Micah 5:6

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.

And they shall waste {H7462} the land {H776} of Assyria {H804} with the sword {H2719}, and the land {H776} of Nimrod {H5248} in the entrances {H6607} thereof: thus shall he deliver {H5337} us from the Assyrian {H804}, when he cometh {H935} into our land {H776}, and when he treadeth {H1869} within our borders {H1366}.

They will shepherd the land of Ashur with the sword, the land of Nimrod at its gates; and he will rescue us from Ashur when he invades our land, when he overruns our borders.

And they will rule the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod with the blade drawn. So He will deliver us when Assyria invades our land and marches into our borders.

And they shall waste the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod in the entrances thereof: and he shall deliver us from the Assyrian, when he cometh into our land, and when he treadeth within our border.

Commentary

Micah 5:6 is a powerful prophetic verse that speaks of God's future deliverance for His people, particularly from oppressive powers. It follows directly after the prophecy of the Messiah's birth in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2) and His role as the bringer of peace.

Context

The prophet Micah lived during a tumultuous period for the kingdoms of Judah and Israel, facing the looming threat of the Assyrian Empire. Assyria was the dominant global superpower of the 8th century BC, known for its brutal military campaigns and conquests. The preceding verses in Micah 5 describe the coming of a ruler from Bethlehem who would shepherd Israel and be "peace" when the Assyrian invades their land. This verse, Micah 5:6, details the counter-offensive and ultimate victory orchestrated through this divine leadership, emphasizing how "he" (the Messiah) will deliver His people by defeating the enemy in their own territory.

Key Themes

  • Divine Deliverance: The central message is God's unwavering promise to deliver His people from their enemies. The verse explicitly states, "thus shall he deliver [us] from the Assyrian," highlighting God's faithfulness and His power to protect His covenant people, even when faced with overwhelming odds.
  • Messianic Victory: While "they" might refer to the remnant of Jacob or the leaders under the Messiah, the "he" in "thus shall he deliver" points back to the "ruler in Israel" from Micah 5:2-5. This underscores the Messiah's active and decisive role in securing victory and peace for His people, not just by His presence but by His powerful intervention against their oppressors.
  • Reversal of Fortune: The prophecy describes the aggressor, Assyria, being "wasted" in their own land. This signifies a complete reversal of the typical power dynamic, where the oppressed become the instruments of judgment against their former oppressors. The "land of Nimrod" is an ancient designation for Mesopotamia, reinforcing the idea of a comprehensive victory over all hostile forces.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "land of Nimrod" connects this prophecy to ancient Mesopotamian history. Nimrod, mentioned in Genesis (see Genesis 10:10-12), was a mighty hunter and founder of early kingdoms like Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh in the land of Shinar. This historical reference broadens the scope of the prophecy to encompass not just the historical Assyria but symbolically any powerful, oppressive empire that stands against God's people.

Practical Application

Micah 5:6 offers profound encouragement for believers today. While the immediate historical context was the Assyrian threat to Israel, the principle of divine deliverance remains timeless. It assures us that God is actively involved in the affairs of His people and will ultimately bring victory over spiritual and earthly adversaries. When we face overwhelming challenges or feel surrounded by hostile forces, this verse reminds us that our ultimate deliverance comes from God, often through the leadership and power of Christ. It encourages steadfast faith in God's sovereign plan and His ultimate triumph over all evil.

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Cross-References

  • Isaiah 14:25 (3 votes)

    That I will break the Assyrian in my land, and upon my mountains tread him under foot: then shall his yoke depart from off them, and his burden depart from off their shoulders.

  • Genesis 10:8 (3 votes)

    And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth.

  • Genesis 10:11 (3 votes)

    Out of that land went forth Asshur, and builded Nineveh, and the city Rehoboth, and Calah,

  • 2 Kings 17:3 (2 votes)

    Against him came up Shalmaneser king of Assyria; and Hoshea became his servant, and gave him presents.

  • 2 Kings 17:5 (2 votes)

    Then the king of Assyria came up throughout all the land, and went up to Samaria, and besieged it three years.

  • 2 Kings 19:32 (2 votes)

    Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the king of Assyria, He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come before it with shield, nor cast a bank against it.

  • 2 Kings 19:35 (2 votes)

    ¶ And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they [were] all dead corpses.