Justin Houtz

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  • Daily Bible Study

    Micah 5-7; Hebrews 7

    DateVersionReading Plan
    July 10, 2026ESV (2016)ESV Life Journal Plan – 2026

    Micah 5-7

    Observation & Interpretation

    Micah calls Israel to muster their troops (Micah 5:1). “Israel, here meaning Judah, is told to prepare for a siege by the Babylonians, who will treat the king insolently and rudely. This may refer to Sennacherib’s taunting Hezekiah or Nebuchadnezzar’s humiliating Zedekiah.” (BBC). Exception is made for Bethlehem Ephrathah who is too little to be among the clans of Judah (Micah 5:2). “Verse 2 looks forward to the birth of the One who was to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting. These words point to the Messiah’s eternity, and therefore His deity. Since there were two Bethlehems in the Holy Land, Micah specifies Bethlehem Ephrathah, six miles south of Jerusalem.” (BBC). Micah 5:3-6 speak of the Messiah who will shepherd His flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the Lord His God. The people would dwell secure because He would be great to the ends of the earth. He would be their peace when the Assyrian comes into their land and will deliver them.

    Micah then speaks of the remnant of Jacob, that it shall be in the midst of many peoples like dew from the LORD and showers on the grass (Micah 5:7). The remnant of Jacob would be among the nations like a lion among the beasts of the forest which, when it goes through, treads down and tears to pieces with none to deliver (Micah 5:8). Micah describes all of the things the LORD would cut off: the cities of their land (Micah 5:11), sorceries (Micah 5:12), carved images (Micah 5:13), Asherah images (Micah 5:14). With anger and wrath, the LORD would execute vengeance on the nations that did not obey (Micah 5:15).

    Micah exhorts attention to what the LORD says and that He has an indictment against His people (Micah 6:1-2). “He rehearses His kindness to them—delivering them from … Egypt and preventing Balak and Balaam from cursing them.” (BBC). Micah prompts the question to ask of the LORD, with what shall one come before the LORD and bow before the God on high (Micah 6:6). “Not extravagant animal sacrifices! Certainly not human sacrifices! But justice, and mercy, and humility. Verse 8 describes what God requires; to obey this a person must have divine life. An unconverted person is totally incapable of producing this kind of righteousness.”

    Micah speaks that the LORD cries to the city, “recounting its sins as the cause of its calamity. The inhabitants used false weights and measures, they practiced violence, and they spoke lies.” (BBC). The consequence is that the LORD would strike them with a grievous blow, making them desolate because of their sins (Micah 6:13). They would eat and not be satisfied, sow but not reap (Micah 6:14-15). They had kept the false gods and “Because they had followed the example of the wicked and idolatrous kings Omri and Ahab (see 1Kg 16:25–33), God would make Jerusalem a desolate place and its inhabitants an object of contempt.” (CSB Notes).

    Micah declares woe on himself, that he had become as when the summer fruit was gathered, that there is no cluster to eat, no first-ripe figs that his soul desires (Micah 7:1). “Like a field already harvested, Micah found no fruit left in his ministry. No faithful or upright people were left in the land, and the moral fabric of society was decayed.” (CSB Notes). Striking a contrast between himself and the people, Micah says that he will look to the LORD and wait on the God of his salvation for his God would hear him (Micah 7:7). “In [Micah 7:8-20] Micah’s message looked past the coming defeat and destruction (1:1–16) to the future day when the Lord would reverse that judgment. Repentant people would be raised again (7:8–9). Enemies would be defeated and Israel would be rebuilt (vv. 10–11). The exiles would be gathered (v. 12), and a new exodus would take place (v. 15). Because of his promise to Abraham (v. 20), God would forgive sinners who deserved no mercy (vv. 18–19). God always keeps his promises.” (CSB Notes)

    Application

    These chapters continue the narrative of the wickedness of God’s people, of God’s just judgment but also His mercy, faithfulness and steadfast love. The people would endure the consequences of their sin but a day would come when they would be restored and redeemed by the LORD. As with the Israelites in this day, the LORD continues in His steadfast love toward us, faithful to the promises to His children. The promise of salvation for the elect was fulfilled in Jesus and will come to full fruition in His return to make all things new. What a glorious Day we look upon when the saints of every generation will be gathered together to dwell in the presence of our Beloved forever.

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