Advent Season · Fourth Sunday of Advent · Year C
Micah 5:1-4a
A Promised Ruler from Bethlehem
December 19, 2027
Overview & Insights
“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah... from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel.” (Micah 5:2)
In the previous chapter, 4:6–8 promised the return of a remnant to Zion, Yahweh’s rule over them, and the restoration of the Davidic throne. Then there followed with 4:9 a series of three oracles, each beginning with “now,” and each portraying Judah’s current desperate situation and Yahweh’s salvation yet to come. This passage, the third in the series, deals with the restoration of the Davidic throne in fulfillment of 2 Samuel 7:13.
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Commentary
Commentary on Micah 5:2-5a Working Preacher
Luther Seminary reading of Micah's promise that God appears in surprising, small, overlooked places.
Micah 5:2-5a Commentary Center for Excellence in Preaching
Reformed commentary on Bethlehem's ruler of peace, spoken amid a dark prediction of military defeat.
Micah 5 Commentary: The Promised Ruler from Bethlehem Enduring Word · David Guzik
David Guzik's verse by verse notes on the ruler whose origin is from ancient days.
Micah 5 Commentary Precept Austin
Verse by verse study library with Hebrew word notes on the Bethlehem prophecy.
Micah 5:2 Commentaries BibleHub
Classic commentators compiled verse by verse on the ruler to come from Bethlehem.
Micah 5 - Barnes' Notes StudyLight
Full verse by verse header notes on the Bethlehem oracle from Albert Barnes.
Background & Word Study
The Church Fathers
Questions preachers ask
Why is Micah 5 a Christmas prophecy?
Micah names the little town of Bethlehem as the birthplace of the coming ruler whose origin is from of old, the shepherd-king who will be their peace, fulfilled when Christ is born there.
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