THOUGH YOU ARE SMALL – MICAH 5:2
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans[b] of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”
As I am praying how I can illustrate the aforementioned text, I came across this story from one of the contributor of sermoncentral. Here is the story.
In Scotland many years ago, the pastor of a small village church was visited by one of his deacons before service one Sunday morning. As the pastor brought out some coffee for them to share, her could tell by the deacon’s demeanor that something was weighing heavily upon him. Finally the deacon spoke:
"I came early to meet you as there is something that me and the other deacons have been talking about that we want you to consider- There must be something wrong with your preaching and ministry; there has been only one person added to the church in a whole year, and he is only a boy."
What a way to start a Sunday morning!
The minister went into the pulpit that day with a grieved and heavy heart. After service he wished to be alone and lingered in the church after everyone else left so he could pray. He cried out to God asking why his efforts seem to be in vain despite him doing his best for God, and living a holy life before him.
After a while of pouring his heart out to God at the altar, he became conscious that he was not alone. He looked up and saw that it was the boy, Robert, that had become a Christian in the last year.
The pastor asked, "Well, Robert, what is it?"
Robert replied, "Do you think if I were willing to work hard for an education I could ever become a preacher? A preacher? —Perhaps a missionary?"
There was a long pause and tears filled the eyes of the old minister. At length he said, "This heals the ache in my heart, Robert. I see the divine hand now. Yes, I think you will become a preacher."
That boy was Robert Moffat.
The boy that the deacons wrote off as an insignificant fruit of the old pastor’s labor became a name known in the courts of heaven.
In fact, the measure of the old minister's reward will be found in the gathered fruit of the labors of Robert Moffat. If that name is not familiar to you Robert became the great African missionary who translated the entire bible into the local language, so the native people would read God’s word for themselves.
Now, let us go back to our topic today, The insignifant town of Bethlehem Ephrathah.
Etymology:
Bethlehem: House of Bread
Beth – House
Lehem – Bread
Related Verses from the bible:
Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. John 6:35
4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[b]” Matthew 4:4
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Acts 2:42
Ephrathah – Fruitful
Geneology from Jacob to Ephrath
Jacob, Judah and Tamar, Perez, Hezron, Caleb and Ephrath, Hur the father of Bethlehem
There are many small to greatness stories written in the history of insignificant Bethlehem
1. Rachel is not only the wife of Jacob, but she is the mother of famous Joseph the dreamer. Her life is a testimony that out of an obscure and unknown girl of a deceitful father Laban, God can raise governor and one of the greatest heroes of faith in the life of Joseph
2. Ruth is a Moabite woman, an outsider of the chosen people of Israel. We understand that Naomi, her mother in law had to undergoes several famines in her life so that God can reach out to Ruth, brought her to Bethlehem to meet her second husband Boaz. She turned out to became David’s great grandmother and the only non-Jewish writer of the Bible, the book of Ruth.
3. David - When Prophet Samuel came to anoint the next king of Israel. David was not even notified or considered by his father Jesse. Jesse thought that David was too young for the job. But later, David proved himself by killing Goliath the giant and later came to be known as the greatest king of Israel.
4. Jesus was born in the stable of Bethlehem. He was laid in the manger because there is no room in the inn. But as the Christmas is past approaching, we understand the Jesus is the Son of God. The Messiah Savior of the World.
Bethlehem taught us never to underestimate the small beginnings. Because small can became great once the greatest touch down happens. The touchdown of the Son of God to the little town of Bethlehem transform this little village into the greatest land mark of history. This little town of Bread is now a testimony of the greatest demonstration of transforming love.
The one being adore in heaven came to Earth so that the people he loves in Earth can go to heaven.
Let us meditate on the best encouragement from the messianic prophecy of Prophet Micah and let’s see if we can relate to this same encouragement.
“..though you are small…” Micah 5:2
Being small can also be described by the following words:
• Simplicity
• Mediocrity or ordinary
• Adversity or hardship
• Limitations
• Lack or insufficiency
But in Bethlehem, we found that God can transform the small into great.
I. Your Simplicity does not dismiss his Grace
II. Your Mediocrity does not abolish his Reward
III. Your Adversity is just preparation for Eternity
IV. Your Limitations is not hindrance to his Approval
V. Your Lack and insufficiency invites his Tender-mercies
CONCLUSION:
Why did God choose Bethlehem as the birthplace of His only son? I can suggest two reasons.
1. Bethlehem is a symbol of insignificance being an ordinary small town. ??By this, he tells the world that he cares for ordinary people and he is able to transform them into extra ordinary one.
2. Bethlehem is also a symbol of brokenness as it has been destroyed by Roman even before and after the birth of Jesus. ??By this, God can demonstrates to the world how he cares for broken people like us.
The message of Bethlehem is this: Though you are small, insignificant and broken, God loves you, he cares and he has a great plan for you.
