

Notice our Lord and Messiah was not born in Alexandria, Athens, Rome or even Jerusalem. The Prince of Glory was not born in a palace or a mansion, nor an inn, but a stable. Matthew Henry observes, “This is, perhaps, the most important single prophecy in the Old Testament: it respects the personal character of the Messiah, and the discoveries of himself to the world. It distinguishes his human birth from his existing from eternity; it foretells the rejection of the Israelites and Jews for a season, their final restoration, and the universal peace to prevail throughout the whole earth in the latter days.”[i]

There are many detailed, specific and remarkable prophesies about Yeshua (Jesus) our Messiah. Nonetheless, the most hardened sceptic who has never examined these prophesies or considered their context may state, “Yeshua knew the prophesies and went our of His way to fulfil them.” A concise response to that. Try rising from the dead! We have detailed prophesies concerning the birth, life, miracles, forerunner of Messiah, crucifixion, resurrection and ascension of Messiah. But if that were not enough Micah 5:2 (Micah 5:1) in the Tanakh foretells the birthplace and tribe of the Messiah. Try determining where you will be born! Try arranging your lineage before your birth! These factors are obviously determined before one’s birth, unless of course that Person is Messiah and God incarnate.

Micah was writing around the time of the prophet Isaiah. We know that by comparing the rulers mentioned during their respective ministries in Micah 1:1 and Isaiah 1:1. That was when the Assyrian Empire was in the zenith of its power and the Northern Kingdom of Israel were taken into exile. Then, the Babylonians would defeat the Assyrians and the Southern Kingdom of Judah would go into exile in Babylon. As foretold by Jeremiah, Judah would serve the king of Babylon for 70 years (Jeremiah 25:11). Isaiah foretold over 100 years in advance that Cyrus would enable the Jewish people to return to Jerusalem (Isaiah 44:28-45:6).

We do not have the most helpful chapter divisions when it comes to Micah 5. Though some state that Micah 5:1, where the judge of Israel is struck with a rod on the cheek relates to Jesus, the immediate context is much earlier. Hence some reason that it relates to Hezekiah, though this is far more likely to refer to Zedekiah at the hands of those in Babylon in 586BC (cf. 2 Kings 24-25).[ii]

Hence, many Bibles will have a heading immediately before Micah 5:2, such as, “The Coming Messiah” . Interestingly in the Tanakh, Chapter 5 commences with, “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah” . Also, some Bibles will either place a small gap after the first line of verse 5, or a heading such as, “Judgement on Israel’s Enemies” . Messiah came and Messiah will return and verses 3 and 4 relate to His return.

How was Micah 5:2 (Micah 5:1 in the Tanakh) fulfilled? When Messiah was born (Matthew 2:1-7). Messiah had to be born in Bethlehem. Caesar Augustus issued a decree that the whole world would be registered (taxed). That meant Joseph and Mary would make the journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Even in England, we can never escape Roman history of the birth of Messiah. In AD43 Claudius Caesar (who is mentioned in Acts 11:28; 18:2), led an invasion of Britain. The Legion II Augustus landed in Kent and swept through to Dorset. The temple of Claudius was set up in Colchester. While God was using the Romans to inadvertently fulfil prophecy, they were causing much trouble in England as well as in Israel. Julius Caesar and Augustus Caesar have the months of July and August named after them, but the dateline is marked by that of the Messiah’s coming, Before Christ and the year of our Lord.

Can you see now that the Lord is sovereign in world events relating to the Roman Empire, but also simultaneous individual events regarding Mary, Joseph and the Lord Jesus? Those who trust in Messiah can rest in Him and have a peace (shalom), that is different to the peace that the world could ever offer.

Notice in Matthew 2:5-6, the chief priests and scribes knew Micah’s prophecy and quote most of it.

So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet:

 ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
Are not the least among the rulers of Judah;
For out of you shall come a Ruler
Who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ”

They recognised the Ruler of Israel would come from Bethlehem of Judah, not Zebulun and that the Ruler of Israel would come from the tribe of Judah. But they miss out the all-important line from Micah’s prophecy, concerning who He is and that which concerns His divinity.

Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.”

‘Old’ is 6924 in Strong’s Concordance meaning aforetime, ancient time, everlasting, old, past.[iii]

‘Everlasting’ is 5769 in Strong’s Concordance meaning always, continuance, eternal, everlasting, old, perpetual.[iv]

Whom or what do you worship?

So, the question now is, who is ruling in your life and whom or what do you worship? The Magi worshipped the Messiah when He was a little Child. His mother Mary stated, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God, my Saviour.” (Luke 1:46-47) Who was her Saviour? Yeshua, the Saviour of the world.

There is head knowledge and there is a heart response which exceeds even emotion since it is an act of the will in obedience to the Lord. King Herod learned of this prophecy, he killed the baby boys and sought to kill the Son of God. The priests and scribes knew the prophecy, yet they did not trust it. Will your response mirror that of King Herod, the scribes, the magi, or Mary?

Will you worship Messiah? What do I mean by worship? Worship is the worth that we ascribe to something or someone. To fail to worship God is to attempt to rob Him of His glory. That which is most important in your life is your god. That is what you worship.

Think of the name Jesus and in Hebrew, Yeshua, for He will save people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). We have all broken the Ten Commandments in the Law of Moses and only Jesus the Messiah can save people from their sins. We all need to be reconciled to a holy God. Have you asked Him to forgive you of your sins, have you turned from you sin and are you now trusting and following Him?

Messiah’s second coming

We have looked back at Micah’s prophecy and Messiah’s birth, but the believer must also look forward. Micah 5:3-4 speaks of the scattering and regathering of the Jewish people to their land. Although there are now over 300 Messianic Congregations in Israel, Romans 11 speaks clearly of much greater, fuller blessings. I began by pointing out that Messiah was not born in Alexandria, Athens, Rome, or even Jerusalem, but in Bethlehem Ephrathah. Zechariah 14:4 tells us that Messiah’s feet will stand on the Mount of Olives. Acts 1:9-13, explains that Messiah will return to the Mount of Olives just as He ascended from there. Have you ever wondered why when you turn on the news, the attention is not on Alexandria, Athens, Rome, London, Paris or New York, but Jerusalem?

Jesus the Messiah is coming back to Jerusalem, the city of peace. Micah 5:5a confirms, “And this One shall be peace.” The Pax Romana was no real peace, but a forced ‘peace.’ Was the Roman invasion of Britain peaceful? Ephesians 2:14 explains that for Jews and Gentiles, trusting in the Lord, He is their peace (shalom). When the Lord returns, He will judge the world, but also bring peace.

Messiah came just as the Bible promises and He will return just as the Bible promises. There are a myriad of things that people will do over Hanukkah and Christmas, which are fun, enjoyable and even wholesome. Many of these things will have little significance in the light of eternity. Are you ready for when Messiah comes? When He arrives will you be living for Him, serving Him and telling others of Him? When He arrives, will you be ready and will you be found worshipping Him?


[i] Matthew Henry Matthew Henry Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible (Moody Press, Chicago), p646

[ii] John MacArthur The MacArthur Bible Commentary (Thomas Nelson, 2005; Nashville), p1019

[iii] Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (World Bible Publishers, 1986; Iowa Falls), Hebrew and Chaldee Dictionary of the Old Testament p135

[iv] Ibid, p113