When we read this Scripture, we typically notice that Jesus fulfilled this prophecy by his birth in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:1.) However, the more glorious thing about Messiah is in the latter part of the verse. It says, “…whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”
What does this mean, that his “goings forth” have been from of old, “from everlasting”? The words, “goings forth” means origins, and the word “everlasting” means eternity. Another version translates it thus, “Bethlehem Ephrathah, you are small among the clans of Judah; One will come from you to be ruler over Israel for Me. His origin is from antiquity, from eternity” (NASB.)
We see therefore that Messiah’s origin would be “from antiquity,” (which means “the distant past” or “time immemorial”) and to explain how distant past Messiah’s origins are it says, “from eternity.”
The word eternal is defined as “without end or beginning.” The Hebrew word here in Micah 5:2 for everlasting is olawm, which Strong’s defines as forever. The word olawm is used in conjunction with God in Genesis 21, when Abraham “…called there on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God” (Genesis 21:33, KJV,) or “…on the name of the LORD, the Eternal God” (NIV.)
The Hebrew words for Everlasting God (KJV) or Eternal God (NIV) are El Olawm. Abraham called God Everlasting and Eternal – olawm. Now the prophet Micah also employs this very same word olawm to describe Messiah as being everlasting and eternal.
Messiah’s origins are from eternity. This presents us with a strong case in favor of the deity of Messiah, for only God himself can be eternal.
Only God alone can be everlasting. A Being that is eternal or everlasting is by definition uncreated. Only God is uncreated. Only the Creator is uncreated.
Micah’s Messianic prophecy therefore predicted that Messiah would be divine. Angels are created. Man is created. Heaven, earth, the sun, moon and stars are created. But Messiah’s origins are from antiquity, even from eternity. God is the only One who is eternal and has no beginning. Therefore, Messiah is God. Jesus Christ is that Messiah, we conclude herewith that Jesus Christ is God.
Psalms also says that God is from everlasting to everlasting, which is a way to describe God’s existence from past eternity through future eternity, without beginning and without end. He is infinite. It says, “Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God” (Psalm 90:2, KJV.)
Micah says that Messiah is from everlasting. Jesus is the Messiah whom Micah predicted would come. Therefore, Jesus is that God who is everlasting. He is the God who is from everlasting to everlasting. Jesus Christ is God.
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