Sharper Iron — Advent with the Prophets: O Little Town of Bethlehem

Rev. Brian Flamme, pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Roswell, NM, joins host Rev. Timothy Appel to study Micah 5:2-5a.

Micah preaches to Judah during the reign of wicked King Ahaz. In contrast to this evil king who reigns in worldly greatness in Jerusalem, Micah promises a ruler who will come by the LORD’s action from the tiny town of David, Bethlehem. This ruler will be true man, one from the line of Judah and David. This ruler will also be true God, the Son begotten from the Father from all eternity. The LORD guides and directs the events of history, even the time of exile for His people, in order to bring His promised Christ into the world at just the right time and in the place He promised. This ruler will not guide the people into idolatry, as wicked Ahaz had done. Instead, because this ruler is God Himself, He will be the Shepherd His holy flock needs. As our Good Shepherd, Jesus has laid down His life for our sins and taken it back up again for our justification in order that we now dwell in perfect peace with God.

“Advent with the Prophets” is a mini-series on Sharper Iron that goes through the Old Testament readings appointed for the season of Advent. This holy season of repentance focuses our attention on Christ’s coming. As we spend time hearing the words of the prophets, the saints who waited patiently in the years before Christ’s coming in the flesh at Christmas, we too are prepared to receive Christ now in His Word and Sacrament, even as we wait for Him to come again in glory.

Sharper Iron, hosted by Rev. Timothy Appel, looks at the text of Holy Scripture both in its broad context and its narrow detail, all for the sake of proclaiming Christ crucified and risen for sinners. Two pastors engage with God’s Word to sharpen not only their own faith and knowledge, but the faith and knowledge of all who listen.

Sharper Iron is underwritten by Lutheran Church Extension Fund, where your investments help support the work of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Visit lcef.org.

Micah 5:2-5a

²^[a] 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.
³Therefore he shall give them up until the time
    when she who is in labor has given birth;
then the rest of his brothers shall return
    to the people of Israel.
⁴And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord,
    in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great
    to the ends of the earth.
⁵And he shall be their peace.

Footnotes

Micah 5:2 Ch 5:1 in Hebrew

English Standard Version (ESV)

Rev. Timothy Appel

Although a mathematics degree may not be incredibly helpful to (proudly born-and-raised Texan) Rev. Timothy Appel while hosting Sharper Iron, his love of CFW Walther and the season of Easter will come in handy. His Call is shepherding the flock at Faith Lutheran Church in Godfrey, Illinois, and he’s also husband to wife Kristin and dad to their growing basketball team of children. When he’s not carrying out pastoral duties, you may find him reading “The Lord of the Rings,” snacking on Reese’s peanut butter cups, playing dominoes with his boys, or studying up on Texas history (including Sam Houston, of course).