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.

Crisis and Humiliation

1
Now you shall gather yourself in troops, daughter of troops. He has laid siege against us. They will strike the judge of Israel with a rod on the cheek. ​

The Ruler from Bethlehem Promised

2
But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, being small among the clans of Judah, out of you one will come out to me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings out are from of old, from ancient times. ​
3
Therefore he will abandon them until the time that she who is in labor gives birth. Then the rest of his brothers will return to the children of Israel. ​
4
He shall stand, and shall shepherd in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God: and they will live, for then he will be great to the ends of the earth. ​
5
He will be our peace when Assyria invades our land, and when he marches through our fortresses, then we will raise against him seven shepherds, and eight leaders of men. ​
6
They will rule the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod in its gates. He will deliver us from the Assyrian, when he invades our land, and when he marches within our border.

The Role of the Restored Remnant

7
The remnant of Jacob will be in the midst of many peoples, like dew from the LORD, like showers on the grass, that don’t wait for man, nor wait for the sons of men. ​
8
The remnant of Jacob will be among the nations, in the midst of many peoples, like a lion among the animals of the forest, like a young lion among the flocks of sheep; who, if he goes through, treads down and tears in pieces, and there is no one to deliver. ​
9
Let your hand be lifted up above your adversaries, and let all of your enemies be cut off.

The Lord Purifies Israel and Judges the Nations

10
“It will happen in that day”, says the LORD, “that I will cut off your horses out of your midst, and will destroy your chariots. ​
11
I will cut off the cities of your land, and will tear down all your strongholds.
12
I will destroy witchcraft from your hand; and you shall have no soothsayers. ​
13
I will cut off your engraved images and your pillars out of your midst; and you shall no more worship the work of your hands. ​
14
I will uproot your Asherah poles out of your midst; and I will destroy your cities. ​
15
I will execute vengeance in anger, and wrath on the nations that didn’t listen.”

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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