Miqueas 5

Humillación y exaltación de la dinastía davídica

1 Reagrupa tus tropas, ciudad guerrera,porque nos asedian.Con vara golpearán en la mejillaal gobernante de Israel.

2 Pero de ti, Belén Efrata,pequeña entre los clanes de Judá,saldrá el que gobernará a Israel;sus orígenes se remontan hasta la antigüedad,hasta tiempos inmemoriales.

3 Por eso Dios los entregará al enemigohasta que tenga su hijo la que va a ser madre,y vuelva junto al pueblo de Israelel resto de sus hermanos.

4 Pero surgirá uno para pastorearloscon el poder del SEÑOR,con la majestad del nombre del SEÑOR su Dios.Vivirán seguros, porque él dominaráhasta los confines de la tierra.

5 ¡Él traerá la paz!Si Asiria llegara a invadir nuestro paíspara pisotear nuestras fortalezas,le haremos frente con siete pastores,y aun con ocho líderes del pueblo;

6 ellos pastorearán a Asiria con la espada;con la daga, a la tierra de Nimrod.Si Asiria llegara a invadir nuestro país,si llegara a profanar nuestras fronteras,¡él nos rescatará!

El remanente

7 Será el remanente de Jacob,en medio de muchos pueblos,como rocío que viene del SEÑOR,como abundante lluvia sobre la hierba,que no depende de los hombres,ni espera nada de ellos.

8 Será el remanente de Jacob entre las naciones,en medio de muchos pueblos,como un león entre los animales del bosque,como un cachorro entre las ovejas del rebaño,que al pasar las pisotea y las desgarra,sin que nadie pueda rescatarlas.

9 Levantarás la mano contra tus enemigos,y acabarás con todos tus agresores.

Purificación de un pueblo idólatra y belicoso

10 Esto afirma el SEÑOR:«En aquel día exterminaré tu caballería,y destruiré tus carros de guerra.

11 Exterminaré las ciudades de tu paísy derribaré todas tus fortalezas.

12 Pondré fin a tus hechiceríasy no tendrás más adivinos.

13 Acabaré con tus ídolosy con tus monumentos sagrados;nunca más volverás a postrarteante las obras de tus manos.

14 Arrancaré tus imágenes de Aserá,y reduciré a escombros tus ciudades;

15 con ira y con furor me vengaréde las naciones que no me obedecieron».

Miqueas 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.