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Micah 5:10-15 A purified remnant Day 334

Good morning saints in the Lord,

The word is still is a two edged sword.  This chapter is famous for the prophecy that Bethlehem would be the birthplace of one to be ruler in Israel.  When the wise men show up, this is the answer to their question.  But the promise of a restored remnant is another wonderful promise.

Blessings,

Jeff

Before either kingdom is destroyed, the Lord speaks through Micah to promise a restoration.  However, the restored remnant will not be allowed to be like Israel and Judah before the exile. The prophet is forced to use the language and images that are meaningful to his audience.  Not have horses and chariots doesn't really have much meaning to us modern readers.  But it would to ancient Israel and Judah.  Horses and chariots were the symbol of military might and protection from enemies.  However, Israel was supposed to trust in the name of the Lord.  Looking back at their history, they could not deny that they had put more trust in horses and chariots.  There is nothing wrong with horses and chariots per se.  Only when they become source of security.  Micah then continues with cities, strongholds and all the various forms of idolatry.  Ultimately, it all goes back to the first and second commandments  All these things had become "other gods before me" and image to be worshipped.

Application

One way of interpreting the Bible is that the Old Testament was just for the Jews and therefore no implication for Christians.  The other way is that the OT is looking forward to the "Church age".  So future remnant is understood to be the church.  We don't have horses, chariots, cities, strongholds, but we can and do put our confidence in things other than the Lord.  

You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us” James 4:4-5.

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