Bible Studies for Life Sunday School Lesson for January 9

Bible Studies for Life Sunday School Lesson for January 9

By Jeffery M. Leonard, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biblical & Religious Studies, Samford University

THE RULER WHO CARES FOR HIS PEOPLE

Micah 5:2–5a; Matthew 2:1–6, 9–11

It had been many long years since the heady days of King David’s monarchy. In David’s day and in the reign of his son and successor Solomon, the nation of Israel had achieved a sort of political success one would hardly expect from such a tiny country. Though sandwiched between the great empires of Egypt and Mesopotamia, Israel’s borders had expanded, prosperity had increased and the nation experienced a time of unprecedented independence and security.

Now, some two centuries after the time of David and Solomon, the prophet Micah spoke to a nation that had seen nearly all those blessings fade away. In the reigns of David and Solomon, “Israel” meant all 12 tribes who had first formed the nation. After the death of Solomon, 10 of those tribes broke away, leaving David’s descendants as rulers over a much smaller territory called Judah.

In 722 B.C., Assyria destroyed the breakaway kingdom of Israel. There seemed to be very little Judah could do to avoid the same fate. Sharply reduced in territory, in power and in prestige, the nation was in need of a new king, a new David who could lead the nation back to its former glory.

Micah prophesied the coming King who would shepherd His people. (Micah 5:2–5a)

Micah believed Israel’s new Davidic king would come from the same town where the first David had come from: Bethlehem. As was the case with the original King David, Bethlehem was an unlikely hometown for a king. Many cities were larger than Bethlehem in David’s day, and after David no city could compare with great Jerusalem. Yet, Micah insisted this new king would be from the little town of Bethlehem. Though his origins would be humble, this new king was destined for far greater things. He would call the lost tribes back to Israel and shepherd over them in the name of the Lord. This would be a king who would give peace to his people and see his greatness extend to the very ends of the earth.

The wise men were led to seek out the messianic King of the Jews. (Matt. 2:1–6)

The kingdom of Judah experienced a variety of rulers in the days after Micah’s oracle. Some, like Hezekiah and Josiah, were good; others, like Manasseh and Amon, were awful. None lived up to the high calling of Micah’s expectations. Eventually, Judah fell to the Babylonians, and the Davidic dynasty came to an ignoble end. Micah’s prophecy seemed destined to remain unfulfilled.

Then the most unexpected turn of events took place. Centuries later, Jerusalem was astir with the news that a new king had been born. Wise men from the east had arrived unexpectedly at the palace, asking to see this new king. They had seen the king’s star in the east and had come to pay homage to him. This was news to the present king, Herod, who had no interest in seeing new rivals appear on the scene.

When the religious leaders of the day were called in for consultation, it was to Micah they turned to find out where this new king, this Messiah, would be born. Bethlehem of Judea was the answer.

A recognition of who Jesus is should lead us to worship Him. (Matt. 2:9–11)

If it was Bethlehem where the new king was to be born, then to Bethlehem the wise men would go. Entering the house where the holy family was staying, these ambassadors from the east bowed down before the Christ child and offered treasures fit for a king: gold, frankincense and myrrh. Prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah had foretold centuries before that the nations would one day stream to Judah, bearing gifts and honoring the God of Israel. The wise men represented the first of the nations to do so; they would by no means be the last.