God keeps alive the longing for salvation in His people.
The tragedy of experiencing one’s own sin, the shortcomings of life, the longing for fulfillment, the longing for the life God intended for us—in short, the longing for God Himself… In the face of all this, the prophets come to remind us: He who will save Israel and the nations will come!
“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in travail has brought forth; then the rest of his brethren shall return to the people of Israel. And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth. And this shall be peace.” (Micah 5:2–5a)
When the living Word of God penetrates us and we cultivate it through study and meditation, it awakens our hearts and spirits. It keeps us from losing ourselves in this passing world and reminds us of God and His precepts.
Thus, the People of Israel become a “people of expectation.” God has spoken to them and sealed a covenant with them. They are His chosen people, and He prepares them for the coming of the Redeemer.
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined. Thou hast multiplied the nation, thou hast increased its joy; they rejoice before thee as with joy at the harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil.” (Isaiah 9:2–3)
“And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord. And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide by what his ears hear; but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked.” (Isaiah 11:2–4)
And even more specifically, it is announced to the People of Israel:
“The Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, a young woman shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanu-el.” (Isaiah 7:14)
And through the prophet Zechariah:
“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem! Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on an ass, on a colt the foal of an ass.” (Zechariah 9:9)
In many ways, the prophets announce the coming of the Messiah. And this is where we need the light of the Holy Spirit to recognize when the prophecies are fulfilled.
Now Bethlehem is very near! The angel is already on his way and will soon go to a true daughter of Israel…
Meditation on the reading of the day: https://en.elijamission.net/2019/12/06/
Meditation on the psalm of the day: https://en.elijamission.net/2024/12/06/