Micah5

Micah 5 begins with Israel facing siege and humiliation, yet prophesies the emergence of a divine ruler from Bethlehem Ephratah, whose origins are from everlasting. This ruler will bring peace, deliver Israel from the Assyrian, and shepherd his people in the Lord's strength. The remnant of Jacob will be both a blessing and a terror among nations, while the Lord will purge Israel of its idolatry and military might, executing vengeance upon the heathen.
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Crisis and Humiliation

1
Now gather thyself in troops, O daughter of troops: he hath laid siege against us: they shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek. ​

The Ruler from Bethlehem Promised

2
But 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 from of old, from everlasting. ​
3
Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel. ​
4
And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God; and they shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth. ​
5
And this man shall be the peace, when the Assyrian shall come into our land: and when he shall tread in our palaces, then shall we raise against him seven shepherds, and eight principal men. ​
6
And they shall waste the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod in the entrances thereof: thus shall he deliver us from the Assyrian, when he cometh into our land, and when he treadeth within our borders.

The Role of the Restored Remnant

7
And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many people as a dew from the LORD, as the showers upon the grass, that tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for the sons of men. ​
8
And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles in the midst of many people as a lion among the beasts of the forest, as a young lion among the flocks of sheep: who, if he go through, both treadeth down, and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver. ​
9
Thine hand shall be lifted up upon thine adversaries, and all thine enemies shall be cut off.

The Lord Purifies Israel and Judges the Nations

10
And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD, that I will cut off thy horses out of the midst of thee, and I will destroy thy chariots: ​
11
And I will cut off the cities of thy land, and throw down all thy strong holds:
12
And I will cut off witchcrafts out of thine hand; and thou shalt have no more soothsayers: ​
13
Thy graven images also will I cut off, and thy standing images out of the midst of thee; and thou shalt no more worship the work of thine hands. ​
14
And I will pluck up thy groves out of the midst of thee: so will I destroy thy cities. ​
15
And I will execute vengeance in anger and fury upon the heathen, such as they have not heard.

Study Notes for Micah 5

Verse 1

The 'daughter of troops' (Jerusalem/Judah) is besieged. The command to 'gather thyself in troops' is ironic, highlighting their futile human preparations. The smiting of the 'judge' (ruler/king) upon the cheek signifies total humiliation and the collapse of human leadership.

Verse 2

Bethlehem Ephratah is contrasted with the great nations, emphasizing that God chooses the humble place for his greatest work. The phrase 'whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting' is a powerful declaration of the Messiah’s pre-existence and eternal nature, affirming his divine origin.

Verse 3

The period of waiting ('until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth') refers to the time of tribulation and exile that must precede the final restoration and the full manifestation of the Messianic kingdom. The remnant will then be gathered and restored to Israel.

Verse 4

The ruler will 'stand and feed,' using the metaphor of a shepherd to describe powerful, protective governance. His authority is derived entirely from the strength and majesty of the LORD, leading to a dominion that is universal ('unto the ends of the earth').

Verse 5

The Messiah himself *is* the peace (Shalom), resolving conflict both internal and external. While the 'Assyrian' was the immediate threat in Micah’s day, this enemy symbolizes all future hostile forces that challenge God’s people, whom the Messiah will defeat through appointed leaders (seven shepherds, eight principal men).

Verse 7

The remnant of Jacob (the restored Israel) is first described as a blessing to the nations, acting 'as a dew from the LORD.' This imagery portrays them as a source of divine refreshment and spiritual life, independent of human effort or planning.

Verse 8

The remnant has a dual role. Here, they are described as a 'lion,' signifying their role as an instrument of God’s judgment against unrepentant nations. This shows that the restored people will possess divine power and authority among the Gentiles.

Verse 10

The removal of horses and chariots signifies the destruction of human military strength, forcing Israel to rely solely on the LORD for protection. This is a crucial element of purification, ensuring loyalty and dependence on the covenant God.

Verse 12

The removal of 'witchcrafts' and 'soothsayers' emphasizes the eradication of superstition and pagan influences. True covenant fidelity demands that God's people seek guidance only from Him, rejecting all forms of divination.

Verse 13

God promises to destroy all forms of idolatry ('graven images' and 'standing images'). This radical purification is essential for the establishment of the Messianic kingdom, where only YHWH will be worshipped.

Verse 14

The 'groves' refer to the Asherah poles or sacred trees often used in Canaanite fertility worship, practices Israel had syncretized with their faith. God’s destruction of these symbols ensures complete separation from paganism.

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