God Pause for Wednesday, 12/3/2014
/Luther Seminary God Pause
Wednesday, 12/3/2014 Reading: Micah 5:2-5a
Where are you from? How you answer that question gives people an insight into your past. It might explain your accent, or hint at your cultural heritage or point to your favorite sports teams. But it might also evoke stereotypes or pre-conceived notions about you, notions that often can only be overcome through a personal relationship.
When the prophet names Bethlehem as the place from which salvation will come, our Christian ears hear "birthplace of Jesus." But if we were in the prophet's day, we'd likely hear "home of King David." That's what Micah's listeners would have held on to: that out of this tiny village came Israel's greatest king. And that king himself was a surprise: the youngest and smallest of Jesse's boys seemed more fit to tend sheep than lead a nation. It's a reminder that with God the least can become the greatest, and that we should expect the unexpected. Perhaps where we are from is not nearly as important as whom God is creating us to be.
Wherever we are from, O Lord, and wherever we may be going, may we find our home and our future in you this day. Amen.>
Shelley Cunningham Pastor, Zumbro Lutheran Church Rochester, Minn. Master of Divinity, 1998
Micah 5:2-5a (NRSV)
2 But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to rule in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days. 3 Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has brought forth; then the rest of his kindred shall return to the people of Israel. 4 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 live secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth; 5 and he shall be the one of peace.
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