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.
Micah 5:2 (ESV)
Darryl officiated at a wedding recently and we attended the reception which was outdoors at night. Tables laden with beautiful flower arrangements and many flickering candles in glass hurricanes were set up on the grass lawn. As we visited at our table, I noticed how the atmosphere was bathed in a kind of constant but wavering soft light.
As I observed the candles, I made a connection that 2020 could be described as a year of flickering hope. Perhaps you, too, felt the darkness closing in—felt discouragement intruding into your heart—felt a little dazed and confused over this past year. Your hope may have flickered, but deep inside hope was constantly working through the power of the Holy Spirit to motivate you to tackle another day.
Hope flickered for Israel many times—especially in Micah 5:2—when Israel had fallen to a foreign power and the future looked hopeless. At this time, a small town is mentioned—Bethlehem, the least of the clans in all of Judah—so small that it had to be identified by its ancient district name—Ephrathah.
David, Israel’s greatest king, was born in Bethlehem 300 years before the prophet Micah. David was given a hope-filled promise by God Himself that he would become a great ruler who shepherded his flock, established universal peace, and ultimately lead God’s people in triumph over nations who did not acknowledge deity or divine law.
When David became king over all Israel his throne was in Jerusalem. Just as David was born in Bethlehem and reigned in Jerusalem, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was born in Bethlehem and will return to reign in Jerusalem in the new Heaven and new Earth. There will be a second Christmas—a Second Advent!
Now contrast our present troubles with the future reign of Jesus Christ. Hope is palpable and practical. Hope is what keeps driving us, sometimes kicking and screaming, back to our Heavenly Father. As you observe flickering candles this Christmas, remember hope is constant even in trying times. Hope is what fills us with holy anticipation!