The accounts of Jesus' birth and infancy in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke are quite different, but they also include quite a lot of common ground. Both accounts, for example, say that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, the town from which David came (Mt 2; Lk 2).
We learn from Matthew 2:4-6 that Jews in those days expected that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (see also John 7:42), based on the words of the eighth-century BC prophet Micah.
Addressing Bethlehem, God says in Micah 5:2, "...from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days." This verse announces the coming of a godly ruler in Israel; a ruler, remarkably, whose activities stretch back to ancient times. To be simultaneously past and future, this ruler must be a supernatural figure, and so it is no wonder that this prophecy was seen as messianic.
The prophecy goes on to say until the coming of this ruler, Israel would suffer. After that, however, the nation would be reunited (v 3). In addition, this ruler's authority would extend "to the ends of the earth" (v 4).
Verse 5 adds, "And he shall be their peace." This detail goes well with the messianic title "Prince of Peace" in Isaiah 9:6.
There is a possible allusion to Micah 5:5 in Ephesians 2:14, where Paul says of Jesus, "For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one...." Here Paul speaks of Jesus' role in bringing salvation for both Israel and the nations. This application is consistent with the context of Micah's prophecy. In Micah 4:1-2, Micah sees a time when the nations will seek the God of Israel.
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