20250315

judgment, then restoration

Micah 4:1-13 (JDV)

Micah 4:1 In the last days, the mountain of Yahveh’s house will be established at the top of the mountains and raised above the hills. Peoples will stream to it,
Micah 4:2 and many nations will say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of Yahveh, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways so we may walk his paths.” For instruction will go out of Zion and the word of Yahveh from Jerusalem.
Micah 4:3 He will settle disputes among many peoples and provide arbitration for strong nations that are far away. They will beat their swords into plows and their spears into pruning knives. Nation will not take up the sword against the nation, and they will never again train for war.
Micah 4:4 But each person will sit under his grapevine and his fig tree with no one to frighten him, for the mouth of Yahveh of Armies has spoken.
Micah 4:5 Though all the peoples walk in the name of their gods, we will walk in the name of Yahveh, our God forever and ever.
Micah 4:6 On that day – this is Yahveh’s declaration – I will assemble the lame and gather the scattered, those I have injured.
Micah 4:7 I will make the lame into a remnant, those far removed into a strong nation. Then Yahveh will reign over them in Mount Zion from this time on and forever.
Micah 4:8 And you, watchtower for the flock, the fortified hill of Daughter Zion, the former rule will come to you; sovereignty will come to Daughter Jerusalem.
Micah 4:9 Now, why are you shouting? Is there no king with you? Has your counselor perished so that anguish grips you like a woman in labor?
Micah 4:10 Convulse and cry out, Daughter Zion, like a woman in labor, for now, you will leave the city and camp in the open fields. You will go to Babylon; there, you will be rescued; there, Yahveh will redeem you from the grasp of your enemies!
Micah 4:11 Many nations have assembled against you; they say, “Let her be defiled, and let us feast our eyes on Zion.”
Micah 4:12 But they do not know Yahveh’s intentions or understand his plan, that he has gathered them like sheaves to the threshing floor.
Micah 4:13 Rise and thresh, Daughter Zion, for I will make your horns iron and your hooves bronze so you can crush many peoples. Then you will set apart their plunder for Yahveh, their wealth for the Lord of all the land.

judgment, then restoration

This promise needs to be read in the context of the threat from the LORD in Micah 3. Mt. Zion must first be reduced to rubble in judgment, then the LORD will restore it and make it into the mount where people come to learn about him and his ways. The LORD will assemble the lame and gather those who have been driven away. God has only one assembly that he gathers from among the nations. Are you his?

LORD, we submit to your judgment for our sins. Redeem us – those you had cast off. Restore your kingdom, LORD.