“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”—Micah 5:2.
THE birth of Jesus Christ was in exact accord with the prophetic Word. It was foretold that He was to be the Seed of the woman (Gen. 3:15), therefore the Child of a virgin (Isa. 7:14). The place of His holy nativity was mentioned by name seven centuries before He was born in Bethlehem. That He was to be both God and Man was plainly declared (Isa. 9:6). The name “Immanuel” means “God with us.” The last clause of the verse declares, “Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” This could never be said of one who was merely a man, however great and good he might be. This Man is Jehovah’s Fellow (Zech. 13:7), destined to share the throne of Jehovah with the Father (Psa. 110:1). It was His rightful place because He was one with the Father from all eternity (Psa. 102:25, 26; 45:6, 7).
“Conquering Prince and Lord of glory,
Majesty enthroned in light;
All the heavens are bowed before Thee,
Far beyond them spreads Thy might!
Shall not I fall at Thy feet,
And my heart with rapture beat,
Now Thy glory is displayed,
Thine ere yet the worlds were made?
As I watch Thee far ascending
To the right hand of the throne.
See the host before Thee bending,
Praising Thee in sweetest tone;
Shall not I too at Thy feet
Here the angels’ strain repeat,
And rejoice that heaven doth ring
With the triumph of my King?”
— Gerhard Ter Steegen.