Prophecies about Jesus: His birthplace

Micah wrote about God’s judgment of Judah and their corrupt leaders for their idolatry and disobedience, and the future restoration of a faithful remnant.

Although they were threatened by foreign nations he wrote, “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah [near Jerusalem], 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” (Mic. 5:2NIV). “From ancient times” means from the eternal past. Jesus is the eternal God. Micah is saying that their situation would change when the Messiah comes and leads them like a shepherd (Mic. 5:4).

According to the NET Bible,
In riddle-like fashion this verse alludes to David, as the references to Bethlehem and to his ancient origins/activities indicate. The passage anticipates the second coming of the great king to usher in a new era of national glory for Israel. Other prophets are more direct and name this coming ideal ruler “David” (Jer. 30:9; Ezek. 34:23-24; 37:24-25; Hos. 3:5). Of course, this prophecy of “David’s” second coming is actually fulfilled through his descendant, the Messiah, who will rule in the spirit and power of His famous ancestor and bring to realization the Davidic royal ideal in an even greater way than the historical David (see Isa 11:1, 10; Jer 33:15).

Over 700 years later, the religious leaders knew from Micah 5:2 that the Jewish Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem (Mt. 2:1-6; Jn. 7:40-43). So, Micah predicted that the Messiah was to be born in Bethlehem and this was fulfilled. Christ was born in Bethlehem just as the prophecy foretold – but He didn’t rule over Israel. The term “ruler over Israel” refers to His second advent. So, the Old Testament prophecies about Jesus can refer to either the first advent or the second advent or a combination of these.

According to the Bible Archaeology Report, Bethlehem of Judea is located about 8 km (5 miles) south of Jerusalem in the tribal area of Judah. Its history stretches back into Old Testament times, with its first mention in Genesis 35:19, where it is also called Ephrath/Ephrathah. Bethlehem, which means “house of bread,” is the primary setting for the book of Ruth (David’s great-grandmother) (Ruth 1:2), and the hometown of King David (1 Sam. 16:1-4).

Bethlehem of Judea was one of numerous small villages that surrounded Jerusalem in the first century; William F. Albright estimated that it had a population of about 300 people when Jesus was born. That Jesus was born in a small, out-of-the-way village would certainly be consistent with the humble way our Savior entered the world. Yet at the same time it is significant that the King who would reign forever on David’s throne (Lk. 1:32-33) was born in the town that David grew up in.

Through history, at Bethlehem God provided a solution to a family crisis, a national crisis and a global crisis. Let’s also recognize our personal crisis and accept God’s solution that was revealed at Bethlehem over 2,000 years ago. Let’s celebrate by praising Him like the shepherds (Lk. 2:20), and worshiping Jesus like the Magi (Mt. 2:11).

This prophecy about Christ’s birth was linked to the prophecy about His family line. He was a descendant of king David who grew up in Bethlehem. It’s one of many links between the Old Testament and the New Testament of the Bible.

Written, December 2024

Also see: Bethlehem, God’s solution to our crises