Perfect Predictions Series
Prophecies of Advent from Matthew 2
Bethlehem, Land of Judah
Matthew 2.1-12
Introduction
Today is the first Sunday of Advent. As a church we have traditionally used the four
Sunday’s leading up to Christmas Eve as an opportunity to focus on the birth of Christ. This
Advent season we will be looking at the four prophecies concerning Christ found in
Matthew chapter two. The events of Matthew chapter two all happened after Christ was
born. (Mt.2.1a) Even though the coming of the Magi (known as Wise Men) to worship the
King of the Jews is a popular part of the Christmas narrative, Joseph and Mary fleeing to
Egypt with the baby Jesus, the slaughter of the infants in Bethlehem by Herod, and the
family returning to Nazareth to raise their child are not often included in the Christmas
story.
Old Testament Prophecies about the Messiah
What is interesting is that each of these events is associated with an Old Testament
prophecy. (Mt. 2.6, 15, 18, 23) There are 333 prophecies of Jesus Christ in the Old
Testament. These prophecies help us identify that Jesus was truly the Christ by telling us
that the Christ would be born in Bethlehem from the family of Shem as a descendant of
David. These prophecies also foretell His earthly ministry that He would heal the blind, the
deaf, and the lame, that He would speak in parables and that He would welcome the
Gentiles. These prophecies also tell us about His death that He would be betrayed by a
friend, that He would be despised and rejected of men, that they would pierce His hands
and his feet, and that He would be crucified (long before crucifixions were common). Don’t
worry I’m not going to list all 333 of these perfect predictions of Christ, I’m just trying to
call attention to the exceedingly great number of prophecies concerning Christ and the
precision of these prophecies. Truly, the fulfillment of the prophecies about the Christ
found in the New Testament cannot be ignored by the greatest of skeptics.
Bethlehem, Land of Judah
This morning I want us to look at the familiar prophecy concerning the birthplace of Christ
found is Matthew chapter two, “Bethlehem, Land of Judea.” Even though most of our time
this morning will focus on verse six which reads, “And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah,
Are by no means least among the leaders of Judah; For out of you shall come forth a Ruler
Who will shepherd My people Israel,” I want to read the entire first section of chapter two to
provide context.
Hear now the word of God.
Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, magi from the
east arrived in Jerusalem, saying, 2 “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we
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saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.” 3 When Herod the king heard this, he
was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes
of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 They said to him, “In
Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by the prophet:
6 ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah,
Are by no means least among the leaders of Judah;
For out of you shall come forth a Ruler
Who will shepherd My people Israel.’”
7 Then Herod secretly called the magi and determined from them the exact time the star
appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the Child;
and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him.” 9 After
hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on
before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. 10 When they saw the
star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 After coming into the house they saw the Child
with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their
treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12 And having
been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by
another way.
The Magi, Herod, the Star, and the Gifts
This portion of God’s word is filled with an abundance of facts surrounding the story of
Advent. Along with the prophecy about Bethlehem we have the Magi, Herod, the star, and
the gifts. Verse one tells us that these events took place after Jesus was born in Bethlehem.
The Magi, or Wisemen, are often depicted as coming to the manger at the time of Jesus’
birth but this text tells us that they arrived in Bethlehem sometime after Jesus was born.
(2.16) Possibly two years later. We see that at the time the Magi arrive in Bethlehem Mary
and the Child were living in a house and not in the manger. (2.11)
The Magi most likely traveled from Persia after hearing of the promise of the Messianic
King in Judea and observing a new and brilliant star to guide them to His birthplace. The
gifts they brought were tokens of the adoration from the Gentile world for the Messiah.
Either out of respect to Herod, the king of Judah, or because they had lost tract of the star,
the Wise men inquired of Herod as to the location of the newborn King of the Jews.
Herod was a ruthless and cruel man skilled at being a cunning and crafty schemer. Being
greatly troubled by the prospect of a Jewish King that could take him out of power, Herod
gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah
was to be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for this is what has been written by
the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, land of Judah, are by no means least among the leaders of
Judah; For out of you shall come forth a Ruler who will shepherd My people Israel.’” (2.4-6)
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The Prophecy of the Birthplace of Christ
The chief priests and scribes were referring to the prophecy of the eight-century prophet
Micah. I want you to see that Micah’s prophecy concerning the birthplace of Christ was
common knowledge. Some people think that the prophecies concerning Christ were a
mystery but that is far from true. Remember when the angel told the shepherds that in the
city of David (Bethlehem) there was born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord, they were
not confused or bewildered but rather they immediately made their way to Bethlehem to
see the Christ-Child. (Lk.2.11-16) Shepherds weren’t highly educated biblical scholars.
They were common everyday folk who grew up being taught that the Messiah was to be
born in Bethlehem. And in the Gospel of John chapter seven we see a multitude who had
gathered for worship in the temple were trying to determine if Jesus was the Christ
concluded, “Has not the Scripture said that the Christ comes from the descendants of David,
and from Bethlehem, the village where David was?” (Jn.7.42) My point is that many people,
common everyday sort of people, in Jesus’ day were very familiar with Micah’s prophecy
concerning the birthplace of the Messiah.
But what the chief priest and scribes report to Herod was just a summary of the actual
prophecy given through Micah. The actual prophecy of the birthplace of Christ reads, “But
as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will
go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of
eternity.” Therefore, He will give them up until the time when she who is in labor has borne a
child. Then the remainder of His brethren will return to the sons of Israel. And He will arise
and shepherd His flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD His
God. And they will remain, because at that time He will be great to the ends of the earth. And
this One will be our peace.” (Micah 5.2-5a)
The Full Impact of Micah’s Prophecy
When you compare Micah’s prophecy to the summary given to Herod by the chief priests
and scribes it seems that either these religious professors didn’t understand the full impact
of Micah’s prophecy, or they were trying to conceal the full impact of Micah’s prophecy
from Herod. The Child posed a great threat to Herod’s rule in the region and the text tells us
that Herod’s anxiety over this “King of the Jews” caused the whole city of Jerusalem to be on
edge. (2.3)
Regardless of the motive behind their summary the fact is that Micah’s prophecy reveals
many truths about the promised Messiah. Micah’s prophecy reveals that the Kings of the
Jews that the Magi were seeking was the humble, eternal, Shepherd Ruler who will gather a
remnant of Israel and whose kingdom will extent to the ends of the earth.
Humble
The first thing that Micah’s prophecy describes is the humble birthplace of the coming
Messiah.
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“But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, (5.2a)
Bethlehem is a small town located just a few miles from Jerusalem, the grand city.
Bethlehem is scarcely worth counting among the clans of Judah, yet God chooses to bring
His magnificent Messiah out of this town. Why? One answer is that the Messiah is of the
lineage of David and Bethlehem was David’s hometown. That’s true, but it misses the point
of verse two. The point of verse two is that Bethlehem is small, a humble little town too
little to be among the clans of Judah not because David was born there.
God chooses something small, quiet, out of the way, and does something there that changes
the course of history and eternity. God’s choice of Bethlehem as the place to begin the
fulfillment of redemptive history through His Messiah reflects God’s preference for the
lowly and unassuming rather than the grand and mighty. God’s choice of Bethlehem as the
birthplace of the Messiah shows that God is not impressed by our bigness. He is not
impressed by our accomplishments. The Apostle Paul puts it like this, “God has chosen the
foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world
to shame the things which are strong, and the base things of the world and the despised God
has chosen, the things that are not, so that He may nullify the things that are, so that no man
may boast before God. (ICor.1.27-29)
Pastor John Piper puts it like this: “God chose a stable so no innkeeper could boast, ‘He
chose the comfort of my inn!’ God chose a manger so that no wood worker could boast, ‘He
chose the craftsmanship of my bed!’ He chose Bethlehem so no one could boast, ‘The
greatness of our city constrained the divine choice!’ And He chose you and me, freely and
unconditionally, to stop the mouth of all human boasting. The deepest meaning of the
littleness and insignificance of Bethlehem is that God does not bestow the blessings of the
Messiah — the blessings of salvation — on the basis of our greatness or our merit or our
achievement. He does not elect cities or people because of their prominence or grandeur or
distinction. When He chooses, He chooses freely, in order to magnify the glory of His own
mercy, not the glory of our distinctions. So let us say with the angels, ‘Glory to God in the
highest!’ Not glory to us.’” (John Piper)
The prediction of the Messiah’s birthplace points to the humble character of the Messiah.
Although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be
grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the
likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming
obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Phil.2.6-8) The Scripture tell us that
Christ is gentle and humble in heart. (Mt.11.29) Therefore, the prediction of the Messiah’s
birthplace points not only to the humble character of the Messiah but that He also comes to
the rescue of those who humble themselves before Him. (IPt.5.6) “Let him who boasts,
boast in the Lord.” (ICor.1.31)
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Ruler
Even though the birthplace of Christ shows His humility, Micah’s prophecy goes on to tells
us that from Bethlehem One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. (5.2b) Notice that the
ruler who is to come from Bethlehem will go forth exclusively “for Me” – that is, for God
alone. Clearly this One coming forth from Bethlehem is commissioned by none other than
God the Father to fulfill the purposes of God. This Ruler will seek the Father’s glory rather
than His own. As Jesus told us, “I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but
the will of Him who sent Me.” (Jn.6.38) Jesus said, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent
Me and to accomplish His work.” (Jn.4.34) Jesus prayed, “Not My will but Thy will be done.”
(Lk.22.42) Jesus had to be about His Father’s business. (Lk.2.49 KJV) The exclusive purpose
of Christ was to bring pleasure to the Father!
Eternal
But this Ruler is no earthly ruler. No! Micah tells us that His goings forth are from long ago,
from the days of eternity.” (5.2c) The phrase “goings forth are . . . from the days of eternity,”
are used to transcend the nature or achievements of any mere human ruler. This phrase is
meant to emphasize that the purposes of this One ruler could only be fulfilled by the eternal
pre-existent Son of God.
Shepherd
And how will He rule? He will arise and shepherd His flock in the strength of the LORD, in the
majesty of the name of the LORD His God. (5.4a) As the great Shepherd He will have
compassion on the sons of Israel (5.3) and on others outside of the fold of Israel (Jn.10.16)
even to the ends of the earth. (5.4b) He will gather us unto Himself. (Heb.13.20; Mt.9.36)
We will hear His voice as His calls out to us and we will follow Him as He leads us to the
springs of the water of life and to green pastures. (Jn.10.4; Rev.7.17; Ps.23.2) He will be the
Shepherd and Guardian of our souls and care for us as His own. (IPt.2.25)
This One is our Peace
And this One will be our peace.” (5.5)
Micah was not some “pie in the sky” prophet. His prophetic ministry occurred during a very
turbulent period in Israel’s history when Assyria captured the northern kingdom and took
the ten tribes into captivity. Nevertheless, during all these troubles, Micah foretold of the
fulfillment of God’s redemptive purposes when she who is in labor would bear a child and
His name would be called Prince of Peace. (5.3b; Is.9.6) Micah looked forward to the day
when the Lord will judge between many peoples and render decisions for mighty, distant
nations. Then they will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning
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hooks; Nation will not lift up sword against nation, and never again will they train for war.
(4.3)
But until that day Micah is challenging us to enjoy a peace that surpasses all
comprehension that only comes through trusting this Shepherd Ruler, this Prince of Peace.
(Phil.4.7; Is.9.6) Brothers and sisters, Christ Jesus is our peace even during turbulent times.
(Eph.2.14) Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to
you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. (Jn.14.27) These things I have
spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. (Jn.16.33a) The peace, the shalom, that this
eternal, humble, Shepherd Ruler brings is more than the absence of warfare. It is a peace
that only comes from knowing that your sins, the conflicts that stand as a barrier between
you and God, have been demolished through the accomplishments of Jesus Christ, our
eternal, humble, Shepherd Ruler.
Micah had experienced this peace personally. He writes in chapter seven, “But as for me, I
will watch expectantly for the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear
me. Do not rejoice over me, O my enemy. Though I fall I will rise; Though I dwell in darkness,
the Lord is a light for me. I will endure the wrath of the Lord because I have sinned against
Him, Until He pleads my case and executes justice for me. He will bring me out to the light,
And I will see His righteousness.” (7.7-9) Brothers and sisters, Christ Jesus pleads our case
before the Father and executes justice on our behalf by taking the wrath of God upon
Himself so that we would enjoy His righteousness.
Micah describes it beautifully at the very end of his book, “Who is a God like You,
who pardons iniquity and passes over the rebellious act of the remnant of His possession?
He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in unchanging love. He will again
have compassion on us; He will tread our iniquities under foot. Yes, You will cast all their sins
into the depths of the sea. (7.18-19) Micah’s name is an abbreviation of the Hebrew words
that mean, “Who is like Yahweh?” And in this passage Micah through the inspiration of the
Holy Spirit answers his lifelong question, “Who is like Yahweh?” And the answer is no one.
Only the humble, eternal, Shepherd Ruler can give us the peace to know that our iniquity
has been forgiven and our rebellious acts have been passed over. Only the humble, eternal,
Shepherd Ruler delights in His unchanging love. Only the humble, eternal, Shepherd Ruler
can have such compassion on us to tread our iniquities under His feet. Only the humble,
eternal, Shepherd Ruler can cast our sins into the depths of the sea. Thanks be to God for
the humble, eternal, Shepherd Ruler that gives us peace.
Closing Thoughts
No wonder Micah’s prophecy concerning the Messiah’s birthplace was so well known. By
the inspiration of the Holy Spirit Micah not only predicted Bethlehem would be the place
where the Messiah would be born but Micah’s prophecy reveals that the Kings of the Jews
that the Magi were seeking was the humble, eternal, Shepherd Ruler who will gather a
remnant of Israel and whose kingdom will extent to the ends of the earth giving peace to all
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who believe. On this first Sunday of Advent let us join the angels saying, “Glory to God in the
highest, and on earth peace on whom His favor rests.” (Lk.2.14)