Micah — Chapter 5

Et tu Bethlehem Ephrata parvulus es

'And thou, Bethlehem Ephrata, art a little one among the thousands of Juda: out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be the ruler in Israel, and his going forth is from the beginning, from the days of eternity.' À Lapide's commentary on this verse is among the richest in the entire work. He establishes the twofold birth: eternal generation from the Father ('from the days of eternity') and temporal birth from the Virgin at Bethlehem. He surveys all the Fathers—Justin, Origen, Eusebius, Jerome, Augustine, Chrysostom—and replies to Jewish objections. The Magi's consultation (Matt. 2:6) is treated as apostolic confirmation of the Messianic reading.

Stabit et pascet in fortitudine Domini

'He shall stand and feed in the strength of the Lord.' The Good Shepherd who feeds his flock in divine strength is identified with Christ governing His Church. The security of the sheep ('they shall be converted, for then shall he be great even to the ends of the earth') is the pastoral care of the apostolic ministry continued in the episcopate. À Lapide cites John 10 as the New Testament fulfilment.