Project 119: Micah 5:7-15
| Project 119 | Dr. Wayne Splawn
In whom or in what do we ultimately place our trust? Most of us would initially respond that our hope is placed in the Lord. However, if we examine our hearts and lives we would probably have to admit that we are often tempted to place our trust in other people or things. For example, money promises to ensure that we will be secure and that our needs will be met in this life so we are tempted to place our hope in financial resources rather than in God.
Here in Micah 5:7-15, Micah again offers a word of hope regarding God’s work of redemption on behalf of the remnant of Jacob. Interestingly this word of hope includes the promise that God will cut off horses from among his people and destroy their chariots (Micah 5:10). In a section about hope and restoration, this seems like a strange thing for the Lord to say through Micah. But, what Micah is pointing out here is that the people will most assuredly know the Lord is the source of their hope because they will not be able to rely on the security of horses and chariots. This verse is reminiscent of Psalm 20:7, which reads, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God” (Psalm 20:7, ESV).
Where do you place your hope for security? Do you trust in your own strength or wisdom or the resources at your disposal? In our more sane moments, we know that all such things will ultimately fail us. The Lord alone is our true source of hope and security.
Micah 5:7-15 (ESV):
A Remnant Shall Be Delivered
7 Then the remnant of Jacob shall be
in the midst of many peoples
like dew from the LORD,
like showers on the grass,
which delay not for a man
nor wait for the children of man.
8 And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the nations,
in the midst of many peoples,
like a lion among the beasts of the forest,
like a young lion among the flocks of sheep,
which, when it goes through, treads down
and tears in pieces, and there is none to deliver.
9 Your hand shall be lifted up over your adversaries,
and all your enemies shall be cut off.
10 And in that day, declares the LORD,
I will cut off your horses from among you
and will destroy your chariots;
11 and I will cut off the cities of your land
and throw down all your strongholds;
12 and I will cut off sorceries from your hand,
and you shall have no more tellers of fortunes;
13 and I will cut off your carved images
and your pillars from among you,
and you shall bow down no more
to the work of your hands;
14 and I will root out your Asherah images from among you
and destroy your cities.
15 And in anger and wrath I will execute vengeance
on the nations that did not obey.