Prophesies of Christ’s Coming
August 19, 2021
Commentary
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 (NET)
1 (4:14) But now slash yourself, daughter surrounded by soldiers! We are besieged! With a scepter they strike Israel’s ruler on the side of his face.
2 (5:1) As for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, seemingly insignificant among the clans of Judah— from you a king will emerge who will rule over Israel on my behalf, one whose origins are in the distant past.
3 So the Lord will hand the people of Israel over to their enemies until the time when the woman in labor gives birth. Then the rest of the king’s countrymen will return to be reunited with the people of Israel.
4 He will assume his post and shepherd the people by the Lord’s strength, by the sovereign authority of the Lord his God. They will live securely, for at that time he will be honored even in the distant regions of the earth.
5 He will give us peace. Should the Assyrians try to invade our land and attempt to set foot in our fortresses, we will send against them seven shepherd-rulers, make that eight commanders.
6 They will rule the land of Assyria with the sword, the land of Nimrod with a drawn sword. Our king will rescue us from the Assyrians should they attempt to invade our land and try to set foot in our territory.
Illustration: MacArthur quotYou Are as Young as Your Faith”
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, as old as your despair. (Lou Nicholes – Author/Missionary).