Ezra 2:2-35

No doubt during the captivity a faithful register was kept of the several families, and therefore their number was the more clearly ascertained. Chiefly with an eye to the promised Messiah, each father of the tribe carefully preserved his record. One feature in this record of the families of Israel I cannot help remarking. I mean the smallness of the children of Bethlehem compared to some; - only 123. This was what the prophet Micah had before noticed. And thou Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been of old, from everlasting. Micah 5:2. What a sweet thought this suggests, not to despise the day of small things!