Thou Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1-8; Fulfillment of Micah 5:2)
The next Messianic prophecy in Matthew occurs in Matthew 2:1-8.
There is little doubt but that Micah 5:2, the passage Matthew references, is a direct prophecy fulfilled only in the birth of Jesus in Bethlehem. This was a well-known prophecy in the days of Jesus. The chief priests and scribes have no trouble answering where the Messiah would be born. The Jews of Jesus’ day knew that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Jn 7:40-43).
The Original Prophecy
The message of the Book of Micah is judgment upon Israel and Judah (1:1). Samaria refers to Israel. Jerusalem refers to Judah.
But while Micah prophesies both the Assyrian and Babylonian Captivities, he gives hope throughout the Book.
The immediate context of our prophecy:
- In 4:1-8, Micah is giving hope—he speaks about the coming of the Messianic kingdom.
- In 4:9-5:1, Micah returns to his theme of judgment—the Southern Kingdom will go into Babylonian Captivity (however, he does promise that they will return).
- In the midst of this judgment, Micah promises that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem in Judah.
The prophecy originally was a message of hope and deliverance. Yes, God would punish the inhabitants of Judah by sending them into Babylon. But all wasn’t lost. Not only would a remnant return to the land, but God would bring the Messiah into the world in Judah. That is a great message of the Scriptures—God punishes, but he redeems.
Does God punish people today? How might God punish people today? How does God redeem people today? Does God give hope in the midst of tragedy? How?
The Prophecy and Jesus
In Matthew, the prophecy in Micah is used to demonstrated conclusively where Jesus would be born. That seems to have been the purpose of Micah’s prophecy. God was giving his people signs whereby one could identify the Christ.
God wanted people to be able to “get” it. There were unmistakable signs whereby people were to be able to identify the Messiah. God wanted people to know who Jesus was when he came into the world.
How do we know the Messiah today?
What are some “signs” that point to Jesus as the Messiah?
This Bible class was originally taught by Dr. Justin Imel, Sr., at the Dale Ridge church of Christ in Roanoke, Virginia.