“Now gather yourself in troops, O daughter of troops; He has laid siege against us; they will strike the judge of Israel with a rod on the cheek.2 “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.” 3 Therefore He shall give them up, until the time that she who is in labor has given birth; then the remnant of His brethren shall return to the children of Israel. 4 And He shall stand and feed His flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord His God; and they shall abide, for now He shall be great to the ends of the earth; 5 and this One shall be peace.” Micah 5:1-5 NKJV
Majesty, Lord,
You warn Israel to prepare as they are about to be attacked. He has told them they are under God’s judgement. He does not tell them to be brave or to hope for victory. But then amidst the judgement and expected attack he gives this beautiful promise to one small city. A promise they will not see in their lifetime but their descendants will.
One who will come forth from You, God, to be the Ruler, and who will be great to the ends of the earth! Not just a king of Judah or Israel or both but who will will be the peace for the whole earth. And not a single earthly king could achieve greatness to the ends of the earth by human effort though many want to or may try! One who will feed his flock in the strength of the Lord. Echoing what Isaiah was saying and promising, that the Lord would come and feed his sheep like a Shepherd (Isaiah 40:11).
So we not only read about but experience You God. Your unchanging judgement but endless mercy. Who promised and then provided Your people with a Messiah born in a humble shelter in little Bethlehem. Whose love now reaches and changes us.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Sunday 14th June 2026
Someone gave me a CD of the Young Messiah many years ago and I was a little snobbish about loving the original. However I soon grew to love it.
He shall feed His flock like a shepherd; and He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and gently lead those that are with young. (Isaiah 40:11)
Come unto Him, all ye that labour, come unto Him that are heavy laden, and He will give you rest.
Take His yoke upon you, and learn of Him, for He Is meek and lowly of heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls (Matthew 11:28-29)