Bible Commentaries
Micah 4

Verses 1-5

Mic 4:1-5

Establishment of Zion in the Latter Days (Micah 4:1-5)

“But in the latter days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of Jehovah’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and peoples shall flow unto it” (Micah 4:1).

Micah 4:1-3 is found at Isaiah 2:2-4. Isaiah’s time of prophecy began a few years earlier than Micah’s but for the most part they were teaching at the same time. Some believe Micah or Isaiah quoted from each other. It is also just as likely that the same God that revealed this information to Micah revealed to Isaiah. The “latter days” point to a time when the kingdom of God, the church, would be established. Proof of this statement is found when comparing Daniel 2:28 (i.e., Daniel’s interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream) to the time of Christ (days of Roman rule), His crucifixion, resurrection, ascension, and empowering of the apostles with the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost recorded at Acts 2:1 ff. Peter quotes from Joel 2:28 ff at Acts 2:16-21 as he connects the current events of Acts 2 with the prophecy of the coming of the kingdom of God in the “latter days.” Furthermore, after the church was established at Acts 2 the apostle Peter said, “Yea and all the prophets from Samuel and them that followed after, as many as have spoken, they also told of these days” (Acts 3:24). During these “latter days” Micah states that “the mountain of Jehovah’s house shall be established.” The prophet Zechariah reveals to us what the “mountain of Jehovah’s house” is. He stated, “Thus saith Jehovah: I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called the city of truth; and the mountain of Jehovah of hosts, the holy mountain” (Zechariah 8:3). Zion / Jerusalem was the sight of David’s residence and was earlier known as “the city of David” (2 Samuel 5:7). “Eventually the term ‘Zion’ was extended to include the entire city (Jerusalem), but this synecdoche usually occurs in poetic passages.”¹ The author of Hebrews gives the spiritual meaning of Zion saying, “but ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable hosts of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to spirits of just men made perfect...” (Hebrews 12:22-23).

“And many nations shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths. For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of Jehovah from Jerusalem” (Micah 4:2).

“Many nations” (i.e., Jew and Gentile alike) will come to the kingdom of God (i.e., spiritual Zion / the mountain of Jehovah’s house) after it is established that they may be taught of his ways. Men will be drawn to the kingdom of God due to their belief in Jesus and hope of having their sins forgiven (see John 6:44-45). Note the equivalence between the law and the word of Jehovah. Out of the Zion church will come the law of God (cf. Ephesians 3:10). God’s law (Romans 3:27) equates to truth and the gospel message (cf. Galatians 6:2; Ephesians 1:13). The apostles, prophets and preachers all went forth from Jerusalem spreading the law of God (cf. Acts 2 all; 8:1). The apostle Peter preached God’s new covenant law first on Pentecost (cf. Acts 2).

“and he will judge between many peoples, and will decide concerning strong nations afar off: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nations shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig-tree; and none shalt make them afraid: for the mouth of Jehovah of hosts hath spoken it. For all the peoples walk every one in the name of his god; and we will walk in the name of Jehovah our God for ever and ever” (Micah 4:3-5).

“He” is none other than Jehovah. The Lord shall judge between nations in that He shall set the gospel before mankind and note the direction they take. Paul wrote, “Know ye not, that to whom ye present yourselves as servants unto obedience, his servants ye are whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” (Romans 6:16). Those who obey the law of God shall be one nation under the kingdom of God as opposed to being many nations with contrary languages, beliefs, and races (see study # 8; Unity in the Body of Christ). This one nation under God shall be united in truth and have no interest in fighting each other due to their common stand in the hope of heaven through the forgiveness of sins. These nations shall “walk in the name of Jehovah our God” (cf. Ephesians 4:1 ff).

Verses 6-8

Mic 4:6-8

Glorious Reputation of God’s Kingdom Returns (Micah 4:6-8)

“In that day, saith Jehovah, will I assemble that which is lame, and I will gather that which is driven away, and that which I have afflicted; and I will make that which was lame a remnant, and that which was cast far off a strong nations: and Jehovah will reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth even for ever” (Micah 4:6-7).

When “that day” shall come (i.e., the kingdom of God established in Jerusalem) the Lord will assemble the lame and those who have been afflicted and cast out. The call to assemble will come from none other than the gospel message (cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14). The seemingly week, feeble, downtrodden people will be those who comprise the kingdom of heaven (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:18-25). Here are humble people who see their error and desire to be forgiven in hope of eternal life. The rich, proud, powerful, and wise of the world will see no need for truth and thereby reject it. God; however, will reign as king over His humble servants throughout eternity. The rich and powerful of this world who would not subject themselves to Christ’s authority shall have their time and then forever end in pain and agony.

“And thou, O tower of the flock, the hill of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, yea, the former dominion shall come, the kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem” (Micah 4:8).

Micah now uses the term “kingdom” in relation to the mountain of Jehovah’s house, house of God, Zion, Jerusalem, and strong nation (cf. Micah 4:1-7). The “tower of the flock” and “hill of the daughter of Zion” is Jerusalem / kingdom / church. To the kingdom of God shall come “the former dominion.” David was the warlord who conquered many lands and nations. Israel was viewed as a mighty nation that could not be easily challenged. This former reputation and glory would return to God’s people as they united in truth and formed a massive kingdom of baptized forgiven believers the world over (cf. Amos 9:11-12).

Verses 9-13

Mic 4:9-13

The Victorious Kingdom of God (Micah 4:9-13)

“Now why dost thou cry out aloud? Is there no king in thee, is thy counselor perished, that pangs have taken hold of thee as a woman in travail? Be in pain, and labor to bring forth, O daughter of Zion, like a woman in travail; for now shalt thou go forth out of the city, and shalt dwell in the field, and shalt come even unto Babylon: there shalt thou be rescued; there will Jehovah redeem thee from the hand of thine enemies” (Micah 4:9-10).

Micah, while speaking of the future hope of a united kingdom under God, tells God’s people that there is even nearer hope than this. Their current state is pain and anguish due to the news of their punishment. They will be cast into the field and taken to Babylon as captives. God will not forsake them in Babylon. The Lord shall redeem or rescue them from their enemies and cause them to return to Jerusalem (cf. Ezra and Nehemiah).

“And now many nations are assembled against thee, that say, Let her be defiled, and let our eye see our desire upon Zion. But they know not the thoughts of Jehovah, neither understand they his counsel; for he hath gathered them as the sheaves to the threshing-floor. Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion; for I will make thy horn iron, and I will make thy hoofs brass; and thou shalt beat in pieces many peoples: and I will devote their gain unto Jehovah, and their substance unto the Lord of the whole earth” (Micah 4:11-13).

Micah looks to the day of Israel and Judah’s fall. “Many nations are assembled against thee.” The surrounding nations have a desire to see Israel fall due to their jealousy and hatred for her. Edom is one nation who took pleasure and even plundered Judah as she fell to the Babylonians (cf. Obadiah 1:10 ff). Wicked nations such as Assyria and Edom have no understanding of the will of God and they thereby will be threshed by the kingdom of God. In what way shall nations like Edom and Assyria be threshed by God’s kingdom? It seems that the wicked of Edom are representatives of the wicked of all time (i.e., the devil and his children). Satan shall have no power over those in the kingdom of God. The Lord’s people are victorious over sin and death through the blood of Jesus Christ. Truly Satan has been crushed. Another interpretation is that Assyria would be literally conquered by God’s people.