December 20, 2024
Big Book Idea
God with us.
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.
2
1
5:2
Ch 5:1 in Hebrew
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.
3
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.
4
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.
5
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;
Micah prophesied during the reigns of the Judean kings Jotham (750–735 B.C.), Ahaz (735–715), and Hezekiah (715–687). This was about the same time as Hosea and Isaiah, though Micah may have served somewhat later. The length of Micah’s public activity may have been about 20 to 25 years.
The theme of Micah is judgment and forgiveness. The Lord, the Judge who scatters his people for their sins, is also the Shepherd-King who in covenant faithfulness gathers, protects, and forgives them.
Micah writes to bring God’s “lawsuit” against his people (3:8). He indicts Samaria and Jerusalem for their sins (1:2–7). Both Assyria (5:5–6) and Babylon (4:10) stand ready to carry out God’s judgment. The reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, along with the increasing threat of Assyria, provide the broad background for Micah.
Micah lists specific sins of both the northern and southern kingdoms. These sins include idolatry (1:7; 5:12–14); the seizure of property (2:2, 9); the failure of civil leadership (3:1–3, 9–10; 7:3), religious leadership (3:11), and prophetic leadership (3:5–7, 11); offering sacrifice without truly repenting (6:6–7); and corrupt business practices and violence (6:10–12).
Rather than being identified by his father or family, Micah is identified by a location: he is called “Micah of Moresheth” (1:1). The town was 22 miles (35 km) southwest of Jerusalem. Micah’s call to prophetic ministry is not recorded, and he is never referred to as “prophet,” but he is said to be speaking according to the “Spirit of the LORD” (3:8). The name “Micah” means “Who is like Yahweh?” Similarly, at the end of the book, Micah asks, “Who is a God like you?” (7:18). Both Micah’s name and his writings emphasize the matchless character and actions of the Lord. Micah announces God’s judgment on Israel for its unfaithfulness, yet he also proclaims God’s promise of great blessing through a Messiah—a prophecy fulfilled in Jesus Christ (5:1–15; Eph. 1:3–14). (Micah 6:8)
Mic. 5:2 But you. Both here and in 4:8, these words signal renewed kingship. Bethlehem, where David was born (1 Sam. 17:12), is located in Ephrathah. too little. The unlikely choice of David as king foreshadows the unlikely choice of Bethlehem as the hometown of the greater David, the Messiah. Matthew 2:6 shows that Jewish scholars of Jesus’ day read this as a prediction of the Messiah’s birthplace (see John 7:42). The Messiah’s coming forth (or “origins”) is from of old, from ancient days. The Messiah’s lineage confirms that the ancient covenantal promises made to David still stand (see 2 Sam. 7:16).
Mic. 5:3 he shall give them up. Israel will be ruled by others. his brothers shall return. The Messiah will unite Israel.
This specific prophecy is perhaps the most famous of prophecies regarding the coming of the Messiah. In fact, when Herod was inquiring about where the Christ was to be born, the priests and scribes told Herod about the coming Messiah from Micah 5:2. Through this prophecy, God reveals to us His redemptive plan for humanity from the beginning of time. The coming of the Messiah would be for God and His glory. God desires glory and honor and for His name to be magnified; the glory of God is eternal and never passes.
In Micah 5:2 God gives His people hope—a hope full of love, reassuring us that God is with us. Through the birth of Jesus Christ, God would redeem humanity and, consequently, receive glory. The people of Israel were presented with a first hope: the coming of their Ruler—the Messiah. Today, we find ourselves in the in-between of the first coming of Jesus and the awaiting of Jesus' second coming.
When Jesus returns, we are comforted that we will live securely because He will reign over all the corners of the earth. His greatness and the power in His name are everlasting. We look forward to the day when the words in Matthew 24:14 will be fulfilled, "And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come."
Until then, we live with gratitude and thankfulness to God, reminding ourselves daily of the gospel, the cross, and the task of the Great Commission. May we have a desire not just to be converts, but true disciple-makers who are willing to compassionately and lovingly know, care for, and love people. May we seek to relate to others about the things we are grateful for and the things we are struggling with. Moreover, let us introduce them to God's Word so that they can discover God (and His attributes) for themselves. Through God's Word, they can embark on a discovery journey from creation to Christ. Obedience to God's Word will change their lives, and evangelism will follow.
This month's memory verse
everyone who is called by my name,
whom I created for my glory,
whom I formed and made.”
1. Until Jesus returns, are you living your life as a convert or a disciple? Here is an article with the definition of a disciple to help: https://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-disciple.html.
2. Who do you know that would benefit from discovering God on his/her own? Is there someone you know who is struggling? If so, I would encourage you to reach out to this person within the next 48 hours after reading this devo. If the Lord placed someone in your heart, He has prepared the harvest.
3. How can you specifically change (an area of your life or character) knowing that Jesus is coming back?
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