Micah 4

King James Version

Full text for Micah Chapter 4

1¶ But in the last days it shall come to pass, [that] the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it.

2And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

3And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

4But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make [them] afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken [it].

5For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the LORD our God for ever and ever.

6In that day, saith the LORD, will I assemble her that halteth, and I will gather her that is driven out, and her that I have afflicted;

7And I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation: and the LORD shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever.

8¶ And thou, O tower of the flock, the strong hold of the daughter of Zion, unto thee shall it come, even the first dominion; the kingdom shall come to the daughter of Jerusalem.

9Now why dost thou cry out aloud? [is there] no king in thee? is thy counsellor perished? for pangs have taken thee as a woman in travail.

10Be in pain, and labour to bring forth, O daughter of Zion, like a woman in travail: for now shalt thou go forth out of the city, and thou shalt dwell in the field, and thou shalt go [even] to Babylon; there shalt thou be delivered; there the LORD shall redeem thee from the hand of thine enemies.

11Now also many nations are gathered against thee, that say, Let her be defiled, and let our eye look upon Zion.

12But they know not the thoughts of the LORD, neither understand they his counsel: for he shall gather them as the sheaves into the floor.

13Arise and thresh, O daughter of Zion: for I will make thine horn iron, and I will make thy hoofs brass: and thou shalt beat in pieces many people: and I will consecrate their gain unto the LORD, and their substance unto the Lord of the whole earth.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Micah 4 prophesies a future era where the LORD's house in Zion will be exalted, drawing all nations to learn His ways, leading to universal peace and the end of war. Though Jerusalem currently faces distress and exile to Babylon, the LORD promises deliverance and restoration of her former dominion. Ultimately, God will empower Zion to overcome the nations gathered against her, consecrating their spoils to Him.

Medium Summary

The chapter begins with a vision of the "last days" when the mountain of the LORD's house in Zion will be established as supreme, attracting many nations seeking divine instruction. This era will usher in a time of global peace, where nations will transform instruments of war into tools of agriculture, and conflict will cease. The LORD also declares His intent to gather and restore the afflicted and scattered remnant of His people, making them a strong nation over whom He will reign eternally from Mount Zion. Despite this glorious future, the prophet acknowledges Jerusalem's present anguish, likening it to a woman in travail, foretelling her exile to Babylon. However, even in captivity, the LORD assures deliverance and redemption from her enemies. Finally, though many nations conspire against Zion, they are unaware of God's ultimate plan to use Zion, empowered by Him, to defeat these adversaries, consecrating their substance to the Lord of the whole earth.

Long Summary

Micah 4 opens with a profound prophecy concerning the "last days," when the mountain of the LORD's house in Jerusalem will be elevated above all other mountains and hills, serving as a beacon to which people and many nations will flow. These nations will come seeking instruction in the LORD's ways, recognizing that divine law and the word of the LORD will emanate from Zion. This period will be characterized by the LORD's judgment among peoples, leading to an unprecedented era of universal peace where instruments of war, such as swords and spears, will be transformed into agricultural tools like plowshares and pruninghooks, and nations will no longer engage in warfare. People will live securely under their own vines and fig trees, free from fear, by the spoken word of the LORD of hosts. While other peoples may walk in the name of their respective gods, the prophet declares that Israel will walk in the name of the LORD their God forever. The prophecy then shifts to the restoration of God's afflicted people. The LORD promises to assemble those who are weak, driven out, and afflicted, making the "halted" a remnant and the "cast far off" a strong nation. He will reign over them in Mount Zion perpetually. Addressing Jerusalem, referred to as the "tower of the flock" and "daughter of Zion," the prophet declares that her "first dominion" and the kingdom will return to her. However, the chapter also addresses Jerusalem's immediate suffering, questioning her cries and likening her pangs to those of a woman in travail. It foretells a period of pain and exile, specifically mentioning that she will go forth from the city, dwell in the field, and ultimately be taken to Babylon. Yet, even in Babylon, the LORD promises deliverance and redemption from her enemies. The chapter concludes by noting that many nations are currently gathered against Zion, desiring her defilement. Crucially, these nations do not comprehend the LORD's thoughts or His divine counsel. Instead, God intends to gather them like sheaves for threshing. He will empower Zion, giving her an "iron horn" and "brass hoofs," enabling her to "thresh" and "beat in pieces many people." The ultimate outcome is that the gain and substance of these defeated nations will be consecrated unto the LORD, the Lord of the whole earth.

Core Concepts

  • Exaltation of ZionIn the last days, the mountain of the LORD's house in Zion will be established above all other mountains, drawing nations to it for divine instruction and the law.
  • Universal PeaceA future era is prophesied where the LORD will judge among nations, leading them to transform weapons of war into agricultural tools, and nations will no longer learn or engage in conflict.
  • Restoration of IsraelThe LORD promises to gather and restore the afflicted, scattered, and weak remnant of His people, making them a strong nation over whom He will reign eternally from Mount Zion.
  • Exile and DeliveranceJerusalem is prophesied to experience distress and exile to Babylon, but the LORD assures her redemption and deliverance from her enemies even in that foreign land.
  • Divine Sovereignty Over NationsThough many nations conspire against Zion, they are unaware of the LORD's ultimate plan to gather them for judgment, empowering Zion to overcome them and consecrate their spoils to Him.
  • First DominionThe "daughter of Zion" (Jerusalem) is promised the return of her "first dominion" and the kingdom, signifying a restoration of her former authority and glory.