Day 44 - 50 Day Journey To Christ

Daily Reading:

Micah 5

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

From Defeated Ruler to Conquering King

1 Now, daughter who is under attack,

you slash yourself in grief;

a siege is set against us!

They are striking the judge of Israel

on the cheek with a rod.

2 Bethlehem Ephrathah,

you are small among the clans of Judah;

One will come from you

to be ruler over Israel for Me.

His origin is from antiquity,

from eternity.

3 Therefore, He will abandon them until the time

when she who is in labor has given birth;

then the rest of His brothers will return

to the people of Israel.

4 He will stand and shepherd them

in the strength of Yahweh,

in the majestic name of Yahweh His God.

They will live securely,

for then His greatness will extend

to the ends of the earth.

5 He will be their peace.

When Assyria invades our land,

when it marches against our fortresses,

we will raise against it seven shepherds,

even eight leaders of men.

6 They will shepherd the land of Assyria with the sword,

the land of Nimrod with a drawn blade.

So He will rescue us from Assyria

when it invades our land,

when it marches against our territory.

The Glorious and Purified Remnant

7 Then the remnant of Jacob

will be among many peoples

like dew from the Lord,

like showers on the grass,

which do not wait for anyone

or linger for mankind.

8 Then the remnant of Jacob

will be among the nations, among many peoples,

like a lion among animals of the forest,

like a young lion among flocks of sheep,

which tramples and tears as it passes through,

and there is no one to rescue them.

9 Your hand will be lifted up against your adversaries,

and all your enemies will be destroyed.

10 In that day—

this is the Lord’s declaration—

I will remove your horses from you

and wreck your chariots.

11 I will remove the cities of your land

and tear down all your fortresses.

12 I will remove sorceries from your hands,

and you will not have any more fortune-tellers.

13 I will remove your carved images

and sacred pillars from you

so that you will not bow down again

to the work of your hands.

14 I will pull up the Asherah poles from among you

and demolish your cities.

15 I will take vengeance in anger and wrath

against the nations that have not obeyed Me.

Key:  Bold - Verse of the Day

Reflection:  As I read this prophecy in Micah, I am encouraged to know the town of our saviors birth was also mentioned in prophesy.  In pondering the rest of the prophesy I see where the Jewish people could be confused as to why Jesus didn't rule with a physical sword.  Yet I am also led to the statement Jesus made in Matthew 10:34 when he stated that he in fact did not come for peace, but that he came to bring the sword.  In light of that, I think in that case, prophesy fulfilled, end of story, the Assyrians spoke of were only physical representation of a spiritual enemy.  We are nearing the end of our journey, think about the spiritual aggression you face, and know that Jesus has come to rule and protect with His Sword (which is the Word of God our Bible) and that no weapon formed against you will prosper.   

Discussion Topic:  With only a week to go, how are you making Jesus, Lord and King of your everyday life?

Second Discussion Topic:  Do you think the 7 even 8 leaders of men in this prophesy are the 7 deacons plus Stephen ordained in Acts 6?

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Prayer:  Father in Heaven, Holy is Your name and worthy to be praised in Heaven and on Earth.  Thank You for revealing Your plan through the ministry of the prophets.  Thank you for showing us Your ways in the Truth of Your word.  Forgive us oh Lord, as we take our eyes off You, and teach us to forgive others the same. Thank you for ruling with a Spiritual Sword, and coming to bring true peace, that can only come from You.  We eagerly await Your return, King Jesus.  Amen. 

Acknowledgements: Text - BibleGateway.com, Artwork - http://www.worshiphousemedia.com/motions/16362/O-Little-Town-Of-Bethlehem