Micah 2

8–10 The Lord continues speaking. The rich among His people have risen up like an enemy (verse 8)—an enemy of the poor and an enemy of God. They have driven women (probably widows) from their homes and thereby deprived their children of God’s blessings (verse 9). God had intended that His blessings of wealth and land be evenly distributed among His people, but the rich had ended up taking the biggest share themselves.⁸

Therefore, the Lord will drive the rich out of the land; those things they have confiscated for themselves will soon be confiscated by others (the Assyrians). The rich oppressors have defiled the land, and therefore they are no longer entitled to remain in it (see Leviticus 18:24–28).

11 In Micah’s time—as in our own—there were “prophets” who promised prosperity (represented here by wine and beer). Such prophets are eagerly listened to; they talk about the Lord’s blessings but they say nothing about His demands. They prophesy what people want to hear, not what God wants to say. Thus they are ideal “prophets” for those who love prosperity more than they love God.

Deliverance Promised (2:12–13)

12–13 Together with words of judgment, the Old Testament prophets also offered words of hope and deliverance; but this deliverance was reserved for the remnant of Israel—that is, the remnant of all Israel, both north and south (verse 12).

Here the Lord continues speaking through Micah. Although Israel will be carried into exile, those who remain faithful to God (the “remnant”) will be restored to their land⁹ (see Isaiah 10:20–23). God will bring them together like sheep in a pen; they will be safe and secure.

one who breaks open the way will lead them; they will then break through the gate and go out (verse 13). God’s people, God’s kingdom, will “break out” into the whole world. The “One who breaks open the way” is none other than Jesus the Messianic King, who together with the LORD in heaven will go forth at the head of His people.