THE HOPE OF THE MESSIAH

 

Throughout Old Testament history, God interrupted Israel’s oppression and dark days with brilliant promises of the coming Messiah. The purpose of these direct, prophetic words was to build their faith in the God who saves, but also, to give them (and us) hope.

The word “hope” has been altered through the years. Now it means a possibility that something might happen. The word is used in the Bible to indicate a confident assurance of that which was to come … a promise that would lift the heart and soul above the current distress.

The prophet, Micah, was the mouthpiece of God to Israel and to all who would come behind him in his day with a stunning promise about the coming Messiah.

Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are small among the clans of Judah. One will come from you to be ruler over Israel for Me. His origin is from antiquity, from eternity. Therefore, He will abandon them until the time when she who is in labor has given birth. Then the rest of His brothers will return to the people of Israel. He will stand and shepherd them in the strength of Yahweh, in the majestic name of Yahweh His God. They will live securely, for then His greatness will extend to the ends of the earth. He will be their peace.  (Mic 5:2–5)

Look at the promises from a faithful God to both Israel and then, ultimately, to all who would be brought into God’s kingdom.

The Messiah ...

·       Would be born in Bethlehem.

·       Would rule over Israel.

·       Was from eternity past and had existed forever.

·       Would shepherd His people in the strength of God.

·       His people would live securely.

·       His greatness would extend to the ends of the earth.

·       He will be His people’s peace.

All of this and more has been gloriously fulfilled, just as God told us.

The one who was born in Bethlehem’s stall was the Ancient of Days. He existed in heaven's glory before the night of His birth and was engaged in eternal activity, including the creation of this world. His coming to earth was just three important earthly decades in His reign.

He promised to bring a new kingdom, and He did, purchased by His own blood. One not of this world. He shepherds all of us in His kingdom and gives us security and peace and one day, the chaos of this world will be completely overcome, and we will dwell in eternal peace.

Not only has He brought peace to us, even in the middle of chaos. He IS our peace. To know Him is to know peace. To find Him and be adopted by Him is to have the peace we’ve always longed for.

Beautiful baby. Ancient Savior. Matchless Lord!