And He Will Be Their Peace

Micah 4:1-5:5

Key Verse 5:5

Today’s passage is the revelation of what will happen to the daughters of Zion.  But God shared what will happen in the far end first because it is the ultimate reality.  The near future will be for them to be in Babylon as Exiles.  The far end future refers to them being changed into a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.  Through the Savior.  

^{Mic 4:1} In the last days the mountain of the LORD'S temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills,and peoples will stream to it. 

^{Mic 4:2} Many nations will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,to the house of the God of Jacob.He will teach us his ways,so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 

^{Mic 4:3} He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide.They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. 

^{Mic 4:4} Every man will sit under his own vine and under his own fig tree,and no one will make them afraid,for the LORD Almighty has spoken. 

^{Mic 4:5} All the nations may walk in the name of their gods;we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever. 

The LORD'S Plan 

^{Mic 4:6} “In that day,” declares the LORD, “I will gather the lame;I will assemble the exiles and those I have brought to grief. 

^{Mic 4:7} I will make the lame a remnant,those driven away a strong nation.The LORD will rule over them in Mount Zion from that day and forever. 

^{Mic 4:8} As for you, O watchtower of the flock, O stronghold of the Daughter of Zion, the former dominion will be restored to you; kingship will come to the Daughter of Jerusalem.” 

^{Mic 4:9} Why do you now cry aloud—have you no king?Has your counselor perished, that pain seizes you like that of a woman in labor? 

^{Mic 4:10} Writhe in agony, O Daughter of Zion, like a woman in labor, for now you must leave the city to camp in the open field. You will go to Babylon;there you will be rescued. There the LORD will redeem you out of the hand of your enemies. 

^{Mic 4:11} But now many nations are gathered against you. They say, “Let her be defiled, let our eyes gloat over Zion!” 

^{Mic 4:12} But they do not know the thoughts of the LORD; they do not understand his plan,he who gathers them like sheaves to the threshing floor. 

^{Mic 4:13} “Rise and thresh, O Daughter of Zion, for I will give you horns of iron; I will give you hoofs of bronze and you will break to pieces many nations.” 

You will devote their ill-gotten gains to the LORD,their wealth to the Lord of all the earth. 

A Promised Ruler From Bethlehem 

^{Mic 5:1} Marshal your troops, O city of troops,for a siege is laid against us. They will strike Israel’s ruler on the cheek with a rod. 

^{Mic 5:2} “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old,from ancient times.’” 

^{Mic 5:3} Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor gives birth and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites. 

^{Mic 5:4} He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. 

^{Mic 5:5} And he will be their peace.

Read 4:1,2. How is the mountain of the Lord described? Why will people stream to it? Why is it important: 1) to “know” his ways; and 2) to “walk” in his paths? Why do many end up not walking in his paths even after coming to know his ways? 

The Mountain of the Lord is described as the chief above all other mountains.  It is high and foremost.  This is the case because the word of God or the law of God is coming from that mountain.  Symbolically, the law of God is the highest idea.  Why will people stream to it in order to stream to that mountain and walk in God’s path.  People would come to that mountain not for other things, but only because of the Lord himself and his law.

We first need to know God’s ways and then we need to practice walking in his path.  Without knowing God’s ways, we cannot walk in them.  Without walking in them, the knowledge of God’s ways does not mean much.  It is like theory and practice.  

These people trust in their own understanding too much, that is why they don’t walk in his ways.  It is the hardest battle for each person to deny his own understanding and rely only on the word of God.  Proverbs 3:5,6 talk about the importance of trusting in the Lord alone.  We trust what we know.  We don’t believe God’s words.

^{Mic 4:1} In the last days the mountain of the LORD'S temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills,and peoples will stream to it. 

^{Mic 4:2} Many nations will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,to the house of the God of Jacob.He will teach us his ways,so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 

Read verse 3. Why is it important to have the Lord judge and settle disputes among people? What will happen when the Lord does this? 

^{Mic 4:3} He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide.They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. 

It is because the Lord is righteous and just.  His judgment is fair.  So, we should not try to settle disputes among ourselves, but entrust our judgment to God.

There will be peace when the Lord does this.  There will be no more wars or conflicts in the world, such as that in Iraq.  The net result of coming to the mountain of the Lord and walking in the paths of the Lord is peace.  All the weapons for war, would be beat into plowshares.

Read verse 4. What is the effect (on every man) of the Lord who has spoken? What does this teach us about the way for people to get along with one another? 

There will great peace and security will be given to those who know the Lord and walk in his ways and walk in them.  This is the secret of ultimate peace and security and no fear of harm from others.  

By hearing the Lord, knowing the Lord, and walking in his paths.

Read verse 5. Who are “we”? What does the word “will” [instead of “may”] indicate about the way for those who love the Lord and obey him to overcome peer pressure? Why is it important to walk in the name of the Lord “for ever and ever”? 

We are idol worshippers.

A personal decision is required.  To have faith in God’s word, requires a personal decision because it is the way to live against the mainstream of this world.  It is important to walk in the name of the Lord from time to time you will be really tired and weary.  Consistency is important because God is faithful.  

Read 4:6-5:1. This passage talks about God’s training for the chosen people Israel (i.e., Babylonian captivity), particularly for those who are in leadership positions, and the good that will come out of it. What does this passage tell us about the purpose of the Lord’s discipline? Why is it important to know the Lord’s purpose? 

The Lord’s discipline was to help them to accept the Lord’s will.  The purpose was to help them and gather them once again.  God sent them as exiles in order to bring them back through their repentance.  Why is it important to know the Lord’s purpose.  We can receive the Lord’s discipline with a clear learning point and receive it with joy.  

Read 5:2-5. How is the Savior to be born (and who was indeed born) in Bethlehem described? What blessings will he bring to the people on earth? What does the word “rule” or “shepherd” indicate about the way for one to live under His blessings?  

He is described as a ruler.  

He will shepherd over his people.  The people under him can live securely under him.  Peace and security will be under him.  If you have those things, even financial security.  We don’t need much more.  We can also live with eternal life.

We need to be ruled by God and be shepherded by God in order to be truly blessed with God’s peace and security.  We need God, without him we cannot create our own peace.  

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