Verse 1

4:1-5:15 THE IDEAL KINGDOM

Shame replaced by glory (4:1-5:1)

Previously Micah recorded God's promise that the people of Israel would come from captivity back to their land (see 2:12-13). He now looks beyond that to the greater day when God's ideal king reigns and Jerusalem is the religious centre of the world. People of all nations desire to worship God and learn his law, with the result that there is universal peace and contentment (4:1-4). This future hope encourages Micah and his few fellow believers to be more faithful to God now (5).

Micah sees the people in captivity as a flock of sheep that have been attacked, injured and scattered. The remains of this flock will be gathered again, healed, and brought back to their own land to become a strong nation once more (6-8). The prophet then pictures the siege of Jerusalem and the suffering of its inhabitants. They will be taken captive to Babylon, but after a period God will bring them back (9-10).

Another illustration of the triumph of God's people is given in the form of a vision where the prophet sees the overthrow of a great army that besieges Jerusalem. The army is composed of soldiers of many nations, who await their chance to break down the walls and plunder the city. They scoff at the people and dishonour the king, not realizing that God has brought them together so that he might destroy them the more easily - all in one place at one time. They will be punished by God's almighty power, crushed as the grain on the threshing floor is crushed under the hoofs of the oxen (11-5:1).

(There was in the time of Micah a siege of Jerusalem similar to the one described here. On that occasion Assyria was the nation that besieged Jerusalem and mocked God, but God miraculously saved the city, preserved his people and destroyed the attackers; see 2 Kings 18:13-37; 2 Kings 19:1-37.)

Verses 2-15

God's chosen king (5:2-15)

Ruling over Israel in this golden age will be a king specially chosen by God. He will have only a humble beginning, being born in the small Judean town of Bethlehem. But his ancestry will go back to ancient times, to the great king David, who himself came from Bethlehem and whose dynasty was guaranteed by God to last for ever. This king will have full right to David's throne, and through him God's promises to David will be fulfilled (2; cf. 1 Samuel 17:12; 2 Samuel 7:16; Matthew 2:6; John 7:42).

Until this person is born, however, Israel will continue to be troubled by enemies; but when he comes, Israel's scattered believers will be united under his rule. He will rule in the strength that comes from God to nourish and protect God's people (3-4).

Israel will have plenty of good leaders and will be safe from all enemies. Any who try to invade Israel, whether they be Assyrians or other enemies, will find themselves driven back and conquered by Israel (5-6). The people of God will take his truth to all nations. Like dew they will be the means of refreshment and new life to those who seek God. But like a lion they will be the means of destruction to those who oppose him (7-9).

People of the new Israel will now enjoy God fully, because God will remove all that previously kept them from trusting in him. At various times Israel and Judah had been tempted to trust in military strength, fortified cities, occult practices, Baal worship and heathen armies, but now all such things will be destroyed (10-15).