Micah now tells them what will come to pass and what Jerusalem, the city of Zion will be restored to (v1-3). These verses are repeated by Isaiah (2:1-3) which is not surprising since they were around at the same time. It is likely that they spoke with each other but more than that The same Holy Spirit gave them both the same words of prophecy, so this reinforces the truth of it.
“Now it shall come to pass in the latter days That the mountain of the LORD’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, And shall be exalted above the hills; And peoples shall flow to it. Many nations shall come and say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths.” For out of Zion the law shall go forth, And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He shall judge between many peoples, And rebuke strong nations afar off; They shall beat their swords into plowshares, And their spears into pruning hooks; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, Neither shall they learn war any more.”
It is considered by theologians that this is a reference to the ultimate restoration of Jerusalem being the centre during the Millennium. What a contrast from the prophecy in chapter 3 as repeated by Jeremiah. Jerusalem being like a ploughed field, a heap of ruins and the temple like a bare mountain.
There is coming a day when the peoples shall flow to Jerusalem and walk in His paths and want to know Him. There will be no more war and The LORD will judge between the nations. All this can only happen when The Messiah reigns in the Millennium. Reference is made to the latter days in verses 1-5. It begins with the words – “but in the last days it shall come to pass…..” Micah has moved from prophecies regarding the nations of his day to ‘the last days’ which is much more future. It is the Messiah’s coming earthly kingdom. Other prophets including Isaiah and Zechariah foretell this, when promises given to Israel and Abraham will ultimately be fulfilled. This, however, widens to all nations. The gospel was to be preached to all nations (Luke 24:47, Acts 1:8) speaking of salvation being offered to all.
There is much discussion and disagreement about the end times but it is clear that Micah (and other prophets) inspired by The Holy Spirit is speaking of the coming of The LORD to earth when Jesus will reign as King of kings and LORD of LORDs and reign from the holy mountain in Jerusalem. In that day there will be no fear, The LORD will teach the people His ways, war will not be learned any more and there will be no want (sitting under his vine and fig tree means prosperity and peace (1 Kings 4:25 and 2 Kings 18:3)), they would enjoy the fruits of their labour and their own possessions. People may walk in the name of their gods, but we will walk in The Name of The LORD our God forever.
There is a promise to the weak, the lame and the outcast (v6-8) of restoration. However, there would be pain before the restoration (v9,10). Part of the pain seems to be that they would have no king or counsellor, thus a lack of leadership. Micah tells them that they would go to Babylon in captivity but the LORD would deliver them from there and “Redeem them from the hand of their enemies.” The foretelling of the gathering of Israel to their own land is contained in v6,7. The Jews have not only been opposed and persecuted by Babylon but in other periods of time including the Hitler regime in latter days, as well as anti-Semitic bodies up to our present day. In 1947 however the nation of Israel was recognised and Jews started to return to their own land. They are still opposed especially by Palestinians to this day, supported by many countries. We see quite clearly the offspring of Ishmael opposing Isaac. Abraham and Sarah thinking they could give God a helping hand when there was a long delay in Him fulfilling His promise of a son. God quite clearly told Abraham that it was through Isaac that future generations would be blessed not Ishmael. Sin always pays wages and hence the offspring of Ishmael being a thorn in the side of Israel even to this day.
God is still in control and His word will come to pass. Note vv 11-13 – “Now also many nations have gathered against you, Who say, “Let her be defiled, And let our eye look upon Zion.” But they do not know the thoughts of the LORD,
Nor do they understand His counsel; For He will gather them like sheaves to the threshing floor. “Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion; For I will make your horn iron, And I will make your hooves bronze; You shall beat in pieces many peoples; I will consecrate their gain to the LORD, And their substance to the LORD of the whole earth.””
Even the captivity in Babylon was to cause repentance in the people for their worship of false gods, and to turn them back to God. God still loved His people. He would never destroy them all. The heathen people were used of God to punish His chosen people. They did not know God’s thoughts and plans, because they did not know God. God will destroy the enemies of His church and restore the wheat to his barn.
The LORD will restore Zion (Israel) even though many nations were against them, they will be strong as iron in that last day, the millennium.
