Before dawn: a small hill village of flat-roofed stone houses on a ridge, one clay lamp lit in a single doorway, terraced fields and a stone sheepfold on the slope below, under a deep, calm, empty sky.

Hear, you leaders

Micah 5

God likes to start great things in small places. Maybe yours.

15 verses≈ 3 minBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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Where we are

1–2Hear, you peoplesSamaria falls, Judah mourns, a remnant gathered
3–5Hear, you leadersZion plowed; then the mountain raised and a Ruler from BethlehemChapter 5
6–7Hear the LORD’s caseWhat He requires, and who is a God like Him

A Ruler from Bethlehem

Micah

Now, O daughter of troops,

mobilize your troops;

for a siege is laid against us!

With a rod they will strike the cheek

of the judge of Israel.

Tap to go deeper: meaning, history and related Scripture

God

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,

who are small among the clans of Judah,

out of you will come forth for Me

One to be ruler over Israel—

One whose origins are of old,

from the days of eternity.

Micah 5:2

Bethlehem’s ridge and the terraced fields of Ephrathah below in golden late-afternoon light, flocks on the far slopes and smoke rising from the houses.

Micah

Therefore Israel will be abandoned

until she who is in labor has given birth;

then the rest of His brothers will return

to the children of Israel.

Micah

Micah

He will stand and shepherd His flock

in the strength of the LORD,

in the majestic name of the LORD His God.

And they will dwell securely,

for then His greatness will extend

to the ends of the earth.

Micah

We will raise against it seven shepherds,

even eight leaders of men.

And they will rule the land of Assyria with the sword,

and the land of Nimrod with the blade drawn.

So He will deliver us

when Assyria invades our land

and marches into our borders.

Question

Quick question

Seven centuries after Micah, wise men came asking where a King had been born. Read verse 2 again before you answer.

Where did Micah say Israel’s Ruler would come from?

The Remnant of Jacob

Micah

Micah

Then the remnant of Jacob will be

in the midst of many peoples

like dew from the LORD,

like showers on the grass,

which do not wait for man

or linger for mankind.

Micah

Micah

Then the remnant of Jacob will be among the nations,

in the midst of many peoples,

like a lion among the beasts of the forest,

like a young lion among flocks of sheep,

which tramples and tears as it passes through,

with no one to rescue them.

Your hand will be lifted over your foes,

and all your enemies will be cut off.

God

Morning in an empty field below a town wall: two light war chariots overturned and broken, a wheel off, a pole snapped, weeds already in the ruts, no one there.

“In that day,”

declares the LORD,

“I will remove your horses from among you

and wreck your chariots.

I will remove the cities of your land

and tear down all your strongholds.

God

I will cut the sorceries from your hand,

and you will have no fortune-tellers.

God

Late morning across a valley in the hill country: on a far, rounded hilltop small figures of men break up a low stone platform and pull down a plain wooden pole that is toppling, a rough standing stone lying broken on its side.

I will also cut off the carved images

and sacred pillars from among you,

so that you will no longer bow down

to the work of your own hands.

I will root out the Asherah poles from your midst

and demolish your cities.

0:12

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

God

I will take vengeance in anger and wrath

upon the nations that have not obeyed Me.”

Reflect

Empty hands

God promises to take away what His people leaned on instead of Him: horses, walls, charms, idols, “the work of your own hands.” What might He need to take out of yours?

You’ve experienced

Micah 5

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A verse to carry with you

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me One to be ruler over Israel—One whose origins are of old, from the days of eternity.

Micah 5:2

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