Despair Before Deliverance

If you’ve ever been to a midway at a State Fair or even some theme parks, you may have experienced or observed some crazy rides. It might have been the tilt-a-whirl, a roller coaster, or a ride that takes you up to dizzying heights, then suddenly drops, causing you to feel like you’re plummeting to certain death. All of those rides carry with them a wide range of emotions and feelings.

My experience used to be on the tilt-a-whirl. The device would slowly circle round on a track on which it pivoted. The whole contraption was on a larger platform which would circle around the very center, with the base moving slightly up and down and tilting a bit. At first, it seemed quite pleasant and relatively stress-free. Then suddenly, the speed increases. You then find yourself being whipped to one side with the seeming g-forces increasing. Then it would begin to pivot the opposite direction, sloshing your face and brains to the other side, with your companions smashing against you. Then it would slowly get back to a calmer state, where you felt like your lunch was still safe inside you. Instantaneously, the speed goes from 2 mph to a billion mph, and you start the whole process again. All of the screaming sounds you hear are either from pure joy and thrill to absolute panic button mode. You’re sure that the loudest screams are coming from inside you. If you’re not saved, knowing the next stop could be heaven at this point in time, you begin to pray for salvation at that very moment.

I think you get the picture. This might just have been a bit of the feeling those in Jerusalem and Judah were experiencing at this time. They were feeling glorious when there was the promise of the Messiah rescuing them and giving them stability. Then there were those other times when their whole world was being ripped out from underneath them.

Now those living in disobedience would have definitely experienced the terror. Those who were to be part of the remnant would have experienced the feelings of hope, though they were also going to experience the pain of captivity.

As Christians, even though we may experience some dark times in life, because of Jesus, we know that one day we will experience victory.

Captivity to Conquerors - 4.9-13

This section starts out with a look at what life was going to be like under the oppression and captivity Judah was going to have to experience because of their rebellion against God. The focus is still on the city of Jerusalem which represents the nation.

As we look at verses 9-10, reading it brings some very vivid pictures that are quite graphic. Just look at some of the words and phrases: cry out loudly . . . agony has gripped you . . . Writhe and labor . . . The picture is that of a woman giving birth in a very difficult and painful way.

The reason for this depiction of agony and terror is because the people had refused to look to the Lord for their help. In fact, there are three questions asked of the people to show how foolish they were. Why do you cry out loudly? This term is normally used as a shout of victory, excitement or joy. Here, however, it’s like a cry of surprised terror. In the case of a woman giving birth, I’m told that when that pain of transition labor comes upon them, it’s an excruciating pain that causes sudden, loud, involuntary cries of pain. Many a husband, holding his wife’s hand, wondered if she just crushed every single one of the bones in his hand.

The second and third questions are combined: Is there no king among you, or has your counselor perished? This is intended as sarcasm. The king should have provided leadership to protect the people from their enemies. The king should have been their counselor, providing the wisdom and expertise necessary to take the people through the crisis in a victorious manner. It wasn’t happening.

The issue was that the people trusted in their earthly leadership, who was not following the Lord. They were not following the Lord, or they would have willingly and gladly listened to the prophets who had been warning them and pleading with them to look to God for their help.

In fact, things were going to get so bad that the people would be forced to go out of the city. You will recall that Jerusalem was quite a defensible city. Thus, you know that this was going to be a very traumatic attack upon the city. Jerusalem not only represented the epicenter of the nation geographically, but it was the very core of their religious life.

Not only that, but the trip away was going to be very difficult and lengthy, as they will dwell in the field. This was not going to be a camping or a glamping adventure. This was going to be very difficult and discouraging.

Wait; that’s not all. They would need a forwarding address because their place of residence was going to change: and go to Babylon. What Micah was prophesying was going to take place over 100 years later.

In the last part of verse 10, Micah looks beyond their exile and captivity to their deliverance. There you will be rescued; there the Lord will redeem you from the hand of your enemies. Hope, once again, is revealed. The nation’s captivity was going to be horrible, but they had brought it on themselves. As a result of the exile, the nation would repent of their wicked ways. Then they would experience God restoring them to their promised homeland. More importantly, the fellowship with the Lord would be restored. God would do what was necessary, as only He could do.

As we look at verses 11-13, we get a glimpse of how Israel’s return to their homeland is a type or a shadow of the ultimate picture of when the Messiah sets up His kingdom. Some of this is seen even in our time, as nations are still trying to remove any Jewish and Messianic symbolism from Jerusalem. They are even now trying to desecrate it, though total desecration won’t happen until the time of the tribulation.

Even among those of us who are believers in Jesus Christ, we see this attempt to silence us and to remove anything which resembles or reflects the glory of God. After all, our very existence and testimony is a constant reminder of the world’s ungodliness. So, just like when Babylon and other nations tried to destroy God’s chosen people; just like we’ve seen in multiple times in many generation where nations and godless leaders have tried to destroy the Jewish people; we will continue to see this silencing and destruction, and especially among those who name Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

Don’t overlook God’s ultimate plan! . . . They do not understand His purpose; for He has gathered them like sheaves to the threshing floor. While the enemy thinks its goal is to destroy God’s people, God is actually gathering them together to be judged by Him. He is indeed . . . the Lord of all the earth.

First and Second Coming - 5.1-6

Here, we see verse 1 starting out with a very somber beginning. The Hebrew wording pictures this like a lady under attack. We can assume that this prophecy is still regarding the Babylonian military setting siege to the city of Jerusalem. It would appear that things couldn’t get any worse.

What is always hoped for in the darkest hour? Well, in our western mindset, we might hear the trumpet sound of the cavalry, as they come to the rescue. Here, in verse 2, we have the beginning announcement of the coming King who would rescue and deliver God’s chosen people. We see in these verses, the place, the purpose, and the significance of the birth of this King or ruler.

The place, Bethlehem Ephrathah is presented as part of God’s perfect plan. It may not have sounded like much, but God always has the perfect plan. Bethlehem means house of bread. Ephrathah means fruitful. This small village is presented as God’s promise of restoration. How do we know that it was small? Micah stated that it was . . . too little to be among the clans of Judah . . . Yet that is where God chose for the Rescuer to be born.

What was the purpose of this birth? . . . from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel . . . Historically, it had been understood that Bethlehem would be where the Messiah would be born, as we see in Matthew 2 and John 7. And we also see that God is the One who set the wheels in motion and chose the location and provided the purpose. We also need to understand that this was not just for the nation of Israel. That’s why we need to understand the entirety of the Bible. We see in Galatians 6, Romans 9, and Ephesians 1 and 5 that, under the New Covenant, everyone who places their faith and hope in Jesus as the Messiah is part of God’s chosen people.

Now, look at what is unique and significant about this future ruler to be born in Bethlehem. He has always existed. His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity. Jesus even commented on this in John 8.58 “Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.”

Now why would someone be born from the line of David in a town other than Jerusalem? Historically, we know that there was not another king from that royal lineage after the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians. That explains why Micah stated in verse 3: He will give them up until the time when she who is in labor has borne a child. Some 30 years previous to Micah’s prophecy, there was Isaiah’s prophecy in Isaiah 7.14 “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel.”

We read such wonderful symbolism in this wording that there should be great joy and hope. Then the remainder of His brethren will return to the sons of Israel. Implied is that those who were part of the chosen people, the Israelites, would return. Plus, those who would trust in the Messiah who were Gentiles, the other sheep which Jesus spoke of in John 10, would be gathered together.

Then we read that He will arise and shepherd His flock, in verse 4. Because of David being known as a shepherd, then a king, plus the fact that in the East, a shepherd speaks to ruling as a king, this was understood to be the Messiah from David’s lineage.

The ruler will make this all happen . . . in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord His God. There is omnipotence; no limitation to the strength of this ruler. He also has the same glory, which we recall from John’s writings, that the Messiah was equal to the Father as the Mighty God.

As we continue, we see that the people will remain, showing that they are secure and not needing to fear being exiled again. In fact, verse 5 starts out by saying This One will be our peace. In Ephesians 2.14 “For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall,” Paul makes clear that Jesus fulfilled this part of Micah’s prophecy.

Anything which would dare to oppose God and His people would be opposed by the sword of the Lord. My friend, we do not need to fear Satan or his worldly kingdom nor all the evil forces. The church need not fear anything, for we are the bride of Christ. The picture in verses 5-6 is that God’s people can go on the attack against the enemy of God. Church, we are called to go out and rescue those who are being attacked by Satan and his forces. We are to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to this hostile world. Jesus Himself stated in Matthew 16.18 “I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.”

Yet, we must always remember that it is God who is doing the work: And He will deliver us.

Remnant Rules - 5.7-9

In these verses, it appears that Micah is describing how the remnant, or those who have been redeemed, will impact the other nations who follow after false gods. Verse 7 describes the remnant as being like dew. One commentator described it this way: The message of salvation falls like dew or showers from heaven on the barren hearts of the heathen. And Micah gives another reminder towards the end of the verse that this is not dependent upon humanity, but wholly upon God. . . . which do not wait for man or delay for the sons of man.

Verses 8-9 are a reminder that with the Lord in charge, the remnant that was once at the mercy of the enemy would be . . . like a lion among the beasts of the forest . . . Remember what Genesis 12.3 states: Genesis 12.3 “And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” The same principle is applied to the church, as we see in various New Testament passages. Romans 8.33-39 “Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written, “For Your sake we are being put to death all day long; We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” 2 Corinthians 10.4 “for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.” Mark 16.16 “He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.”

God Protects His People - 5.10-15

Micah gives a reminder to the nation that everything which they had trusted in, outside of God, would be removed when the Messiah rules. It’s a good reminder for us, as well. We cannot place our hope in anyone or anything else, other than Jesus Christ.

Verse 10 describes the removal of horses . . . chariots. What a reminder to us, as the culture, the government, other institutions would try to encourage us to follow after them when times become dark; we need to remember that our citizenship is in heaven. Christ does not want us to trust in the things of this world, for He knows they are worthless and will only cause more grief. When we look to this world, instead of Jesus, we commit a terrible sin, plus handicap our witness to others.

Then verse 11 describes God . . . cut[ting] off the cities . . . tear[ing] down your fortifications. Even today, we hear descriptions of our incredible accomplishments with our cities, buildings, defenses, etc. When do we hear of God’s great ability and His protection of His beloved people?

In verse 12, Micah describes how God will remove all the false religious crutches. These were actually demonic and completely in opposition to God. The reference here is to the sorceries . . . fortune-tellers. This was already condemned in the law and by other prophets. By removing them, there was no longer false options to consider. There would be a greater likelihood of the people pursuing God.

Verses 13-14 speaks of a removal of the stuff that was connected to any form of idolatry. It seems so ridiculous to worship something which a person has created, rather than the One Who created the person. The picture Micah presents is that the people would be completely devoted to God.

So far, in these verses, we see that God is removing anything which would have a connection with idolatry, which is spiritual adultery. The practical application to the church is that we must also rid ourselves of anything which would try to take the place of our worship and trust in the Lord alone.

Finally, in verse 15, we see that God will appropriately and judicially get rid of all who will not recognize that He is the One and only true God. This will be done completely when Jesus Christ comes for the second time: 2 Thessalonians 1.8 “dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.”

My friends, whether the nations of this world or the people all around us, realize it or not, God is sovereign over all. He is the King and will share His kingdom with nobody else.

One way in which this can be noticed by others is by how we live our lives. The world will watch us while they attack and try to destroy us. As others mock us for our belief in the Lord Jesus Christ, they will watch our reaction. But do not be discouraged while it seems as though the world is imploding on itself. Don’t become fretful as it appears that life is going to become even more difficult for the followers of Jesus.

As Christians, even though we may experience some dark times in life, because of Jesus, we know that one day we will experience victory.