Micah 5 explained: A Ruler from Little Bethlehem

Jerusalem under siege (v. 1)

The city is surrounded, and its leader is struck on the cheek, a deep public insult. Scholars are unsure whether this pictures the Assyrian siege of Micah's day or the later Babylonian one.

A ruler from Bethlehem (v. 2)

Bethlehem was the small hometown of King David, so this promises a new king from David's family, whose roots go back a very long way. Christians read this as pointing to Jesus, born in Bethlehem, and the Gospel of Matthew quotes this verse.

Waiting, then a shepherd (vv. 3-4)

The people will suffer until a woman gives birth; she may be the ruler's mother or Israel pictured as a woman in labor, and scholars are unsure which. Then the scattered will come home, and this ruler will care for them like a shepherd, backed by the LORD's own strength.

Peace against Assyria (vv. 5-6)

Assyria was the great empire threatening Judah at the time, and the promise is that this ruler will be the people's peace. Naming seven leaders and then eight is a Hebrew way of saying more than enough, and they will turn the tables by invading Assyria, here called the land of Nimrod after a legendary founder of its cities.

Like dew, like a lion (vv. 7-9)

The surviving few of Israel are pictured among the nations as dew, a gift that arrives without any human help, and as a lion tearing through sheep with no one able to rescue them. The second image is plainly violent, describing triumph over enemies, and how the two pictures relate is debated.

God removes false supports (vv. 10-15)

God says he will take away what the people relied on instead of him: war horses, chariots, fortified cities, spells, carved idols, sacred standing stones and Asherah poles, wooden poles linked to the worship of a goddess. The chapter ends with God's anger turned on the nations that refused to listen.

Key verse: Micah 5:2

Where Christians differ

Christians differ on whether verse 2 originally spoke of a coming king from David's line that later found its fullest meaning in Jesus, or was a direct prediction of Jesus from the start, including whether the ruler's ancient origins mean David's old family line or an existence before time began.

Something to think about

What do people tend to rely on to feel safe, and what happens to them when those things are taken away?