Micah 5
by David Groendyk
After hearing of God’s plan of salvation in chapter 4, we hear of the One who will bring about that salvation in chapter 5.
The first couple verses of this chapter are actually filled with irony. Micah calls Israel to muster up their own army, presumably to bring about the victory that God had told them of in the previous chapter. However, the assumption is that, obviously, Israel can’t do this for themselves! More than that, it’s notable that the One who would bring about the victory comes from one of the weakest clans of Judah. In essence, Micah is saying that you are too weak to save yourselves, but from your absolute weakness will come the most powerful deliverer.
What a great reminder of our utter helplessness when it comes to salvation. It reminds me of the story in the Gospels where Jesus says that it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter heaven, which leads the disciples to ask, “Who then can be saved?” A fair question! A camel passing through the eye of needle seems quite impossible! Jesus replies, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:23–26). God is all-powerful, and there is no better example of his total power than his saving us. Brothers and sisters, we have no hope unless God provides his own Warrior-Shepherd to vanquish our enemies for us. And, just as surely as a remnant from Israel would return to their land after the exile, so are our future prospects as Christians sure because of the eternal life that Jesus secured for us on the cross.
Security is one of the greatest benefits that Christ wins for us. Because it is his divine work that saves rather than our own feeble human efforts, we can be sure that the enemy is truly conquered. Rest and peace are ours since Christ is our ruler. No more fearing any human being, because what can a human being do to me when I have God on my side (see Psa. 118:6)? No more fearing Satan, because, although he does prowl around like a lion seeking someone to devour, he is a chained up lion that can only do so much damage and can never steal your salvation (see 1 Pet. 5:8 and Rev. 20:2). No more fearing death and hell, because we are assured of being with God forever. What an empowering truth that ought to be in our lives! How do you think the promise of security, peace, and rest would have changed the Israelites’ outlook on life while facing imminent exile and destruction? How should it change our outlook on life as Christians?
Another great benefit that Christ wins for us is holiness. Verses 10–15 show us God weeding out all the idols and false religions from Israel. This kind of moral cleansing is utterly necessary and totally beautiful for us. As painful as it is to have our sins and worldly securities exposed, they must be exposed, because they hinder our faith in our Savior and our clinging to him alone for victory. And just like weeds in a garden in your backyard, if those sins aren’t plucked up by the roots, they will always grow back and give us more trouble. Praise God that he is actively working in you to remove those things that put up a barrier between you and him. In what ways have you seen God exposing your sin lately? How has he been working to rid your life of sin and draw you closer to him in communion?