“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you, one whose origins are from the distant past.” Micah 5:2 NLT
Many small towns across the United States are just that, sleepy little villages of no significance except for those who call it home. Every once in a while a small town becomes noticeably significant due to the birthplace of a noteworthy individual. The last half of 20th century saw most U.S. presidents born and reared in small towns. Dwight Eisenhower was born in Abilene, Kansas, President Bill Clinton-Hope, Arkansas, and Jimmy Carter born in Plains, Georgia has lived there to this day. Lima, Ohio is the birthplace of NFL great Ben Roethisberger. The entertainment industry has several celebrities from small towns, Oprah Winfrey is from the small town of Kosciusko, Mississippi, and musical artist Taylor Swift was born and grew up in a small township in the area I now reside, Reading, Pennsylvania, not to mention the world’s most famous groundhog Phil from Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.
These small towns all have one thing in common, they will all be forever remembered as the birthplace of that famous person until someone more famous comes along. What they also have in common is there was no advance notice that a United States president, a NFL player, or a major celebrity would be born in their town. Most people would not know what would become of these small town heroes in their younger years. There may have been glimpses of increasing intellect, wisdom, and talent paving the way throughout their lives, but nothing pre-determined that a well renowned person was among them. History records for us in the Bible a previous announcement that was made to a small town in Judah. It was pre-determined that one would be born in that town who will be a ruler of Israel. That small town is the little town of Bethlehem.
Bethlehem, known as the city of David and the house of bread, is located about five miles southwest of Jerusalem. It is also called Ephrathah, Ephrath, and Bethelhem-judah. It is the burial place of Rachel, Jacob’s wife. (Gen. 35:16-19) It is also the city of Boaz who married Ruth, the Moabitess, King David’s great-great grandmother. (Ruth 4:13-22) Jesse, the father of King David and grandson of Boaz and Ruth dwelt in Bethlehem, and Jesse’s son David along with his brothers were also born in Bethlehem, therefore ‘city of David.’ The little town of Bethlehem had a mighty king growing right up in from of them and didn’t know it. There were a few signs developing in his teen years as a well trusted shepherd protecting his father’s sheep from harmful predators. His striking down and killing the Philistines’ giant battle warrior Goliath made him a household name with immediate attention. David, as scripture reminds us, was anointed to be king replacing Saul who had rejected the word of the Lord. David’s actions and his trust in God were beginning to be noticed in his home town and around Israel.
At times we may feel small and insignificant in a world of bigger than life influential figures all around us. But God uses all of us just the same for His purposes. Your little influence towards those in your community, whether small or large, if in the Lord’s will can mushroom into something great for God. We start small with one person at a time in our little town of influence.
King David went on to be Israel’s greatest king in that David was a man after God’s own heart. God promised David that he his throne would be established forever. (2 Sam. 7:12-16) One will sit on his throne and rule into the everlasting kingdom. (Is. 9:7) King David was the most famous and influential person to be born in the little town of Bethlehem for centuries-but someone more famous and greater came along. The prophet Micah prophesied, “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel will come from you, one whose origins are from the distant past.” (Micah 5:2 NLT)
To be continued………..
Word for the Soul 