Read Micah 4:6–8
Questions from the Scripture text: On what day does this occur (v6a, cf. v1–5)? Whom will YHWH also assemble with the nations (v6b–d)? Into what will He make them (v7a-b)? What will He do with them (v7c)? Where? For how long (v7d)? Whom does He address in v8e? What other two things does He call them (v8a, b)? What will come to them (v8c, d)?
What else will happen in the last day? Micah 4:6–8 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word read in the public worship on the coming Lord’s Day. In these three verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that, in the last day, YHWH will bring the Jews whom He has brought to faith in Christ, into a place of leadership in Christ’s church.
In v1–4, Micah described a “last days” in which the Gentiles would be gathered (grafted!) into Zion and Jerusalem. In the wake of the apostolic ministry into Samaria, and then with Peter and Cornelius, and finally the missionary journeys of Paul, every Bible-believing, Christ-worshiping, true Jew would have known what this means: this is the end of the ages (cf. 1Cor 10:11)!
Now, the Lord divulges some more information about “that day” (v6). He’s not done with Israel. Surely, we see them (and much of the “Gentile” church, to be honest) now as He describes them: lame (v6b) and scattered (v6c—probably better than NKJ “outcast,” with the rest of the sheep vocabulary in the passage).
But let us not forget how they came to be this way: YHWH has afflicted them (v6d). And this means that there is a sure hope that the same Lord will gather them.
Though they may be a remnant of what they were before numerically (v7a), this remnant will be a strong nation (v7b). And not only will YHWH have reconciled them to Himself for Him to rule over (v7c–d), but He will restore them to a place of leadership among His flock (v8).
The old ceremonial law, and the civil state that was enmeshed with it, are never coming back. There is a new priesthood and new law (cf. the bulk of the book of Hebrews!). This is no “replacement theology,” but the remnant theology and ingrafting theology that are taught throughout Scripture. There are 24 sub-thrones, not twelve, in Christ’s kingdom in the last day. And the Lord will show Himself to be the God of reconciliation, restoration, and revival when He brings Jewish leadership to the fore under Christ.
This is especially encouraging when we are the lame and the scattered. For the God of Israel is our God of grace, and this is exactly what we need Him to be, and what we trust Him to be, and what we worship Him for being!
In what way are you maybe “lame” or “wandering” spiritually, right now? How does the view of God here give you hope?
Sample prayer: Lord, if You abandoned the lame and the wanderer, then we would perish. For, we have all been lame and wandering from You. But we rejoice to see that You are the God Who restores a remnant, and makes them strong and noble. Do this for us by Your Spirit, we ask through Your Son, AMEN!
Suggested Songs: ARP51B “From My Sins, O Hide Your Face” or TPH400 “Gracious Spirit, Dwell with Me”