Back to Course

Isaiah and Micah: Assyrian Crisis

  1. Lesson One
    Isaiah - YHWH and the Nations
    22 Activities
    |
    3 Assessments
  2. Lesson Two
    Isaiah - YHWH and His People
    23 Activities
    |
    2 Assessments
  3. Lesson Three
    Isaiah's Anticipated Messiah
    24 Activities
    |
    4 Assessments
  4. Lesson Four
    The Authorship and Unity of Isaiah
    24 Activities
    |
    4 Assessments
  5. Lesson Five
    Micah
    17 Activities
    |
    2 Assessments
  6. Course Wrap-Up
    Course Completion
    1 Activity
    |
    1 Assessment
Lesson 5, Activity 6

In | Out of Fruitful Bethlehem, Part 2

Lesson Progress
0% Complete

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 . . .

And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD.
Micah 5:2, 4 ESV

Here again we find the promise of a coming shepherd. The most striking thing about this prophecy is the reference to Bethlehem Ephrathah. “Ephrathah” isn’t a location in this case, but a description of Bethlehem that means “fruitful.” 

At that time, Bethlehem was a small, unfortified town, in contrast to the fortresses like Lachish. The shepherd comes from a place where he doesn’t depend on the strength of physical fortresses. Instead he will have to depend completely on the strength of the Lord. And not only will Jesus come from Bethlehem, He will be “the ruler of Israel” who “comes forth from ancient days” to shepherd His flock.