December 07, 2021 – Tuesday
Micah 4:1-2a NIV
1 In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and peoples will stream to it.
2 Many nations will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.”
Comment.
With Christmas almost upon us, much attention is on the birth of the Messiah, Jesus the Christ as one might expect. And that is noted in Micah 5:2 But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans] 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. But what did Micah have to say before he prophesied the birth of Jesus?
If Micah prophesied about the birth of Jesus, what else did he prophesy? Here in 4:1-2a he prophesies what Isaiah prophesied in 2:2-3a, In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” Because of their amazing similarity there have been many arguments about which one copied this prophecy from the other. Most now believe Micah was the original writer, but then some of us are in agreement with David Guzik who writes, it isn’t surprising that the same Spirit of the LORD could give these two prophets the same word, to establish and emphasize His word.
In the last days goes beyond implying something. The prophet is telling us a major change will occur as the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains. There are many beginnings and endings as nations rise and fall. However, Barnes’ Notes tell us, Religiously, there are but two consummations. All time, since man fell, is divided into two halves, the looking forward to Christ to come in humility; the looking forward to His coming in glory. These are the two events on which man’s history turns. To that former people the whole period of Christ’s kingdom was one future, the fullness of all their own shadows, types, sacrifices, services, prophecies, longing, being. Of course, Jesus has already come in humility when He humbled Himself to come as a man and then further when without sin, He humbled Himself to the cross out of love for all mankind.
What will life be like living under Jesus’ rule? We only have to go the next verse in Micah to find out, He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. Glorious days ahead after all the judgment prophesied in chapter 3.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Just as You gave Micah the prophecy of Jesus’ birth, You preceded that with a prophecy of His rule here on earth. Thank you. – In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
RileyD, nwJ
Riley D. Driver – Pastor
Calvary Chapel of Dayton in Beavercreek