Town of Birth: Bethlehem

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Micah 5:1-5

TO CHEW ON: "But you, Bethlehem, Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be a ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times." Micah 5:2

Royally dressed strangers on camels were asking to see the king. “Bring them in!” Herod commanded. “What do you want?” he asked when they stood before him.

“Where is the king of the Jews? We have been following his star. It has led us this far and now we want to worship him.”

Herod called the priests and teachers. “Where is the king of Jews to be born?

“In Bethlehem,” they replied. And then they read these words from our reading today: "But you, Bethlehem, Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be a ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times." They are words Micah had written 750 years earlier.


Micah’s prediction of where Jesus would be born came true. Jesus was born in Bethlehem. This fulfilled prophecy is another proof that the Bible is no ordinary book. Only God could know details like the place a person would be born centuries before it happened.

The many prophecies in the Bible that have come true make us look at the ones that haven’t with expectation. When God says that Jesus will come again and that each one of us will someday stand before Him - He isn’t kidding! Are you ready?

PRAYER: Dear God, help me to know and act on Your word as truth. Amen.

MORE: Exploring Bethlehem
Find out about Bethlehem through books or the internet:

1. Does it still exist?

2. In which country is it?

3. Find a picture of the place in Bethlehem where people think Jesus was born.

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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Adult readers - DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR ADULTS  are available too at Other Food: daily devo's. 

No Spears Needed

TODAY’S SPECIAL: Micah 4:1-5

TO CHEW ON: "He will judge between many peoples
    and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide.
They will beat their swords into plowshares
    and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation,
    nor will they train for war anymore. Micah 4:3

Can you remember a time when there was not a war happening somewhere on earth? I can’t. It seems that every night the news is full of problems in one part of the world or another. It’s much more usual to get news of more wars starting than to hear of people getting along. But Micah the prophet predicts such a war-free time.

Micah lived in Judah at the same time as Isaiah. God gave him messages for Samaria (capital of Israel) and Jerusalem (capital of Judah). They were messages of doom. “Samaria will be destroyed. Jerusalem has become just as bad. Soon it will be flattened and just a garbage dump.”


But Micah didn’t only predict bad news. God also gave him a message of hope. “In the last days Jerusalem will come back to life,” he said. “God Himself will rule from there. It will be a wonderful time when people will want to learn about God and His ways. God Himself will settle the quarrels between nations.”

Micah described a time when peace was everywhere. In that time people wouldn’t need their weapons any more. Instead they would make their swords and spears (weapons) into plowshares and pruning hooks (garden tools).


Has this prophecy come true? No. It is something we can still look forward to. But isn’t it a great thought, to have God, who knows everything and is always fair, as king? Won’t it be wonderful to live in a place where everyone gets along? I wonder what they’ll find to put on the news!

PRAYER: Dear God, please bring this peaceful time to earth soon. Amen.

MORE: Peacemaker
Wars start small. Disagreements and hurt feelings grow from arguments into fights. As more and more people take sides these fights take over nations and continents.

We may not be able to do much to bring peace to nations. But we can do something about bringing peace to our home, school and playground. Here are a few peace-making attitudes. Can you think of more?

1. Forgive when someone says something mean, hurtful or untrue about you.

2. Don’t believe rumor or gossip. Find out what was really said and try to understand how the other person feels.

3. Refuse to get even. Remember, it takes two to make a quarrel.

4. Love all people the same, regardless of abilities, looks, race or beliefs.

5. Repay evil with good.

6.

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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Adult readers - DAILY DEVOTIONS FOR ADULTS  are available too at Other Food: daily devo's.