Micah 4

The Lord’s Plan (4:6–13)

6–8 In that day—in the last days (verse 1)–God will gather the lame, that is, the exiles, and transform them into a remnant,a strong nation (verses 6–7). Only God’s grace and power could turn the weak and discouraged exiles into a “strong nation.” But that strong nation did not become a reality in Old Testament times. It had its beginning with the establishment of Christ’s church (see 1 Peter 2:9), and it will be fully established when Christ comes again. And yet those original Jewish exiles were used by God to bring blessing to the world, for it was out of that “remnant” of Israel that the Messiah came. God uses the weak and lowly to accomplish His purposes, so that no one may boast before Him (1 Corinthians 1:26–29).

The Lord will rule over the restored Israel—the strong nation (verse 7). The watchtower of the flock (Jerusalem) will be the center of His rule; Jerusalem’s former dominion will be restored, and the kingship will again be established in Jerusalem (verse 8). This reaffirms God’s earlier promise to DAVID that his kingdom and his throne would be established forever (see 2 Samuel 7:12–17 and comment).

9–10 Here Micah shifts back to the near future; soon Israel would go into exile, followed by Judah 150 years later. Then there would be no king. Micah rhetorically asks—have you no king? (verse 9). Then, speaking mainly of Jerusalem, Micah tells its people to writhe in agony; they must endure the punishment for their sins:they will go to Babylon (verse 10). But right after Micah pronounces this judgment, he says that the exiles will be rescued; the Lord will redeem them from their enemies.¹⁵

11–13 But now, says Micah, many nations are gathered against Israel and Judah: Assyria, Babylon, and their allies. They gloat over ZION, thinking they are the conquerors (verse 11). But they do not know that they are simply instruments in God’s hands and that one day their own day of judgment will come. The Lord will gather them like sheaves to the threshing floor (verse 12)—a figure of judgment. And the restored Israel itself, led by the Messiah, will thresh (execute judgment on) the nations that have opposed God’s people (verse 13).