ONE OF THE LITTLE CLANS OF JUDAH (MICAH 5:2-4)

The reflection emphasizes how the “little clan of Judah,” specifically Bethlehem, is significant in God’s plan, as prophesied in Micah 5:2-4. Despite its smallness, it became the birthplace of Jesus, a ruler whose reign brings peace and security. The message reassures that insignificance or past failures do not hinder God’s ability to use individuals for…

Jean-Paul Agidi

Dec 1, 2025

3–4 minutes

bible, christmas, faith, god, jesus

REFLECTION

The theme for our reflection is “The little clan of Judah” The “little clan of Judah” mentioned in Micah 5:2-4 is Bethlehem Ephrathah. Despite being small, it is the birthplace of a future ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. We shall reflect on the fact that we may appear insignificant, but God will use us for His glory and our elevation.

Beloved in the Lord, Micah 5:2-4 prophesies that a ruler of Israel, who is also eternal, will come from the small town of Bethlehem. This ruler will shepherd God’s people, and the prophecy is widely interpreted as foretelling the birth of Jesus Christ, who will be born in Bethlehem to a lineage of David. He will govern with strength, bring peace to his people, and his greatness will be known throughout the world. Although Jesus, who was the fruit of Mary’s womb hailed from Bethlehem the smallest of the clans in Isreal, “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.” (Micah 5:4). It should be noted that Prophet Micah is not the only person who had spoken about the promised Messiah, other Prophets such as Isaiah had also mentioned it. Israel was therefore in anticipation of the first Advent of Jesus Christ. It was for this reason, “…when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!… For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfilment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.” (Luke 1:41-42,45ff). My dear friend, the Lord who has promised will never fail. By virtue of the blessed fruit of Mary’s womb, we who are also nonentities have become the beneficiaries of God’s promise of Salvation through Jesus, our Messiah. If God was able to use one of the little clans of Judah, If God was able to favour an ordinary couple, Joseph and Mary, who were not royals nor were from any prominent background, If God was able to elevate the carpenter’s Son who was born in manager and will later be revealed as the Son of God, then be rest assured that when we put our trust in God, He will never put us to shame. We shall experience His glory in our lives, no matter how insignificant we feel.

You may feel empty and useless because of your past failures and disappointments. You may not have hailed from a town, family or clan that is prominent or identified as important, but God’s assurance for us during this Advent season is that just as one of the little clans of Judah was remembered and favoured, we shall also be remembered if only we humble ourselves and remain devoted to God all the days of our lives. If only we would turn away from the world and remain committed to God all the days of our lives, we shall experience His glory in our lives. Shalom.

PRAYER

Dear Lord, we humble ourselves to You as mere mortals and nonentities, may You glorify Yourself in our lives. May we find our essence in your presence. Amen.