TUESDAY December 22, 2020
The One Ruler in Israel
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.”
Micah 5:2
The prophet Micah prophesied of the Messiah’s birth, in the city of Bethlehem, 500 years before it happened––amazing! How did Micah know about Christ’s birth? God had revealed it to him. Micah told the people of Israel that the Messiah would come from the small town of Bethlehem. He would be the One to be Ruler in Israel. He is God, from everlasting, yet He would come to earth as a small Child. Jesus would leave His heavenly home, His Father’s side, the throne of God, and come down to live among mortal men.
This one verse from the book Micah was used to tell God’s people that God was sending His Son to them. When Jesus was born, He fulfilled this prophecy. Despite the certainty of the Scriptures, it is hard to believe that many among His people did not recognize Him. They missed the miracle of Christ’s birth. Just as God used the prophets of the Old Testament to tell the people of the coming Messiah, God used John the Baptist in the New Testament to point people to Christ (Matthew 3).
Today we have the full counsel of God––the entire Bible from Genesis to Revelation. The Word of God points us right to our Savior. God is so good; in His Word, He has provided, not just one prophecy, but hundreds of prophecies concerning Christ’s birth, death, resurrection and even His imminent return. Through the diligent study of the Scriptures, everyone has an opportunity to come to know Christ.
Christmas is a time to celebrate Jesus’ birth. Salvation has become accessible to you through Christ. You only need to receive the gift of eternal life He brings to you—His salvation!
Miracle of miracles! You, O Christ, that baby in Mary's arms are both God and human being. You make God accessible to me.
~A. W. Tozer~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!