The Ruler of Israel

"But you, O Bethlehem Ephratha, 

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 origin is from of old,

from ancient days.

Therefore 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.

And 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.

And he shall be their peace."

Micah 5:2-5

The ruler of Israel of which the prophet Micah foretells is indeed Jesus. The Son is from ancient of days. It has been predestined from before the foundations of creation that Jesus would come and save a particular people (Ephesians 1:5). By the blood of His cross, He has united a people unto himself. His wounds are their peace. He is the Good Shepherd who laid down his life for the sake of His sheep. Surely he shepherds God's children in the strength and majesty of the LORD. 

The New Regime

"Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God.

 “The time has come,” he said. 

“The kingdom of God has come near. 

Repent and believe the good news!”

Mark 1:14-15

"Through Adam's rebellion, a rival regime establishes a beachhead in God's world. While God is the rightful King, the fallen sons of Adam (us) refuse to swear allegiance to his rule or follow his commands. Yet in his grace, God commits himself to reclaim lost allegiance and to deliver man from the awful regime of sin and death. "

Mike Williams, 'Far as the Curse is Found'

When Jesus came proclaiming the kingdom of God, he was proclaiming the good news of this new regime. In God's gracious initiative, the Son came to earth to redeem his creation that had been enslaved by the regime of sin. The Gospel is that the kingdom is here. God has come to restore his regime. He invites us to turn from our allegiance to sin, and turn to the One and True God, who has ushered in the new kingdom through Jesus. 

YHWH is incomparable

"Who among the gods is like you, O LORD?

Who is like you,

majestic in holiness, awesome in glory,

working wonders?

Exodus 15:11

Through the exodus, Israel came to know that YHWH is incomparably greater than other gods. He is without equal. There is none like Him. This rhetoric also runs throughout the Old Testament. YHWH is without equal....

• in keeping promises and fulfilling his word (2 Samuel 7:22)
• in power and wisdom, as seen in creation (Jeremiah 10:6-7, 11-12)
• in the heavenly assembly (Psalm 89: 6-8)
• in ruling over the nations (Jeremiah 49:19)
• in pardoning sin and forgiving transgression (Micah 7:18)
• in saving power on behalf of his people (Isaiah 64:4)