Micah: Justice + MercyExemplo

The Bringer and the Breaker

By Danny Saavedra

“I will surely gather all of you, Jacob; I will surely bring together the remnant of Israel. I will bring them together like sheep in a pen, like a flock in its pasture; the place will throng with people. The One who breaks open the way will go up before them; they will break through the gate and go out. Their King will pass through before them, the Lord at their head."  Micah 2:12–13 (NIV)

Remember in our first devotional on Micah how we talked about the whole bad news, good news dynamic, and how we’ve spent the first two chapters of this prophetic letter basically covering bad news? Well, here at the end of chapter 2, we come to the beautiful, amazing good news! 

One of the things I love seeing throughout the Bible, especially as I read through Old Testament books is the presence of Jesus! Promises, plans, prophecies, and even full-on Christophanies (physical appearances of the pre-incarnate Jesus in the Old Testament, like in the fiery furnace or His coming to Joshua and Gideon) contained within every story, command, and message is the shadow of the Lord Jesus. In today’s passage, we see the revelation of the Messiah who would come and bring together His scattered people. 

You see, though judgment was promised because of the great sin of God’s people for their transgressions against Him, they weren’t beyond the saving grace of God nor outside His loving kindness. He still promised restoration to the remnant of Israel, to bring forth His Messiah through the children of Abraham, and bless all the families of the earth as He had promised all the way back in Genesis! 

Despite their idolatrous and wicked ways, God was not done with Israel. Jesus makes this clear when stating He was sent “to the lost sheep of Israel” (Matthew 15:24 NIV) and when He sent His disciples out “to the lost sheep of Israel” to preach this message, “The kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matthew 10:6–7 NIV).

This passage in Micah refers both to the bringing back together of Judah and Israel from captivity, but also serves as a prophecy about Jesus—the King who passed before them, the good shepherd who brought His sheep to green pastures, the Lord who is at the head. By taking on the nature of man and dying for the sins of man, He “breaks open the way” for all people to come to God! This is explained clearly when Paul says, “But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility” (Ephesians 2:13–14 NIV).

Today, we can rejoice in knowing that we “are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him [we] too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit” (Ephesians 2:19–22 NIV). 

Pause: Why is it important to identify the presence and promise of Jesus in the Old Testament?

Practice: Do an online search for Christ in the Old Testament. Then, read through prophecies and appearances of Jesus!

Pray: Father, thank You that, despite our sins, despite the sins of the people of Israel and Judah You weren’t done with them.  You had a plan for them. You were faithful to fulfill Your promises, and You still do so today! Thank You for loving, saving, and redeeming me. Amen.