Micah 5:2

January 23, 2026 by Leave a Comment

“But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, 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” (Micah 5:2).

That’s the best news in the book! From Bethlehem near Jerusalem, and from the tribe of Judah, will come a ruler in Israel! He shall come forth from eternity, from the ancient days. 

This description should draw our attention to Daniel’s use of similar language. Particularly, “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed” (Daniel‬ ‭7‬:‭13‬-‭14‬)

The Ancient of Days is a reference to God (Father). So, God sent one – like a son of man – who had been given an eternal kingdom. 

Combining Micah and Daniel, we should be on the lookout for this special one to come forth at Bethlehem near Jerusalem. Since we didn’t see that occur in the OT, we should look in the NT to see if it happened there. 

John 1:1 might be helpful because John mentions one who was in the beginning. His name is Jesus. But while John connects Jesus to eternity, John doesn’t tell us where this eternal one – Jesus – came into flesh. We need to keep looking. 

Luke 1:31-33 is helpful as it records the angel Gabriel’s words to a virgin named Mary. “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end” (Luke‬ ‭1‬:‭31‬-‭33‬).

Note what Gabriel says about this child: 

1) He will be called the Son of the Most High, which is a reference to Daniel’s Ancient of Days (also mentioned in Micah). 

2) He will receive the throne of David. This reflects the eternal kingdom language of Daniel. However, was David’s throne eternal? According to 2 Samuel 7:16, yes! “And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’” ‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭7‬:‭16‬)

All of that is great, but Micah says this special one will come forth from Bethlehem! If we keep reading Luke, we find the Bethlehem we are looking for.

“This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth” (Luke‬ ‭2‬:‭2‬-‭6‬).

Wow! Micah 5:2 connects directly to Luke 2, but gets there by way of 2 Samuel 7 and Daniel 7.

Father, please help my heart to hunger for your word. Help me to mine for the treasure that lies within. Amen. 

Filed Under: 2 Samuel, Christmas, Daniel, devotional thoughts, Gospels, Life of Christ, Micah, Nativity, New Testament, Old Testament

Daniel 12:1-2

December 18, 2025 by Leave a Comment

“At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” (Daniel 12:1-2)

This is the clearest indication of resurrection in the Old Testament. We can confidently say this is not a metaphorical reference to Israel’s national restoration because of the mention of the book, presumably the book of life. 

Being included in a book or list is a recurring theme throughout the scriptures, culminating in the Lamb’s Book of Life in Revelation. “But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” (Revelation‬ ‭21‬:‭27‬)

I’m thankful that my name is in the book, based on Jesus’s work and not mine. Hallelujah!

Father, thank you for the promise of resurrection to eternal life for those whose names are written in the book. Amen.

Filed Under: Daniel, devotional thoughts, Old Testament, resurrection

Daniel 11:32

December 17, 2025 by Leave a Comment

“He shall seduce with flattery those who violate the covenant, but the people who know their God shall stand firm and take action.” (Daniel 11:32)

This verse seems to be describing folks in a specific situation under the influence of Antiochus Epiphanes. However, the core elements are surely applicable to me. 

There are two groups of people: those who violate the covenant (with God) and those who don’t. The former are moved by flattery, which is nothing more than insincere praise. In my mind, this person is driven – even manipulated – by pride, and thus they are seduced with flattery. 

The latter stand firm because they know their God. I surely want my pride to be in check so that I’m not tempted to evil by flattery. Humility can be a tremendous asset in these situations. I also want to know God deeply, so deeply that I stand firm in my faith when worldly offers are tossed my way. 

Father, please help me to be humble, so that I remain faithful to you rather than be drawn away by flattery. Amen.

Filed Under: Daniel, devotional thoughts, humility, Old Testament, pride

Daniel 10:4, 5, 10, 18

December 16, 2025 by Leave a Comment

“On the twenty-fourth day of the first month, as I was standing on the bank of the great river (that is, the Tigris) I lifted up my eyes and looked, and behold, a man clothed in linen, with a belt of fine gold from Uphaz around his waist. (Daniel 10: 4-5)

And behold, a hand touched me and set me trembling on my hands and knees. (Daniel 10:10)

Again, one having the appearance of a man touched me and strengthened me. (Daniel 10:18)

This chapter gives us a glimpse of the intersection between the spirit (or supernatural) world and the natural world, as Daniel encounters supernatural beings that present themselves as natural ones. Daniel describes the first character as a “man clothed in linen.” (4-5) Then, in verse 10, he describes a hand touching him. Finally, in verse 18, he described being touched by “one having the appearance of man.” 

Often in my circles, this intersection of the supernatural and natural is dismissed as being too charismatic or Pentecostal. While there have certainly been excesses, even abuse of the idea of the supernatural in the charismatic world, we must be careful not to dismiss the spirit realm. 

Not understanding something is no reason to act as if it doesn’t exist. Hebrews 13:2 gives us a sober warning in this regard, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”

Father, help me be excited that you are at work in the natural world even when I don’t understand it completely. Help me to see this world with spiritual eyes. Amen.

Filed Under: Daniel, devotional thoughts, Hebrews, Old Testament

Daniel 9:2

December 15, 2025 by Leave a Comment

“in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, perceived in the books the number of years that, according to the word of the Lord to Jeremiah the prophet, must pass before the end of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years.” (Daniel 9:2)

Here, Daniel is referencing Jeremiah 25:11-12, “This whole land shall become a ruin and a waste, and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years. Then after seventy years are completed, I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation, the land of the Chaldeans, for their iniquity, declares the Lord, making the land an everlasting waste.”

1. Daniel viewed Jeremiah as a prophet. 
2. Daniel believed Jeremiah heard from the Lord. 
3. Daniel used Jeremiah’s writing to make sense of his own circumstances. 

Lord, help me to follow Daniel’s lead in trusting your word and using it to make sense of my life circumstances. Amen.

Filed Under: Daniel, devotional thoughts, Jeremiah, Old Testament, Prophecy
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