Micah 5

The smitten Judge of Israel

Judge of Israel — the ruler who judges His people

Now gather thyself in troops, O daughter of troops: he hath laid siege against us: they shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek. Micah 5:1

In a time of siege the judge of Israel is humiliated by being struck on the face. Placed right before the Bethlehem prophecy, it matches how Jesus, the true Judge and King of Israel, was struck in the face and on the head with a reed during His trial.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• fulfilled by Mark 15:19 — 'They smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him.'
• fulfilled by Matthew 26:67 — 'They spit in his face, and buffeted him; and others smote him with the palms of their hands.'

Birth in Bethlehem

Ruler in Israel — the promised King; Bethlehem means 'house of bread'

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. Micah 5:2

Micah names the small town of Bethlehem as the birthplace of Israel's coming Ruler. The chief priests quoted this to Herod, and Jesus, the Bread of Life, was born in Bethlehem, the 'house of bread.'

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• quoted by Matthew 2:5-6 — The scribes quote Micah to Herod: 'out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.'
• alluded to by John 7:42 — 'Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem.'
• fulfilled by Luke 2:4-7 — Joseph and Mary go to Bethlehem, where Jesus is born.

Premortal Christ

But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting. Micah 5:2

The Ruler born in Bethlehem did not begin at His birth; His goings forth are 'from everlasting.' Latter-day Saints understand this as Jesus Christ's premortal existence as Jehovah, the Firstborn of the Father.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in John 8:58 — 'Before Abraham was, I am.'
• the same title in John 1:1-2 — 'In the beginning was the Word ... The same was in the beginning with God.'

Birth of the Messiah

Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel. Micah 5:3

Israel will be given up until a woman in labor gives birth; then His brethren return. Read with verse 2, the one who 'travaileth' points to Mary bringing forth the promised Ruler.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same event in Isaiah 7:14 — 'A virgin shall conceive, and bear a son.'
• the same title in Micah 4:9-10 — The daughter of Zion in travail.

Good Shepherd

And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God; and they shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth. Micah 5:4

The Ruler from Bethlehem will shepherd ('feed') His flock in the strength and name of 'the LORD his God,' showing the Son acting in the Father's name. He will be great to the ends of the earth.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in John 10:11 — 'I am the good shepherd.'
• fulfilled by Luke 1:32 — 'He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest.'
• the same title in John 5:43 — 'I am come in my Father's name.'

Prince of Peace

The Peace — the One who is Himself peace

And this man shall be the peace, when the Assyrian shall come into our land: and when he shall tread in our palaces, then shall we raise against him seven shepherds, and eight principal men. Micah 5:5–6

The coming Ruler does not just bring peace; 'this man shall be the peace' and the deliverer from Israel's enemies. Jesus Christ is our peace and our Deliverer from every enemy, including sin and death.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• the same title in Isaiah 9:6 — 'The Prince of Peace.'
• the same title in Ephesians 2:14 — 'For he is our peace.'

Quoted by the risen Christ

And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many people as a dew from the LORD, as the showers upon the grass, that tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for the sons of men. Micah 5:7–9

The remnant of Jacob will be like refreshing dew and like a lion among the nations. When the resurrected Jesus taught the Nephites, He quoted these words and applied them to the remnant of Lehi's descendants in the last days.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• quoted by 3 Nephi 20:16-17 — Christ: 'ye shall be among them as a lion among the beasts of the forest ... Thy hand shall be lifted up upon thine adversaries.'
• quoted by 3 Nephi 21:12-13 — Christ repeats the lion prophecy of the remnant of Jacob among the Gentiles.

Jehovah, quoted by the risen Christ

LORD (Jehovah) — the eternal I AM, the covenant God of Israel

And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the LORD, that I will cut off thy horses out of the midst of thee, and I will destroy thy chariots: Micah 5:10–15

The LORD promises to remove the false supports His people trust in — horses, fortresses, sorcery, idols and groves. The resurrected Jesus spoke these same words as His own to the Nephites, confirming that the LORD speaking in Micah is Jesus Christ.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• quoted by 3 Nephi 21:14-18 — Christ quotes the cutting off of horses, chariots, cities, witchcrafts, images and groves.
• quoted by 3 Nephi 21:21 — 'I will execute vengeance and fury upon them, even as upon the heathen, such as they have not heard.'