Reading

• Mic. 3:1-5:15

Devotional

In part 2 of 3 of Micah’s prophecy to Judah, Micah begins by rebuking the leaders of the people for their sins, followed by the false prophets. Then he discusses several details regarding future events, including the Messiah.

¹ In the last days the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and peoples will stream to it. ² Many nations will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. ³ He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. ⁴ Everyone will sit under their own vine and under their own fig tree, and no one will make them afraid, for the LORD Almighty has spoken. ⁵ All the nations may walk in the name of their gods, but we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever.
(Mic. 4:1-5 NIV)

GOD reveals the specific location where Judah will be captive.

¹⁰ Writhe in agony, Daughter Zion, like a woman in labor, for now you must leave the city to camp in the open field. You will go to Babylon; there you will be rescued. There the LORD will redeem you out of the hand of your enemies.
(Mic. 4:10 NIV)

As He always does, GOD promises a rescue to the repentant. Here we are given the location of which the Messiah will originate.

² “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” ³ Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor bears a son, and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites. ⁴ He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. ⁵ And he will be our peace…
(Mic. 5:2-5a NIV)

The language Micah uses to describe the role of the Messiah could be confused as though he were prophesying that Jesus would have an earthly kingdom. However, Jesus will make it clear to His disciples that His kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36). Yet in hindsight (and even today) we can see that GOD is in the midst of accomplishing what was prophesied by Micah through Jesus.

⁷ Then the remnant of Jacob Shall be in the midst of many peoples, Like dew from the LORD, Like showers on the grass, That tarry for no man Nor wait for the sons of men. ⁸ And the remnant of Jacob Shall be among the Gentiles, In the midst of many peoples, Like a lion among the beasts of the forest, Like a young lion among flocks of sheep, Who, if he passes through, Both treads down and tears in pieces, And none can deliver. ⁹ Your hand shall be lifted against your adversaries, And all your enemies shall be cut off.

¹⁰ “And it shall be in that day,” says the LORD, “ That I will cut off your horses from your midst And destroy your chariots. ¹¹ I will cut off the cities of your land And throw down all your strongholds. ¹² I will cut off sorceries from your hand, And you shall have no soothsayers. ¹³ Your carved images I will also cut off, And your sacred pillars from your midst; You shall no more worship the work of your hands; ¹⁴ I will pluck your wooden images from your midst; Thus I will destroy your cities. ¹⁵ And I will execute vengeance in anger and fury On the nations that have not heard.”
(Mic. 5:7-15 NKJV)

It is safe to say that GOD was quite serious about ridding idolatry from His people.