The King God Provides

Bible Passage: Micah 5:1-15

Micah is very much now into the part of his prophecy that is focussed on God’s promised future. He has set out the case against the people in the present, but he is not content to leave the people there. Here he shows what God has in store for his people, and it all centres on the king that he has promised to send.

The Promised King (v1-3): Whereas Micah has highlighted the flaws in Israel’s leaders of his day who led the city into corruption, God’s answer is to send a new ruler who can bring the people to peace and security. In verse 2 we get one of the classic Christ prophecies of the Old Testament, pinning down the location of this promised ruler to Bethlehem, exactly where the gospels record the birth of Jesus as having taken place. Similarly, in verse 3 we hear of she who is in labour bearing a son. While Micah does not identify her specifically, Christians naturally read this promise in light of the birth of Jesus, through whom God’s promised ruler finally comes. Until this time there is a sense of God’s people being abandoned, but with the coming of this king we will see the Israelites joined by all the rest of his brothers, as we see the scattered people of God are gathered together once more, a promise that finds its fullest expression in Christ as people from every nation are brought into God’s family. Notice that as Micah sees things, the hope for God’s people is not that they will sort things out by their own strength but that they will hope in the coming of this king from God.

The Shepherd Ruler (v4-6): It is interesting that as Micah describes this king he reaches for the imagery of a shepherd. There is a sense in which this was a common title for a leader in the ancient world, but as it is used through the Bible it conveys an image of one who will serve and care for the flock rather than exploiting them, and who will bring the provision and security even if it means laying down his life to do so. Verse 5 particularly draws out that this shepherd will be our peace. The immediate context is the threat posed by Assyria, and the promise is deliverance. Though the verse does use militaristic language, that makes sense in light of an army conquering the people with swords. But whether that is our situation or not, we have the promise of a shepherd king who brings his people to peace, whatever their circumstances may look like.

The Victorious Remnant (v7-9): The people who the king comes to have been scattered as a remnant in many nations, and yet the king does something powerful with them, making them like dew and like a lion. The image of dew speaks of something that is life-giving and refreshing. In a similar way to how Jesus describes his people as salt and light, so here Micah has a view of a people who are a blessing to the nations they are in and do good to those around them. By contrast, the lion speaks of victory and strength. The people of Jesus are not ultimately powerless, but are able to both be a blessing and refuse to be dominated by the nations in which we find ourselves, but instead serve as life-giving witnesses that bring God’s kingdom wherever we are.

Enduring Trust (v10-15): The chapter finishes with a list of things that will be destroyed in that day. This is not an arbitrary list, but each of the things included is where the people were putting their trust instead of God. Horses and chariots were what they looked to for victory. Cities were what they trusted for security. Witchcraft was where they turned for blessing. Idols, sacred stones and Asherah poles were what they gave their worship to. Each of these had taken God’s place in the hearts of a people who did not trust him. But here we see that as God sends his King, these rival trusts are removed and replaced with a single-minded trust and devotion to the Lord himself.

Potential Applications

• This is a passage pointing us to the hope we have in Jesus. Lift people’s heads with a vision of him and encourage us all to look to him for hope.
• As a remnant scattered in the nations, we are challenged to be like both dew and a lion. Which of those comes most naturally to you and what might it look like to embrace both?
• What might we be trusting other than God? This passage calls on us to turn to him and to trust in him with our whole hearts.