MICAH CHAPTER 5: THE SHEPHERD OF ISRAEL 

Micah chapter 5 is decidedly Messianic, especially verses 1-5.  A promised ruler is predicted by the prophet and this passage is quoted in the New Testament in Matthew 2:5-6 and John 7:42.  This Messiah will come (and will save His people from their sins) and this is a promise come forth from before time even began (verse 2).  The Messiah is seen as the Shepherd of the flock of Israel (verse 4).  He is the strength of God (verse 4).  He is the majesty of God (verse 4) and comes in the Name of God.  He is security (verse 4).  He is peace (verse 5).  These emphases by Micah are echoed elsewhere in Isaiah and the other prophets.  

Verse 3 points out clearly that the people will be restless and chaotic until the time of Christ (the King).  When He arrives, the people will find rest and peace, and unification.  That only comes by way of the birth of the King because the rest and peace belong to Him.  This is significant for a Christian: Jesus is our King and He is our rest.  Jesus is the turning point for believers in that His advent marks the way out of no peace and no rest and no deliverance and only by the Gospel is there unity and peace and being gathered to God. 

It is not a mystery why the Jews expected the Messiah to be a conquering hero or a general bent on the re-establishment of the golden age of Israel under David and Solomon.  Micah 5 has that language.  The Messiah will smash the Assyrians and raise up defense against them.  Deliverance happens.  God promises that enemies will be cut off.  God also promises that idols will be cast to the side and holiness will be brought in.  And yet… Jesus was all of that in a way that was grander than they realized or could have predicted.  He fulfilled that role more than expected. 

Micah makes it very clear that the faithful remnant in Israel that follows Him will be saved and secure and lifted up from destruction.  The idea of “remnant” is extremely important in the Old Testament.  The people of God are sinful and in need of a savior.  The people of God are brought low and will need to be lifted up.  The people will look to God for a Savior and will find One.  It is no mistake that shepherd language is used here and by Jesus Christ.  The shepherd image summarizes well all of the elements of Micah 5 and how the Messiah will lead and guide and protect and help the people of Israel.  Salvation is definitely emphasized. 

Matthew 9:36 (ESV) || Mark 6:34 

When He saw the crowds, He had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 

This same emphasis is hugely emphasized in John 10.  In fact, the shepherd image (motif) is a central part of His teaching that the people did not understand (10:6, 10:19).  Jesus fulfills this Micah 5 prediction and even teaches that He is the door, He calls people by name, He protects, He leads, and He lays down His life for the sheep.  Jesus doubles down on Micah’s words in chapter 5, expands them, and shows how He is the fulfillment of what God showed Micah.  This Truth is emphasized for the whole earth because God will be honored (verse 4) among all peoples over and over again because His Truth is Truth and the Great Shepherd is the key. 

THE POINT 

Micah 5 speaks about a time of saving in Christ and then speaks about a time of sanctification in Christ.  We want to be found faithful to God so that we will not be “cut off” from all that God is doing and will participate in the transformation that He brings.  The time of the Savior speaks to sanctification.  Jesus sanctifies His people. 

TMB BMD