Learning from Micah Chapter 5

Chapter 5.
Verses 2-5

So this is the bit of Micah that we read and hear each Christmas. Matthew uses it in chapter 2, verse 6 of his gospel to confirm the place of birth and lineage of Jesus. But how do we make sense of it when we see it here in its original context? It certainly seems much less of a cozy Christmas thing!
What kind of saviour was Micah leading the people to expect? It seems to point to a political and military liberator. Yet, we see clues which point us to the Jesus we know: from Bethlehem, whose origins are “old”; the Good Shepherd who will feed his flock; bringing universal peace (verses 2-5).

Did they misunderstand? Can we just make it all fit Jesus anyway? Or did God develop a new way of doing things, which came to be fulfilled in Jesus?

Think about ways that we expect one thing, maybe through our prayers and desires and yet what we end up getting is quite different.

Can we still see God at work in these situations?

Verses 7-15
And look at the message about the “remnant”. Seems like God is predicting carnage but there will be survivors and this remnant, those who remain, will be able to begin again. There is hope.

Why not take this opportunity to pray and give thanks for times when God has given us hope and seen us through. Pray for situations where we and others around us need that hope right now.