Bethlehem – Len Bilén's blog, a blog about faith, politics and the environment.

2 John is a very short letter, greeting the elect lady with joy that she and some of her children walk in Christ’s commandments, but also warning her to beware of Antichrist deceivers.

Micah 5. The promise of the coming Messiah: “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.” But first, God promised punishment of Israel’s injustice.

Micah 6. The LORD laid out His a case against Israel and how He will punish Israel’s injustice. One remedy: “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?“

Micah 7. The prophet expressed deep sorrow for Israel’s sins, coupled with the hope that the nation will rise again and that God will forgive Israel.

The Magi were the scientists of that day, combining astronomy, astrology, calendar keeping and natural sciences.

This passage is particularly interesting, with verse 15 put in the middle of a passage full of the most wonderful promises for Israel, ending with “a woman shall encompass a man.”