Monday, November 25 – Micah 4, 5 – Additional Reading, Prophets and Kings, Chapter 27, “Ahaz”

1. Where will nations come in the latter days? (Micah 4:1, 2)

2. How does the prophet describe the life of God’s people in heavenly Canaan? (Micah 4:4)

3. How does Micah prophesy the birthplace of Jesus? (Micah 5:2)

Commentary and Reflection:

After messages of warning and condemnation, Micah now offers a message of salvation and hope.

“A sudden shift in perspective and content is typical of prophetic writings. Micah moves from a grim future judgment to a glorious distant future. When circumstances seem most desperate and hope feels like an unattainable luxury, a deep confidence in God’s unbreakable purposes emerges, bringing forth the most encouraging perspectives in prophetic writings. Micah offers a similar, slightly extended version of what Isaiah prophesied (Isaiah 2:1-14).” (Andrews Study Bible)

“It cannot be determined whether Micah quoted Isaiah or Isaiah Micah, whether both quoted an earlier inspired source, or whether each was directly and independently inspired as he wrote this passage. The two were contemporaries (Micah 1:1; Isa. 1:1).” (Bible Commentary, Micah 4:1)

As a promise, this prophecy is “for the latter days.” It anticipates a time when God will establish His Kingdom over all nations, and people from all nations will come to Jerusalem seeking the Word of God. This passage reminds me of a beautiful quote:

“Our little world is the lesson book of the universe. God’s wonderful purpose of grace, the mystery of redeeming love, is the theme into which “angels desire to look,” and it will be their study throughout endless ages. Both the redeemed and [20] the unfallen beings will find in the cross of Christ their science and their song. It will be seen that the glory shining in the face of Jesus is the glory of self-sacrificing love” (The Desire of Ages, p. 19)

This promise was made to Israel but will be fulfilled in the church:

“But everyone shall sit under his vine and under his fig tree, and no one shall make them afraid; for the mouth of the LORD of hosts has spoken.” (Micah 4:4, NKJV)

What a beautiful passage! There will be no more fear, and the insecurity and anxieties of this sinful world will be gone. This will be so because the LORD has spoken it, and His Word declares it so. The theme of the security of His people is recurring in these two chapters.

How beautiful is the decision expressed in verse 5:

“For all people walk each in the name of his god, but we will walk in the name of the LORD our God forever and ever.” (Micah 4:5, NKJV)

It does not matter what others do or who their gods are; we will walk in the name of the LORD.

Verse 10 predicts, more than a hundred years in advance, the captivity of Judah. The deportations of Judah’s captivity began in 605 BC.

It is common in prophecy that, amid a prediction applicable to the prophet’s immediate future, there appears an announcement regarding the Messiah or a messianic prophecy. This is the case in Micah 5:2, where Micah announces that Bethlehem, though small, would have the honor of being the birthplace of the Messiah. The prophet made this announcement about 700 years before it came to pass. This prophecy also highlights the divinity and eternal nature of the Messiah.

Once again, God promises and anticipates the security His people will have in the Messiah’s kingdom:

“And He shall stand and feed His flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD His God; and they shall abide, for now He shall be great to the ends of the earth; and this One shall be peace.” (Micah 5:4-5, NKJV)

The remnant of the LORD is not confined to one place or one people. It is among many nations and peoples. This remnant is like dew and rain, indicating that God’s instrument for blessing the peoples is the remnant scattered among the nations. This Gospel of the Kingdom will be preached to all nations before the end of time.

Once again, God expresses His disapproval of consulting the dead and divination, practices used by the enemy as a trap. God also disapproves of idolatry, which can be defined as the worship of material things. In the Kingdom of the Messiah, people will no longer worship the works of their hands.

Thank God for these beautiful promises. How wonderful that His Word is sure! “The mouth of the LORD of hosts has spoken.”