Author: Connor Guerzini
But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. Yet a ruler of Israel whose origins are in the distant past, will come from you on my behalf. Micah 5:2 NLT
I love small town America. Although I never really grew up in a small town, I have seen and cherished aspects of small town America wherever I have lived. The corner store, the fabled town park, the hospitality, traditions, and things that don’t change often. The unfortunate reality about small towns is that most don’t stay that way for long. The majority of the time, there are two outcomes: suburbs engulf them or they die out over time. The small town charm is replaced with big box stores or become ghosts of the past, depending on the town’s direction. Small towns often live in the past, because the future of small towns is not always hopeful.
Bethlehem is one of those small towns. They didn’t have much to offer. They weren’t at the top of the list when it came to cities in the region. Micah writes that it is only a small village among all the people of Judah. Scholars estimate that Bethlehem’s population wasn’t more than 1000 people during the time of Jesus’ birth.
And yet, Micah also prophesies their future: and it is hopeful. A ruler of Israel, with lineage from the distant past, will come from them on God’s behalf. Talk about a home town hero! Micah is speaking of God bringing from Bethlehem someone more important than their high school quarterback, or long time grocery store manager, or that little old lady that always gave out the best cookies during the holiday season. God was going to bring about the Ruler of Israel from this small town.
Advent is a time of hoping for what God will bring from the most unexpected and insignificant places. Through this small, quaint town of Bethlehem comes the Lord of the Universe: Jesus Christ. Everyone expected that the Messiah would come from some lavished kingdom. Instead, God used a small town. God wasn’t finished with this small, forgotten town in Judea. Instead, he gives them a future hope that they can look forward to: out of their town will be the promised ruler that Israel had been praying for.
Today, look at the small, seemingly insignificant people, places, and moments. Take a moment to pray for these people, spaces, and places. Ask the Holy Spirit to show up in these places, just as he did in the little town of Bethlehem. Our hope is more than a wish, it is a promise. Throughout the Bible, God uses the unexpected to bring about his will. You never know what God will do with the things we may consider insignificant.