Micah 5 Commentary
Verse 1 announces an attack on Israel’s leader. Probably because of the leadership vacuum so created, the LORD makes provision for yet another leader from Bethlehem – another David.
There is more to this leader. His family line goes back to ancient times. Are we talking about the lion of Judah in Jacob’s blessing of his son Judah? Could it be the son promised to Abraham, the seed through whom the nations would be blessed? Or probably the seed of the woman of Genesis 3 that would crush the serpent’s head?
Regardless, Micah is detailed in his description of the Messiah. Based on Micah 5, Israel’s leaders at the time of the LORD Jesus Christ knew the savior would be born in Bethlehem – the town of David. Indeed, He was born in Bethlehem but grew up in Nazareth, in fulfillment of yet another scripture.
But in between Micah’s time and the birth of this leader, the LORD will abandon His people. Verse 3.
The leader will be born of a woman. He will rule his people with the strength that comes from the LORD God Himself. His people will live in safety. He will bring peace. All these elements are what the saint has come to know about the kingdom of the Christ. We are safe. We have peace. And the reign of the Christ isn’t an isolated and marginalized effort, but a powerful, all-conquering rule. It comes with the power to save from the slavery of sin.
Name any power too powerful for the Leader and you have just one and only one name on the list; the Leader Himself – because He is God Almighty. At the mention of the Leader’s name, all knees bow down! This, indeed, is a worldwide knowledge, the creation’s deeply known fact. The saint is always safe!
Micah isn’t all future – distant future! The LORD would intervene and the remnant would thrive under the protection of the LORD God. They would worship the LORD God in holiness. This time could also fit the description of the New Testament. The LORD God, now appearing as the Leader – the Son with the government on His shoulders, comes into the saint’s life and destroys idolatry. The saint is left clean and can declare the praises of the LORD in the holiness of the Christ!
Micah’s emphasis on peace echoes Isaiah’s title of Immanuel, the Son, or the Servant as the Prince of Peace. But the saint is warned; it is never peace as defined and described by the world. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14 verse 27.
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