Micah 5: Glimpses Of The Future

Many times we think of a "prophet" as one who predicts the future.  Yet that is actually only one part of a biblical seer's job description.  Most of what a prophet does could be considered "forthtelling" rather than "foretelling," speaking as a mouthpiece for God.  He or she shares the words of God which usually have more application in the present dimension rather than a directive to the future.  In Micah 5, however, the prophet does have quite a bit to say about the future of God's people.

In a famous passage that is usually read every year around Christmas time, Micah writes, "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times" (vs. 2).  This verse, quoted in Matthew 2:6, is understood to be a prophecy of Jesus as the Messiah, one of just many that He fulfilled.  By being born in Bethlehem, as a descendant of David, Jesus can lay claim to being the one foreseen by Micah.  Micah sees him as a powerful leader, a shepherd in the strength of the Lord, one whose greatness will reach the ends of the earth.

The Assyrian threat is mentioned by name and Micah knows that hard times are coming for Israel and Judah from this enemy.   Even though the Assyrians will invade and march into their borders, Judah will be delivered from their sword (vs. 5-6).

Micah also appears to understand the plight coming to the Jews as they will be exiled and spread around the world.  "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" (vs. 7).  What happens next is a time of purification when God will rid the nations of paganism and idolatry (vs. 10-15).

Called the "Diaspora," this scattering of God's people among other nations allowed them to be a seasoning influence on other cultures.  Eventually, missionaries like Paul and Barnabas were able to capitalize on the network of Jews throughout the Roman Empire to share the message of Christ.  Micah's glimpses of the future can give us encouragement as we see God wins!