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More Micah commentaries
Micah 2:1-13
The Punishment for Abuse of Power
Micah 3:1-12
Evil Rulers and Lying Prophets
Micah 4:1-8
The Tribulation and the Millennium
Micah 4:9-13
Events Preceding the Kingdom
Micah 5:1-6
Prophesies of Christ’s Coming
Micah 5:7-15
Survivors Safe and Idols Destroyed
Micah 6:1-8
The Lord’s Challenge to His People
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Prophesies of Christ’s Coming
Micah 5:1–6
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)
General Douglas MacArthur wrote: People grow old by deserting their ideas. Years may wrinkle the skin, but to give up interest, wrinkles the soul. You are as young as your faith, as old as your doubts; as young as your self-confidence, as old as your fears; as young as your hope, … More
Jerusalem’s leaders were obsessed with wealth and position but Micah prophesied that this mighty city with all its wealth and power would be besieged and destroyed (v. 1). You might assume from this devastating prediction that the Davidic line would come to an end and the promise God made to David, concerning the one who was to come to his line who would reign forever, could never be fulfilled. However the very next verse brings us to a remarkable contrast as Micah accurately predicts Christ’s birthplace hundreds of years before Jesus was born (v. 2). In contrast Bethlehem, a tiny town, would be the birthplace of the only king who could save his people. This ruler in Israel, the Messiah, would be born as a baby in Bethlehem (Luke 2:4-7) and eventually would reign as King of kings eternally (Rev. 19-22).
The LORD will abandon Israel only until this ruler is born, and the rest of his family returns to Israel (v. 3). Like a shepherd taking care of his sheep, this ruler will lead and care for his people by the power and glorious name of the LORD his God (v. 4). His people will live securely, and the whole earth will know his true greatness, because he will bring peace.
Micah named the place where Christ was to be born seven hundred years before He was born. After all that had been happening there was little likelihood that one in the line of David could be born in Bethlehem (v. 5). In fact no members of David’s family were living in Bethlehem at this time; yet this was the place where the Son of God was to be born according to Micah. Let Assyria attack our country and our palaces (v. 6). We will counterattack, led by a number of rulers whose strong army will defeat the nation of Assyria. Israel’s deliverance stems from devine intervention in the person of Messiah.
Application
Instead of being overwhelmed by fear of invasion or nuclear attack I should have my confidence in God and the fact that He is in control of all things at all times. To live is Christ and to die is gain.
Micah 5:1-6 (English Standard Version)
Now muster your troops, O daughter of troops; siege is laid against us; with a rod they strike the judge of Israel on the cheek. But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of his brothers shall return to the people of Israel. And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth. And he shall be their peace. When the Assyrian comes into our land and treads in our palaces, then we will raise against him seven shepherds and eight princes of men; they shall shepherd the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod at its entrances; and he shall deliver us from the Assyrian when he comes into our land and treads within our border.
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