Micah 5:7

¶ 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.

And the remnant {H7611} of Jacob {H3290} shall be in the midst {H7130} of many {H7227} people {H5971} as a dew {H2919} from the LORD {H3068}, as the showers {H7241} upon the grass {H6212}, that tarrieth {H6960} not for man {H376}, nor waiteth {H3176} for the sons {H1121} of men {H120}.

Then the remnant of Ya'akov, surrounded by many peoples, will be like dew from ADONAI, like showers on the grass, which doesn't wait for a man or expect anything from mortals.

Then the remnant of Jacob will be in the midst of many peoples like dew from the LORD, like showers on the grass, which do not wait for man or linger for mankind.

And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many peoples as dew from Jehovah, as showers upon the grass, that tarry not for man, nor wait for the sons of men.

Micah 5:7 KJV beautifully illustrates the future role and nature of the faithful "remnant of Jacob" amidst the nations. This verse follows prophecies of judgment and the promise of a Messianic ruler, pointing to a restored and impactful Israel.

Context of Micah 5:7

The prophet Micah delivers messages of both judgment against Judah and Israel for their sins, and profound hope for future restoration. Chapter 5, in particular, shifts focus to the coming of a ruler from Bethlehem (Micah 5:2), who will shepherd His people. Following this Messianic prophecy and the promise of Israel's deliverance from Assyrian oppression, Micah 5:7-9 describes the dual nature of the restored remnant: both a blessing to the nations and a powerful force against their enemies. This verse specifically highlights their positive, life-giving influence.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Remnant's Role: The "remnant of Jacob" refers to the faithful portion of Israel preserved through divine judgment. This verse portrays them not as isolated, but "in the midst of many people," implying their presence and influence among the Gentiles. This concept of a preserved remnant is crucial throughout prophetic literature, often signifying those who remain faithful to God's covenant.
  • Divine Blessing and Refreshment: The metaphors "as a dew from the LORD" and "as the showers upon the grass" convey a powerful message of life, sustenance, and refreshment. Just as dew and rain are essential for growth and vitality in an arid land, the remnant is depicted as a source of spiritual and perhaps physical blessing to the surrounding nations. This blessing originates entirely "from the LORD," emphasizing its divine source and power, much like the life-giving dew God promises in Hosea.
  • God's Sovereignty and Independence: The phrase "that tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for the sons of men" is central to the verse's meaning. It underscores that the remnant's ability to bless and their very existence as a channel of divine provision are not dependent on human permission, effort, or intervention. God's plan and the blessings He bestows through His people are sovereign and unhindered by human will or opposition. This highlights God's ultimate control over history and His purposes, a truth echoed in Psalm 115:3.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew word for "dew" (ṭal) and "showers" (rĕḇiḇim) are often associated with divine blessing, fertility, and the life-giving presence of God in the Old Testament. They represent quiet, pervasive, and essential nourishment, independent of human effort, arriving directly from heaven.
  • The repetition of "tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for the sons of men" powerfully emphasizes the absolute independence and sovereignty of God's work. The blessing of the remnant is not subject to human approval or delay.

Related Scriptures

The concept of a faithful remnant is echoed in other prophetic books, such as Isaiah 10:21-22 and Romans 9:27, where Paul applies the principle to those who believe in Christ. The imagery of divine blessing like dew and rain can be found in Deuteronomy 32:2 and Hosea 14:5. The theme of God's unhindered sovereignty is a core biblical truth, affirmed in verses like Psalm 115:3, which states, "Our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased."

Practical Application

For believers today, Micah 5:7 offers several insights:

  • Influence as Blessing: Like the remnant, followers of Christ are called to be a source of blessing and positive influence "in the midst of many people." Our lives, guided by God, can bring refreshment and life to those around us, much like dew and rain nourish the earth.
  • Dependence on God: The verse reminds us that our true effectiveness and ability to bless come not from our own strength, wisdom, or human approval, but directly "from the LORD." This encourages a posture of humble dependence on God's power and provision.
  • Unstoppable Purpose: God's purposes, whether through His chosen people historically or through the church today, are sovereign and cannot be thwarted by human resistance or lack of cooperation. The blessing "tarrieth not for man," assuring us that God will accomplish His will through His faithful ones, irrespective of human obstacles. This provides great encouragement for those who feel small or insignificant in a challenging world.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Isaiah 44:3

    For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:

  • Deuteronomy 32:2

    My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass:

  • Micah 5:3

    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.

  • Psalms 72:6

    He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers [that] water the earth.

  • Hosea 14:5

    I will be as the dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon.

  • Zechariah 14:8

    ¶ And it shall be in that day, [that] living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be.

  • Psalms 110:3

    Thy people [shall be] willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.

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