Micah 4

Read Micah 4

God promised long ago that He would bring about a time of extraordinary well-being “in the latter days.” Though Israel and Judah would first face the horrors of exile, at some point after those difficult years, not only the Jews, but also “many nations,” would eagerly seek to learn and obey the Word of God.

The biblical accounts that we have of migration back to the Promised Land in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah could not possibly be the complete fulfillment of Jehovah's plans contained in Micah 4. The prophet wrote about a time of lasting shalom. The beloved children of God would live in such absolute security that it could be said that no one would “make them afraid.” Furthermore, the Lord's covenant people would be so faithful that they would “walk in the Name of the Lord” not just for a few years, but “forever and ever.” Such glowing oracles of glory could not describe any period in the history of Israel or the church.

In the New Testament era, the nations beyond the descendants of Jacob began to hear the good news of the greatness of God and the love of Jesus, but the Lord's ambassadors faced much suffering and persecution in preaching the gospel. Something more magnificent in scale than even the early centuries of Christian life was described by Micah so many centuries before.

Those who go to be with the Lord after their days are completed under the sun go to the present heavens. There they experience a generous portion of the wholeness that God has in store for those who call upon His Name. The Scriptures teach us that the very best days of eternal life will ultimately arrive when the Son of God returns to earth again. Then “the Lord will reign over them” in the world of resurrection “forevermore.”

Anyone who heard Micah's words when they were first revealed would have concluded that God had amazing plans for His chosen followers. Nonetheless, two questions remained for which we now possess very solid answers.

First, what man would be the “Lord” of the kingdom described by Micah? We now know the identity of the final King of kings who is both fully human and fully divine. His Name is Jesus, and through His death and resurrection, He has won for us all that God promised so long ago.

Second, how would this outstanding eternity come to people groups beyond the Jews? The Lord would use His church to call sinners to Himself. Broken people of faith would reveal the message of grace over many centuries. God's covenant community would be called to pray, preach, and serve so that many people would eventually confess faith in the Jewish Messiah. Only after Christ was proclaimed all over the earth would the ultimate glory of Micah's words be accomplished.

When Jesus returns, our King will bring a new creation with Him. Then our most complete yearnings for salvation will be seen and experienced, for God will establish what no human endeavors could ever have achieved.

Prayer from A Book of Prayers

Our Father, take us to Your holy mountain. Bring many nations home to You through the work of Your Son. Speak to us from Your heavenly Zion. Give us eternal peace, for we long for the fulfillment of Your great promises. We will walk in Your Name forever and ever. May the weak and the lame find a place in Your house, O God. We cry out to You for help! We long for Your rescue. Though the nations assemble against Your church, Your Son will deliver us from every trouble.