Micah 5:5-15
5 This One will be our peace.
When the Assyrian invades our land,
When he tramples on our citadels,
Then we will raise against him
Seven shepherds and eight leaders of people.
6 They will shepherd the land of Assyria with the sword,
The land of Nimrod at its entrances;
And He will rescue us from the Assyrian
When he invades our land,
And when he tramples our territory.
7 Then the remnant of Jacob
Will be among many peoples
Like dew from the Lord,
Like showers on vegetation
That do not wait for man,
Or delay for mankind.
8 The remnant of Jacob
Will be among the nations,
Among many peoples
Like a lion among the animals of the forest,
Like a young lion among flocks of sheep,
Which, if he passes through,
Tramples and tears,
And there is no one who can rescue.
9 Your hand will be lifted up against your adversaries,
And all your enemies will be eliminated.
10 “And it will be on that day,” declares the Lord,
“That I will eliminate your horses from among you,
And destroy your chariots.
11 I will also eliminate the cities of your land,
And tear down all your fortifications.
12 I will eliminate sorceries from your hand,
And you will have no fortune-tellers.
13 I will eliminate your carved images
And your memorial stones from among you,
So that you will no longer bow down
To the work of your hands.
14 I will uproot your Asherim from among you,
And destroy your cities.
15 And I will execute vengeance in anger and wrath
On the nations which have not obeyed.”
Establishment of Peace
Peace through the Messiah
In today’s passage, it is prophesied how peace through the Messiah will be established. (1) It says, “When the Assyrian invades our land, when he tramples on our citadels, then we will raise against him Seven shepherds and eight leaders of people.” Here, “Assyria” refers to the army led by the Antichrist. When that army destroys the temple in Jerusalem, the people of Israel will rise up in the power of the Messiah to oppose it. “Seven” is the number of completeness, and “eight” is one more than that. In other words, more than enough leaders will be raised up from among Israel to meet the need. (2) “The land of Assyria” and “the land of Nimrod” refer to the same place. It is the base of the Antichrist. The people of Israel will strike at that stronghold. (3) It says, “And He will rescue us from the Assyrian when he invades our land, and when he tramples our territory.” “He” refers to the Messiah. The Messiah will rescue the people of Israel from the army of the Antichrist.
The remnant of Jacob
“The remnant of Jacob” has the same meaning as “the remnant of Israel.” The remnant of Israel who pass through the Great Tribulation will receive strength from the Messiah and gain victory over the enemy. At that time, they will fulfill two roles. (1) For the Gentile nations who believe in the God of Israel, Israel will become like “dew” and like “showers.” In other words, they will be a blessing. “Then the remnant of Jacob will be among many peoples like dew from the Lord, like showers on vegetation that do not wait for man, or delay for mankind.” (2) However, for the Gentile nations that rebel against the God of Israel, Israel will become like “a lion.” In other words, they will be a threat. “The remnant of Jacob will be among the nations, among many peoples like a lion among the animals of the forest, like a young lion among flocks of sheep, which, if he passes through, tramples and tears, and there is no one who can rescue.” When peace through the Messiah is established, five things will be removed: (1) Weapons will no longer be needed and will be removed (v 10). (2) Fortresses will no longer be necessary. Since there is no war, this is only natural (v 11). (3) Sorcerers and fortune-tellers will be cut off (v12). (4) Carved images and sacred pillars will be destroyed. In other words, idols will be removed (v 13-14). (5) Judgment will come upon the nations that rebelled against God. In the Messianic Kingdom, God will reign over a redeemed and holy people. Even now, God is calling out from among the Gentiles a people for His name (Acts 15:17). Let us give thanks that by faith we have been made the people of God.
Today's prayer
O God of Israel, thank You for calling out from among the Gentiles a people who are called by Your name. Please allow me to walk today in a manner worthy of a child of God. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.