Do you know what “Bethlehem” means? “The house of bread”.
Know what “Ephrathah” means? “Fruitful”
So from Bethlehem Ephrathah, comes the One whose body was broken for us (like the Passover bread), but Who was the firstfruits of the resurrection.
Isn’t God’s Word wonderful!?!?
As Micah comes to the ‘promise’ portion of his prophecy, he introduces a baby. He doesn’t say ‘baby’, but when someone ‘comes forth’ from an earthly location, they pretty much have to come forth as a baby.
But then he immediately establishes who this baby is.
“His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity.”
Everyone knew who the prophet was talking about. There was never any doubt. Even the scribes of Herod’s day immediately quoted Micah 5:2 when Herod asked them where this ‘king’ could be found. (Matt. 2:5,6)
If Herod’s lackeys continued to read, then there is no wonder he was afraid of this infant of Bethlehem. Because without pausing to take a breath, Micah takes the reader from visions of the baby of Bethlehem to a picture of the Ancient of Days delivering and ruling over His people in strength and majesty; and ushering in the age of peace.
The prophet Micah talked about authority. He talked about the misuse of authority and pronounced the judgment that was to soon befall Samaria and Jerusalem, just as it had the Northern Kingdom, for the apostasy and idolatry, first of the rulers, and through them, the people.
He prophesied against the evil of the Rulers and the priests and the false prophets of Judea; then, in sharp contrast, he prophesied of the coming Messiah...the final authority...who would bring justice and victory and ultimate peace to the nation.
There is much to be studied in Micah; both in light of Israel’s history, and on a spiritual plane, what significance it has to today’s Israel and Christ’s church.
But here I want to focus solely on this One who, although “His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity”, was to come out of this insignificant little hamlet of Bethlehem, and be known as the Shepherd of His flock, the Strength of the Lord, ...Our peace.
(Read Micah 5:2-15)
As I said, there is very much that can be studied and gleaned from Micah, and specifically from this chapter; but as we enter the Christmas season, I want to sharply focus on the things these verses in chapter 5 imply about Him who has peace in Himself, and bestows it on His people.
So here is how we will break it down. We will talk about Him as Our peace with God (vs. 5&6), then Our peace in the midst of strife (vs. 7-9) and finally, Our eternal peace (vs. 10-15)
First then, Christ, who is our peace with God. (again read 5 & 6)
The Assyrians from verse 5 are seen as representative of the nations, who throughout history have come against Israel, but specifically will unite against Israel at the end of the Great Tribulation. The Assyrians specifically are used because it is they who were against Israel at the time of Micah’s prophecy.
But the coming Messiah, symbolically represented by the “seven shepherds and eight leaders of men” (ref the numbers), will take the battle to them and defeat them on their own turf.
Nimrod is referred to in verse 6 because from Nimrod comes the uniting of the Assyrians and the Babylonians against God’s people.
But Nimrod is also a type of the spirit of anti-Christ, in his rising up against God and God’s people in a spiritual sense.
The Messiah will enter the territory of the enemy and triumph over him.
And we’ve seen that He has done just that, haven’t we believer?
Because of our apostasy and idolatry we were dead in our transgressions; justly placed under God’s wrath because of sin. All the forces of darkness in the spiritual realm were against us and master over us. We were bread for them.
But...
“...when you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him; having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us and which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.
When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him.”
-Col 2:13-15
Christ is our peace with God, believer. He has entered enemy territory, apparently fooling them - being found in appearance as a man - into thinking He was weak and could be destroyed. But He brought the sword to them instead, and defeated them on their own turf. By the very means they sought to vanquish Him, He crushed the enemy’s head.
He has delivered us, not counting our transgressions against us, and by the shedding of His own blood He has won us back to God.
“For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross, through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.”
Col 1:19,20
“Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand;...”
Rom 5:1,2
Secondly, Christ is our peace in the midst of strife. More specifically, in Him we have the peace of God. (again read 7-9)
In verses 7-9 of Micah 5 is the picture of a nation (ransomed Israel) still dispersed among the nations, but now either a blessing to them, or like a raging lion in their midst; depending upon the attitude of the peoples toward them.
Feinberg says this: “Since rain does not fall in Palestine from the beginning of May to the latter part of October, the dew, the night-mist of the summer months, is essential to the summer crops. The dew speaks of Israel’s abundant, refreshing, and fertilizing ministry among the nations. The idea of abundance is conveyed both by the dew and the rain. It will be granted from the Lord, all of grace, in no sense dependent upon the wish or will of man.” -”The Minor Prophets” -Chas. L. Feinberg, Moody Press pg 176
This also is a spiritual type of the church. We are redeemed back to God by the shed blood of Messiah to pay for sin. We have peace with God, through the blood of the cross.
But more than that, we also enjoy the peace of God in and through our circumstances and all that the enemy can throw against us.
Christians, we often cannot see it, but as we live and move about in this world, and live in obedience and faith, we are a blessing to those around us, as morning dew and refreshing showers on vegetation; but as prayer warriors and voices against ungodliness, going in the name and the power of the risen Christ, we are as tearing lions to the enemy in the spiritual realm.
Please do not ever let the enemy deceive you into thinking that you are powerless against his wiles. He is a foe who was defeated at Calvary’s cross, and ironically it is as we do battle against the forces of darkness in the spiritual realm that we most enjoy the peace of God in our daily lives.
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
Eph 6:12
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your forbearing spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Phil 4:6,7
The Lord, OUR PEACE, has made peace between us and God, and He now instills by His Spirit, the peace of God in our hearts, as we abide in Him and in His strength.
Thirdly, Christ is our peace eternally. (again read 10-15)
In verses 10-15 of Micah 5 the prophet reveals to us a Messiah who, by His very power to purge and sanctify, will usher in a lasting peace for His people.
I have said before, (and I’m by far not the first) that Jesus saves us, not only apart from our effort, but despite our efforts. Not only can we not earn His salvation, He saves us in and from our resistant efforts.
“For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly...
...But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us...
...For if while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.”
Rom 5:6,8,10
All of Israel’s supports will be knocked out from under her. Her military strength, her idols, the witchcraft and sorcery that permeates the land, their fortified cities...everything their hands or their imaginations have drawn to them for comfort and protection will be purged...so they can be made to finally see their Messiah and have eyes only for Him.
This is how He deals with the church, believers. Not only the church as a whole, but each and every individual who names the name of Christ.
We come to Him for salvation and we purport to place our trust in Him; but are there not often idols still in our lives? Do we not often trust in our own strength and our own resources and our own wit to get us through?
Of course we do. It is a temptation of the old nature, and the only way to fight it is to follow His instruction in daily taking up His cross, denying self, and following.
He has defeated our enemies and redeemed us to Himself through Calvary’s work, and by so doing has saved us from the penalty of sin.
He has, by His indwelling Holy Spirit, given us the means to die to sin and live holy unto Him, thereby saving us from the power of sin.
He continues to purge us of self and misplaced trust and worship of the things of this world; this life; in order to conform us to the image of His Son and prepare us for our heavenly abode, and by this process and final glorification, will save us eternally from the very presence of sin.
He is and always has been Israel’s peace; although she has rejected Him and set herself aside until the times of the gentiles are fulfilled. But He will, in the end, be her peace against her enemies, within herself as a nation, and eternally in fulfillment of His covenants with Abraham and Isaac and David.
I want you to see His promise of blessing on His chosen people, as you read the closing verses of this prophet’s message:
“As in the days when you came out from the Land of Egypt, I will show you miracles. Nations will see and be ashamed of all their might. They will put their hand on their mouth. Their ears will be deaf. They will lick the dust like a serpent. Like reptiles of the earth. They will come trembling out of their fortresses; to the Lord our God they will come in dread. And they will be afraid before Thee. Who is a God like Thee, who pardons iniquity and passes over the rebellious act of the remnant of His possession?
He does not retain His anger forever. Because He delights in unchanging love. He will again have compassion on us; He will tread our iniquities under foot. Yes, Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. Thou wilt give truth to Jacob and unchanging love to Abraham, which Thou didst swear to our forefathers from days of old.”
(7:15-20)
He is your peace also, if you have recognized your sin and placed your trust in His shed blood for salvation, and His resurrection for life.
He is your peace with God; your source of the peace of God as you abide in Him and in His Word, and He is your eternal peace, because you are His, bought with a price,...and nothing can take you out of His hand.
As He is with His chosen nation, so He is with you, who he calls a royal priesthood; a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession (I Pet 2). Therefore He will purge and sanctify you until the day of your glorification.
For you he has tread your iniquities under foot. He has cast all your sins into the depths of the sea.
To you he has shown His great compassion, for He delights in unchanging love.
Isn’t that a beautiful phrase? Doesn’t it fill your heart with love and gratitude for Him?
He delights in unchanging love.
This is not some grumpy old man of the sky, waiting to zap you with a lightening bolt; this is Christ, OUR PEACE.
“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.”
I Thess 5:23,24
