Micah 5:2-5a (NRSV)
Read Micah 5:2-5a on biblegateway.com
Verse 2But 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, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. Verse 3Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has brought forth; then the rest of his kindred shall return to the people of Israel. Verse 4And 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 live secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth; Verse 5and he shall be the one of peace. If the Assyrians come into our land and tread upon our soil, we will raise against them seven shepherds and eight installed as rulers.
Devotion
Our reading begins with the word “But…” which indicates that we are shifting from one condition to another. What has been will no longer be and, as is often the case in biblical prophecy, we can expect the unexpected.
The unexpected comes in two forms in Micah. First, the casual assumption of privilege on the part of leaders comes to an (violent) end. The exploiters expect to covet fields and houses with impunity (2:1-2), assuming God’s blessing will shield them from harm (3:11). Unexpectedly, judgment comes. Jacob/Israel becomes an abandoned, exilic remnant in need of return (5:3). There is no way out (6:13-16).
When our expectations come to an exilic end, the unexpected occurs a second time. Micah announces a secure restoration from the least likely place, from Bethlehem of Ephrathah, a little clan of Judah. We can hear a future unexpected echo in the New Testament question: Can anything good come from Nazareth?
Prayer
God, break open our limited expectations to receive your surprising and gracious renewal. Amen.
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