Micah 4 - Introduction

Learning the Ways of God

Micah Four

The mountain of the Lord's house that was established in Jerusalem was the church of Christ. Isaiah and Micah were contemporary. God inspired both of them to write and identical message. Isaiah wrote, "The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, 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 the LORD from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more." (Isaiah 2:1-4) With the eyes of a prophet Micah sees God's word going forth from Jerusalem to bring men and women to salvation.

The Savior resolves conflict between individuals and nations. The Messiah and His message changes the hearts and actions of people. Micah wrote, “Nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more." This is not a peace where people have been beat down with the sword but the peace where people have been lifted up with the gospel. In the church or kingdom of God people will be free from ignorance because "He will teach us His ways." In the kingdom or church there will be perfect peace because "Neither shall they learn war anymore." There will be freedom from want because "everyone shall sit under his vine and under his fig tree." And all fear will be gone because "no one shall make them afraid." You will enjoy great blessing and peace if you live your life for the Lord.

In most cases the prophet first talks about the physical kingdom of Israel and the makes application to the spiritual kingdom or church. However, Micah talked about the church and then moved to discuss the restoration of physical Israel. God promised to take the lame and outcast and make a nation out of them. There would be glory for the nation, but it would only follow severe pain. A part of the pain that the nation would experience had to do with a lack of leadership. They had no king or counselor to direct the way. Many nations would oppose Israel but God would deal with the enemies of His people. The Lord promised that when he restored the Jews form Babylon that He would give them power.