The Little Town of Bethlehem (2) - All The LORD is near Daily Devotionals for 2025

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.
Micah 5:2

The Little Town of Bethlehem (2)
The spiritual state of Herod was brought to light by the mere presence of the Christ Child in the world. It is obvious that the satanically driven Herod, blinded by his paranoia and insane lust for power, had no appreciation for the majesty of the One who was born in the obscure town of Bethlehem. He was as dark as he was ignorant of the great stoop of Him who came from the heights of glory to live in such humble circumstances. Clearly, the magi however, were divinely taught, for they said that they had “come to worship Him” (Mt. 2:2). From this we see that the focus of their adoration was not on Mary at all, but the Babe. How often in the subsequent life and ministry of the Lord Jesus did He receive worship from men, which He never once refused!

The marvelous accuracy of this prophecy is seen in the specificity of its details. There were actually two towns named “Bethlehem” in the days when the Lord Jesus was born: one in the north of Israel and the other in the south. It is the southern town that the prophet specifies, Ephrathah of Judah, to distinguish it from the northern town of Bethlehem in the area of the ancient tribe of Zebulon (Josh. 19:15). Bethlehem is described in Micah’s prophecy as “little.” How humbling to man’s pride that He whose existence was from the “days of eternity” (Mic. 5:2 ???), would deign to be born in a place of little significance and in such lowly circumstances.

Brian Reynolds

O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep the silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth, the everlasting light;
The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.

P. Brooks