Micah 2: 12-13

I am an American, but I am not America. However, when America has inflation, I pay more for what I buy. There is a connection between a citizen and their nation. What affects the nation, will affect the citizens. Micah’s message is to the Israelites, but much of it is about their nation. The sins of the nation’s leadership will result in the destruction of the nation. The destruction of the nation will result in the captivity of the citizens of the nation. When we read the message that Micah preached, we have to be careful to separate what he says about Israel and what he says to and about the Israelites.

In vs. 12 and 13 he is speaking to the Israelites, but he is speaking about the nation. He tells the Israelites that even though their enemies will destroy their nation, it will not be forever. Someday, God will send the Israelites a leader. That leader will appear when the remnant longs for both a nation and righteousness.

Micah paints a picture of a flock of sheep penned up in captivity, but yearning to be free. He then changes the picture from a flock of sheep to a throng of people. The word translated “throng” means “to murmur.” Micah depicts a large number of people murmuring with desire for deliverance. Micah tells the Israelites that in response to their yearning, God will send the Shepherd King; he will be the one who breaks open the gates before them and leads them out.

It was 700 years before Jesus came. The Israelites always yearned for a homeland, but I do not believe they wanted to be righteousness if it meant loving their enemies. Jesus came when He did because the world needed him, and God was through waiting on the Israelites to desire spiritual deliverance. Jesus wants to be our Shepherd King, and He has broken open the way to salvation. However, when we follow him, righteousness still requires us to love our enemies.