Reading:
But
thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of
Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be
ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from
everlasting.
Commentary:
Bethlehem
was a very small and insignificant city among all the towns and villages of
Judea, yet such was the lowly city God chose (and foretold) where Christ would
be born. The name Bethlehem means House
of Bread and the name Ephratah means Fruitful Field. Such significant names were chosen by God
because Jesus Himself is the Bread of Life who gives the spiritual food hungry
souls, namely the forgiveness of sins.
Moreover Jesus would be fruitful in His mission to lead lost sheep into
His Father's heavenly fold. With this
prophecy also note the deity of Christ, since His goings forth have been
"of old, from everlasting." This
is everlasting into the past, which means Jesus existed before time, "of
old, from everlasting." Before the
mountains were brought forth or the hills created, Christ was there along with
the Father and Spirit before Creation.
May all men rightly worship this blessed Babe of Bethlehem, Christ our
gracious King (ruler in Israel)!
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