Ruler of Israel

‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
Are not the least among the rulers of Judah;
For out of you shall come a Ruler
Who will shepherd My people Israel. Matthew 2:6

At the moment, Israel is having some difficulty in deciding who will be their prime minister. However, this will not always be the case as a ruler is promised from way back, like more than 2,400 years back. And this week we celebrate the birth of this promised ruler, Messiah, who was indeed born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of imperial Rome.  In the celebration of the Christ Child, we may sometimes forget that one great purpose of His is as ruler of a great nation: Israel. Not a tiny nation whom others might kick around, but a great nation with God as its Ruler and Shepherd. No need to be frightened, we believe in Jesus and rejoice at His return. For some though, the thought of Israel with Jesus as its Shepherd is utterly terrifying. 

Why the fear? It is fearful for the prideful to be proven wrong, for one thing. And many do not want the Bible to be true. Many labor for the removal of Israel from the Earth, and this speaks of an enduring reign secured by the power of God Himself. Thus the attempt by a group of nations to destroy Israel utterly in Ezekiel 38. That prophecy is of God's victory though, if they can prove it wrong... 

The Word of God said many things about the coming of Messiah, and all were proven true in Jesus our Lord. Now, which words would you like to believe concerning our Lord's return? The evil ones may appear to run the vineyard in the moment, but the Master returns from a far country very soon now. 

Merry Christmas to you! 
Bucky