Catholic Commentary on Micah 5

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” (Micah 5:2)

The Ruler from Bethlehem

Marshal your troops now, city of troops, for a siege is laid against us. They will strike Israel's ruler on the cheek with a rod. But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor bears a son, and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites. He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And he will be their peace.

The Catechism identifies Micah 5:2 as one of the most precise Old Testament Messianic prophecies, cited by the chief priests and teachers of the law when Herod asks where the Messiah is to be born (CCC 439).

Living the Word

Brothers and sisters, though you are small among the clans of Judah. Bethlehem is the smallest. The Messiah does not come from the great city; he comes from the insignificant village. God's logic consistently inverts human significance: the youngest son, the barren woman, the smallest tribe, the overlooked town. He will be their peace. The small place produces the eternal peace. Never despise the small.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, born in Bethlehem, the smallest among the clans, you are our peace. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

5
A Ruler from Bethlehem
(Matthew 2:1-12)
1 Now, O daughter of troops,
mobilize your troops;
for a siege is laid against us!
With a rod they will strike the cheek
of the judge of Israel.
2 But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
who are small among the clans * 5:2 Or thousands of Judah,
out of you will come forth for Me
One to be ruler over Israel † 5:2 Cited in Matthew 2:6-
One whose origins are of old,
from the days of eternity.
3 Therefore Israel will be abandoned
until she who is in labor has given birth;
then the rest of His brothers will return
to the children of Israel.
 
4 He will stand and shepherd His flock
in the strength of the LORD,
in the majestic name of the LORD His God.
And they will dwell securely,
for then His greatness will extend
to the ends of the earth.
5 And He will be our peace ‡ 5:5 Or their peace
when Assyria invades our land
and tramples our citadels.
We will raise against it seven shepherds,
even eight leaders of men.
6 And they will rule the land of Assyria with the sword,
and the land of Nimrod with the blade drawn.
So He will deliver us
when Assyria invades our land
and marches into our borders.
The Remnant of Jacob
(Micah 2:12-13)
 
7 Then the remnant of Jacob will be
in the midst of many peoples
like dew from the LORD,
like showers on the grass,
which do not wait for man
or linger for mankind.
8 Then the remnant of Jacob will be among the nations,
in the midst of many peoples,
like a lion among the beasts of the forest,
like a young lion among flocks of sheep,
which tramples and tears as it passes through,
with no one to rescue them.
9 Your hand will be lifted over your foes,
and all your enemies will be cut off.
 
10 “In that day,”
declares the LORD,
“I will remove your horses from among you
and wreck your chariots.
11 I will remove the cities of your land
and tear down all your strongholds.
12 I will cut the sorceries from your hand,
and you will have no fortune-tellers.
13 I will also cut off the carved images
and sacred pillars from among you,
so that you will no longer bow down
to the work of your own hands.
14 I will root out the Asherah poles from your midst
and demolish your cities.
15 I will take vengeance in anger and wrath
upon the nations that have not obeyed Me.”

*5:2 5:2 Or thousands

†5:2 5:2 Cited in Matthew 2:6

‡5:5 5:5 Or their peace

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