1 Now gather thyself in troops, O daughter of troops: he hath laid siege against us: they shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek.
2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
3 Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel.
4 And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God; and they shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth.
5 And this man shall be the peace, when the Assyrian shall come into our land: and when he shall tread in our palaces, then shall we raise against him seven shepherds, and eight principal men.
6 And they shall waste the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod in the entrances thereof: thus shall he deliver us from the Assyrian, when he cometh into our land, and when he treadeth within our borders.
7 And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many people as a dew from the LORD, as the showers upon the grass, that tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for the sons of men.
8 And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles in the midst of many people as a lion among the beasts of the forest, as a young lion among the flocks of sheep: who, if he go through, both treadeth down, and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver.
9 Thine hand shall be lifted up upon thine adversaries, and all thine enemies shall be cut off.
10 And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD, that I will cut off thy horses out of the midst of thee, and I will destroy thy chariots:
11 And I will cut off the cities of thy land, and throw down all thy strong holds:
12 And I will cut off witchcrafts out of thine hand; and thou shalt have no more soothsayers:
13 Thy graven images also will I cut off, and thy standing images out of the midst of thee; and thou shalt no more worship the work of thine hands.
14 And I will pluck up thy groves out of the midst of thee: so will I destroy thy cities.
15 And I will execute vengeance in anger and fury upon the heathen, such as they have not heard.
The fifth chapter of the Book of Micah in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible is an intriguing and complex section of the Minor Prophets. This chapter, like the rest of the book, is ascribed to the prophet Micah, who prophesied during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah. The chapter can be divided broadly into two sections, verses 1-5a, which prophesy the birth of a ruler in Bethlehem, and verses 5b-15, which deal with the threat of Assyria and God's judgment on the nations.
The opening verse of the chapter introduces a theme of suffering and conflict, as the 'daughter of troops' is encouraged to prepare for siege and battle, and the judge of Israel is to be struck on the cheek. However, this gloomy beginning soon gives way to a message of hope and redemption.
In the second verse, Micah prophesies the birth of a ruler in Bethlehem Ephrathah. The significance of this location cannot be understated. Bethlehem was the birthplace of King David, the greatest king in the history of Israel, and the one to whom God promised an everlasting dynasty (2 Samuel 7:12-16). By locating the birth of this future ruler in Bethlehem, Micah is identifying him as a new David, a righteous and just king who will shepherd his people Israel.
Furthermore, this ruler is described as 'he whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting'. This phrase indicates that the ruler has a divine, eternal origin, suggesting that he is not merely a human king but a divine figure. This verse is often interpreted by Christians as a prophecy of the birth of Jesus Christ, who is seen as the fulfillment of the Davidic covenant and the eternal King promised by God.
The second half of the chapter shifts focus to the threat of Assyria, which was the dominant power in the region during Micah's time. The people of Israel are promised that when they are attacked, seven shepherds and eight principal men will rise up to defend them. These numbers are likely symbolic, representing completeness and overabundance, and suggesting that God will provide more than enough protection for his people.
The chapter then goes on to describe the judgment that God will bring upon the nations, using vivid and brutal imagery. The people of Israel will be like a lion among sheep, tearing and treading down with none to deliver. The nations will be cut off and destroyed, their idols and sacred pillars will be removed, their cities laid waste. This judgment is a response to the nations' idolatry and rebellion against God, and serves as a warning to the people of Israel not to follow their example.
Chapter 5 of the Book of Micah, then, presents a picture of a nation under threat, but also a nation under the protection and guidance of a righteous and powerful king. The chapter oscillates between themes of conflict and peace, judgment and salvation, reflecting the tumultuous times in which Micah was prophesying.
The prophecy of the birth of a ruler in Bethlehem serves as a beacon of hope in the midst of the trials and tribulations faced by the nation of Israel. This ruler, with his divine origin and Davidic lineage, promises to bring justice and righteousness, to shepherd his people and secure their peace. He is a figure of salvation, a deliverer who will lead his people out of the darkness of conflict and into the light of God's peace. This theme of hope and salvation is a common one in the prophetic literature, reflecting the enduring faith of the prophets in God's promises and his faithfulness to his people.
On the other hand, the threat of Assyria and the judgment on the nations serve as a stern warning to the people of Israel. They are reminded of the consequences of rebellion against God and the dangers of idolatry. The brutal imagery used in these verses underscores the seriousness of these sins and the severity of God's judgment. Yet, even in the midst of this judgment, there is a promise of protection and deliverance for those who remain faithful to God.
In conclusion, Chapter 5 of the Book of Micah presents a rich and complex tapestry of prophetic themes and messages. It is a chapter that speaks of conflict and peace, judgment and salvation, warning and hope. It reminds us of the faithfulness of God, his promises of deliverance, and his judgment on sin. It calls us to faithfulness and obedience, and to place our hope in the coming of the righteous King, the shepherd of his people.
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