Micah 4

Jehovah, teacher in His house

LORD (Jehovah); the God of Jacob

But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. Micah 4:1–2

In the last days people from many nations come to the LORD's house so He can teach them His ways. Latter-day Saints see this in the gathering to the Lord's temples, where Jesus Christ teaches His covenant people.

• a parallel account in Isaiah 2:2-3 — Nearly word-for-word the same prophecy.
• a parallel account in 2 Nephi 12:2-3 — Nephi's record of Isaiah's same prophecy.

Millennial reign

LORD of hosts — Jehovah, Lord of the armies of heaven

And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. Micah 4:3–4

He will judge the nations, and war will end so completely that weapons become farm tools. This describes the peace of Jesus Christ's reign during the Millennium.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a parallel account in Isaiah 2:4 — 'They shall beat their swords into plowshares.'
• a parallel account in 2 Nephi 12:4 — The same verse in the Book of Mormon.
• the same event in Zechariah 3:10 — In that day every man shall call his neighbour 'under the vine and under the fig tree.'

Taking His name

For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever. Micah 4:5

While other nations follow their gods, covenant Israel promises to walk in the LORD's name forever. Latter-day Saints walk in that name by taking upon themselves the name of Jesus Christ.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)

• the same title in Mosiah 5:8 — 'Take upon you the name of Christ.'

Millennial reign

In that day, saith the LORD, will I assemble her that halteth, and I will gather her that is driven out, and her that I have afflicted; Micah 4:6–7

The LORD gathers the lame, the outcast and the afflicted into a strong remnant and reigns over them in Zion forever. This is the reign of Jesus Christ as King over gathered Israel.

• fulfilled by Luke 1:32-33 — Gabriel: 'he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever.'
• the same event in Revelation 14:1 — 'A Lamb stood on the mount Sion,' with His gathered people.

Tower of the flock

Tower of the flock (Hebrew Migdal Eder) — the shepherds' watchtower

And thou, O tower of the flock, the strong hold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem. Micah 4:8

The 'tower of the flock' (Migdal Eder) was a place near Bethlehem where Jacob camped, and ancient Jewish tradition expected the Messiah to be revealed there. The promise that 'the first dominion' comes to it, just before the Bethlehem prophecy in chapter 5, softly points to the King born among the shepherds' flocks.

• alludes to Genesis 35:21 — Israel 'spread his tent beyond the tower of Edar' (Migdal Eder) after Rachel's burial on the way to Bethlehem.
• the same title in Luke 2:8 — Shepherds keeping watch over their flock near Bethlehem hear of the Savior's birth.

Redeemer

Redeemer — one who buys back and sets free

Now why dost thou cry out aloud? is there no king in thee? is thy counsellor perished? for pangs have taken thee as a woman in travail. Micah 4:9–10

Zion, without king or counselor and in labor pains, will go to Babylon, but there the LORD will redeem her. The LORD who redeems is Jehovah, Jesus Christ the Redeemer; the missing 'king' and 'counsellor' are answered by the Ruler promised in the next chapter.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)

• the same title in Micah 5:2-3 — The Ruler from Bethlehem and 'she which travaileth hath brought forth.'

Lord of the whole earth

Lord of the whole earth — sovereign over all nations

Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion: for I will make thine horn iron, and I will make thy hoofs brass: and thou shalt beat in pieces many people: and I will consecrate their gain unto the LORD, and their substance unto the Lord of the whole earth. Micah 4:13

The wealth of the nations will be consecrated to the Lord of the whole earth. This title belongs to Jehovah, the premortal Christ, who will rule all the earth.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)

• the same title in Zechariah 4:14 — 'That stand by the Lord of the whole earth.'