Read Micah 2:12–13
Questions from the Scripture text: What will the Lord do to whom (Micah 2:12a)? Who, from Jacob, specifically (verse 12b)? Into what belonging (verse 12c), what safety (verse 12d), and what plurality (verse 12e) will He gather them? Who will come up before them (Micah 2:13a)? What will they do, led by Him (verse 13b)? Enabling them to pass through what (verse 13c)? In order to go where (verse 13d)? Who is this breaker-open who passes before them (verse 13e)? And Who is at their head, as this King passes before them (verse 13f)?
What good Word does God have for His people? Micah 2:12–13 looks forward to the hearing of God’s Word, publicly read, in the holy assembly on the coming Lord’s Day. In these two verses of Holy Scripture, the Holy Spirit teaches us that God proclaims to His people a salvation and a Savior that are infinitely greater than they could imagine.
The people rejected the “negative” preaching of God’s true prophets (Micah 2:6-11), and the Lord had answered that His Word indeed does good to him who walks uprightly (Micah 2:7d–e), but this has not been the case with Israel in recent times (Micah 2:8-9), so they would indeed be scattered and destroyed (Micah 2:10), no matter what their false preachers say (Micah 2:11).
But the true preaching is very “positive” for the righteous remnant of Israel. The Lord Himself will assemble (Micah 2:12a) this remnant (verse 12b), with marvelous results:
They will be secure (as sheep of the fold, verse 12c).
They will be well-cared for (as sheep in the pasture, verse 12d).
And they will be numerous (so many men that their sheer number is noisy, verse 12d). They may be a remnant, but the remnant, through the ages, comes to an impressive number indeed!
How will this happen? How will they escape the place(s) of their exile, to which they have been dispersed? The Lord will send Someone to lead them, Who is able to burst through (Micah 2:13a).
With Him at the front, they will be able to burst through themselves (verse 13b), pass through the gate (verse 13c), and leave (verse 13d).
And this King will continue to lead them even then (verse 13e). He will not just initiate their deliverance; He will lead them all the way.
The greatness of this deliverance, restoration, peace, and prosperity comes not merely because of the King’s action, but even because of His Person. Verse 13f does not introduce a new figure, but tells Who this king is at their head: YHWH Himself! Jesus is our archegos (“Captain,” in Hebrews 2:10), the One Who blazes the trail for us to follow with Him.
There is no safety apart from the Lord’s Deliverer—apart from the Lord Himself. And this was why nation of people who had rejected Him were in so much trouble. But, behold how great and sure is the safety of those who are His!
We do not need “positive” preaching that makes us feel good about ourselves. We need the true preaching of this King’s Word. We need YHWH Himself to be the One Who breaks out at the front, and leads our own breaking out and redemption forever!
In what circumstances, or potential circumstances, are you in danger of feeling secure without Christ? How have you, perhaps, desired to hear about a god with Whom you didn’t have to take your sin seriously? What is the best part of the gospel of His own delivering you, and continuing to lead you?
Sample prayer: Lord, thank You for proclaiming Your redemption to us. Indeed, You are powerfully and surely saving a remnant for Yourself, that comes to be a great multitude. Forgive us for when we find any security without You, or when we allow ourselves to be discouraged, even though we are Yours. Make us to remember King Jesus, leading us and delivering us, we ask in His Name, AMEN!
Suggested Songs: ARP7B “God Is My Shield” or TPH178 “We Have Not Known Thee As We Ought”
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