Our story today is a tale of two cities. The first is named in our text: "But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah, who are one of the little clans of Judah ..."(v. 2a). If Bethlehem is little, with what is it to be contrasted? With Jerusalem, of course, the great holy city.

Jerusalem was the capital of Judah, the home of the king. It was more than a royal center, however, since it was also the site of the temple, the dwelling place of God on earth. That made it the sacred center, the place where the people were most in touch with their God. "Jerusalem, thou city fair and high, would God I were in thee!"

Jerusalem was a city characterized by power, wealth, and glory; but Micah was not from Jerusalem, unlike his older contemporary Isaiah. Micah came from the common people, from the small village…