Matthew 2:5-6 NKJV
As I was reading today I noticed Matthew quotes from Micah 5:2 and he does not quote the entire verse. Now we know there were not chapter and verse divisions but I thought it was interesting where Matthew stops. Let’s look at Micah 5:2
““But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.””
Micah 5:2 NKJV
It’s amazing to me that many will quote this verse today properly pointing it to Christ but they want to focus on the last phrase, “Whose goings forth are from old, from everlasting.” They do so trying to prove Jesus was somehow God. Yet Matthew feels no need to quote that part that is not his focus.
You see when it says “Whose goings forth are from Old, from everlasting”, It’s not trying to say the Shepherd is an eternal being. It’s telling us that this was God’s purpose and plan from everlasting, it’s good as done even though it had not yet been accomplished.
I believe the reason why Matthew does not say the last phrase is because the prophecy had been fulfilled in Christ, there was no need to make this statement of God’s predetermined will. Matthew was simply saying Jesus was that promised shepherd and Ruler based on his fulfillment of that prophecy.
If you must continue don’t just read verse 2 but continue on to see who this shepherd and Ruler is. It does not portray him as God himself but rather the servant of God.
“Therefore He shall give them up, Until the time that she who is in labor has given birth; Then the remnant of His brethren Shall return to the children of Israel. And He shall stand and feed His flock In the strength of YHWH, In the majesty of the name of YHWH His God; And they shall abide, For now He shall be great To the ends of the earth;”
Micah 5:3-4 NKJV
He (Jesus) will stand in the strength of YHWH and in the majesty of the name of YHWH 👉His God👈. My brothers and sisters let us take the prophets at their word and believe this is fulfilled in Christ. Christ is our ruler, however he rules in the strength and majesty of His God and our God, YHWH.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!
Age To Come 