Old Testament in a Year

Micah 5:1-7:20
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Okay, we get an amazing few verses in Micah today, which are perfect for the Christmas Advent season we are in!   Keep in mind that these verses were written 700 years before the birth of Jesus.  Micah was the Old Testament prophet who prophesied that the Messiah, Jesus, would be born in Bethlehem.  Reading these verses In Micah chapter 5 verses 2 through 5 gives me the chills…  “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village in Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you, one whose origins are from the distant past. The people of Israel will be abandoned to their enemies until the time when the woman in labor gives birth to her son. Then at last his fellow countrymen will return from exile to their own land.  And he will stand to lead his flock with the LORD’s strength, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. Then his people will live there undisturbed, for he will be highly honored all around the world. And he will be the source of our peace.” Wow… I love it!  Please read these verses again.  Perfect for the Christmas season!

Okay, since we are talking the birth of Jesus here, hope you don’t mind I throw out a few verses from he Gospel of Matthew – where the chief priests tell Herod about the location of the birth of Jesus based on the verses above from Micah.  I usually don’t like to bombard you with too many / too long of verses here in this blog, but this is too beautiful – the tie in from the Old Testament to the New.  From Matthew chapter 2 verses 1 through 6: “After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”  When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Christ was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: “ ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.'”

In Micah chapter 6 verse 8 I read a commentary that the following verse is the “most memorable statement in the OT defining a proper relationship to God”.  Here it is: “No, O people, the LORD has already told you what is good, and this is what he requires: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”   Not a very big and complicated list, eh?  Do what is right.  Love mercy.  And walk humbly with God.  How are you doing on these things?

Micah chapter 7 verse 7 definitely stood out to me in today’s readings: “As for me, I look to the LORD for his help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me.” I love the confidence and surety of this verse from Micah.  Where do you look for your help?  Will you wait confidently for God to save you?  Do you believe that God will certainly hear you?

Worship Video: Today’s readings in Micah remind me of the song “Oh Come, Oh Come, Emmanuel:”

Are you a captive in need of Ransom?  Click here to meet your Emmanuel!

Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: “He has shown all you people what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8 (TNIV)

Prayer Point: Pray that you act justly. Pray that you love mercy. Pray that you walk humbly with your God. Pray that you are pursuing all that which is good, pleasing and glorifying to the Lord.

Comments from you:  What verses or insights stand out to you in today’s readings?  Please post up by clicking on the “Comments” link below!

God bless,
Mike

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