Micah 5
COMMENTARY:
: 2 But thou, Beth-lehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. (4910 “ruler” [mashel] means have dominion, reign, power, govern, or control.)
DEVOTION: There was a future birth announced in this minor prophet. Micah tells us where this future ruler is going to be born – Bethlehem Ephratah. He tells us that it is a small village outside of Jerusalem. He informs us that HE was known about in ancient times.
When the wise men came to Herod asked for the place where the KING of the Jews was to be born, Herod asked the scribes. They looked in the ancient manuscripts and found that HE was going to be born in Bethlehem. Remember Bethlehem means “house of bread.” Christ is the Bread of Life.
HE is going to be the Savior of the nation of Israel in the future. In the future there was not going to be any more false worship. HE was going to destroy all those who practiced false worship, as well as, the images they worshiped.
We know that before the world was created, the LORD was going to come to save HIS people from their sins. The LORD knew about the fall of man before it happened. Nothing has changed the plans of the LORD. Nothing is a surprise to HIM.
The prophets inform us that the coming Messiah was first going to come and die for the sins of the world. Many of the Biblical scholars of Christ’s day didn’t understand there were going to be two comings of the Messiah. HIS second coming was going to be to reign here on this earth. We have a future coming KING. HE is presently seating on the right hand of the Father making intercession for HIS saints. One day HE is going to come and set up a kingdom here on this earth that will last for eternity.
In the midst of the present situation in Israel, Micah tells them the there is a bright future ahead. There is affliction at present for the children of Israel. He is telling us the same truth today. There is a bright future ahead when we reign with Christ. This life is going to have suffering but glory is coming. Praise the LORD.
CHALLENGE: If the priest knew where the Messiah was born and told Herod and the wise men we should understand there is a coming King who will reign. HIS name is Jesus Christ!!
: 4 And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God; and they shall abide: for now shall he be great to the ends of the earth. (3427 “abide” [yashab] means to dwell, to be inhabited, to continue in a place, position or situation, or remain.)
DEVOTION: One of the reasons we have pastors in our churches is so that they can minister to those in the congregation. Is the only responsibility of pastors in our churches to preach? Is it all they have to do to see the LORD’S work accomplished in the church? Does the LORD expect more from those HE calls to serve in the local church?
These questions enter the mind of all those in leadership in our local churches. Should the pastor spend all his time in the building or be out in the neighborhood visiting the members and those who are not members? Or should those who need to speak to the pastor have to come to the church with an appointment and they meet with him?
A shepherd in the fields of Israel would lead his sheep to their pasture and then into the fold at night. He would stand guard over the sheep to protect them from anything or anyone that would come to harm them. He would care for the lambs that wander.
In one of the parables the LORD taught that a shepherd might leave his ninety-nine sheep to look for one lost sheep. There was an idea of seeking those who have strayed.
Now during the Millennium we find we find the LORD leading HIS flock. HE was going to stand and protect them. With that happening the people or sheep would be undisturbed by any problems. This Shepherd would be highly honored around the world.
The LORD as our Shepherd is an example to those who are pastor/shepherds today. They need to follow HIS example and not what some professor teaches differently.
CHALLENGE: Hit the streets pastors and leaders!!
: 12 And I will cut off witchcrafts out of your hand; and you shall have no more soothsayers. (3785 “witchcrafts” [kesheph] means sorcery, incantations, black magic, or act of obtaining powers from spirits.)
DEVOTION: There are many people today who look at their horoscope in the newspaper each day to see what type of day they will have. There are some who even go to people who can read their palm to see what is in their future. There are some who buy games that go into the spirit world to find out what the future holds.
We have a place in New York where there is a town that just does these kinds of things for people who want to find out the future or talk to someone who has died. The best example of this in the Old Testament was the witch at Endor. She was to bring up the ghost of Samuel for king Saul of Israel. When it happened she was even surprised. It is not good to do these things in the sight of the LORD.
In the end times the LORD is going to cut off or end all those who deal with these types of things. HE is going to sent them to the lake of fire for eternity. They are not working with HIM but against HIM and what HE taught in the Word of God. Christians should not be involved with these things because they are giving a place for the devil to work in their life. This is a warning to all those who claim to be followers of the LORD but think they can play in this area.
CHALLENGE: Avoid all contact with those who want to entice you with the evil spirit world. Remember that the devil likes to appear as an angel of light.
: 15 And I will execute vengeance in anger and fury upon the heathen, such as they have not heard. (5359 “vengeance” [naqam] means revenge, requital, punish, retribution, repaying, or avenge.)
DEVOTION: The Bible teaches that we are not to avenge ourselves as believers. The only one who can avenge someone who has hurt us is the LORD. HE is the one who has us under HIS care. HE promises to never leave us or forsake us. HE wants us to realize that HE loves us and will not let anything happen to us unless it is for our good.
Now we find that the LORD is going to execute punishment on those who have disobeyed HIM. HE is going to deal with the heathen in a way that has never happened before this time.
Remember we are talking about the last days before Christ is going to reign on this earth. HE is going to deal with those who rejected HIM during the Tribulation time period when they had all those witnesses giving them the message of the Messiah. Many became followers of Christ but the rest rejected HIM to follow the devil and his workers.
The future is certain in the eyes of the LORD. HE had it planned before the foundation of the world and HE is working HIS plan. We have to be patient and let HIM work in HIS time.
CHALLENGE: Don’t let your anger get the best of you in regarding to getting even with someone who has hurt you or said something against the LORD. HE will deal with them. HE is in control.
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