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. Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor bears a son, and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites. He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. And he will be our peace when the Assyrians invade our land and march through our fortresses. We will raise against them seven shepherds, even eight commanders, who will rule the land of Assyria with the sword, the land of Nimrod with drawn sword. He will deliver us from the Assyrians when they invade our land and march across our borders.

I find this to be both an incredible prophecy of the coming of Jesus Christ and an encouragement for me today in the days we live in. We live in a time where our country, once founded on the truths of the Bible, is in a state of confusion — where many have either completely turned away from those truths or compromised themselves in following them. So many today live life following a “pick and choose” religion.

The Israelites also fell into these evil traps of thinking they could pick some of God’s law and his ways and add in some of the ways of this world. It brought God’s judgment on them. He allowed them to be captured and conquered. The book of Micah talks about this turning to sin in the first few chapters.

Here we find that the prophet Micah predicts the departure of God’s favor over the people of Israel. The details of this prophecy are striking in how they came to pass. 1) Jesus did come from Bethlehem, and he was “of ancient times”. He was one with God, he was there at the creation of the world. 2) Israel was abandoned in a way, as there was no word from the Lord through his prophets for around 400 years prior to Jesus’ birth. 3) “The rest of his brothers who return to join the Israelites”, is likely referring to the Gentile nations where the truth about Jesus was preached and some received his gift of salvation. These “brothers” are adopted into God’s eternal kingdom as children of the King. 4) Jesus stood while on earth as our Shepherd, and risen, HE STILL STANDS! He leads us into victory in this life on earth and in the heavens, as well. 5) When the Israelites were attacked back then and when we are attacked today, we stand in the might and power of Jesus Christ. Our eternal home is an impenetrable fortress. Our salvation is secure!

Thank you, Lord, for your prophecies that prove that Jesus is your Son, that he is the one we can put our hope in, and that he will always be faithful! You are our peace, O Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ!