Read
A Promised Ruler
1Jerusalem, enemy troops
have surrounded you;
they have struck Israel's ruler
in the face with a stick.
2 Bethlehem Ephrath,
you are one of the smallest towns
in the nation of Judah.
But the Lord will choose
one of your people
to rule the nation—
someone whose family
goes back to ancient times.
3The Lord will abandon Israel
only until this ruler is born,
and the rest of his family
returns to Israel.
4Like 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.
His people will live securely,
and the whole earth will know
his true greatness,
5because he will bring peace.
Assyria Will Be Defeated
Let Assyria attack our country
and our palaces.
We will counterattack,
led by a number of rulers
6 whose strong army will defeat
the nation of Assyria.
Yes, our leaders will rescue us,
if those Assyrians
dare to invade our land.
The Survivors Will Be Safe
7A few of Jacob's descendants
survived and are scattered
among the nations.
But the Lord will let them
cover the earth like dew and rain
that refreshes the soil.
8At present they are scattered,
but later they will attack,
as though they were fierce lions
pouncing on sheep.
Their enemies will be torn
to shreds,
with no one to save them;
9they will be helpless,
completely destroyed.
Idols Will Be Destroyed
10The Lord said:
At that time I will wipe out
your cavalry and chariots,
11as well as your cities
and your fortresses.
12I will stop you
from telling fortunes
and practicing witchcraft.
13You will no longer worship
the idols or stone images
you have made—
I will destroy them,
14together with the sacred poles
and even your towns.
15I will become furious
and take revenge on the nations
that refuse to obey me.
Reflect
The first judicial case comes to an abrupt conclusion in this chapter. Although the text has long given commentators interpretive dilemmas, the prophetic, yet apocalyptic language, gave the first readers an imminent expectation. From Bethlehem would come hope and deliverance (v. 2-3) in the most majestic ways imaginable (v. 4-5a). It’s a reminder of the promises of the eternal reign of David’s dynasty (2 Samuel 7; Psalm 2, 89 and 132, Daniel 7).
Yes, God will restore His people in due time “like dew and rain that refreshed the soil” (v. 7c). The image of dew implies that no one can control it. However, “at that time” (v. 10) God will destroy all false worship and idolatry. Walled cities, great armies, false belief systems will all come under the dominion of the LORD (v. 10-15).
It is little wonder that Matthew heard an echo of this passage in the account of the birth of Jesus. In the face of the wise men’s desire to come and worship the King of the Jews (Matthew 2:1-2), the report comes back citing Micah 5:2. Matthew understood that all false systems that arise against God – like Herod – will eventually come under God’s rule.
Respond
LORD God, thank you for the reminder from Micah that Jesus has come to shepherd his flock in the strength and majesty of your name. You truly are our peace. Amen.
Glenn Smith
Dr. Glenn Smith is married to Sandra and together they have three daughters, Jenna, Julia and Christa and two granddaughters They are the pastors of a missional community network in their church in Montréal – a multi-site congregation in five locations. Glenn did his graduate studies at the Université d’Ottawa and his doctoral thesis at Northern Baptist Theological Seminary in Chicago. He was the Executive Director of Christian Direction in Montreal 1983 – 2018. He is the Dean of the Faculty of Practical Theology at Presbyterian College at McGill University and the the Institut de théologie pour la francophonie, accredited by Université Laval. He also teaches in Haïti. Publications: co-author of Espoir pour la ville; Dieu dans la cité (Hope for the city, God in the city); Following Jesus: God invites us to transformative discipleship and author of City Air Makes You Free.