Bible Study for Texas for 8_24_72803

Posted: 7/25/03

Lesson for Aug. 24

Micah 4:1-8; 5:2-5

Peace can come from the pieces

By Stephen Hatfield

In the midst of turmoil and destruction, peace is always a possibility. Micah chapters 4-5 describe the potential for peace and restoration of the nations of Israel and Judah.

These chapters stand between two courtroom scenes where God judges his people. Chapters 1-3 describe a courtroom scene, where the prophet presents his case against the nations of Israel and Judah before the judge of the entire universe–God himself. Chapters 4-5 describe the restoration of a remnant after the destruction of the nations. Finally, chapters 6-7 return to the courtroom scene where Micah presents the “closing arguments.”

Interpreters of the Bible have differing opinions concerning the origin and location of these two middle chapters. Were they an original part of the book or added later? No evidence suggests the book of Micah has undergone any rearrangement of its contents or additions of any kind. To study the book as it stands is the best approach.

Pieces of the puzzle

Like pieces of a puzzle, one must examine the words of these chapters and seek to fit them into history and faith. Consider two pieces of Micah's puzzle.

First, Micah 4:1-3 is found almost word for word in Isaiah 2:2-4. Isaiah and Micah were contemporaries, and no doubt their messages were similar in content. While Isaiah related solely to the nation of Judah (South Kingdom), Micah related to both Israel and Judah. The issue of who wrote first does not weaken the message of hope found in their words.

Second, scholars have long debated the dating of 4:10: “Writhe and labor to give birth, Daughter of Zion, Like a woman in childbirth; For now you will go out of the city, Dwell in the field, And go to Babylon. There you will be rescued; there the Lord will redeem you from the hand of your enemies.”

Did Micah prophesy concerning the nation of Judah and identify its conqueror as Babylon or was this verse added years after the prophet's lifetime? Micah well could have foreseen the collapse of the city of Jerusalem and the exile of the Jews to Babylon, which occurred in 586 B.C., as well as the beginning of the remnant's return in 538 B.C. Prophecy is both forth-telling and fore-telling. In speaking the truth, the prophet Micah was also telling the future.

Peace within the puzzle

Though sincere, Bible-believing people may differ over the “pieces” and how these chapters should be interpreted, all Christians can find hope in these powerful passages. The two focal texts for this present lesson are especially meaningful for those who find themselves far from God and wonder if he really does forgive and restore. Consider the “peace” one can find within the “pieces” of Micah's puzzle.

Our God reigns

When God calls all things to their proper end, his kingdom will reign over the entire universe (4:1). Jews living in exile, who read these words, knew all was not lost. People who are lacking faith today also should remember God is in control, and someday all people will see his mighty power. The phrase “in the last days” (4:1) describes the time of God's perfect kingdom. Though one cannot pinpoint its date, God has promised the arrival of this time. See also Isaiah 2:2; Jeremiah 16:15; Zechariah 14:9-11; Malachi 3:17; and Revelation 19-22.

No more war

The “hammering of swords into plowshares” (4:3) will someday be a reality. Who would not look forward to the time when never “again will they train for war” (4:3)? Israel/Judah lived under the threat of invasion. In current times, wars fought on the other side of the globe are viewed “live.” God's plan for the future erases the threat of all war.

Faithful living

The most ardent readers of Micah's prophecy were probably Jews who lived in exile, far from home. They knew well the price of disobedience, for they were living out God's judgment far from their homeland. They also knew well the faithfulness of God and the strength found in “walking in the name of God” (4:5).

A Savior for the world

Micah 4:1-4 has its ultimate fulfillment in the coming of Christ. He is the one who will bring all the promises of these verses to pass.

A Savior will be born

Micah appears to describe the total destruction of the family line of David. The historical narrative of 2 Kings 24-26 details the demise of kings Jehoiachin and Zedekiah. When Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem, he slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah. One might assume from this devastating episode that the Davidic line had come to its end and God's promise that one would be born in his line who would reign forever was never to be fulfilled.

Matthew knew Micah 5:2-5 well. In his account of the birth of Jesus the Christ, the tax collector turned disciple quoted the first lines of 5:2, identifying this verse as a 700-year-old prophecy concerning the Lord's miraculous birth.

Micah's words offer another glimpse of this future king: “His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity (5:2).” This would be no ordinary king.

The Apostle John, in his Gospel, beautifully describes one of the significant doctrines of the Bible–the pre-existence of Christ: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God” (1:1-2).

Pagan philosophers had written of the impossibility of identifying anything significant surrounding the beginning of time. A barrier could not be penetrated; a door could not be opened at the beginning of creation. Looking through the eyes of faith, John could go back to the genesis of time and space and open the door of creation to find Jesus, who existed from the beginning. One would trace this eternal king's origins not to David, but to God. Though pre-existent and eternal, Jesus entered human history as the infant son of Joseph and Mary.

God can work

in every situation

Israel/Judah will suffer for the time being. Their sins will not go unpunished. They will face exile and tremendous hardship at the hands of Babylon. Yet God will allow these things to happen to prepare them for a brighter future (5:3).

A Savior who shepherds

Here Jesus is pictured as the shepherd, who protects and guides his people. The good shepherd cares, leads, protects and saves his sheep. The Old Testament often depicts God as one who shepherds his people, as in Psalm 23.

A Savior who brings peace

Micah 5:2 begins: “This One will be our peace.” Micah described this important task of the coming Messiah, centuries before his birth. In one of Christ's final discussions with his followers, he said: “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful” (John 14:27).

Because of Jesus' first coming, people can know his peace and salvation. Because of his future return, people can know his kingdom of peace will last forever. The first readers of Micah's prophecies were Jews who lived in the Exile. Reading with eyes of faith, they had the opportunity to know their punishment and exile would prepare them for brighter days ahead.

God works

in unexpected ways

Perhaps the most remarkable lesson from these chapters is that God works in ways people do not expect. Micah leads one to reasonably expect God to reveal himself in the line of David. The details of this revelation confound and confuse. Who would think the coming, eternal king who brings peace would be born in a seemingly insignificant village? Yet Bethlehem, identified by its county seat of Ephrathah, was the place of his birth. Who would choose a hard-working young carpenter and his equally young wife to provide a home for the King of kings? Yet Joseph and Mary are God's choice to be the parents of Jesus. People should not be surprised when God time and again chooses to appear and to work in unexpected ways.

J. Vernon McGee, in his “Thru the Bible” commentary, has an interesting take on this Old Testament book. He maintains that if Micah 1-3 focuses on announcing future judgment for past sins, then chapters 4-5 describe future glory based on past promises. Micah reminds the people God has a plan, and his plan is best, and his plan will ultimately come to pass.

Believers in today's world should pay careful attention to Micah's words. Though the historical situation is far removed from our present day, the lessons remain the same. God, though patient and loving, demands and deserves the obedience of his people. We are free to choose, but we are not free to choose the consequences of our choices.

People who go through times of exile in personal living can take heart that such times can bring us closer to God. And those who live on our side of the cross know the victory has been accomplished in the birth, life, ministry, death, burial, resurrection and future coming of the one of whom Micah spoke.

What about all those confusing pieces of Micah's puzzle? Christ is the key piece that allows one to put all the pieces together.

Questions for discussion

Which nation was commonly known as Judah?

Which nation was commonly known as Israel?

Which nation fell to the Babylonian empire and in what year did it fall?

When will all wars cease?

How has God worked in ways you least expected? Explain the circumstance.

Have you ever experienced a period of exile in your own life? What did you learn from this experience?