Transcript: Finding Hope in the midst of Turmoil -Unpacking Mica 5

For those who prefer to read rather than listen, here is a transcript of the sermon I preached yesterday on Mica five. Enjoy

Good morning everyone! It’s a pleasure to share some thoughts on a truly profound passage from the Bible today. Please forgive my notes – it’s a complex piece of scripture, and I wanted to do it justice! It has nothing to do with my age or memory, I promise!
Let’s begin with a prayer:
Father, we thank You so much for Your Word this morning. Thank You for gathering us together, Your people, to worship You. We thank You for Your majesty and Your presence among us. We thank You for this passage before us. Please help us to understand it, to learn from it, and to learn about You. We pray that what we learn today, Lord, we will apply in our lives, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Now, who read Micah chapter 5 and fully understood it? Anyone? No? I’m not surprised! It’s quite a tricky passage, isn’t it? Even after reading many commentaries, I don’t think any single one fully agrees on its meaning. So, we’ll do our best this morning!
Layers of Meaning: Like Wallpaper in an Old House
Have you ever moved into a new house and had to decorate a room with ghastly wallpaper? You start to peel it off, only to reveal an even more hideous layer underneath. You keep going, layer after layer, until you finally expose the bare wall. I see today’s passage a little like that – lots of layers.
Micah’s prophecy moves from his present day to a future time. The clear references to Jesus and Bethlehem remind us of the coming great ruler. So, Micah is talking about his contemporary situation, but also a future time as well. It can be a little tricky to know which period he’s referring to at any given moment, but we’ll do our best.
A Quick Refresher: Understanding Micah
For those who might be new to Micah, he was a prophet around the 8th century BC, perhaps 720 BC. He spoke a lot about the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Assyrian Empire’s threat to them. He was primarily addressing Judah, the Southern Kingdom, but often used the Northern Kingdom as a reference point. Sometimes the Bible refers to ‘Israel’ as the Northern Kingdom, sometimes as the Southern Kingdom (‘Judah’), and sometimes as the collective Israelites, the people of Israel. It can get a bit confusing, which is why some Old Testament passages are hard to follow. Do keep that in mind as you read.

• Chapter 1: Micah focused on the people’s idolatry and their judgment for it.
• Chapter 2: He addressed sins against the people, such as mistreating the poor and widows.
• Chapter 3: This chapter dealt with the sins of the leaders.
• Chapter 4: Here, the focus shifts to the ‘Mountain of the Lord’ – a hopeful, future time when all people would flow to it, perhaps referring to the coming of Jesus. It also mentions the Assyrian Empire again.
  Micah 5:1 – A Disputed Beginning
  Micah 5:1 often sparks debate about its placement. In the Hebrew Bible, it’s actually at the end of chapter 4. One commentary I read couldn’t understand why anyone would put it at the start of chapter 5. I have a theory why, though I might be completely wrong!
  We’re only looking at six verses this morning, but they are packed with powerful imagery. We must stay rooted in Micah’s immediate context: he’s speaking to people living under the looming shadow of the Assyrian Empire. While some of the prophecy certainly looks ahead, it’s easy to get lost in the imagery and forget the immediate concerns of his audience.
  Jerusalem Under Siege and Humiliation (Micah 5:1)
  Verse 1 says: “Marshal your troops, city of troops!” This refers to Jerusalem, though it’s called the ‘city of troops’ rather than ‘Jerusalem’ or ‘Daughter Zion’. It describes Jerusalem under siege, a dangerous time as the Assyrian Empire gathers.
  Then it says, “They will strike the ruler of Israel on the cheek with a rod.” This is a powerful image of humiliation. While it could be a physical blow, striking someone on the cheek with a rod was primarily about public shame. When Jesus spoke about ‘turning the other cheek’, it wasn’t about inviting further blows, but about refusing to engage in a cycle of humiliation. This is about Jerusalem, the great city of God, facing profound humiliation.
  From Humiliation to Hope: The Rise of Bethlehem (Micah 5:2)
  Then the passage shifts gears dramatically to Bethlehem: “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for Me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”
  This is why I believe verses 1 and 2 belong together. You have the powerful capital city of Jerusalem, under siege and its leader humiliated, facing God’s judgement. Yet, Bethlehem, this tiny village, just a few miles from Jerusalem, the home of David, is contrasted with this mighty city. From this humble place, God calls forth a great ruler.
  Ron Hamilton and the Power of Humble Beginnings
  Have you ever heard of Ron Hamilton? He’s from Rutherglen in Scotland. Ever used daily disposable contact lenses? Well, Ron Hamilton invented them, from that small fishing village. From humble origins, a technology emerged that affects countless lives.
  In a similar way, from Bethlehem, this small town, a great ruler would be called forth by God.
  Bethlehem: The House of Bread
  Do you know what the name Bethlehem means? ‘House of Bread’. ‘Beth’ means house (think of Bethsaida, or Bethany), and ‘lechem’ means bread. So, Bethlehem is the “House of Bread”.
  It’s fascinating how this links to the Christmas story. In Matthew chapter 2, the wise men follow the star, arrive in Jerusalem, and Herod asks the teachers of the law where the Christ is to be born. They quote Micah 5:2, saying, “He will be born in Bethlehem.” And it’s from this ‘House of Bread’ that Jesus, who later declares, “I am the bread of life,” comes forth. There’s a beautiful connection here.
  A Ruler From Ancient Times
  The verse also states that this ruler’s “origins are from of old, from ancient times.” This isn’t just a regular human leader. This suggests a divine, Messianic figure, someone special. As Christians, we immediately think of Jesus. Micah looks ahead to a time when, despite Israel and Judah’s present troubles, God would call forth a ruler from ancient times, one who would be their deliverer.
  Israel Abandoned, Then Reunited (Micah 5:3)
  Verse 3 is interesting: “Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labour gives birth and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites.”
  This idea of Israel being abandoned could be their punishment for turning their backs on God. We know the Northern Kingdom was carried away by the Assyrians, and while Judah avoided the Assyrians, they fell to the Babylonians and went into exile. This was God’s judgment.
  We see this throughout Israel’s history: periods of trouble and exile under the Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, and Romans. But the verse sets a time limit: “until the time when she who is in labour gives birth to a son.” This clearly refers back to Bethlehem and the idea of this ruler from ancient times. It’s a picture of Israel giving birth to the Messiah. This could signify an end to their troubles with the coming of the Messiah.
  For us, it’s hard not to connect the ‘woman in labour giving birth to a son’ with Mary giving birth to Jesus.
  The Rest of the Israelites and the Church
  The passage then speaks of “the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites.” Some people link this to the modern nation of Israel being formed in 1948 and 1967, and the gathering of scattered Jewish people. While I understand why some make that connection, I personally don’t think it refers to the current nation of Israel.
  Looking at the news today, it’s clear that the nation of Israel is not living securely. We don’t want to lose sight of God’s covenant with Abraham, promising descendants as numerous as the stars and sand, and a specific land. But I don’t believe this passage should be interpreted as referring to the modern political entity of Israel.
  Instead, I think the idea of Jesus, the Messiah, uniting the rest of the brothers to join the Israelites, could be a reference to the Church. It could be about Gentiles coming to believe in Jesus and being united with God’s people, the Israelites, forming this new entity, the Church, where believers live for God.
  The Shepherd King and His Greatness (Micah 5:4)
  Verse 4 tells us: “He will shepherd His flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord His God. And they will live securely, for then His greatness will reach to the ends of the earth.”
  This idea of a ruler being a shepherd is fascinating. Again, Jesus declared, “I am the good shepherd.” So, this ruler is not only the ‘bread of life’ but also the ‘great shepherd’. He will shepherd His flock in the ‘majesty of the name of the Lord His God’. That word ‘majesty’ resonates when we worship and feel God’s powerful presence.
  His greatness “will reach to the ends of the earth.” This certainly points to Jesus. There are few places in the world today where Jesus’ name isn’t known. The Church began humbly in Jerusalem and spread to Judea, and then to the rest of the world. The Gospel is being preached everywhere, and we look forward to the day when it truly reaches every place, giving everyone the opportunity to know Jesus. This could also refer to a future time when Jesus returns and establishes His kingdom.
  Our Peace and Deliverance (Micah 5:5)
  Verse 5 is powerful: “And He will be our peace.” This immediately reminds us of the Christmas story, linked so well to Bethlehem. The first people to hear about Christ’s birth were the shepherds, and the angels proclaimed, “Peace on earth.” This coming ruler will be our peace.
  However, Micah immediately links this back to the Assyrian invasion. He says that this ruler “will raise up seven shepherds, even eight commanders.” This is a common Hebrew phrase, meaning ‘X and X plus one’, used for emphasis. You see it in Proverbs (“There are six things… yes, seven…”) or Amos (“For three sins… even four…”). It’s a Hebrew way of emphasising a complete and abundant number. So, it’s probably not literally seven or eight people, but a sufficient and abundant number of leaders. Seven often represents completeness in the Bible, and eight could symbolise abundance.
  These shepherds will “rule the land of Assyria with the sword, the land of Nimrod with the bare blade. He will deliver us from the Assyrians when they invade our land and march across our borders.” Nimrod, mentioned here, is a character from Genesis 10, often translated as a ‘great hunter before the Lord’, but actually meaning ‘against the Lord’. He’s an antagonist. This speaks of the enemies of Israel, the Assyrians and their allies. The sword here simply means a sword, not a metaphor for the Word of God, as some suggest.
  This is a message of hope: when the Assyrians come, God will raise up sufficient leadership to deliver His people from this difficult time. The simple words “He will deliver us from the Assyrians” are enough. That’s the hope they could cling to.
  What Does This Mean for Us Today?
  So, what can we take from this rich passage? There’s so much to think about, from contact lenses to the Bread of Life! But what can we do with it in our lives?
  I think the final phrase, “He will deliver us from the Assyrians,” holds the key. It means we can have hope and trust in God that He will make things right. This isn’t a prosperity gospel – I’m not saying God will fix all your problems immediately. We know that’s not true. Israel faced centuries of trouble and difficulty. God never promised a life free of pain.
  But in the midst of troubled times, God’s message was: there is hope. There is someone we can trust. There is a future to look forward to. Micah was speaking to his contemporaries, but also looking ahead to a future time when God would make everything right.
  Perhaps that won’t be on this side of eternity. But we can trust that God is our deliverer. He brings us hope, and if we trust in Him, we know we have a future in heaven, a time where we can rise above all the troubles of this life and know that He will make everything right.
  Whatever you’re in the middle of today – doubt, financial difficulty, health concerns, or simply feeling under siege – passages like this remind us that God has a plan. Even in trouble, we can trust and hope in Him, knowing that one day He will deliver us. Whether that hope is realised in this life or the next, God is a God of eternity. We need to be eternally minded, not solely earthly minded. While I wish I could tell you God will fix all your problems in this life, that’s not what we see. But we know He will fix everything in the next. These passages tell us we can trust in that hope God gives.
  I hope that’s encouraging to you this morning, and that you’ve learned a few things from this passage.
  Shall we pray?
  Father, we thank You for the Book of Micah. Thank You for the prophetic message given to the people of Israel and Judah in those days. We thank You and hope it was an encouragement to them. May we too see Your Word as a great hope for us. We thank You for hope, and that even when the enemy is at our door, when we face troubled times, Lord, we trust in You. Not that You’ll necessarily deliver us from every problem and pain in our life, but that You’ll be right there with us. You have promised never to leave us, never to forsake us. Lord, we know that even if we face troubles in this life, You have a plan, and we trust and hope in You. Help us to learn from Your people, who so often turned their backs on You, and help us not to turn our backs on You, Lord, but to follow You more heartily. May we lean on You and trust You. As we pray today, bless us as we think about Your Word, and what it means. We thank You, Lord Jesus, that You stepped down into this world, into this world of trouble and difficulty. You didn’t demand we lift ourselves up, but You left Your heavenly throne, came to earth as a baby in Bethlehem. We always think that Your Word is true and powerful. We thank You that You came to set us free. We pray we would follow You with our whole hearts. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
  Thank you.