In the ‘Last Days’ God will bring restoration

4:1-5

• In the Last Days, the mountain of Yahweh’s temple will be established as a place of justice, and wars will cease [cf. Isa 2:2-4]
• We must walk in the Name of our God [cf. Isa 2:5]

4:6-8

• God says, ‘I will gather the lame & the exiles, and I will rule over the restored kingdom!’

4:9-10

A⁶. Now, why are you in pain [Jerusalem]? You are in pain because you go to [exile in] Babylon!

• But: There [in Babylon] you will be rescued and redeemed by God from your enemies

4:11

A⁷. Now: Many nations gather against [Jerusalem] to defile the city [both now & in the Last Days]

4:12-13

• But: They don’t understand: God has planned it; [Jerusalem] will thresh them [see Rev 20:7-10]

5:1

A⁸. Now: The city [of Jerusalem] will be besieged & the Judge [& King] will be struck with a rod

5:2

• But: From Bethlehem, God will raise up a Ruler who goes forth [or exits out] from eternity

[Jesus is the Ruler (see Matt 2:6) who entered the world after leaving his home in Eternity]

5:3-6

A⁹. Now: [God] gives them up [into the hands of their enemies, cf. 4:10 (or over to their sin? Job 8:4)]

• Until: A woman will give birth [to a son (cf. Isa 7:14), referring to Jesus (cf. Matt 1:18-23)] & all Israel will return [to God, cf. Rom 11:26]; he will feed [or shepherd {His flock}] & he will be great;
• he will deliver the land from Assyria [who will attack (cf. Isa 7:10-20) then be defeated (Isa 10:24-34)]

5:7-9

• The remnant of Judah [who survive the exile] will be like [refreshing] dew & like a [powerful] lion

5:10-15

• God will destroy horses & chariots [instruments of war], cities & fortresses [of strength & pride] & sorcery & idolatry; He will take vengeance against all nations that do not listen [to Him]

God’s message to Israel & Judah

6:1-5

• ‘Listen, mountains & hills [cf. Eze 6:1-7]: God contends with His people (Israel) [saying to them], “What have I done to you? I redeemed you from Egypt & [from] Balak[’s curse (Num 24:10)]”’

6:6-8

• [The people ask:] ‘Should I make sacrifices to God?’ [Micah replies:] ‘God has told you what is good: act justly, love mercy & walk humbly with God’ [cf. Ps 51:16-17, Isa 1:11-17, Zech 7:4-14]

6:9-15

• God speaks to the city [of Jerusalem]: ‘Take heed of the rod [of punishment]! Is there wealth [that you gained] with the dishonest measure [of Lev 19:35-36]? [If so, then] I will bring desolation!’

6:16

• ‘Also, you keep the statutes of [King] Omri [see 1 Kgs 16:25-26; cf. King Jeroboam in 1 Kgs 12:26-33]
• & you do the [evil] works of [King] Ahab [see 1 Kgs 16:29-33], so I will make you desolate!’

Micah is sad but he puts his hope in God

7:1-4

• [Micah says:] ‘Alas! I am like [one who finds meagre] gleanings instead of [large] clusters of fruit;
• Pious ones perished from the land & now evil people [remain who are] like thorns & briers’

7:5-6

• [Micah warns the people:] ‘Do not trust your friends or family!’ [cf. Jer 9:4-6, 12:6, Matt 10:35-36]

7:7-10

• [Micah says:] ‘I will watch & wait for God! You, my enemy, will not rejoice at my downfall, for I will rise again! I have sinned, but God intercedes for me & my enemies will be ashamed!’

7:11-12

• There will be a day of rebuilding [Jerusalem’s] city walls [cf. Neh 2:1-9, 6:15]; people will return

7:13

• [But after] there will be desolation due to the fruit of [bad] actions [see Matt 23:37-39]

7:14

• [Micah prays:] ‘Feed [or shepherd] Your flock, so they can enjoy the land again!’ (cf. 5:2-4)

7:15

• [God replies:] ‘Just like in the days when you exited Egypt, I will show wonders [or miracles]!’

7:16-17

• The nations will see [God’s wonders on behalf of His people] and become ashamed & afraid of God

7:18-20

• [Micah declares:] ‘Who is a God like you, who forgives sin & shows mercy? He will have compassion & remove sin! You will keep the promises you made to Jacob & Abraham!’

Oba / Jon / MIC/ Nah / Hab