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The
prophet Micah says that Bethlehem-Ephratha is “too small to be among
the clans of Judah” but “from you shall come forth for me one who is to
be ruler in Israel” (Micah 5:2). Micah is himself one of the minor
prophets and so it is only appropriate that he speaks of a small city,
little Bethlehem, from which the great Messiah would come.
How
common this is in the Bible: the reversal of expectations, the little
giving rise to the great, wonderful things coming where you least expect
them. The stuttering Moses speaks up to mighty Pharaoh, the slaves face
down the Egyptian army, tiny David kills the giant Goliath.
And
this last connection is the important one here. Bethlehem is the city
of David, the city of the shepherd King. When Samuel came to that town
to find the new king, he went through all of Jesse’s splendid sons and
then was told there was one more, little David out in the fields. And it
was this overlooked one whom God anointed.
This
just seems to be God’s way, and that's why the Messiah would be born in
that tiny town, in an out of the way cave under the earth, because
there was no room for him in the inn. Yet, through God’s amazing grace,
great things can happen, including the birth of the Messiah.
Looking
at the small, insignificant town of Bethlehem teaches us three great
messages: greatness comes from smallness, never give up hope, and trust
always. With those three convictions in our hearts, we’re almost ready
for Christmas.
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