Cry for Help

Reading Amount:

Micah 5:1-15

Central Verse:

But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah,

Who are one of the little clans of

Judah,

From you shall come forth for me

One who is to rule in Israel,

Whose origin is from of old,

From ancient days.

  • Micah 5:2

Central Truth:

God has, does, and will provide salvation to all people. He gave Micah a specific for his people, yet the word of God goes forth through history and shows Christ and his return.

Food for Thought: (Questions about the text)

This text is quoted by the wise men in Matthew as foretelling where the Messiah would be born.

We must remember that when a prophecy is given in scripture it is given for the author's audience. It is over time that the prophecy continues to speak. To get the most out of prophetic scriptures it is best to try and ascertain what the meaning was for the audience and then see how it has also been interpreted through time.

In this chapter the image of a shepherd is used repeatedly. This was a very common literary and assumable oratory device in the ancient near east.

Connections: (time with our society)

It often seems that when things are darkest salvation appears. Here in Micah the people have been punished but there is a promise from God, that salvation will come. We have heard this scripture before, and we can't help but think of the salvation that Christ brings to us. The salvation that is brought to the people of God comes after the darkest part of their punishment. In our lives so often we cry for salvation the moment we feel any pain. Like a child who picks up a piece of food that is on the hot side of warm. There is no real pain but surprise the child immediately starts crying looking for sympathy from any adult in the room.

We do the same thing with God. We yell at the slightest pain or discomfort when the reality is we hadn't experienced anything yet. Here in this text the people have experienced the punishment for the sins of their lives and society. It was a hard lesson to learn and had to be learned in its completeness. It is only after the real pain and growth that we understand how salvation comes.

When my children (being young and little) fall down as with most children their first action is to look up and see if there is help. If they are in pain they start crying immediately, as a parent when you hear that cry you know its real and the first thing you do is pick the child up and comfort them. God here promises that comfort to all people in all times and in all places. We are the recipient of the comfort of the great Shepherd Jesus.

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