It Starts Small

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Scripture Reading

• Matthew 2:4
• Micah 5:2
• Daniel 2
• 1 Kings 19:12

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⁴ So he assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people and asked them where the Messiah would be born.

Matthew 2:4

The arrival of the wise men sent shockwaves through King Herod the Great! He was driven by fear and intrigue. He summoned his own wise men, the scribes, and the chief priests of Israel. He was desperate for answers. He gathered his trusted advisors. He demanded they unveil the mystery unfolding before him. He urged them to enlighten him on the extraordinary events that were transpiring.

Why would he ask them where the Messiah was to be born?

Theologians suggest that he wanted to get information on the place so that he could end the life of the Messiah and put his own mind at ease. I think ths is why we should never judge someone because of their position. You would think the king of Israel would have grown up in a house that was spiritually strong and studied the prophesies. You would think someone who called themselves “the Great” would know these things. In his own arrogance and foolishness, power was his goal. He did, after all become king with the help of Rome.

Harod’s men answered, “In Bethlehem of Judea.” And then they quote the prophet Micah:

⁶ And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah:
Because out of you will come a ruler
who will shepherd my people Israel.”

Matthew 2:6

² Bethlehem Ephrathah,
you are small among the clans of Judah;
one will come from you
to be ruler over Israel for me.
His origin is from antiquity,
from ancient times.

Micah 5:2

One thought seems to focus my mind: God’s Perspective is different than ours.

These verses proclaim that Bethlehem, though small, may seem insignificant from a human perspective. It may appear youthful compared to the thousands within the clans of Judah. Yet, it was in this humble town that God made an astonishing choice. This was the sacred destination for the most monumental moment in all of history—past, present, and future.

Why? Would it not have stirred the hearts of many to believe in Jesus as the Messiah if He had been born in a grander setting? Perhaps His birth in the holy city of Jerusalem would have had a greater impact. If He was destined to reign on David’s majestic throne, it would have made more sense for Him to emerge from the very heart of the Jewish nation. Imagine if He had come forth in a powerful Roman city. He could have established His everlasting rule there. He would have stood as the great rock that shatters the kingdoms of men at His feet (Daniel 2)!

No! God deliberately chose the most humble woman and the smallest city for His magnificent entrance into creation. What a profound lesson lies in this choice! From the dawn of humanity, God has been imparting this truth, echoing through time since the very creation of man.

Consider God’s revelation to Elijah.

¹² After the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was a voice, a soft whisper.

1 Kings 19:12

Elijah was eagerly waiting for the Lord to reveal His voice. He was not found in the thundering winds or the raging flames. Instead, He emerged in a gentle, whispering breeze that caressed the soul. No earthquake or fire heralded His presence, but a soft, tranquil breath that spoke volumes of love. God cherishes the humble, using them to create mighty waves of change. He elevates the humble. A humble heart recognizes that every achievement shines in the light of God’s glory. Every success and triumph is dedicated wholly to His service. A humble heart doesn’t yearn for self-glorification. It seeks to exalt God. All honor, glory, and praise truly belong to Him.

So, God chose to reestablish the line of David. It was once a majestic tree but was reduced to a mere stump. It was humbled beyond measure in the heart of the City of David. The birth of the King, destined for an everlasting reign, would not be heralded by trumpets, harps, or cymbals. Instead, it would unfold amidst the humble presence of livestock and the soft rustle of hay. In this divine simplicity, there lies a profound beauty—God could not have envisioned it any other way!

Man measures by outward appearances, yet God peers into the depths of our souls. The Jews failed to recognize and embrace Jesus as their King. He arrived not in glory but in humility. He embodied true servanthood. He entered Jerusalem on a lowly donkey, proclaiming that the first shall be last and the last shall be first. They longed for regal garments and a lavish crown. Instead, they encountered robes of righteousness. They also encountered a crown of thorns, which was an ineffable testament to His love and sacrifice.

God chose to accomplish extraordinary things in the most humble of circumstances… let this be a poignant reminder as you reflect on the condition of your heart this Christmas season.

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