Prophesy of Mercy in the midst of Rebuke

 © 2016 by Tom Boynton (editing by Kathy Boynton)

God gave His prophet Micah a politically incorrect assignment.  Because God’s chosen nation, Israel, had sinned, God sent Micah to reveal the consequences of their sin.  He prophesied the future destruction of Jerusalem.

“Therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed as a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of the forest” (Micah 3:12).

Even in the midst of this rebuke, however, God never forgot the promise He had made, centuries earlier, to Abraham.

“…in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed” (Genesis 12:3).

Thus, after prophesying God’s severe rebuke to His chosen people, Micah revealed the following wonderful blessing.

“But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting” (Micah 5:2).

The prophet Isaiah revealed that this promised one would be born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14).

Over seven centuries later some wise men from the east saw a special star directing them to Israel.  After a long journey, they entered Jerusalem and asked King Herod the following question:

“Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him” (Matthew 2:2).

Herod felt threatened by this question.

“When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.  And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born” (Matthew 2:3-4).

In response they quoted Micah’s prophesy.

“And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel” (Matthew 2:5-6).

The long awaited eternal Messiah, had been born of a virgin, as prophesied!  He would willingly die and rise again to save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:18-21).  One day all will bow to Him as either Savior or Judge (Philippians 2:5-11).

How will you bow to the Supreme Ruler prophesied by Micah?

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