Michoh 5

1 1 (14) Now gather thyself in troops, O Bat Gedud (Daughter of Troops, i.e., warlike Yerushalayim); a matzor (siege) hath been laid against us; they shall strike the Shofet Yisroel with a rod upon the cheek [see The Besuras HaGeulah According to Mattityahu 27:30].

25 (5:1) But thou, Beit-lechem Ephratah, though thou be little among the Alphei Yehudah (Thousands of Yehudah), yet out of thee shall He [Moshiach] come forth unto Me [Hashem] that is to be Moshel Yisroel; whose goings forth (i.e. origins) have been mikedem, (from everlasting; see Chabakuk 1:12), mimei olam (from the days of eternity).

35 (5:2) Therefore will He give them up, until the Et Yoledah (time when she who is in labor) hath brought forth; then the rest of His [Moshiach’s] Brethren shall return unto Bnei Yisroel.

45 (5:3) And He [Moshiach] shall stand and shall shepherd in the strength of Hashem, in the majesty of the Shem of Hashem Elohav, and they [Bnei Yisroel] shall live; for then shall He [Moshiach] be great unto the ends of ha’aretz.

55 (5:4) And this shall be Shalom. When the Assyrian shall invade our land; and when he shall set foot on our armenot (citadels), then shall we raise against him shivah ro’im (seven shepherds), and shmoneh nesikhei adam (eight leaders [tribal princes] of men).

65 (5:5) And they shall shepherd Eretz Ashur (Assyria) with the cherev, and Eretz Nimrod at its gates; thus shall He [Moshiach] deliver us from the Assyrian, when he cometh into our land, and when he sets foot within our borders.

75 (5:6) And the She’erit Ya’akov shall be in the midst of many people like tal (dew) from Hashem, like the showers upon the grass, that doth not await man’s bidding, nor tarry for the bnei adam.

85 (5:7) And the She’erit Ya’akov shall be among the Goyim in the midst of many people like an aryeh among the beasts of the forest, like a young lion among the edrei tzon (flocks of sheep); who, if he go through, both treadeth down, and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver.

95 (5:8) Thine hand shall be lifted up upon thine adversaries, and kol oyvecha (all thine enemies) shall be cut off.

105 (5:9) And it shall come to pass in Yom HaHu, saith Hashem, that I will cut off thy susim out of the midst of thee, and I will destroy thy merkavot (chariots);

115 (5:10) And I will cut off the cities of thy land, and throw down all thy mivtzarim (fortresses);

125 (5:11) And I will cut off keshafim (witchcrafts) out of thine hand; and thou shalt have no more sorcerers;

135 (5:12) Thy graven images also will I cut off, and thy sacred pillars out of the midst of thee; and lo tishtachaveh (thou shalt no more bow down to, worship) the work of thine hands.

145 (5:13) And I will pluck up thy Asherim (i.e., sacred poles of the Asherah cult of Canaan) out of the midst of thee; so will I destroy thy cities.

155 (5:14) And I will execute vengeance in anger and fury upon the Goyim that were without mishma’at (obedience).

Michoh 5 Commentary

Chapter 5

The birth of Christ and conversion of the Gentiles. (1-6) The triumphs of Israel. (7-15)

Verses 1-6 Having showed how low the house of David would be brought, a prediction of the Messiah and his kingdom is added to encourage the faith of God's people. His existence from eternity as God, and his office as Mediator, are noticed. Here is foretold that Bethlehem should be his birthplace. Hence it was universally known among the Jews, ( Matthew 2:5 ) . Christ's government shall be very happy for his subjects; they shall be safe and easy. Under the shadow of protection from the Assyrians, is a promise of protection to the gospel church and all believers, from the designs and attempts of the powers of darkness. Christ is our Peace as a Priest, making atonement for sin, and reconciling us to God; and he is our Peace as a King, conquering our enemies: hence our souls may dwell at ease in him. Christ will find instruments to protect and deliver. Those that threaten ruin to the church of God, soon bring ruin on themselves. This may include the past powerful effects of the preached gospel, its future spread, and the ruin of all antichristian powers. This is, perhaps, the most important single prophecy in the Old Testament: it respects the personal character of the Messiah, and the discoveries of himself to the world. It distinguishes his human birth from his existing from eternity; it foretells the rejection of the Israelites and Jews for a season, their final restoration, and the universal peace to prevail through the whole earth in the latter days. In the mean time let us trust our Shepherd's care and power. If he permits the assault of our enemies, he will supply helpers and assistance for us.

Verses 7-15 The remnant of Israel, converted to Christ in the primitive times, were among many nations as the drops of dew, and were made instruments in calling a large increase of spiritual worshippers. But to those who neglected or opposed this salvation, they would, as lions, cause terror, their doctrine condemning them. The Lord also declares that he would cause not only the reformation of the Jews, but the purification of the Christian church. In like manner shall we be assured of victory in our personal conflicts, as we simply depend upon the Lord our salvation, worship him, and serve him with diligence.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO MICAH 5

This chapter begins with a prophecy of the siege of Jerusalem, Mic 5:1; and then follows another concerning the place of the Messiah's birth, Mic 5:2; and of the case of the Jews, either before or after it, Mic 5:3; and of Christ's office as a shepherd, and of his grandeur in the world, Mic 5:4; and of his being a peacemaker, and protector of his people from their enemies, Mic 5:5,6; and of his people, the great increase of them, and their usefulness, and also of their courage, strength, and prowess, Mic 5:7-9; likewise that the Lord will remove from them their vain confidence, and all occasion of it, and whatsoever illicit arts and practices were found among them; and all idolatry, and the instruments of it, Mic 5:10-14; and the chapter is concluded with a threatening of vengeance to the Heathens, Mic 5:15.