Micah 4:1

“In the last days” does not mean “at the end of time.” Like all words, we discover their meaning by looking at who said them and what it meant to them. Micah had been telling the people of Israel how bad things were going to get for them. He had been condemning the sinfulness of their leaders both political and religious. He had been condemning their lack of faith and unfaithfulness to God. More importantly to those he spoke to, he had been warning them of coming destruction. All of Israel knew that what was happening to their nation was not God’s plan. It was happening because of Israel’s refusal to live righteous with God.

Having told the people the bad news, Micah now shares with the people a vision of what could be, should be, and what, once Israel determines to do right, will be the future of Jerusalem and God’s people. Micah is holding up a before and after picture to Israel. Personal trainers use this technique when they show athletes in the midst of their painful workouts, a vision of their triumphant victories that will come because of their efforts. Micah is telling Israel that when they have come through the dark days, when they have learned their lessons and when they turn to the Lord, this is what he has in store for them.

That indefinite time in the future will be the last days of their failures and defeats, but it will also be the first days of their victories. The time that Micah is describing is indefinite because it is dependent upon the Israelites choosing to lift up the name of the Lord. God has the victories, and the blessings just waiting for their obedience. When they exalt God and establish his temple, and walk in righteousness, then He will bless them. He will raise them up above all the nations. God’s blessings are too numerous to count, but we can only receive them by walking in His paths of righteousness.