Day 193
Today's Reading:
Great job finishing another minor prophet book.
Bethlehem was the hometown of David; from it a Messiah would come from the line of David. The people still thought that a warrior king was coming. God said Israel would be abandoned until the time of the Messiah who would come to rule in Jerusalem be from Bethlehem. He would shepherd His flock, and rule with strength in the majestic name of the Lord. His greatness would reach the ends of the earth, and the people would live in security because He will be their peace.
The people had been told about the Messiah for many generations, each waiting their entire lives for the hope to come. We are blessed to live in the time where the Messiah had already come, died, then rose again. The life-giving promise has been fulfilled. While we did not witness the Messiah in person, we are blessed to reap the benefits of His work. Now we are called to love Him and follow His righteous path.
Why did God choose the small, seemingly insignificant town of Bethlehem, David’s hometown, as the birthplace of the Messiah, rather than a powerful capital city filled with warriors?
Micah declared that Jerusalem would be overthrown (it was in 588-586 BC). The king was captured and taken to Babylon. In verse 5:2 was the prophecy that the Messiah would come from the tiny town of Bethlehem. It was a reminder that God loves the underdog. This was fulfilled in Jesus’ birth (Matthew 2:1-6, John 7:42). He would be the true Shepherd boy who brings peace.
The remnant will be like fresh dew, a blessing to the earth and like a lion in strength. God would do a divine spring cleaning of Judah’s “trust issues.” There would be no more war horses, magic, witchcraft, idols, or false cities. He would destroy it all and purify the remnant. Then He would take vengeance.
In chapter 6, God brought another courtroom scene. The mountains and the earth, creation itself, are called witnesses. God reminds the people of everything He has done for them: He brought them out of Egypt, He sent them Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, even turning Balak’s curse into a blessing through Balaam (and the talking donkey). Yet, the people responded to God’s goodness with their over-the-top burnt offerings and even child sacrifice, they thought the bigger the gift, the better.
What God really wants, Micah sums up the entire Old Testament in one verse: “He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8). Judgment came because of dis honest scales, violence, and lies. The smart cheaters and deceivers would end up with nothing. You reap what you sow. Micah then referred to Omri and Ahab as wicked kings and bad role models.
The faithful have vanished. A man’s enemies were now the members of his own household. Families had become so broken that the kids would betray their parents. Then the book took a turn, pointing to trust that even in the darkness, there was still hope. Micah ended the prayer with there will be national restoration after the exile. The walls would be rebuilt, the boundaries extended, and God would shepherd His flock again. The pagan nations would do the snake crawl of shame. Who is like our God? He delights in mercy, not anger. Sins would be buried in the sea, and no one could fish them back out.
Today's Discussion question:
Why did God choose the small, seemingly insignificant town of Bethlehem, David’s hometown, as the birthplace of the Messiah, rather than a powerful capital city filled with warriors?
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