Pastor Gary's OYB Devotion Archive for December 16

“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf” (Micah 5:2 NLT).

From: December 16, 2019

BETHLEHEM, CHRIST’S PROPHESIED BIRTHPLACE

In the midst of Micah’s prophecy for Israel’s judgment, the Spirit revealed the future birthplace of the Messiah. This is the prophecy that the priests and scribes quoted to King Herod when the Magi came seeking the one born king of the Jews (Matt. 2:6).

Bethlehem was also called the “Town of David,” as it was King David’s birthplace. How fitting that the “ruler of Israel,” the Son of David, would be born there too. The name Bethlehem means “house of bread” (Hebrew: “beth” = “house,” + “lechem” = “bread”). How appropriate that the “Bread of Heaven” would be born in the “House of Bread.” This small town was also known for the quality of its sheep and because of its close proximity to Jerusalem, it became one of the main sources of Passover lambs that were sold for sacrifice in the Temple. How shocking, yet how wondrous that this One “whose origins are in the distant past” would be the Lamb of God born in a Bethlehem stable.

Indeed, the Messiah was born in little Bethlehem, far from the wealthy cities of the world and welcomed by humble shepherds. God revealed His birthplace to Micah over 700 years before He came. Jesus fulfilled over 300 messianic prophecies, yet many of His own rejected Him. What will you do with Christ this Christmas?

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for sending Your only Son to us for our salvation. He is the reason we celebrate this season. Jesus Christ is the greatest gift of all. Empower us to proclaim His gospel to everyone. In Jesus’ name, amen.

“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf” (Micah 5:2 NLT).

From: December 16, 2018

BETHLEHEM, CHRIST’S PROPHESIED BIRTHPLACE

In the midst of Micah’s prophecy for Israel’s judgment, the Spirit revealed the future birthplace of the Messiah. This is the prophecy that the priests and scribes quoted to King Herod when the Magi came seeking the one born king of the Jews.

Bethlehem was also called the “Town of David,” as it was King David’s birthplace. How fitting that the “ruler of Israel,” the Son of David, would be born there too. The name Bethlehem means “house of bread” (Hebrew: “Beth” – “house,” + “lechem” – “bread”). How appropriate that the “Bread of Heaven” would be born in the “House of Bread.” This small town was also known for the quality of its sheep and because of its close proximity to Jerusalem, it became one of the main sources of passover lambs that were sold for sacrifice in the Temple. How shocking, yet how wondrous that this One “whose origins are in the distant past” would be the Lamb of God born in a Bethlehem stable.

Indeed, the Christ was born in little Bethlehem, far from the wealthy cities of the world and welcomed by humble shepherds. God revealed His birthplace to Micah over 700 years before He came. Jesus fulfilled over 300 messianic prophecies, yet the majority of His own people rejected Him. What will you do with Christ this Christmas?

“the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to living fountains of waters. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (Revelation 7:17 NKJV).

From: December 16, 2017

Those believers who “come out of the great tribulation” will dwell with the Lamb, who is the Lord Jesus Christ. He will shepherd them as David’s Psalm 23 described. And the tears of their tribulation will be wiped away by the Lord Himself.

No more hunger, no more thirst, no more crying, for the Lord Himself will shepherd them.

“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.” (Micah 5:2 ESV)

From: December 16, 2016

Written 700 years before Christ was born, this prophecy correctly predicted that the birth of the Messiah would be in the tiny town of Bethlehem. Bethlehem was also called the “Town of David,” as it was King David’s birthplace. How fitting that the “One to be Ruler in Israel,” the Son of David, would be born there too. The name Bethlehem means “house of bread” (Hebrew: “Beth” – “house,” + “lechem” – “bread”). How appropriate that the “Bread of Heaven” would be born in the “House of Bread.” This small town was also known for the quality of its sheep and because of its close proximity to Jerusalem, it became one of the main sources of passover lambs that were sold for sacrifice in the Temple. How shocking, yet how wondrous that this One “whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days” would be the Lamb of God born in a Bethlehem stable.

“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 NKJV)

From: December 16, 2015

Written 700 years before Christ was born, this prophecy correctly predicted that the birth of the Messiah would be in the tiny town of Bethlehem. Bethlehem was also called the “Town of David,” as it was King David’s birthplace. How fitting that the “One to be Ruler in Israel,” the Son of David, would be born there too. The name Bethlehem means “house of bread” (Hebrew: “Beth” – “house,” + “lechem” – “bread”). How appropriate that the “Bread of Heaven” would be born in the “House of Bread.” This small town was also known for the quality of its sheep and because of its close proximity to Jerusalem, it became one of the main sources of passover lambs that were sold for sacrifice in the Temple. How shocking, yet how wondrous that this One “whose goings forth are from everlasting” would be the Lamb of God born in a Bethlehem stable.

“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel, whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf” (Micah 5:2 NLT)

From: December 16, 2014

In the midst of Micah’s prophecy for Israel’s judgment, the Spirit revealed the future birthplace of the Messiah. This is the prophecy that the Scribes quoted to King Herod when the Magi inquired about it. Indeed, the Christ was born in little Bethlehem, far from the wealthy cities of the world and welcomed by humble shepherds. God revealed His birthplace to Micah over 700 years before He came. Jesus fulfilled over 300 messianic prophecies, yet His own people rejected Him. What will you do with Christ this Christmas?

“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days” (Micah 5:2)

From: December 16, 2013

This prophecy from Micah is the one that Herod’s chief priests and scribes reported when the Magi visited inquiring about the one born king of the Jews (Matthew 2:1). Micah wrote this prophecy 700 years before Christ’s birth. Bethlehem (“house of bread”) Ephrathah (“fruitful”) was the town of David’s birth and therefore an appropriate place for one born to the line of David to be born. Yet, it would be presumptuous for the prophet to assume that a future heir would be born in the same town. David’s many other sons certainly weren’t born there. No, this was not speculation on Micah’s part. It was the very Word of God that Micah spoke when he prophesied little Bethlehem’s future “starring” role.

“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you, one whose origins are from the distant past” (Micah 5:2)

From: December 16, 2012

This is one of 300 Old Testament prophecies that were fulfilled by Christ. Among them are those surrounding His birth: the star, born in Bethlehem, Son of God, virgin birth, line of David, out of Egypt, and even the execution of Rachel’s children. This is the Christmas story. It’s not just the angels, shepherds and wisemen. It’s also the worldly king Herod and the evil in mankind that would murder children. This is why Jesus came. He came to die for our sins, so that we could be set free from this death sentence.

“Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him” (Proverbs 30:5)

From: December 16, 2011

God’s Word is what it says it is and it does what it says it can do. It is without flaw and therefore not to be added to or subtracted from. Are you a student of the Word? Have you found refuge in His promises?