Birthplace of Messiah

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” Micah 5:2

When the Magi from the east came to king Herod, this prophetic verse was given by the priests and scribes as to where the Messiah was to be born. Before this verse, Micah’s second discourse rebukes the leaders of both Judah and Israel, the false prophets, and the sins of the Rulers. In other words, despite the sins Israel commits, God loves all people, and the Jewish people in particular, promising a Messiah to save them and lead them and rule over them.