The Shepherd

Series: Changes

Micah 5:2 ESV

Matthew 2:4-6 ESV

I’ve been watching a series that takes place near Bethlehem and there are many in that region who made their living as a shepherd.

I’ve always thought being a shepherd was a safe job during Biblical times. Boy was I ever wrong!

We know from scripture that David was a shepherd as a boy.

I was always curious as to why David was so good with a sling shot…so good he killed a giant! Even though Goliath was very large and had to be very frightening, David faced him in the daylight.

When he was watching the sheep, lions would have instantly come out of the shadows in the dead of night. If the shepherd was sleeping soundly, he would lose sheep. Quickly…

In addition to dangers that lurked in the night, there were power struggles everywhere. They didn’t have ‘watchdogs’ in their society. The clans were set in their ways and various towns had reputations.

The Prophet Micah wrote in 5:2, “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,

who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,

from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel,

whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.”

From his description we gather that Bethlehem wasn’t a place that was well regarded. Yet, the Prophet made it clear that a great ruler would come from Bethlehem. Who would this great ruler, and how would they know him? Surely his parents were wealthy and well regarded.

It’s funny that our view of what matters is very different from God’s view.

Matthew 2:4-6 says, “and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them

where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet:

“‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”

In today’s world we would expect a great child would come from a wealthy family and he would attend the very best university. But…God had a plan and knew what He was doing.

No one expected a ruler would be born in Bethlehem to a carpenter who was engaged to a young Jewish girl.

The prophets had visions of the one coming but only God knew the timing. However, as early as Genesis 12:3 we were told all people would be blessed through Abraham’s lineage. Over and over again we were reminded in the Old Testament changes were coming.

Then one day a tiny babe was born in Bethlehem of Judea. Everything changed after that day.

In Jesus

Deborah

acrazyjourney.com