In many ways, Micah is a very typical prophet. God chose him to deliver a message 700 years before Christ, which may be precisely what you and I think a prophet would say. He condemns the people’s sins, urges them to repent, and warns of God’s coming judgment. But Micah’s prophecy concerning the Messiah is remarkable.
In Micah 5:2, he prophesies that a “ruler” will come from “Bethlehem.” We know that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, and after His birth, King Herod consulted with the chief priests to determine where the Messiah would be born. Those religious leaders said, “In Bethlehem,” and then quoted Micah’s prophesy (Matthew 2:1-6).
Micah also preaches that this “ruler” is and will be eternal. He says, “His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity” (Micah 5:2). In the New Testament, John confirms that Jesus was “in the beginning with God” and even “was God” (John 1:1-2).
Micah goes on to say that this coming ruler will “shepherd His flock” and “be our peace” (Micah 5:4-5). Likewise, Jesus described Himself as “the good shepherd” willing to die for His sheep (John 10:11). Jesus also brought peace by removing the division between Jews and Gentiles. In Ephesians 2, Paul wrote, “For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall” (Ephesians 2:14).
While, in some ways, Micah’s prophecy is pretty typical, preaching about sin, repentance, and God’s judgment, His detailed description of the coming Messiah is unique. He spoke, in great detail, of a ruler unlike any other, an eternal leader who would bring peace.
Matt Langfield