Micah 5:7-9 The remnant rules the nations

A Remnant Shall Be Delivered

7 Then the remnant of Jacob shall be
in the midst of many peoples
like dew from the Lord,
like showers on the grass,
which delay not for a man
nor wait for the children of man.
8 And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the nations,
in the midst of many peoples,
like a lion among the beasts of the forest,
like a young lion among the flocks of sheep,
which, when it goes through, treads down
and tears in pieces, and there is none to deliver.
9 Your hand shall be lifted up over your adversaries,
and all your enemies shall be cut off.

 
  5 Micah refers to future attacks against the Messiah’s kingdom as being carried out by the Assyrians, who were destroyed in 612 BC, centuries before Christ’s advent. Prophets did not see the centuries that separated them from the fulfilment of their predictions but saw future happenings as imminent events on a flat tableau. Moreover, they described the future in terms drawn from their own experience (see 4:1; Is. 25:10; Am: 9:12). Under the Messiah’s rule the faithful community will raise up seven (the perfect number) shepherds (an image for protectors), even eight (i.e. more than enough) leaders (a rare word found in Sargon’s annals for his commanders).
6 They, the Messiah’s under–shepherds (cf. 1 Pet. 5:1-4), will rule the land of Assyria, which represents all the enemies of the kingdom of God especially the spiritual forces arrayed against it under its arch–enemy, Satan (Eph. 4:7-12; 6:10-18). The land of Nimrod is Babylon (Gn. 10:8-12), the Rome and Mecca of Micah’s pagan world. The mention of Babylon after Assyria supports the date in the book’s heading (1:1). In Micah’s time Babylon was subordinate to Assyria. The later Neo–Babylonian empire destroyed Assyria in 612 BC and was itself destroyed in 539. In the light of the NT the sword symbolizes God’s word ministered in the Holy Spirit.

7-8 Will be (lit. ‘and it will be’) introduces another prophecy in the sequence of prophecies about the last days (cf. 4:1) and indicates its time of fulfilment after the coming of the Messiah. The remnant (see 4:7) of Jacob, Micah’s term for all Israel (see 1:5), has now become a strong nation in the midst of many (better, ‘mighty’; see 4:2-3) nations, bringing life to believers and death to unbelievers. The similar construction of vs 7 and 8 contrasts the effect among the nations. 7 On the one hand, the remnant is like pervasive and penetrating dew and showers (always signs of life and blessing) which originate mysteriously in the initiative from the LORD in heaven, and do not wait for (better, ‘look expectantly to’) man or linger for (better, ‘or depend on’) mankind to send their refreshment to the earth. 8 On the other hand, the remnant among the nations is like a lion among the beasts of the forest (i.e. surpassing all in pride, prowess and ferocity). It is like a young lion in search of prey among flocks of sheep (i.e. it mauls and mangles and no–one can rescue). This prophecy is fulfilled in the church. Among those being saved God’s people are the fragrance of life, but among those perishing, they are a savour of death (2 Cor. 2:14-16). 9 Micah and/or the remnant respond to the vision with a prayer: ‘Let’ your (singular) hand be lifted up in triumph over... all your foes (cf. Is. 26:11). None will be exempt when his rule is established over all his creation (cf. 5:4).