How wonderful is Micah’s prophecy about the Messiah’s
connection with Bethlehem!
The heading in Micah, Chapter 5 (NRSV), is “The Ruler from
Bethlehem.” This is where we find verse 2 --
But
you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah,
who
are one of the little clans of Judah,
from
you shall come forth for me
one who is to rule in Israel…
This is repeated in Matthew 2.
The Notes at the bottom of the page in NRSV explain that --
Bethlehem, a small town five
miles south of Jerusalem, assumed importance in the Christian era on account of
its association with the birth of Jesus. David, a native of Bethlehem, was
anointed there by Samuel (I Sam 16.1-13). Ephrathah is identical with Bethlehem.
The relationship between Bethlehem and Ephrathah is unclear. Ephrathah may have
been the ancient name for Bethlehem, or it may have been absorbed into
Bethlehem. This undistinguished town was paradoxically to be the source of
salvation. “me” refers to God.
Joyce Voysey
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