In That Day

With the LORD at their head…Micah 2:13

In chapter one, Micah warns God’s people of pending judgment. A warning that is picked up again in chapter 3. In chapter one, the warning includes Israel’s neighbors. In chapter 3, the warning is against Israel, especially their leaders, Hear now, O heads of Jacob, and you rulers for the house of Israel: is it not for you to know justice, Micah 3:1. 

The judgment against Israel will be severe; but not forever. Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the LORD’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and peoples shall flow to it, Micah 4:1.

But there is another promise sandwiched between these two bookends, Micah 2:12 & 13: “I will surely assemble all of you, O Jacob, I will surely gather the remnant of Israel. I will put them together like sheep of the fold, like a flock in the midst of their pasture. They shall make a loud noise because of so many people. The one who breaks open will come up before them. They will break out, pass through the gate, and go out by it. Their king will pass before them, with the Lord at their head.”

It is as though the Lord is pointing His people, all of His people, to that day when our true King will rule from God’s Holy Mountain, Jerusalem. On a day when there is a New Jerusalem and a new Temple. A day when the One to be Ruler in Israel comes forth from the little town of Bethlehem, whose goings forth are from old, from everlasting, Micah 5:2.

On that day, the oppressed shall experience true freedom. A day when many nations shall come and say, ‘Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. Micha 4:2a