A prophecy of hope and salvation. A prophecy of the coming king from a small and obscure town. This is the birth announcement of Jesus by His Father.
Verse one tells of the urgency of the imminent future of Israel. A siege from the conquering city of Babylon was soon to begin and the current leader of Israel was facing shame and indignation. He would find that being a leader did not give him special privileges. To shame one’s leader is to discourage and shame the entire nation.
Then verse two greats us with news. It speaks of Bethlehem. It was small among the cities of Judah. The beauty of verse two is that nothing is too insignificant to God. A small town, with little in the means of accolades, becomes the birth place for the King of kings and the Lord of lords. God could have chosen a great city like Jerusalem for the birth of His Son, but He didn’t. As the Jamieson-Fauset-Brown commentary says, “God chooses the little things of the world to eclipse in glory its greatest things.” Never think of yourself as insignificant in the eyes of God. Let Him reveal His plans; they’re bigger than you than you realize.
Verse three reveals an even greater revelation of God’s grace. Jerusalem is said to be abandoned until the virgin gives birth. Well, what is the greatest sorrow of Jerusalem? Her sin! The people of Israel had to live in the shadow of their sin until the One came to take away the power of sin and deliver them. God’s grace was to send His Son to remove the stench of sin.
The birth of Christ will lead to a new gathering of God’s children – the salvation of all mankind. The gift of salvation is offered to all who accept Him and Lord and Savior. Maybe I’m starching this a bit, but I wonder if “brothers” here could also mean “all mankind? That’s a lot to think about regarding Christ’s love?
Finally, we see a shepherd who will care for His flock. He will reign in strength. He will stand upon His Word because it cannot be overcome. A standing shepherd sees all of His flock and is vigilant as he watches for those who would attack them. He stands because His name is majestic, and His name is above every other name. And all who call upon His name will live securely; they will be saved. I like that kind of security!
- How do you like knowing that God uses the little things?
- What does sin smell like?
- How secure are you feeling today?
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