Micah 5

Micah 5

1 Now muster your troops, O daughter of troops;

siege is laid against us;

with a rod they strike the judge of Israel

on the cheek.

2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah,

who are too little to be among the clans of Judah,

from you shall come forth for me

one who is to be ruler in Israel,

whose coming forth is from of old,

from ancient days.

3 Therefore he shall give them up until the time

when she who is in labor has given birth;

then the rest of his brothers shall return

to the people of Israel.

4 And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord,

in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.

And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great

to the ends of the earth.

5 And he shall be their peace.

When the Assyrian comes into our land

and treads in our palaces,

then we will raise against him seven shepherds

and eight princes of men;

6 they shall shepherd the land of Assyria with the sword,

and the land of Nimrod at its entrances;

and he shall deliver us from the Assyrian

when he comes into our land

and treads within our border.

7 Then the remnant of Jacob shall be

in the midst of many peoples

like dew from the Lord,

like showers on the grass,

which delay not for a man

nor wait for the children of man.

8 And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the nations,

in the midst of many peoples,

like a lion among the beasts of the forest,

like a young lion among the flocks of sheep,

which, when it goes through, treads down

and tears in pieces, and there is none to deliver.

9 Your hand shall be lifted up over your adversaries,

and all your enemies shall be cut off.

10 And in that day, declares the Lord,

I will cut off your horses from among you

and will destroy your chariots;

11 and I will cut off the cities of your land

and throw down all your strongholds;

12 and I will cut off sorceries from your hand,

and you shall have no more tellers of fortunes;

13 and I will cut off your carved images

and your pillars from among you,

and you shall bow down no more

to the work of your hands;

14 and I will root out your Asherah images from among you

and destroy your cities.

15 And in anger and wrath I will execute vengeance

on the nations that did not obey.

-Pray

Introduction:

In 1962, a young boy named Neil Armstrong sat in his small-town home in Wapakoneta, Ohio, dreaming of the stars.

Few could have imagined that this unassuming boy from an obscure Midwestern town would one day take a "giant leap for mankind."

His humble beginnings did not determine the heights he would reach, and this principle is magnified even more profoundly in the story of Jesus Christ, whose birth in Bethlehem forever changed history.

Bethlehem Ephrathah, as Micah prophesied, was hardly significant in the eyes of the world.

It was "too small to be among the clans of Judah" (Micah 5:2), a place so insignificant it might have been forgotten.

Yet, it was chosen as the birthplace of the King of Kings, demonstrating that God’s purposes transcend human perceptions of importance.

Three truths from Micah 5 that highlight the profound meaning of Christ’s birth and His mission as our eternal Shepherd and King.

I. The Power of God’s Plan in Humble Places

Bethlehem, whose name means "House of Bread," was small and unimportant by worldly standards, but it held a central place in God’s redemptive plan.

Micah declares, "Out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times" (Micah 5:2).

The Hebrew phrase "miqqedem" (מִקְּדֶם), translated "from of old," conveys a sense of eternity.

It points to the preexistence of Christ, affirming that He is not just a human king but the eternal Word who "was in the beginning with God" (John 1:2).

The world often measures worth by outward appearances, yet God chose Bethlehem to remind us that greatness is not determined by size or reputation.

As 1 Corinthians 1:27 tells us, "God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise."

Christ’s birth in Bethlehem was not just humble; it was purposeful, orchestrated by the eternal plan of God.

Application: Never underestimate what God can do through humble circumstances.

Your background or present situation does not limit God’s power to work in and through you.

II. The Deliverer Brings Hope Through Travail

Micah 5:3 reminds us of a challenging reality: "Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor gives birth."

The imagery of labor points to both suffering and hope.

Just as labor pains precede the joy of a child’s birth, the Messiah’s coming was preceded by Israel’s long season of waiting and hardship.

The Hebrew term "yaladah" (יָלָדָה), meaning "to give birth," is often used to signify both literal and metaphorical new beginnings.

This verse points forward to Mary’s labor in Bethlehem and to the broader spiritual labor leading to the birth of salvation through Christ.

When Jesus entered the world, He did so amid Roman oppression and spiritual darkness.

His mission—to seek and save the lost—required Him to suffer, yet His suffering brought redemption and reconciliation. The Good Shepherd laid down His life for the sheep (John 10:11).

Application: Suffering is not the end of the story.

God often uses our seasons of pain to birth something new and glorious.

Trust Him in the process.

III. The Shepherd Who Provides and Protects

Micah 5:4 paints a beautiful picture of Christ as the Shepherd-King: "He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth."

The Hebrew word for "shepherd" ("ra’ah," רָעָה) encompasses both provision and protection.

A shepherd’s role was not only to feed the sheep but also to guard them from harm.

This dual role points to Christ’s care for His people.

Christ provides spiritual nourishment: "He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty" (John 6:35).

He also protects His flock, offering eternal security: "No one can snatch them out of my hand" (John 10:28).

Micah’s prophecy highlights the global reach of Christ’s authority.

His kingdom, unlike earthly kingdoms, is everlasting and all-encompassing.

The good news of the gospel continues to spread, bringing peace and restoration.

Application: Rest in the care of the Good Shepherd.

He knows your needs, guides your steps, and protects your soul.

Conclusion: Three Life Applications

As we reflect on Micah 5, let us carry these truths into our daily lives:

Embrace Humility: God often works through small beginnings and humble circumstances.

“If I will do small things, He will do Big things.” Jay Strack

Surrender your pride and trust His plan for your life.

Endure Suffering with Hope: Just as labor leads to new life, your trials are shaping you for God’s greater purposes.

Cling to His promises.

Follow the Shepherd: Allow Christ to lead you, feed you, and protect you.

Draw near to Him through prayer, Scripture, and obedience.

Jesus, the Shepherd from heaven, invites us to come to Him. He promises, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).

If you have not yet responded to His invitation, today is the day.

Let Him lead you to the springs of living water and the peace that surpasses all understanding.

-Pray

-Invitation