Goodbye Wondering, Hello Promise; Hello Christmas Part 5

 The prophecy that pointed to Bethlehem

“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

The prophecy had been repeated for generations. It came well after the time of King David, who was also born in Bethlehem. That is why it is referred to as the City of David.

Bethlehem was where Samuel journeyed to anoint a young shepherd boy king. It was a small, insignificant town. It was home to the one God chose to take the throne for His people.

David’s throne and the promise of an enduring King

In 2 Samuel 7:16 David is told, “And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.” ESV

And we are all familiar with Isaiah 9:6-7:

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there shall be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.”

God made a promise to David. He repeated it to the prophet Micah. We see it come to fruition in Matthew 2:6: “And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.”

The promise was that while David would not live forever to reign on his throne, there would be one who would. This King, this ruler, the Messiah, would come through the house of David. This King of Kings would begin His earthly walk in the tiny, humble hamlet of Bethlehem, just as David had.

God keeps His promises, even when the odds look impossible

God keeps His promises. He always has and always will.

Several times He promised sons to those who were beyond hope of having one. Isaac came to Abraham and Sarah when they were well beyond the age of having children. It happened because God promised it.

In Exodus God told Israel, “I will bring you out…I will redeem you.” In spite of Pharaoh, his army, and the Red Sea, He did just that.

God promised David, a shepherd, the throne and an enduring house. Even after years of hostility, exile, and hatred from Saul, God came through on that promise.

There was a promise of restoration to Israel after judgment. It took seventy years and the loss of the temple. His people learned that God keeps promises even after discipline. Judgment does not cancel mercy.

From prophecy to birthplace, and from shepherd to Shepherd

Bethlehem, from prophecy to birthplace. We came full circle.

It runs from the promise made to a young shepherd boy to the Son of God in a stable. It runs from a shepherd made king of God’s people to God made shepherd to a lost and dying world.

But God didn’t stop making promises.

“On the third day he will rise.” (Mark 8:31) And He did.

Hebrews 13:5 tells us, “. . . I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

And there is this promise from John 14:2-3: “I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”

Jesus came. He died and rose again. He promised to come back to retrieve us to be with Him. If Bethlehem, the humble little village, the City of David, showed us anything, it is that God keeps His word.

He keeps His word, and the seemingly insignificant things are seen, matter, and can be used in mighty ways. Not unlike you.

What we call a promise when it comes true

Think about what we call a promise, or in this case a prophecy, once it has come to pass. We refer to it as fulfilled.

That is exactly how we feel when we encounter the promises of God in our lives. Fulfilled.

The promise of Christmas is a Savior. It is the fulfillment of a promise to the world, and to you. Bethlehem was the fulfillment of that promise.

Closing: “O Little Town of Bethlehem”

Oh, Little Town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie. Above thy deep and dreamless sleep, the silent stars go by. Yet in thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting Light. The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.