THE MOUNTAIN OF THE LORD

INTRODUCTION TO MICAH

Micah was a contemporary of Isaiah, but their activities lay apart. Micah lived in the country and was concerned with both Israel and Judah, while Isaiah’s career is closely associated with the fortunes of Jerusalem.

The book of Micah shows a clear understanding of the events of the time. He foresaw the invasions of Shalmaneser and Sennacherib, the dispersion of Israel, and the destruction of Jerusalem. Alone among the prophets he foretells the birth of Christ in Bethlehem, Mic_5:2. “His special office, as a herald of coming judgment, causes a predominant severity of tone; but all harshness is softened into exquisite beauty at the close.

Judgment Sent Forth unto Victory

II. SALVATION, Micah 4-5

God’s Reign in Zion, Mic_4:1-13

    Mic_4:1-13

    THE MOUNTAIN OF THE LORD

    But it shall come about in the last days That the mountain of the house of the LORD Shall be established as the highest and chief of the mountains; It shall be above the hills, And peoples shall flow [like a river] to it.

    And many nations shall come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob, That He may teach us about His ways And that we may walk in His paths.” For the law shall go forward from Zion, And the word of the LORD [the revelation about Him and His truth] from Jerusalem.

    And He will judge between many peoples And render decisions for strong and distant nations. Then they shall hammer their swords into plowshares And their spears into pruning hooks [so that the implements of war may become the tools of agriculture]; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, Nor shall they ever again train for war. [Isa_2:2-4; Joe_3:10]

    Each of them shall sit [in security and peace] under his vine And under his fig tree, With no one to make them afraid, For the mouth of the [omnipotent] LORD of hosts has spoken it. [Zec_3:10]

    For all the peoples [now] walk Each in the name of his god [in a transient relationship], As for us, we shall walk [securely] In the name of the LORD our [true] God forever and ever.

    THE LORD SHALL RESCUE ZION

    “In that day,” says the LORD, “I shall assemble the lame, And gather the outcasts [from foreign captivity], Even those whom I have caused pain.

    “I shall make the lame a [godly] remnant And the outcasts a strong nation; And the LORD shall reign over them in Mount Zion From this time on and forever.

    “As for you [Jerusalem], tower of the flock [of Israel], Hill and stronghold of the Daughter of Zion (Jerusalem’s inhabitants), To you the former dominion shall come, The kingdom of the Daughter of Jerusalem [when the Messiah reigns in Jerusalem, and the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled]. [Luk_21:24]

    “Now, why do you cry out loudly? Is there no king among you? Has your counselor perished? For agony has gripped you like a woman in childbirth.

    “Writhe in pain and labor to give birth, O Daughter of Zion, Like a woman in childbirth; For now you shall go out of the city, Live in the field, And go to Babylon. There you will be rescued; There the LORD shall redeem you From the hand of your enemies.

    “Now many [conquering] nations are assembled against you, Who say, ‘Let her be profaned [through Gentile presence and the temple’s destruction], And let our eyes gaze on and gloat over Zion.’

    “But they (Gentile nations) do not know the thoughts of the LORD, Nor do they understand His purpose and plan; For He has gathered them (Gentiles) like sheaves to the threshing floor [for destruction].

    “Arise and thresh, O Daughter of Zion! For I will make your horn iron And I will make your hoofs bronze; That you may beat many peoples in pieces [trampling down your enemies], That you may devote to the LORD their unjust gain (pagan possessions) And their wealth to the Lord of all the earth. [Zec_12:1-8; Zec_14:14

    F. B.Meyer
    on
    Micah 4:1-13
    THE PROMISE OF PEACE

    It is not improbable that Isaiah, Mic_2:1-4, and Micah quoted an older prophecy, which in its fullness, is yet to be fulfilled. In the millennial age Israel, in her restored beauty, will be the center of a renovated world. That restoration will bring great glory to God and blessing to mankind, Rom_11:15. The time center of unity is not to be found in creeds or systems, but in the impulse of a common desire after God and common worship. When men have found their unity in God they will renounce war; and the home-life will become the preservative of society, Mic_4:4. Mic_4:6-7 foretell the gathering of Israel to their own land. Babylon probably stands not only for the literal nation by which the Jews were carried into captivity, but for all of the Gentile nations that have afflicted the Chosen People. Notice that God’s deliverances discover and help us in the midst of our direct affliction.

    By Philippus Schutte

    New Covenant Israelite! "And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert grafted in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;  Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee."  Rom 11:17 -18

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