Micah 5:1-4 KJV
1 Now gather thyself in troops, O daughter of troops: he hath laid siege against us: they shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek.
2 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.
3 Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel.
4 And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God; and they shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth.

Merry Christmas 2023. Many in Israel that are believers in Bethlehem and all of Israel will not according to the news will not be celebrating Christmas and I say bah humbug because of the war currently going on. I will tell you Christmas is in the heart of every believer around the world despite how little a Christmas is celebration wise or materialistic wise. Christmas comes without bobbles and string. It's with the celebration of Christ's birth in the heart of man or woman, boy or girl. Micah prophesied the birth of Christ who wpyld be the king of all of Israel and a ruler from old.

Who is Israel to the Christian but mother land of hope, no the fatherland of old. Faith being older then spiritual Israel. Faith older then Noah, faith being from the begining of time and before time as we understand it. Spiritual faith covered by God's eternal plan for man not to perish but to have everlasting life first by his word and now our Savior Jesus Christ.

A woman prevailed in giving birth in Bethelem. First recorded woman giving birth who was Rachel who died in child birth and Mary, mother of Jesus from Nazareth gave birth to the king of Israel and king of our father who came to be first a shepherd to God's people and also the gentiles to all that would believe. First coming to his own that would one day reject him amd crucify him. Only for him to rise again proving who he really was, is and will be.

This passage in Micah was and is prophecy concerning coming of Christ and the blessed hope to come. Yet Israel was under siege by Assyria. Bethlehem being smallest town in Judah, nestled in rolling sheep fields, with one of the mountainous terraine and wooded land in the region amd mountains higher then Jerusalem. Sounds like my own state in America.Yet this area much smaller then my own.

We can not forget for a long time the nation Israel was to be God's representative, only to fail because of their humanity. God sending his Son in humanity of man with his power to heal the blind, the lame, and the sick. His power to calm the storm. Are we watching today the final battle in Israel? It appears to be but not necessarily. Though many prophecy point to end times, I dont wish to be blind if it not so. Instead of watching curremt events beyond what is necessary it best to keep our focus on Jesus and God's holy word. God's word must come, must come to pass and all things fulfilled that will be before Christ second coming.

If God could nestle the hope of Israel in the mist of destruction and despair to all unbelievers, he is able to continue to do so.

Let us focus on Jesus. May our victory of joy and celebration come to our hearts this Christmas Day 2023. Joy to the world our Savior born on Christmas Day. Peace on earth and good will toward the world.

Dear Heavenly Father fill us with Christ's Spirit and the hope of eternity as a faith from old to new and future. In Jesus precious name, Amen.

Continual Scripture Study: Isaiah 51:4-6 KJV
4 Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people.
5 My righteousness is near; my salvation is gone forth, and mine arms shall judge the people; the isles shall wait upon me, and on mine arm shall they trust.
6 Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.