Who is Micah's Promised Ruler?
The first chapter of the Book of Micah describes the word of the Lord coming to "Micah of Moresheth" (a town in southern Judah) during the reigns of Yehotam, Ahaz and Hezekiah, which roughly corresponds to the time period of 750–700 BC.
The word of the Lord that came to Micah of Moresheth during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah—the vision he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem. Micah 1:1.
A "promised ruler" is introduced who will come out of Bethlehem Ephrathah who will rule over Israel and whose origins are from "ancient times."
But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
though you are small among the clans[b] of Judah,
out of you will come for me
one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
from ancient times. Micah 5:2.
The "ancient times" phrase is interesting, implying that the identity of this ruler is more than an ordinary prophet or leader. Micah also mentions the Israelite loss of control of their land until the birth of a son, a reference to the Messiah. This verse also identifies the place of birth of the Messiah at Bethlehem.
Therefore Israel will be abandoned
until the time when she who is in labor bears a son,
and the rest of his brothers return
to join the Israelites. Micah 5:3.
Micah also predicts the return of the Israelites back to their ancestral homeland and how the Messiah will rule the Israelites securely.
He will stand and shepherd his flock
in the strength of the Lord,
in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they will live securely, for then his greatness
will reach to the ends of the earth. Micah 5:4.
Micah goes on to describe return of the Israelites to their ancestral homeland.
The remnant of Jacob will be in the midst of many peoples. Micah 5:7.
The word of the Lord that came to Micah of Moresheth during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah—the vision he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem. Micah 1:1.
A "promised ruler" is introduced who will come out of Bethlehem Ephrathah who will rule over Israel and whose origins are from "ancient times."
But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
though you are small among the clans[b] of Judah,
out of you will come for me
one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
from ancient times. Micah 5:2.
The "ancient times" phrase is interesting, implying that the identity of this ruler is more than an ordinary prophet or leader. Micah also mentions the Israelite loss of control of their land until the birth of a son, a reference to the Messiah. This verse also identifies the place of birth of the Messiah at Bethlehem.
Therefore Israel will be abandoned
until the time when she who is in labor bears a son,
and the rest of his brothers return
to join the Israelites. Micah 5:3.
Micah also predicts the return of the Israelites back to their ancestral homeland and how the Messiah will rule the Israelites securely.
He will stand and shepherd his flock
in the strength of the Lord,
in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they will live securely, for then his greatness
will reach to the ends of the earth. Micah 5:4.
Micah goes on to describe return of the Israelites to their ancestral homeland.
The remnant of Jacob will be in the midst of many peoples. Micah 5:7.
