Episode Overview

Podcast: A Year in the Bible with Daily Grace
Episode: Season 4, Week 47 Day 1: Annotating Micah 5:2
Hosts: Beth and Alexa
Date: November 17, 2025
Main Theme:
This episode centers on a close reading of Micah 5:2 in the Old Testament, highlighting how this verse points to Jesus as the promised Messiah. The hosts guide listeners through annotation techniques, focusing on the text’s messianic implications and connections to the New Testament fulfillment.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction to the Week’s Study

• Theme: Seeing Christ in Both Testaments
• Scriptures for the Week: Micah 5:2 (Old Testament) and Matthew 2:4–6 (New Testament)
• Purpose: To trace prophecy and fulfillment, demonstrating Jesus as the center of the biblical story.

“We are hopeful that through studying these passages each week, you will see how Christ is not only present throughout the entire biblical story, but the center of it.”
— Host B (00:17)

2. Reading and Annotating Micah 5:2

• Scripture Read:

  "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 ancient times." (00:55)

Beth’s Annotation Process

• Focus Areas:
  • Cities within Israel: Cirkled “Bethlehem, a Judah, and Israel”
  • Smallness: Highlighted “small among the clans”—importance of Bethlehem’s insignificance
  • The Ruler: Underlined “over Israel” and “origin from antiquity, from ancient times”
• Insight:
  • The phrase "origin is from antiquity" stands out as poetic and significant, though its full meaning is to be unpacked later in the week.

“I thought that last phrase was just so beautiful, even if I wasn’t entirely sure what it meant at the time.”
— Beth (01:24)

• Hosts promise further exploration of “origin from antiquity, from ancient times” later in the week.

3. Highlighting Christ-centered Imagery

• Prompt: Highlight words/phrases that point to Christ
• Beth’s Highlights:
  • Bethlehem: Noted as Jesus’s birthplace
  • Judah: Reminder that Jesus is from the line of Judah
  • Ruler: Reinforces Jesus as King and ruler

“I highlighted Bethlehem because I do remember that Jesus is born there… Judah because… Jesus is from the line of Judah… and then I highlighted ruler because we know that Jesus is our King, our ruler.”
— Beth (02:08)

• Reflection: This exercise clarifies how even in a single Old Testament verse, threads pointing to Jesus's identity emerge distinctly.

“I found this prompt especially illuminating this week… I can already start to see where we're going in our conversation throughout the week and I'm pretty excited.”
— Beth (02:22)

4. Looking Forward

• Anticipated Discussion: Exploring the significance of “origin from antiquity” and how Micah’s prophecy is fulfilled in Christ.
• Hosts express enthusiasm: Eager to unpack further connections later in the week.

“This prophecy has a lot to tell us about Jesus, so I’m looking forward to unpacking all those things later this week.”
— Alexa (02:36)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I thought [‘origin from antiquity, from ancient times’] was just so beautiful, even if I wasn’t entirely sure what it meant at the time.”
  — Beth (01:24)
• “I highlighted Bethlehem because I do remember that Jesus is born there...”
  — Beth (02:08)
• “I found this prompt especially illuminating... I can already start to see where we're going in our conversation throughout the week and I'm pretty excited.”
  — Beth (02:22)
• “This prophecy has a lot to tell us about Jesus, so I’m looking forward to unpacking all those things later this week.”
  — Alexa (02:36)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:00–00:44 — Introduction, episode purpose, passages for the week
• 00:44–01:09 — Reading of Micah 5:2, transition into annotation
• 01:09–01:59 — Beth’s annotation process, focusing on Israel and the ruler
• 01:59–02:36 — Identifying Christ-centered words; reflection and takeaways
• 02:36–03:14 — Hosts' excitement for deeper exploration; episode close

Tone and Language

The hosts maintain a warm, encouraging, and approachable tone. Their dialogue is filled with curiosity, mutual support, and a desire to make the connections between Old and New Testament accessible and meaningful for listeners.

Summary

This episode offers a meditative exploration of Micah 5:2, modeling slow, thoughtful Bible study and drawing out key messianic elements pointing to Jesus. Through collaborative annotation, Beth and Alexa set up the deeper dives to come in the week, demonstrating how a single Old Testament verse traverses historical, prophetic, and gospel themes—all converging on Christ.