Book of Micah - Chapter 5 - Verse 2

The verse "But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." from the book of Micah in the Bible highlights the prophecy of the birthplace of the Messiah. The prophet Micah foretells that even though Bethlehem is a small and seemingly insignificant town in Judah, it will be the birthplace of a great ruler who will come forth to lead Israel. This ruler is described as having origins from ancient times, indicating his divine nature and eternal existence. This is a significant prophecy as it points to the birth of Jesus Christ, who was born in Bethlehem and is recognized as the awaited Messiah in Christianity. The verse emphasizes the divine plan and foreknowledge of God in choosing the birthplace of the savior, fulfilling ancient prophecies and bringing salvation to humanity.

One theological interpretation of the verse 'But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.' highlights the significance of the prophecy of the Messiah's birthplace in Bethlehem. The mention of Bethlehem, a seemingly insignificant town, as the birthplace of the ruler of Israel emphasizes the humble beginnings of Jesus Christ. It signifies God's sovereign plan to bring about salvation through a humble and unexpected source. The reference to the ruler's 'goings forth... from everlasting' also points to the eternal nature of the Messiah, emphasizing his divinity and pre-existence. This verse serves as a reminder of God's faithfulness in fulfilling prophecies and orchestrating events according to His divine plan.