Greed of Leaders and Universal Corruption

Micah 5:1-5

When reading the Scriptures it is important to understand the timeline of the happening, or the prophecies, and what we refer to as the book of Micah was written 735 BC.  It is also important to understand that the prophecies are not in chronological order, and that is so true with the book of Micah.  He’s bringing a message of coming judgments, and the prophetic promises of deliverance, and is encouraging the people to confessions of national sins.  He then deals with idolatry and greed of the leaders and universal corruption.  Then he addresses a future hope, the establishment of a righteous kingdom and he refers to the latter days and the return of Christ to rule on the earth for a thousand years.  But what we refer to as chapter five, verse two, introduces the coming of Messiah king, and though many of these people did not understand the timeline, we have the guidance of the New Testament to understand what Micah and the others were prophesying.

Do you recall when Herod the king heard that the wise men were in search of the a new king; “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews?” and when Herod the king heard it he called the chief priests and the scribes of the people and inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.  Taking up the account in Matthew 2:5-6, “  They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: “‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler

who will shepherd my people Israel.’” 

God the Father spoke by the Holy Spirit through Micah to His people sometime around 735 BC to announce the birth of His Son by a very young woman named Mary, it is only later that we are told her name, but her name, though important, was not the focus point, nor should it be, for Mary was honored by God for her obedience, but Jesus came to redeem all who would accept His free gift of grace by faith, putting faith in His blood shed on the cross for sin.  This is the account in Micah 5:2-5b, “           But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.  Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of his brothers shall return to the people of Israel.  And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God.  And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth.  And he shall be their peace.”

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice