Though the prophet is telling them of their captivity and dispersion among the nations, there is a strong future message about a leader to come. Jesus Christ will come in Micah 5:2 “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, too small to be among the clans of Judah, from you one will go out for me, to be ruler in Israel; and his origins are from of old, from ancient days”. And though they fear now, in Micah 5:4 “And he will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of Yahweh, in the majesty of the name of Yahweh his God. And they will live, for now he will be great unto the ends of the earth”. But what does the Lord want from us now? It is simple, in Micah 6:8 “He has told you, O mortal, what is good, and what does Yahweh ask from you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” And what do we know about him? Micah 7:18–20 “Who is a God like you, forgiving sin and passing over rebellion for the remnant of his inheritance?” There is a future a hope, in Jesus Christ.
Bethlehem From You One Will Go Out For Me
Micah 5:1–6
Though the Assyrians will lay siege and “strike the ruler” as in
Micah 5:1 Now muster troops, O daughter of troops; a siege he puts against us. They strike the ruler of Israel with a rod on the cheek.
and it may seem that all is lost, and “he will give them up until the time” in Micah 5:3, yet there is a promise coming from the smallest among them, in
Micah 5:2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, too small to be among the clans of Judah, from you one will go out for me, to be ruler in Israel; and his origins are from of old, from ancient days.
He will not be like the leaders they have seen, but “this one will be peace” in Micah 5:5 and in
Micah 5:4 And he will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of Yahweh, in the majesty of the name of Yahweh his God. And they will live, for now he will be great unto the ends of the earth.
The Remnant of Jacob Among The Nations
Micah 5:7–15
Though the children of God, the remnant of Jacob, have been taken captive by the nations around them and scattered to the nations of the world, there is coming a time when in
Micah 5:9 Your hand will be lifted high over your enemies, and all your foes will be cut off.
This is not something that any man can control, but when the Lord moves, it will be for all of the remnant of Jacob and no one will stop it in
Micah 5:7 And the remnant of Jacob will be in the midst of many nations, like dew from Yahweh, like showers upon the grass which does not wait for a man, nor delays for the children of humankind.
When this happens, the Lord will also make changes among his people:
- “I will cut off your horses from among you, and I will destroy your chariots” in Micah 5:10 so there will not be any more implements of war.
- “I will demolish all your fortifications” in Micah 5:11 “In that time of peace, men shall live in unwalled villages (Ez 38:11; compare Je 23:6; 49:31; Zec 2:8)”.1
- “I will cut off sorceries from your hand” in Micah 5:12 so no more witchcraft.
- “I will cut off your idols” in Micah 5:13 so no other gods.
- “I will uproot your Asherahs” in Micah 5:14 because there is no other place to worship God but in his temple in Jerusalem or as Jesus said in John 4:24 “God is spirit, and the ones who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”
Plead Your Case With The Mountains
Micah 6:1–5
What Does Yahweh Ask From You
Micah 6:6–8
Micah 6:8 He has told you, O mortal, what is good, and what does Yahweh ask from you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?
The Voice of Yahweh Calls to The City
Micah 6:9–16
Micah 6:11–12 Shall I regard as pure the one with scales of wickedness, and with a bag of deceitful weights? 12 Because her rich are full of violence, and her inhabitants speak lies, and their tongue is deceitful in their mouth.
I Will Look to Yahweh
Who Is a God Like You
Micah 7:10–20
There are many that say “Where is Yahweh your God?” and these that deny him and scoff at him will be ashamed in
Micah 7:10 Then my enemy will see, and shame will cover her who said to me, “Where is Yahweh your God?” My eyes will look upon her; now she will become a trampling place, like mud in the streets.
because the Lord is coming and all will see as he establishes his people in
Micah 7:11 A day for building your walls; on that day he will extend your boundary.
for some, this will be a time of destruction because they have been destroyers of the earth in
Micah 7:13 But the earth will be a desolation because of its inhabitants, for the fruit of their deeds.
for the meek, for the humble, for the oppressed, it will be freedom and restoration in
Micah 7:15–16 As in the days when you came out from the land of Egypt I will show him wondrous things. 16 The nations will see and be ashamed because of all their might. They will lay the hand on the mouth; their ears will be deaf.
All will know him as he has been known by those that believe, those that have accepted Jesus Christ, those who already say
Micah 7:18–20 Who is a God like you, forgiving sin and passing over rebellion for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, for he delights in loyal love. 19 He will again have compassion on us; he will trample our iniquities. And you will hurl all their sins in the depths of the sea. 20 You will show faithfulness to Jacob, and loyal love to Abraham, as you have sworn to our ancestors from the days of old.
Study Verses
- Micah 5:1–6 Bethlehem From You One Will Go Out For Me
- Micah 5:7–15 The Remnant of Jacob Among The Nations
- Micah 7:10–20 Who Is a God Like You
Today’s Reading
- Micah 5:1-15
- Micah 6:1-16
- Micah 7:1-20
References
- 1. Jamieson, R., Fausset, A. R., & Brown, D. (1997). Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (Vol. 1, p. 693). Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.
