# Micah 05 đź“–: A Ruler From Bethlehem
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> [!info] Table of Contents
> [[#đź“ś Scripture Text (NET)]]
> [[#đź“– Verse-by-Verse Commentary]]
> [[#🤔 Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights]]
> [[#🧠Chapter Summary]]
> [[#✝️ Christ in This Chapter]]
> [[#🔎 Key Principles / 🛟 Life Application]]
> [[#đź’¬ Discussion Questions]]
> [[#✍️ Key Verses to Remember]]
> [[#đź”— Related Passages/Cross Reference]]
> [[#🙏 Devotional Reflection]]
> [[#đź“‚ Internal Notes]]
## đź“ś Scripture Text (NET)
(The NET Bible: New English Translation. Biblical Studies Press, 2005)
[[#Verse 01.]] (4:14) But now slash yourself, daughter surrounded by soldiers!
We are besieged!
With a scepter they strike Israel’s ruler
on the side of his face.
### A King Will Come and a Remnant Will Prosper
[[#Verse 02.]]Â (5:1) As for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
seemingly insignificant among the clans of Judah—
from you a king will emerge who will rule over Israel on my behalf,
one whose origins are in the distant past.
[[#Verse 03.]] So the Lord will hand the people of Israel over to their enemies
until the time when the woman in labor gives birth.
Then the rest of the king’s countrymen will return
to be reunited with the people of Israel.
[[#Verse 04.]] He will assume his post and shepherd the people by the Lord’s strength,
by the sovereign authority of the Lord his God.
They will live securely, for at that time he will be honored
even in the distant regions of the earth.
[[#Verse 05.]]Â He will give us peace.
Should the Assyrians try to invade our land
and attempt to set foot in our fortresses,
we will send against them seven shepherd-rulers,
make that eight commanders.
[[#Verse 06.]] They will rule the land of Assyria with the sword,
the land of Nimrod with a drawn sword.
Our king will rescue us from the Assyrians
should they attempt to invade our land
and try to set foot in our territory.
[[#Verse 07.]] Those survivors from Jacob will live
in the midst of many nations.
They will be like the dew the Lord sends,
like the rain on the grass,
that does not hope for men to come
or wait around for humans to arrive.
[[#Verse 08.]]Â Those survivors from Jacob will live among the nations,
in the midst of many peoples.
They will be like a lion among the animals of the forest,
like a young lion among the flocks of sheep,
which attacks when it passes through.
It rips its prey and there is no one to stop it.
[[#Verse 09.]]Â Lift your hand triumphantly against your adversaries;
may all your enemies be destroyed!
### The Lord Will Purify His People
[[#Verse 10.]] “In that day,” says the Lord,
“I will destroy your horses from your midst
and smash your chariots.
[[#Verse 11.]]Â I will destroy the cities of your land
and tear down all your fortresses.
[[#Verse 12.]] I will remove the sorcery that you practice,
and you will no longer have omen readers living among you.
[[#Verse 13.]]Â I will remove your idols and sacred pillars from your midst;
you will no longer worship what your own hands made.
[[#Verse 14.]] I will uproot your images of Asherah from your midst
and destroy your idols.
[[#Verse 15.]]Â With furious anger I will carry out vengeance
on the nations that do not obey me.”
## đź“– Verse-by-Verse Commentary
###### Overall.
###### Verse 01.
###### Verse 02.
###### Verse 03.
###### Verse 04.
###### Verse 05.
###### Verse 06.
###### Verse 07.
###### Verse 08.
###### Verse 09.
###### Verse 10.
###### Verse 11.
###### Verse 12.
###### Verse 13.
###### Verse 14.
###### Verse 15.
## 🤔 Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights
1. Matthew 2:6 quotes 5:2 when the chief priests tell Herod where the Messiah will be born.
2. Ephrathah was an older name for the Bethlehem area (Genesis 35:19; Ruth 4:11).
3. Bethlehem lies about six miles south of Jerusalem and was David's hometown (1 Samuel 16:1).
4. The Ruler's origins are "from ancient days" (5:2), pointing beyond an ordinary human king.
5. The judge of Israel being struck on the cheek with a rod (5:1) is echoed in Jesus being struck (Matthew 27:30).
6. In the Hebrew Bible, 5:1 is numbered 4:14, and 5:2 is numbered 5:1.
7. "Seven shepherds, even eight" (5:5) is a Hebrew number pattern meaning more than enough.
8. The "land of Nimrod" (5:6) is Assyria (Genesis 10:8-11).
9. The remnant will be like dew from the Lord (5:7) and like a lion among the flocks (5:8).
10. Asherah poles (5:14) were wooden objects used in the worship of the goddess Asherah.
## 🧠Chapter Summary
> [!note] 🌱 Still growing. This section is on its way.
## ✝️ Christ in This Chapter
Christ is the Ruler born in Bethlehem whose origins are from ancient times (5:2). The chief priests cited this verse when the Magi came (Matthew 2:4-6), and Jesus is the Shepherd who is our peace (5:4-5; Ephesians 2:14).
## 🔎 Key Principles / 🛟 Life Application
> [!note] 🌱 Still growing. This section is on its way.
## đź’¬ Discussion Questions
1. God chose small Bethlehem to bring forth Israel's Ruler (5:2). Why does God so often work through what seems small?
2. This Ruler will shepherd His flock in the strength of the Lord (5:4). What does it mean to you that Jesus shepherds you?
3. God promises to remove the horses, chariots, sorceries, and idols Israel trusted in (5:10-14). What might God need to remove from your life so you trust Him alone?
## ✍️ Key Verses to Remember
- đź“– verse 2: From Bethlehem Ephrathah will come a ruler whose origins are from ancient times.
- đź“– verse 4: He will shepherd His flock in the strength of the Lord.
- đź“– verse 5: He will be our peace.
## đź”— Related Passages/Cross Reference
- đź”— [[Matthew 02#Verse 04.|Matthew 2:4-6]] - The Messiah to be born in Bethlehem.
- đź”— [[John 07#Verse 42.|John 7:42]] - The Christ comes from Bethlehem.
- đź”— [[Luke 02#Verse 04.|Luke 2:4-7]] - Jesus is born in Bethlehem.
- đź”— [[Ephesians 02#Verse 14.|Ephesians 2:14]] - He Himself is our peace.
- đź”— [[John 10#Verse 14.|John 10:14]] - Jesus the Good Shepherd.
## 🙏 Devotional Reflection
đź“ť SOAP: [[Micah 05 - SOAP|Left But Not Forgotten]]
## đź“‚ Internal Notes