The Messiah would be born in Bethlehem – that’s what the Old Testament scholars at Herod’s court believed at the time the wise men from the east showed up (Matthew 2:4-5), and they based their opinion on today’s passage from Micah. So just to make sure none of the little boys in Bethlehem would grow up to fulfill Micah’s prophecy, and thus challenge his own claim to the throne, King Herod had all of them killed (Matthew 2:16).

But while Herod was only concerned with preserving his power over a tiny portion of what we call the Middle East, Micah’s vision was much broader. For he pointed out that the coming of Christ would fulfill promises God had made “from of old, from ancient days” (Micah 5:2), promises God had made not only to David hundreds of years previously (II Samuel 7), but also to Adam and Eve at the very beginning of human history (Genesis 3:15).

And while Herod was clinging to political power over the area around Jerusalem by staying in the good graces of the Romans, Micah saw that the Messiah would be even greater than the Caesars. For instead of just ruling over the Mediterranean basin, Micah insisted that “he shall be great to the ends of the earth” (Micah 5:4).

And that’s because when the little boy from Bethlehem grew up, He didn’t try to seize power the way Herod did or even the way Augustus did. He didn’t resort to violence or intrigue, to insurrection or war the way so many kings have done throughout human history.

No, He came to shepherd His flock in the strength of the Lord (Micah 5:4), giving us what we really need – gracious forgiveness and loving welcome into the very presence of God. And He has made peace between God and man (Micah 5:5) by the blood of His cross, taking on Himself the death penalty that our sin, our treason against God deserves.

Herod couldn’t understand that kind of self-sacrificial, loving leadership. Can we? And will we follow such a Good Shepherd today?

Micah 5:1-5a (ESV)

Now muster your troops, O daughter of troops; siege is laid against us; with a rod they strike the judge of Israel on the cheek.
2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.
3 Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of his brothers shall return to the people of Israel.
4 And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth.
5 And he shall be their peace.