Tuesday, September 13, 2022
But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity." Therefore He will give them up until the time when she who is in labor has borne a child. Then the remainder of His brethren will return to the sons of Israel. And He will arise and shepherd His flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD His God. And they will remain, because at that time He will be great to the ends of the earth. This One will be our peace. When the Assyrian invades our land, when he tramples on our citadels, then we will raise against him seven shepherds and eight leaders of men. They will shepherd the land of Assyria with the sword, the land of Nimrod at its entrances; and He will deliver us from the Assyrian when he attacks our land and when he tramples our territory. Then the remnant of Jacob will be among many peoples like dew from the LORD, like showers on vegetation which do not wait for man or delay for the sons of men. The remnant of Jacob will be among the nations, among many peoples like a lion among the beasts of the forest, like a young lion among flocks of sheep, which, if he passes through, tramples down and tears, and there is none to rescue. Your hand will be lifted up against your adversaries, and all your enemies will be cut off. Micah 5:2-9
The Greatest Leader of All
Brother Van spoke about the church and the importance of its leaders this past Sunday. How are we supposed to know who would make a good leader or who already is a great leader? People are constantly looking for good leaders. They want strong persons to lead in government. Corporations search for competent people to manage their business. Churches look for effective pastors and other leaders. Nevertheless, leaders sometimes fail. Such was the case in Israel and Judah.
Kings had risen and fallen in Israel and in Judah with regular monotony. Only a few kings in Israel had been godly leaders. Often the historian would remark about a king of Israel, “And he did evil in the sight of the Lord” (1 Kings 15:26). The kings of Judah were not much better than the kings of Israel.
When Micah prophesied, Jerusalem was under attack, and the king was being insulted. Micah predicted that a new ruler would come in Judah, and he would be far better. He brought a message of hope for those who felt powerless to do anything because they were not in positions of power. The condition of America today is much the same. While we elect people filled with promises of change, it seems things just get worse.
God’s people need to look beyond present times and earthly rulers to a greater ruler, just as Micah did. While we look at those around us to find one who can stand out and lead, Micah spoke of one who is coming who would be God’s man in authority.
Through the centuries and millennia, God has raised up men and women who were empowered to bring together God’s people and lead them back to Him. Such leaders are not common, but history records their strength of character, wisdom and ability to correct the wrongs of a nation and establish a new course.
The people awaited their Messiah. Jesus is the Anointed One!
As Micah the prophet spoke to the people about God’s promise to raise up a leader, he presented characteristics of the one God would provide to set bring the nations to power and victory. We recognize that these are the qualities of our Lord.
God’s leader would have impressive credentials. (Micah 5:2)
God’s leader would have a shepherd’s leadership style. (Micah 5:4)
God’s leader would have amazing power. (Micah 5:5-6)
Micah looked to God for a better leader and now we can look to Jesus as the model of the greatest leader ever.
May the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation, who will go out and come in before them, and who will lead them out and bring them in, so that the congregation of the LORD will not be like sheep which have no shepherd. Numbers 27:16-17
