-14-
Born in Bethlehem
"But thou, Bethlehem
Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee
shall one come forth unto Me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth
are from old, from everlasting" (Micah 5:2).
This prophecy finds fulfillment
in Jesus.
"Now after Jesus was born in
Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east
came to Jerusalem..." (Matthew 2:1 cf v.6).
When one considers that David,
who was a type of the Messiah (Jer. 30:9 Ezk. 34:23; 37:25), was born in
Bethlehem (1 Sam. 16:4; 20:6), it seems fitting that the Messiah Himself would
also be born there. Bethlehem means "house of bread." Jesus claimed to
be the "bread of life" (John 6:35).
But regarding this application,
Troki replies, "The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem does not entitle him to the
claim of being the Messiah, for hundreds and thousands of children were born at
Bethlehem." (Troki, p. 163). This is true. The mere fact that Jesus was
born in Bethlehem doesn't prove He is the Messiah. However, Jesus' birth at that
locale does meet Micah's prophetic criterion. Judaism would do well to take heed
to this stipulation. By disregarding it, they have followed after numerous false
Messiahs, e.g., Bar Kokhba and Menachem Schneerson (born in Russia).
The anti-missionaries are divided
over this passage. Some say it is the Messiah (Troki and Sigal). Jews For
Judaism claims it has reference to Hezekiah an interpretation their brethren
rightly reject since he neither caused Israel ("the remnant of his
brethren") to return (Micah 5:2), nor brought worldwide peace (5:5-15). The
Jews do not expect Hezekiah to come back again. But we do expect Jesus to come
back to establish world peace. So it can and will find complete fulfillment in
Him.