The Book of Micah was written around 632 to 603 B.C. "in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah." Micah, "Mikayahu" (meaning who is like Yahveh)? Micah was a an 8th century B.C. prophet from the village of Moresheth in Judah. Micah's announcements of doom reproaches unjust leaders, defends the rights of the poor against the rich and powerful, and preaches social justice; while looking forward to a world at peace centered on Zion under the leadership of a new Davidic monarch.
Micah 1
Mic 1:1 The word of the LORD that came to Micah the Morasthite in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, which he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem. A message from the Lord to Micah of Moresheth during the years of these three kings of Judah. The vision that he saw concerned both Samaria and Jerusalem. (Jeremiah 26:18).
Mic 1:2 Hear, all ye people; hearken, O earth, and all that therein is: and let the Lord GOD be witness against you, the Lord from his holy temple. Let all the people of the world listen and hear what the Lord is saying against you as He speaks from His holy Temple. "Micah begins by taking up the concluding words of the other Micah or Micaiah in: (I Kings 22:28), and recurs to them several times.
Mic 1:3 For, behold, the LORD cometh forth out of his place, and will come down, and tread upon the high places of the earth. The Lord is coming! He leaves His throne in heaven and tramples the heights of the earth. (Isaiah 26:21).
Mic 1:4 And the mountains shall be molten under him, and the valleys shall be cleft, as wax before the fire, and as the waters that are poured down a steep place. The mountains melt beneath His feet and flow into the valleys like wax in a fire, and water pouring down a hill. (Psalm 97:5, II Peter 3:10-12), Be on guard and know the season for His return, when all evil (all the wicked & rudiments), will be burned up. "Judgment Day." Looking forward to the day of the Lord when He will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt in the flames. Remember that God is a consuming fire and He will destroy this Heaven and Earth age, for there is a "new" heaven and "new" earth age to come.
Mic 1:5 For the transgression of Jacob is all this, and for the sins of the house of Israel. What is the transgression of Jacob? is it not Samaria? and what are the high places of Judah? are they not Jerusalem? Why is this happening? Because of the rebellion of Israel. (All Israel)! Who is the blame for Israel's rebellion? Samaria, the capital city. The center of idolatry in Judah and Jerusalem. (Isaiah 50:1-2, Jeremiah 4:18, Amos 6:1). "Both the northern kingdom and southern kingdoms are condemned."
Mic 1:6 Therefore I will make Samaria as an heap of the field, and as plantings of a vineyard: and I will pour down the stones thereof into the valley, and I will discover the foundations thereof. I the Lord will make Samaria (capital of the northern kingdom), a heap of ruins. Her streets will be plowed up for planting. I will roll the stones of her walls into the valley below, exposing her foundation. This should bring our attention to what Christ said about His return at the second advent in (Matthew 24:2), future prophecy for the end times.
Mic 1:7 And all the graven images thereof shall be beaten to pieces, and all the hires thereof shall be burned with the fire, and all the idols thereof will I lay desolate: for she gathered it of the hire of an harlot, and they shall return to the hire of an harlot. All her carved images will be smashed, and all her sacred treasures will be burned. These things were bought with money earned from her prostitution, and they will now be carried away to pay prostitutes elsewhere. In other words; the wealth gained by idolatry shall be taken away by the Assyrian idolaters. "The northern kingdom was carried off by the Assyrians in 722 B.C. The Assyrians attacked the southern kingdom in 701 B.C. but God delivered them. In 586 B.C., the southern kingdom was finally carried into captivity by the Babylonians." In the future sense we can refer to (Revelation 18). In this chapter we see the fall of Babylon, (the harlot religious system) because of her fornications with all nations. She will be paid for her works and blood of the prophets by The Wrath of God. And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. (Revelation 18:1) To the earth; prepare to receive the light or truth. And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. (Revelation 18:2) Within the confounds of Babylon are caged everything that is spiritually unclean and evil and it will be destroyed. For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. (Revelation 18:3) The ten kings (rulers of the earth) and businessmen throughout the world have grown rich from her luxurious living.
Mic 1:8 Therefore I will wail and howl, I will go stripped and naked: I will make a wailing like the dragons, and mourning as the owls. I will mourn and lament. Walk barefoot and naked, howl like a jackal, and moan like an owl. (Weight of the prophetic "burden").
Mic 1:9 For her wound is incurable; for it is come unto Judah; he is come unto the gate of my people, even to Jerusalem. The peoples wounds are to deep to heal. They have reached Judah and the gates of Jerusalem. (Jeremiah 15:8).
Mic 1:10 Declare ye it not at Gath, weep ye not at all: in the house of Aphrah roll thyself in the dust. Don't tell our enemies in Gath. You people of Beth Aphrah (house of dust, a place in Palestine), roll in the dust to show your despair. (II Samuel 1:20).
Mic 1:11 Pass ye away, thou inhabitant of Saphir, having thy shame naked: the inhabitant of Zaanan came not forth in the mourning of Bethezel; he shall receive of you his standing. People of Shaphir (meaning beauty town), go as captives into exile naked and ashamed. People of Zaanan (fair), dare not come outside their walls. The people of Beth-ezel (Neighbor-town), shall be a useless neighbor with no support.
Mic 1:12 For the inhabitant of Maroth waited carefully for good: but evil came down from the LORD unto the gate of Jerusalem. The people of Maroth (bitter springs), wait for relief, but only bitterness awaits them as the Lord's judgment reaches the gates of Jerusalem. (Jeremiah 8:15, Jeremiah 14:19), they wait for good, but instead disaster came.
Mic 1:13 O thou inhabitant of Lachish, bind the chariot to the swift beast: she is the beginning of the sin to the daughter of Zion: for the transgressions of Israel were found in thee. You people of Lachish (horse town), harness your chariot horses and flee. Because you were the first city in Judah to follow Israel in her rebellion, and you led Jerusalem into sin. (Revelation 2:14). They tolerated things of Balaam such as sexual sin and idol worship. "One of Balaam's main sins was that he was a preacher for money." Does any of this sound familiar? (Revelation 2:20), "Just as Jezebel is a type that would teach that sexual sin is not important, practice immorality, and idolatry." (False religions and traditions).
Mic 1:14 Therefore shalt thou give presents to Moreshethgath: the houses of Achzib shall be a lie to the kings of Israel. Send farewell gifts to Moreshethgath; there is no hope in saving it. The town of Aczib (false town), has deceived the kings of Israel.
Mic 1:15 Yet will I bring an heir unto thee, O inhabitant of Mareshah: he shall come unto Adullam the glory of Israel. People of Mareshah (the possessor), I will bring a conqueror to capture your town. "The possessor whom Yahveh would bring was Assyria. "The nobility of Israel shall flee unto the cave." (Isaiah 5:13). Adullam; as David had done. (I Samuel 22:1).
Mic 1:16 Make thee bald, and poll thee for thy delicate children; enlarge thy baldness as the eagle; for they are gone into captivity from thee. People of Judah, shave your heads in sorrow, for the children you love will be snatched away. Your little ones will be exiled to distant lands. This is addressed to Judah. It was forbidden under law (Deuteronomy 14:1). "Judah had become as the heathen, let them mourn as the heathen."
Micah 2
Mic 2:1 Woe to them that devise iniquity, and work evil upon their beds! when the morning is light, they practise it, because it is in the power of their hand. This is a warning to the wicked people. The scammers and rip off artist who lie awake at night thinking up evil plans to carry out the next day. (This covers a very broad range of people in today's world).
Mic 2:2 And they covet fields, and take them by violence; and houses, and take them away: so they oppress a man and his house, even a man and his heritage. When you want a piece of land, you find a way to take it. When you want a house, you take it by fraud and violence. You even cheat a man of his property by stealing his family's inheritance. (This is how the majority of peoples wealth is accumulated). (Jeremiah 22:17, Amos 8:4, I Timothy 6:10, Malachi 3:5).
Mic 2:3 Therefore thus saith the LORD; Behold, against this family do I devise an evil, from which ye shall not remove your necks; neither shall ye go haughtily: for this time is evil. The Lord will reward these people with evil for evil. They won't be able to pull their necks out of the noose. Their self pride will fail and it will be a terrible time for many. "They get what they deserve."
Mic 2:4 In that day shall one take up a parable against you, and lament with a doleful lamentation, and say, We be utterly spoiled: he hath changed the portion of my people: how hath he removed it from me! turning away he hath divided our fields. In that day your enemies (the Assyrian), will make fun of you by singing a song of despair about you. God will take the land and give it to those who betrayed us.
Mic 2:5 Therefore thou shalt have none that shall cast a cord by lot in the congregation of the LORD. What is this cast a cord by lot? This refers to the custom, by which, round every village in Palestine, the land was divided by lot every year to the various families for the portion of land marked out by it. (Psalm 16:6).
Mic 2:6 Prophesy ye not, say they to them that prophesy: they shall not prophesy to them, that they shall not take shame. They didn't want to hear it. They thought disaster would never come their way.
Mic 2:7 O thou that art named the house of Jacob, is the spirit of the LORD straitened? are these his doings? do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly? In other words, Micah was saying: "If you were doing the right things, you would have nothing to worry about."
Mic 2:8 Even of late my people is risen up as an enemy: ye pull off the robe with the garment from them that pass by securely as men averse from war. My people rise against Me like an enemy! You steal the shirts right off the backs of those who trusted you. "Simple highway robbery."
Mic 2:9 The women of my people have ye cast out from their pleasant houses; from their children have ye taken away my glory for ever. You have evicted women from their pleasant homes and forever stripped their children of all that God would give them. (Matthew 23:14, Mark 12:40, Luke 20:47).
Mic 2:10 Arise ye, and depart; for this is not your rest: because it is polluted, it shall destroy you, even with a sore destruction. Get out! This is no longer your land and home. You have filled it with sin and ruined it completely. (Ezekiel 36:12-14).
Mic 2:11 If a man walking in the spirit and falsehood do lie, saying, I will prophesy unto thee of wine and of strong drink; he shall even be the prophet of this people. They didn't want to listen to Micah about turning from sin. They would rather listen to a false prophet that would tell them: "The Lord said that we should all go out and party, getting high and drunk." Believe me, that is what the majority of people today would rather do. They just want to "play church" and then continue to live their lives according to the ways of the world. (Jeremiah 5:31, II Thessalonians 2:11), If you want to be ignorant of God's Word and follow lies, deception, and traditions of men; God will send you strong delusion to believe those lies. He will close your eyes to the truth. (Isaiah 29:10) Look at how people are so comfortable with their teachings. Comfortable with their spirit of slumber.
Mic 2:12 I will surely assemble, O Jacob, all of thee; I will surely gather the remnant of Israel; I will put them together as the sheep of Bozrah, as the flock in the midst of their fold: they shall make great noise by reason of the multitude of men. Someday I will gather the remnant who are left says the Lord. I will gather them together like a flock of sheep in their pasture. (Ezekiel 36:37).
Mic 2:13 The breaker is come up before them: they have broken up, and have passed through the gate, and are gone out by it: and their king shall pass before them, and the LORD on the head of them. The "breaker" is one making a breach. The Assyrian. Hebrew "paratz" Strong's H6555, as in (Exodus 19:22-24, II Samuel 5:20, I Chronicles 14:11), generally in a bad sense. Your King will lead you; and the Lord Himself will guide you. There will be a day of restoration when God will bring the people out of captivity. When? "The Lord's day." Ultimately this is speaking of Jesus second coming.
Micah 3
Mic 3:1 And I said, Hear, I pray you, O heads of Jacob, and ye princes of the house of Israel; Is it not for you to know judgment? Listen, you leaders (Judges), of Israel. "You are supposed to know right from wrong." (Jeremiah 5:4-5, I Corinthians 6:5).
Mic 3:2 Who hate the good, and love the evil; who pluck off their skin from off them, and their flesh from off their bones. You hate good and love evil! You skin my people alive with your false teachings and evil ways of the world. (Isaiah 3:15, Ezekiel 22:27, Zephaniah 3:3).
Mic 3:3 Who also eat the flesh of my people, and flay their skin from off them; and they break their bones, and chop them in pieces, as for the pot, and as flesh within the caldron. You just strip My people down to the bone. Chop them up like meat for the cooking pot. (Ezekiel 11:3).
Mic 3:4 Then shall they cry unto the LORD, but he will not hear them: he will even hide his face from them at that time, as they have behaved themselves ill in their doings. But, when there is time of trouble you cry for the Lord. (Typical of most people in today's world), they only want to acknowledge God when they need Him. Do you really expect Him to answer you after you ignore Him. (Isaiah 3:11, Romans 2:8-9).
Mic 3:5 Thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and he that putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him. This is what the Lord says about you: "You false prophets are leading My people astray." You promise peace to those who support you, but you ignore or declare war on those who refuse to support you. (Micah 2:11, Isaiah 56:9-12).
Mic 3:6 Therefore night shall be unto you, that ye shall not have a vision; and it shall be dark unto you, that ye shall not divine; and the sun shall go down over the prophets, and the day shall be dark over them. Because of these false teachings, darkness will close around you, cutting off all your visions. An end will come to all your predictions. Why? "Because they are not true." (Isaiah 29:10), God will send them the spirit of slumber, "eyes that no longer see, and ears that no longer hear." (Romans 11:8). How many people do you know today that don't have a clue of what the truth in the Word is about? "The slumber is hear today for many, and will be till the end when all truth will be revealed."
Mic 3:7 Then shall the seers be ashamed, and the diviners confounded: yea, they shall all cover their lips; for there is no answer of God. You prophets and fortune tellers will be disgraced and cover your faces, because there is no answer from God. (Psalm 74:9), a bunch of con artists who can't tell nothing about the future. The end time famine is hear my friend, (Amos 8:11), a famine for hearing the words of the Lord!
Mic 3:8 But truly I am full of power by the spirit of the LORD, and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin. Filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. (I Corinthians 2:12-13), The Spirit of the Lord! Micah had it, and he was filled with the justice and strength to boldly declare Israel's sin and rebellion. (Isaiah 58:1).
Mic 3:9 Hear this, I pray you, ye heads of the house of Jacob, and princes of the house of Israel, that abhor judgment, and pervert all equity. You leaders of Israel hate justice and twist all that is right. (Proverbs 17:15, Jeremiah 5:28), Just as in today's world. It seems like they always protect the rich and wicked, and condemn the just and poor.
Mic 3:10 They build up Zion with blood, and Jerusalem with iniquity. Building their foundation on murder and corruption. How is your foundation? I would hope that it is built on the Word of God and not on false teachings and traditions of men.
Mic 3:11 The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us. You rulers make your decisions based on bribes. (Just look at our courts and government today). You priests teach God's laws only for a price. (You see it in most churches today, it's all about the money). And you so called prophets only prophesy when you can make money off it. (Sell a book here and a movie or video there of some false prophecy). "You all claim to depend on the Lord and think you are untouchable." (Amos 9:10).
Mic 3:12 Therefore shall Zion for your sake be plowed as a field, and Jerusalem shall become heaps, and the mountain of the house as the high places of the forest. Because of you, Mount Zion will be plowed like an open field; Jerusalem will be reduced to ruins. A thicket will grow on the heights where the Temple now stands. (Psalm 79:1, Psalm 107:34, Jeremiah 26:18), bringing our attention to what Christ said in (Matthew 24:2), Not one stone shall be left upon another, and all these buildings will be destroyed. (This was not in 70 AD, when Titus destroyed the temple), this is future prophecy for the end times at Christ's return.
Micah 4
Mic 4:1 But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. In the last days (the Lord's day), the mountain of the Lord (mount Zion), our Lord's favorite place, will be the highest place on earth. (Isaiah 2:1-3), People from all over the world will come there to worship. (Genesis 49:10, Psalm 22:27, Isaiah 27:13, Jeremiah 3:17, Zechariah 2:11, Zechariah 8:3, Revelation 15:4).
Mic 4:2 And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. People from all nations will come to the mountain of the Lord and they will say: He will teach us His ways, and we will walk in His path. "His teaching will go out from Zion; His Word will go out from Jerusalem." (Hosea 6:3, Zechariah 14:8-9), speaking of the former rain and later rain that go out as life giving waters. What is this former and later rain? The latter rain, ripening earth's harvest, represents the spiritual grace that prepares the church for the coming of the Son of man. But unless the former rain has fallen, there will be no life; the green blade will not spring up. Unless the early showers have done their work, the latter rain can bring no seed to perfection. This was spoken about by the prophet Joel. "That in the last days (the later rain), God will pour out His Spirit upon all flesh." (Joel 2:28-29, Acts 2:16-21). What are the life giving waters? They will flow out from Jerusalem, half toward the Dead Sea and half toward the Mediterranean Sea, flowing year round. (Ezekiel 47:1-12, Revelation 22:1-2), Jesus spoke of these living waters. (John 4:14, 7:38).
Mic 4:3 And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. The Lord will "mediate" between peoples and will settle disputes between strong nations far away. No more weapons of war, and nations will not longer fight against other nations. (Psalm 46:9, Isaiah 2:4, Hosea 2:18).
Mic 4:4 But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it. Everyone will live in peace and prosperity and there will be nothing to fear. (I Kings 4:25, Zechariah 3:10), The connection of this prophecy with the close of the preceding chapter shows that the establishment of the Christian Church, in consequence of the abrogation of the Mosaic dispensation, and the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans, was intended. But, though it has in a measure been fulfilling ever since these events, yet its grand accomplishment must still be future.
Mic 4:5 For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever. Though the nations around us follow their idols, we will follow the Lord our God forever and ever. (Psalm 145:1-2).
Mic 4:6 In that day, saith the LORD, will I assemble her that halteth, and I will gather her that is driven out, and her that I have afflicted. What day? The day of the Lord! I will gather together those who are lame, those who have been exiles, and those whom I have filled with grief. "Coming to save the lost." (Luke 19:10).
Mic 4:7 And I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation: and the LORD shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever. Those who were weak will survive as a remnant. Those who were exiles will become a strong nation. "I the Lord, will rule from Jerusalem as their King forever." (Joel 3:17, Luke 1:33, Revelation 11:15).
Mic 4:8 And thou, O tower of the flock, the strong hold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem. As for Jerusalem, God's people, your might and power will come back to you again. The kingship will be restored to My precious Jerusalem.
Mic 4:9 Now why dost thou cry out aloud? is there no king in thee? is thy counsellor perished? for pangs have taken thee as a woman in travail. But why are you now screaming in terror? Have you no king to lead you? Have all the wise people died? Pain has gripped you like a woman in childbirth. "This refers to the birth-pangs of the new nation which will be brought forth in that day and at that time." (Isaiah 13:8, Isaiah 21:3).
Mic 4:10 Be in pain, and labour to bring forth, O daughter of Zion, like a woman in travail: for now shalt thou go forth out of the city, and thou shalt dwell in the field, and thou shalt go even to Babylon; there shalt thou be delivered; there the LORD shall redeem thee from the hand of thine enemies. Groan like a woman in labor, you people of Jerusalem. You must now leave this city to live in the open country. You will be sent into exile to distant Babylon. But, the Lord will rescue you there, and redeem you from the grip of your enemies. (Isaiah 43:14, Amos 5:25-27), The Lord would send them into exile, to the land of the east of Damascus, "says the Lord." (Acts 7:43), Their real interest was in heathen gods and gods of the stars. They worshipped things God had made instead of God Himself. "Because of this, God would send them into captivity far away beyond Babylon."
Mic 4:11 Now also many nations are gathered against thee, that say, Let her be defiled, and let our eye look upon Zion. Now many nations have gathered against you. "Let her be desecrated, they say." Let us see the destruction of Israel." Could this be an end-time prophecy? "It's ready to happen real soon." (Zechariah 12:2-3), Gods cup of wrath poured out in the end times. Zechariah is describing the battle of Armageddon. The final battle before Christ returns to earth at the second advent. Jerusalem will become a immovable rock. Those who come against Jerusalem will fail and be cut into pieces. (Micah 4:11-13, Revelations 16:14, 17:12-14, 19:19-21, 20:8-9). Assyria, Persia, Rome, Greece, Egypt, of old, and in later days Spain, Portugal, and Russia have been so lacerated on account of their treatment of the Jews.
Mic 4:12 But they know not the thoughts of the LORD, neither understand they his counsel: for he shall gather them as the sheaves into the floor. They don't know the Lord's plan. These nations don't know that the Lord is gathering them together to be beaten and trampled like sheaves of grain on a threshing floor. (Zechariah 14:1-3), The day of the Lord, referring to Jerusalem in the end times when Christ returns. (Isaiah 2:11-12, 13:6). The nations will fight against Jerusalem. (Referring to the yet future and final siege on Jerusalem). The remnant of the people shall not be cut off. (Zechariah 13:8-9, Matthew 24:22). The Lord will fight against those nations that come against Jerusalem. (Isaiah 63:1-6, Revelations 19:11-16).
Mic 4:13 Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion: for I will make thine horn iron, and I will make thy hoofs brass: and thou shalt beat in pieces many people: and I will consecrate their gain unto the LORD, and their substance unto the Lord of the whole earth. Rise up and crush the nations, O Jerusalem, "says the Lord." I will give you iron horns and bronze hooves, so you can trample many nations to pieces. (Referring to the strength of the oxen, and to the completeness of the destruction). "You will present their riches to the Lord, their wealth to the Lord of all the earth." (Isaiah 41:15, Jeremiah 51:33). "Babylon will be crushed!" "What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31).
Micah 5
Mic 5:1 Now gather thyself in troops, O daughter of troops: he hath laid siege against us: they shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek. Mobilize your troops... The enemy is lying siege to Jerusalem. They will strike Israel's leader in the face with a rod. "This relates to the interval between the then present time and "that day" of Micah 4:1-6, "The Lords Day." he: is the enemy, (the Assyrian). The "judge" or the "then ruler" one would suggest is that God is talking about Zedekiah, who would be the last king over Judah before the Babylonian invasion. (I Kings 22:24), who would thus be a "type" of the Messiah. (Isaiah 50:6, Matthew 27:30, Mark 14:65). The "rod" (sceptre), Hebrew H7626 is "shebet" is the club of defense, as in Micah 7:14; hence, of office; not "matteh" the rod or staff (of support), as in Micah 6:9, (Psalm 23:4).
Mic 5:2 But thou, Bethlehem 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. But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, are only a small village among all the people of Judah. A ruler of Israel will come from you, One whose origins are from the distant past. Ephrathah (place of fruitfulness), was an ancient name for "Bethlehem" (house of bread). (Genesis 35:19). Bethlehem was the birth place of David, and so it was the birthplace of the kings of Judah. But, most importantly, it was the birthplace of Jesus; the One who would come forth from of old. "Jesus existed before He was even born." (John 1:1-3), The one that would be considered "little" would come from Bethlehem and rule Israel. This should bring our attention to the first advent (Zechariah 9:9), and the second advent (Zechariah 9:10). "Rejoice people of Zion." Your King is coming and He will be righteous and victorious. He is humble, riding on a colt, the foal of an ass. (We are speaking of the first advent here when Jesus came riding upon a donkey's colt). (Matthew 21:5-7, Mark 11:7, Luke 19:30-35, John 12:14-16). There will be a day in the near future when Jesus arrives on a white horse, (The Second Advent). When He returns as "King of Kings and Lord of Lords."
Mic 5:3 Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel. The people of Israel will be abandoned to their enemies until the woman in labor gives birth. Then the remnant will return from exile to their own land. "An end time prophecy in the book of Revelations." (Revelation 12:1-6). "Lets take a look at what Revelation 12:1-6 says." And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: (Revelation 12:1) The woman represents Israel or a type. And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. (Revelation 12:2) Her delivery represents a birth of a new world age. And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. (Revelation 12:3) A sign in heaven... The great red dragon is Satan, and he utilizes the same government as he did in the first earth age. In the first earth age he wanted the mercy seat of God. He no longer wanted to serve God, but wanted to be like God. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. (Revelation 12:4) The stars of heaven are the children of heaven. Satan's tail represents his flood of lies as he drew 1/3 of the angels in the first earth age. Now we switch to the woman in this earth age who represents the virgin Mary giving birth to her child. Satan wanted to destroy Him but failed. And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. (Revelation 12:5) The man child would be Christ who ascended into heaven and would return in the second advent. And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days. (Revelation 12:6) 1,260 days as compared to the days in Daniel. God always utilizes nature to protect His children.
Mic 5:4 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 unto the ends of the earth. He will lead His flock with the Lord's strength, in the majesty of the name of the Lord His God. His people will live there undisturbed, and He will be highly honored around the world. (He: i.e. the Shepherd of Israel)! (Genesis 49:24, Psalm 80:1, Jeremiah 31:10, Ezekiel 34:23). Feed: To tend, or shepherd the flock: (Isaiah 40:11, 49:10). Shall He be great: Psalm 22:27, Psalm 72:8, Psalm 98:1, Isaiah 49:5, Zechariah 9:10, Luke 1:32, Philippians 2:9-11 Revelation 11:15).
Mic 5:5 And this man shall be the peace, when the Assyrian shall come into our land: and when he shall tread in our palaces, then shall we raise against him seven shepherds, and eight principal men. He will be a source of peace. When the Assyrians invade the land, we will appoint seven rulers to watch over us, and eight princes to lead us. "The Assyrian is not the Assyrian of Micah's day, but rather a picture of God's enemies in the last days." (Revelation 17:14). Could these seven rulers (shepherds), be seven nations who will assume the responsibility of taking care of Israel during the tribulation? When the time comes the meaning of this will be seen.
Mic 5:6 And they shall waste the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod in the entrances thereof: thus shall he deliver us from the Assyrian, when he cometh into our land, and when he treadeth within our borders. They will rule Assyria with drawn swords and enter the land of Nimrod. He will rescue us from the Assyrian when they pour over the borders to invade our land. Nimrod - the founder of Babylon. (Genesis 10:9-11). The Assyrian - Could this represent the anti-Christ of the end times?
Mic 5:7 And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many people as a dew from the LORD, as the showers upon the grass, that tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for the sons of men. The remnant that is left in Israel will take their place among the nations. They will be "refreshing" like rain falling on the grass.
Mic 5:8 And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles in the midst of many people as a lion among the beasts of the forest, as a young lion among the flocks of sheep: who, if he go through, both treadeth down, and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver. The remnant left in Israel will take their place among the nations. They will be like a lion among the animals of the forest. "This refers to restored Israel "in that day," not any other people now." As a lion: (Numbers 23:24, Psalm 110:5-6, Isaiah 41:15-16).
Mic 5:9 Thine hand shall be lifted up upon thine adversaries, and all thine enemies shall be cut off. Israel will stand up to their foes, and all their enemies will be wiped out. "All evil will be removed." (Revelation 20:8-9), Satan will go out to deceive the nations of the world once again, gathered from the east to the west and the four corners of the earth. God fights this battle; "remember that God is a consuming fire."
Mic 5:10 And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD, that I will cut off thy horses out of the midst of thee, and I will destroy thy chariots: "In that day" (the last days), says the Lord, "I will slaughter your horses and destroy your chariots." (Zechariah 9:10), Destroying all weapons used in battle, and your King (Jesus Christ), will bring peace to all nations. His dominion will stretch from sea to sea to all the ends of the earth. Referring to a yet future coming of the Messiah. (The second advent). (Isaiah 2:4, 9:6-7, Micah 5:4, Revelation 11:15).
Mic 5:11 And I will cut off the cities of thy land, and throw down all thy strong holds: I will tear down your walls and demolish your defenses.
Mic 5:12 And I will cut off witchcrafts out of thine hand; and thou shalt have no more soothsayers: I will put and end to all witchcraft, and there will be no more fortune tellers. (Revelation 22:15), The drug dealers, the immoral, murderers, idolaters, and those who like to make up lies will be destroyed. (Destroying all false religions & traditions of men).
Mic 5:13 Thy graven images also will I cut off, and thy standing images out of the midst of thee; and thou shalt no more worship the work of thine hands. I will destroy all your idols and sacred pillars, so you will never again worship the work of your own hands. (Isaiah 2:8).
Mic 5:14 And I will pluck up thy groves out of the midst of thee: so will I destroy thy cities. I will abolish your idol shrines with their Asherah poles and destroy your pagan cities. This word "groves" is "asherah" Hebrew Strong's H842, and "Astarte" a Phoenician goddess; also a image of the same grove. (She was the supposed consort of Baal, her images; Pornographic, centered around sex).
Mic 5:15 And I will execute vengeance in anger and fury upon the heathen, such as they have not heard. I will pour out My vengeance on all the "nations" that refuse to obey Me. (Psalm 149:7, II Thessalonians 1:8), Taking vengeance on those against God and those who follow Satan.
Micah 6
Mic 6:1 Hear ye now what the LORD saith; Arise, contend thou before the mountains, and let the hills hear thy voice. Listen to the Lord: "Stand up and state your case against Me. Let the mountains and the hills be your witness. (Sound like court is ready to begin).
Mic 6:2 Hear ye, O mountains, the LORD'S controversy, and ye strong foundations of the earth: for the LORD hath a controversy with his people, and he will plead with Israel. Now let the mountains listen to the Lord's complaint. He has a case against His people and charges against Israel. (Hosea 4:1). The Lord had brought charges against Israel because of no knowledge of the truth in His Word. He is saying here that My people are a little stupid and have no understanding. They are wise to do evil, but to do good they have no knowledge. (Jeremiah 4:22, I Corinthians 15:34).
Mic 6:3 O my people, what have I done unto thee? and wherein have I wearied thee? testify against me. The Lord is saying: What have I done to you to make you tired of Me? (Jeremiah 2:5, Jeremiah 2:31), They wanted to do things their way, thinking they did not need God. (leave God out of the equation and you are going down).
Mic 6:4 For I brought thee up out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed thee out of the house of servants; and I sent before thee Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. I the Lord, brought you out of Egypt and out of slavery. I sent the prophets and leaders to help you. "Look at what God has done for them in the past." (Exodus 12:51, II Samuel 7:23).
Mic 6:5 O my people, remember now what Balak king of Moab consulted, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him from Shittim unto Gilgal; that ye may know the righteousness of the LORD. Don't you remember how king Balak of Moab tried to have you cursed and how Balaam son of Beor blessed you instead? Remember your journey to Gilgal, when I the Lord, did everything I could to teach you about My faithfulness. (Deuteronomy 23:4-5, Joshua 24:9-10). Paid him money to try and bring a curse on the people.
Mic 6:6 Wherewith shall I come before the LORD, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? What can we bring the Lord? What kind of offerings? Should we bow before God with offerings of yearling calves? (What can a poor sinner do)? This should bring our attention to what we can do to please the Lord. "He does not want your burnt offerings, He only wants you love." (Hosea 6:6).
Mic 6:7 Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? Should we offer Him thousands of rams and rivers of oil? What about our first born children to pay for our sins? (Psalm 51:16), Again, all God wants is your love.
Mic 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? The Lord has told you what He wants and requires of you: To do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. (Romans 3:23-24, Ephesians 2:3-9, Titus 3:5-8), God isn't looking for us to continually deal with sin. "He wants us to obey Him, love Him, and walk with Him."
Mic 6:9 The LORD'S voice crieth unto the city, and the man of wisdom shall see thy name: hear ye the rod, and who hath appointed it. Fear the Lord if you are wise. His voice calls to everyone. The armies of destruction are coming and it is the Lord who is sending them. (Isaiah 30:27).
Mic 6:10 Are there yet the treasures of wickedness in the house of the wicked, and the scant measure that is abominable? Speaking of ill gotten gains here. (Proverbs 21:6, Jeremiah 5:26-27, James 5:1-4), In other words, enjoy your ill gotten gains now because the time is coming when you will pay for all your scams and conning people out of money, using others to benefit yourself.
Mic 6:11 Shall I count them pure with the wicked balances, and with the bag of deceitful weights? How can I tolerate those who use dishonest scales and weights. (Hosea 12:7), The people are like crafty merchants selling from dishonest scales and they love to rip people off for their money. Sound familiar? It's going on in many churches today, always begging for money and ripping off the people with traditions of men and false teachings. (I Timothy 6:9-10).
Mic 6:12 For the rich men thereof are full of violence, and the inhabitants thereof have spoken lies, and their tongue is deceitful in their mouth. The rich among you have become wealthy through extortion and violence. Your citizens are so used to lying that they can no longer tell the truth. (These are the type of sins Israel was caught up in and it is going on around the world today).
Mic 6:13 Therefore also will I make thee sick in smiting thee, in making thee desolate because of thy sins. The time is coming soon. Payback time for all your sins. (Leviticus 26:16, Psalms 107:17-18, Hosea 5:9), Israel will become a heap of rubble on their day of punishment. (Amos 7:9). And so it will be in the last days when Christ returns. "Not one stone will stand upon another in Jerusalem." Were not talking about the siege on Jerusalem in 70 A.D. by Titus, (walls were still standing), but when Christ returns at the second advent. (Matthew 24:1-2, Mark 13:1-2).
Mic 6:14 Thou shalt eat, but not be satisfied; and thy casting down shall be in the midst of thee; and thou shalt take hold, but shalt not deliver; and that which thou deliverest will I give up to the sword. You will eat but never have enough and your hunger will remain. Even though you try and save your money, it will never come to nothing in the end. Even if you save a little, I will give it to those who conquer you. (Isaiah 65:13, Haggai 1:6).
Mic 6:15 Thou shalt sow, but thou shalt not reap; thou shalt tread the olives, but thou shalt not anoint thee with oil; and sweet wine, but shalt not drink wine. You will plant crops but not harvest them. You will press your olives but not get enough to anoint yourselves. You will trample your grapes but you will get no juice to make your wine. (Amos 5:11).
Mic 6:16 For the statutes of Omri are kept, and all the works of the house of Ahab, and ye walk in their counsels; that I should make thee a desolation, and the inhabitants thereof an hissing: therefore ye shall bear the reproach of my people. You only keep the laws of evil King Omri; you follow the example of wicked King Ahab! Therefore, I will make an example of you, bringing you to complete ruin. "You will be mocked by all who see you." (Omri was the father of Ahab who were both kings of Israel, and both were part of bringing idolatry into the northern kingdom). (I Kings 16:31-32), as to the worship of Baal.
Micah 7
Mic 7:1 Woe is me! for I am as when they have gathered the summer fruits, as the grapegleanings of the vintage: there is no cluster to eat: my soul desired the firstripe fruit. How miserable I am! Who or what are we speaking of here? "The prophet here is expressing the state of his soul, and he is crying out with pain and with anguish." He feels like a fruit picker after harvest who can find nothing to eat. Nothing seems to satisfy his hunger. Maybe he felt like Jeremiah did? (Jeremiah 45:3), Jeremiah was tired of what he was doing and thought that is was not important enough. (Every worker for God is important). Maybe he was just disappointed in the people he was dealing with?
Mic 7:2 The good man is perished out of the earth: and there is none upright among men: they all lie in wait for blood; they hunt every man his brother with a net. The godly people have all disappeared and there is not one honest person left on earth. They are all murderers, setting traps even for their own brothers. (Another sign of disappointment, or was he just feeling sorry for himself)?
Mic 7:3 That they may do evil with both hands earnestly, the prince asketh, and the judge asketh for a reward; and the great man, he uttereth his mischievous desire: so they wrap it up. They do evil with both hands and are equally skilled at it! The officials and judges alike take bribes. The people with influence get what they want, and together they scheme to twist justice. (Sound a lot like our nation today). (Proverbs 4:16-17, Hosea 4:18, Amos 5:12, Isaiah 26:21).
Mic 7:4 The best of them is as a brier: the most upright is sharper than a thorn hedge: the day of thy watchmen and thy visitation cometh; now shall be their perplexity. Even the best of them and the most upright are as dangerous as a hedge of thorns. (Hebrews 6:8), Those who do not follow the guidance by Christ and the Holy Spirit of truth, but would rather listen to man and false teachings. (In other words, those who do not produce good fruit). But, the "day of the watchmen" is coming. What is this "day of the watchmen?" It is the "day of punishment" (judgment day), foretold by the watchmen. (Isaiah 22:5, Luke 21:25), It's time for the watchmen to sound the alarm, "the enemy is approaching."
Mic 7:5 Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom. Don't trust anyone! (Matthew 10:35-36, Luke 12:53), Isn't that common with families and friends today? It is hard to get two people to believe the same way in home today, let alone the whole family. It appears everyone wants their own little belief or way to worship. Christ is trying to tell us not to change his doctrine because of family. (Trust in God not man). Stick with His Word.
Mic 7:6 For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter in law against her mother in law; a man's enemies are the men of his own house. The son despises his father. The daughter defies her mother. The daughter-in-law defies her mother-in-law. Your enemies are right in your own household. "A typical household of today." In the end times, your own family will even deliver you up to death. (Matthew 10:21), Who is death? (Hebrews 2:14). Christ died to destroy death, which is the devil. Your own friends and family may deliver you up to Satan in the synagogues. Why? Because they think he is Christ, but he is really the anti-Christ. (the one who comes first pretending to be Christ).
Mic 7:7 Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me. As for me, I look to the Lord for help. Waiting confidently for God to save me, and my God will hear me. (Psalm 20:7, Psalm 50:15), "Always trust in your Heavenly Father, not man."
Mic 7:8 Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD shall be a light unto me. Micah is saying to the enemy here: Don't gaze over me. When I fall, I will rise again. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light. (Revelation 21:23, Revelation 22:5). "The messiah." The "Light of the world." (Let Jesus be the light in your life).
Mic 7:9 I will bear the indignation of the LORD, because I have sinned against him, until he plead my cause, and execute judgment for me: he will bring me forth to the light, and I shall behold his righteousness. I will be patient as the Lord punishes me, because I have sinned against Him. After that, the Lord will take up my case and give me justice for all I have suffered from my enemies. "The Lord will bring me into the light, and I will see His righteousness." (Psalm 37:6, Malachi 3:18, II Timothy 4:8). At this time of judgment we will all see the difference between the righteous and the wicked. Between those who serve God and those who do not. (Daniel 12:1-3, Matthew 25:46).
Mic 7:10 Then she that is mine enemy shall see it, and shame shall cover her which said unto me, Where is the LORD thy God? mine eyes shall behold her: now shall she be trodden down as the mire of the streets. Micah is saying: The day is coming when the enemies will see that the Lord is on his (or our) side. They will be ashamed for the things they have done and we will see their downfall. (mine enemy: i.e. Assyria).
Mic 7:11 In the day that thy walls are to be built, in that day shall the decree be far removed. The cities of Israel will be rebuilt and the borders extended. (Malachi 1:5), The Lord's greatness reaches beyond borders.
Mic 7:12 In that day also he shall come even to thee from Assyria, and from the fortified cities, and from the fortress even to the river, and from sea to sea, and from mountain to mountain. In that day (future in the Lord's Day), people will come from many lands to honor you. From Assyria all the way to the towns of Egypt, and from Egypt all the way to the Euphrates river, and from distant seas and mountains. (Hosea 11:11), He will gather the house of Israel from the people among who, they are scattered. (Ezekiel 28:25) "The expressions employed in this prophecy appear to be too strong for the events which transpired after the Babylonian captivity; and seem to refer to the future restoration of Israel, after their land has lain desolate for ages."
Mic 7:13 Notwithstanding the land shall be desolate because of them that dwell therein, for the fruit of their doings. Notwithstanding: i.e. But first (or before this), the land will become empty and desolate because of the wickedness of those who live there. (Leviticus 26:33, Luke 21:20-24).
Mic 7:14 Feed thy people with thy rod, the flock of thine heritage, which dwell solitarily in the wood, in the midst of Carmel: let them feed in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old. Protect the people with Your Shepherd's Staff O Lord. Lead the flock of your special possessions. Let them graze in the fertile pastures of Bashan and Gilead as they did long ago. "So it will be in yet the future day of Israel's consolation; not Micah's day when Israel was in possession of Basham." (Jeremiah 50:19-20).
Mic 7:15 According to the days of thy coming out of the land of Egypt will I shew unto him marvellous things. I will do mighty miracles for you, like those I did when I rescued you from slavery in Egypt. (Jeremiah 23:7-8), This would be future prophecy that hasn't taken place yet, but would in the "Day of The Lord."
Mic 7:16 The nations shall see and be confounded at all their might: they shall lay their hand upon their mouth, their ears shall be deaf. All nations of the world will be amazed at what the Lord will do in that day. They will be embarrassed and ashamed at their "weak" power. They will be deaf to everything around them. (Isaiah 26:11, Isaiah 66:18, Zechariah 12:9), On the day of the Lord, He will begin to destroy all nations who come against Jerusalem. (Isaiah 54:17, Haggai 2:22).
Mic 7:17 They shall lick the dust like a serpent, they shall move out of their holes like worms of the earth: they shall be afraid of the LORD our God, and shall fear because of thee. Like a snake crawling from it's hole, they will come out to meet the Lord our God. They will tremble at His presence. Utmost humiliation, as in (Genesis 3:14, Psalm 72:9, Isaiah 49:23, Isaiah 60:14, Revelation 3:9), In the future sense, Satan and his band of followers.
Mic 7:18 Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. Where is there another God like you; One who pardons the guilt of the remnant, overlooking the sins of His special people? He will not stay angry forever at His people, because He delights in showing mercy. (We have a loving Heavenly Father and He is not out to destroy those who love Him and follow Him). Remember that God is a consuming fire. (Hebrews 12:29), God is a consuming fire that will warm the hearts of those who love Him, but will take vengeance on those who do not know Him and follow Satan. (II Thessalonians 1:8).
Mic 7:19 He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. He will have compassion on us. He will trample our sins under His feet and cast them into the ocean. (Hosea 14:4), I will heal you from your backsliding. He justifies them through faith in Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 2:4-9), Even though we were spiritually dead, He gave us back our lives again when He raised Christ from the dead. Only by His undeserved favor have we ever been saved. "By the grace of Christ."
Mic 7:20 Thou wilt perform the truth to Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham, which thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old. You will show us Your faithfulness and unfailing love. Just as You promised to our ancestors Abraham and Jacob. (Luke 1:72-74, Acts 3:25-26), We (Israel), are the children of the prophets and of the covenant which God made with Abraham. And God shall bless the entire world as He promised Abraham. (Genesis 12:2-3, Galatians 3:8).
Barton