S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

Micah 5:2 predicts, "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...

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July 01 2013 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

Is Micah 5:2 a Messianic prophecy?

Yes, Micah 5:2 is widely considered a Messianic prophecy, with both Christian and some Jewish traditions identifying it as a foretelling of the Messiah's birth in Bethlehem. The New Testament explicitly applies this verse to Jesus, who was born in Bethlehem. The verse also contains a reference to the Messiah's "goings forth" being "from ancient days, from everlastingly," which Christians interpret as a reference to Christ's eternal nature. 

Micah 5:2 Rotherham Bible:

"Thou therefore, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though little to be among the thousands of Judah, out of thee shall Mine come forth, to be ruler in Israel, whose comings forth have been from of old, from the days of age-past time."

Matthew, quoting Micah 5:2, shows that Bethlehem, though very insignificant as far as governing power in Judah was concerned, would become significant because the greatest of governors would come from this city to shepherd God's people, Israel. This prophecy finds its fulfilment in Christ Jesus, the Great Governor under his Father, Jehovah God.​—Mt 2:6.

It was no coincidence that Caesar issued his decree at this time. A prophecy written down some seven centuries earlier foretold that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. Now, it so happened that there was a town named Bethlehem, a mere seven miles (11 km) from Nazareth. However, the prophecy specified that "Bethlehem Ephrathah" would produce the Messiah. (Read Micah 5:2.) To reach that little village from Nazareth, travellers covered some 80 hilly miles (130 km) via Samaria. That was the Bethlehem to which Joseph was summoned, for it was the ancestral home of the family of King David​—the family to which both Joseph and his bride belonged.

God must have seen to it that Caesar Augustus made this registration law. Why? Because this made it possible for Jesus to be born in Bethlehem, the hometown of his ancestor King David. The Scriptures had long before foretold that this would be the city where the promised Ruler would be born.​—Micah 5:2.

Neither Jesus nor his parents could have prompted a Roman Caesar to issue a decree requiring Joseph and Mary to go to their hometown of Bethlehem for census and tax registration purposes just at the time of Jesus' birth. So Romans, who were in no way interested in the fulfilment of Bible prophecy, played a part in Jesus' birth in Bethlehem, fulfilling the prophecy in Micah 5:2.

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