Tuesday, January 14, 2020

Bethlehem's Shepherd Ruler



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This sermon is based on Matthew 2:6 which records the answer provided to the Magi regarding the birthplace of the newborn king of the Jews. The message provides a comparison with the original prophecy in Micah 5:2 as well as meditations of the ruling and shepherding roles of the Messiah.

Written Excerpts:

Introduction:
We have just celebrated the birth of Christ this week.
Those of us who believe in Jesus and have experienced his saving grace in our hearts continue to celebrate the miracle of the incarnation – God coming in the flesh for the purpose to redeem fallen humanity.
A few weeks ago, as I was reading portions of the Christmas account again in the Gospels, I was intrigued by this quote in Matthew’s gospel taken from the prophecy of Micah. In the OT, we read about David – the son of Jesse – who was a shepherd that became a ruler. Here in the Gospel of Matthew, it speaks of a Ruler who serves as a shepherd.
The word translated “rule” in the KJV is translated “shepherd” in the NKJV. (KJV reads, “governor” who will “rule”; and the NKJV reads, “ruler” who will “shepherd”) In the KJV the word is translated “rule” 4 times and translated “feed” 6 times. Probably why the word “shepherd” is chosen by some translators.
Matthew records this as part of the conversation which took place between the religious leaders (priests and scribes) of that day and the Magi who had come searching for the “newborn king.”
There are plenty of interesting details to consider surrounding Matthew’s account of these visitors from the East. We’ve all probably heard explanations that indicate such things as:
·         We don’t know how many men there were
·         We don’t know their exact origin (from the East)
·         We don’t believe they visited the stable (“house” vs “manger”)
·         We don’t know for sure how old Jesus was when they visited (“child” rather than “baby”)
The Magi came to the logical place to find a newborn king – Jerusalem. I don’t know for sure how they knew the “star” was the indication that the baby had arrived (other than, divine inspiration). It has been suggested by some that their knowledge of a coming king in Judah could have originated through the influence of the prophet Daniel, during his time of captivity in Babylon/Persia. Anyway, when they arrived in Jerusalem and asked their disturbing question, the “chief priests and scribes” knew exactly where to point them because of what they had studied in the prophets.
This morning I would like to focus our attention on these words attributed to a prophecy by the OT prophet Micah. I want to begin by comparing Matthew’s quote with the original passage in Micah. Then, I want to emphasize the significance of the two descriptive words that appear together in this verse – Ruler and Shepherd.
I.          Compare the New with the Old
Before we talk about the significance of the prophecy, I want to take a few moments to compare and contrast the NT and OT versions of the prophecy the scribes were referring to. Many times NT writers modified OT prophecies not to twist the meaning, but to bring out the true meaning better. These chief priests and scribes do the same thing here. (Lenski's Commentary)
Micah 5:2 (NKJV)  "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, 
Matthew 2:6 (NKJV)  'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah;
Ephrathah vs. in land of Judah – (Lenski’s Commentary) The main purpose of quoting this prophecy was to give the location of the Messiah’s birth. 
According to 1 Sam. 17:12, (a verse providing the identity of David’s father, Jesse), “Ephrathah” would be a word that identifies a specific section of Judah in which Bethlehem lay, so the priests and scribes simply say, “in the land of Judah.” 
(Tyndale Commentary) There was a Bethlehem in Galilee, according to Josh. 19:15. This author also stresses the fact that using the name “Judah” implies the idea of royalty more so than “Ephrathah.”
Micah 5:2 (NKJV)  "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah
Matthew 2:6 (NKJV)  'But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, Are not the least among the rulers of Judah;
(Lenski) Micah seems to be making a contrast, “even though you are little, yet out of you shall come…” [However, being little does not mean they are the “least” or littlest. So, in Matthew, it emphasizes the intended meaning – Bethlehem is little, but it is not the least.]
(Lenski, con’t.) Each of the “thousands” would have been headed up by a chief or ruler. Therefore, Matthew again is emphasizing the same meaning using different terms.
Micah 5:2 (NKJV)  "… out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting." 
Matthew 2:6 (NKJV)  '… out of you shall come a Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel.' "
The priests and scribes again use a phrase that more fully describes the real meaning of the original prophecy. What kind of ruler? The answer is in the context. See just two verses later:
Micah 5:4 (NKJV)  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 abide, For now He shall be great To the ends of the earth; 
The OT word for “feed” is translated as “shepherd” 63 times in the OT.
Micah 5:2 (NKJV)  "… The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting." 
This last phrase in Micah’s prophecy is omitted altogether by Matthew.
Someone suggested (Lenski) that this phrase wasn’t pertinent to the question asked by the Magi, therefore was not included in the response of the priests and scribes. I believe it could also be due to the fact that they hadn’t fully grasped the concept that the Messiah would have existed from eternity.
I have tried to show that, rather than twisting the OT prophecy or doing any harm to its meaning, the NT simply brings out more strongly the intended meaning of the original passage.
II.        The Shepherd is a Ruler
In our discussion of the answer provided by the chief priests and the scribes, we notice that this “newborn king” is described as a ruler. I’ve already referred to the fact that each 1,000 of families would have a head or ruler.
Micah prophesied that there would be one coming who would be “ruler” of Israel.
“ruler” – to govern, have dominion over; trans 19 times as “ruler” and 4 times as “governor.”
As I mentioned during the introduction, King David was a Shepherd who became a ruler. 
Many Messianic prophecies emphasized the dominion and rule that would be exercised by the Lord’s Anointed One. Even the NT prophecies in Revelation highlight the final rule of the Christ.
I believe that we must fully grasp the fact that God does not merely rule over a nation (Israel), but He will rule the entire world. And, everyone who lives in that kingdom, will necessarily submit to His rule in each of their own hearts.
Philippians 2:10 (KJV)  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 
The primary defect in all of us before we come to Christ is that we want to be sovereign. We want to be the ruler in our world. It goes completely against human nature for us to surrender our will to the sovereign will of another. Yet, that is exactly what God calls each and everyone of us to do.
III.       The Ruler is a Shepherd
When David was at Hebron and the people were ready to crown him the king, this is what they said…
2 Samuel 5:2 (NKJV)  Also, in time past, when Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them in; and the LORD said to you, 'You shall shepherd My people Israel, and be ruler over Israel.' "
Psalm 78:70-72 (NKJV) 70  He also chose David His servant, And took him from the sheepfolds; 71  From following the ewes that had young He brought him, To shepherd Jacob His people, And Israel His inheritance. 72  So he shepherded them according to the integrity of his heart, And guided them by the skillfulness of his hands. 
Here are a number of verses that highlight the shepherd role of the Lord.
Psalm 23:1 (KJV)  The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 
Isaiah 40:11 (KJV)  He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. 
Jeremiah 31:10 (KJV)  Hear the word of the LORD, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock. 
Ezekiel 34:23 (KJV)  And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd. 
Ezekiel 37:24 (KJV)  And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them. 
What are the conditions without a shepherd?
Zechariah 10:2 (NKJV) For the idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain: therefore they went their way as a flock, they were troubled, because there was no shepherd. 
1 Peter 2:25 (KJV)  For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. 
The final action of the chief Shepherd…
1 Peter 5:4 (KJV)  And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. 
Oh, how comforting and precious to meditate on the fact that our Lord, our ruler, our sovereign God is also our Shepherd.
He provides every need of our lives.
He protects and guides us through the dangerous paths of life.
He loves us and gives Himself for us.
Conclusion:
Our Scripture lesson today tells the story of the wise men seeking Jesus, the newborn king of the Jews.
Have you been seeking Him as your personal King? 
The chief priests and scribes describe Him as a Ruler who will Shepherd (feed) His people.
Have you discovered His all-sufficient provisions for physical and spiritual life?
When the wise men finally found Jesus, they fell down and worshiped Him.
Have you truly worshiped Him from the bottom of your heart?
He is certainly deserving of all our worship and devotion.
He is deserving of our submission and obedience.
He is Bethlehem’s Shepherd Ruler who will return to earth as King of kings and Lord of lords.
Closing Song: As with Gladness Men of Old 

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