Micah 5:1-4

Promises concerning the Messiah -- Micah 5:1-4: Zedekiah was the last king of the separate kingdom of Judah. He had been placed on the throne by Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar had even changed his name from Mattaniah to Zedekiah. Zedekiah constantly rebelled against Babylonian power. Jeremiah, speaking on behalf of the LORD, rebuked him because God had brought the Babylonian invasion because of the sins of the Israelites. (Jeremiah 32:3) Nebuchadnezzar personally led his army against Jerusalem. Jeremiah repeatedly communicated the Lord's message that resistance would result in disaster. Jeremiah was right. The city, its walls, the Temple and the great buildings were all destroyed. Everything of value and the best of the people were taken to Babylon. Zedekiah's sons and best friends were killed, right before his eyes and then his eyes were put out. He was taken to Babylon to die of old age in prison. There he fulfilled the prophecy of Ezekiel 12:13 that said that he would go to Babylon and die there, but never see it. Seventy years later the people would return as God preserved the nation through whom the Messiah would be born.

In a time when things seemed hopeless God gave the people renewed expectation by again promising the coming of the Messiah. What would happen to physical Israel was horrible. Destruction would come. However, what would happen for spiritual Israel was beautiful, the Savior would come. He would be born at Bethlehem Ephratah. Micah 5:2 is a prediction of the birth of Jesus. (Matthew 2:6) Just as deliverance would come for spiritual Israel when the time was right for the Savior to be born, likewise deliverance would come to Israel from Babylonian captivity when the time was right. The number that returned was "forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore." (Ezra 2:64) The Messiah would lead His people to salvation. Likewise God would raise up leaders to bring the remnant back from captivity. They were to do this in the name of the Lord or by His power.