This verse similarly appears in Isaiah’s prophecy, referencing something that has already happened, and leads to a grander future to come.

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.

Mic 4:1, KJV

The book of Micah, was written just after the prosperous reign of king Jeroboam II over Israel, and king Uzziah over Judah, where Amos prophesied.

Please refer to Amos 9:11-12 article, and Hos 6:2 article, for a recap of the time period when these kings ruled.

Prophet Micah, was thus a generation, after Amos, and Hosea.

Both prophets Amos and Hosea prophesied impending judgement on northern Israel, before their exile.

Please refer to Amos 9:11-12 article, for a recap of the main sins of (northern) Israel, which were idolatry and social injustice.

But Micah’s prophesies of judgement could be said to be applicable to both northern Israel, and southern Judah.

This could be seen as Yahweh addressed both capital cities Samaria and Jerusalem, of Israel and Judah respectively (Mic 1:1,5).

Similar two main sins were highlighted; idolatry (Mic 1:6-7), and social injustice (Mic 2:1-5).

And the time period of Micah’s prophesies, went into and beyond the northern Israel’s Assyrian exile in 722 BC, but was a century before southern Judah’s Babylonian exile (in 586 BC).

Please refer to 1 Kings 12:20 article, for a recap on how Israel divided into two: northern and southern kingdoms, and their exile.

Although judgement has been prophesied throughout the three sets of oracles on Micah (each beginning with “Hear”), there is always a word of future hope at the end.

Starting with our first set of oracles in Mic 1-2, we see prophesies of God’s judgement over Israel / Judah’s sins, which we covered above.

And for Judah, exile was even prophesied (Mic 1:16).

But towards the end lies future hope of restoration, for both Israel and Judah, with the Messianic king reigning over them (Mic 2:12-13).

God will also assemble both northern and southern kingdoms, Israel and Judah respectively, into one nation “together” (v12).

In Ezekiel, we can also see God’s desire to gather His people as one nation, and not two (Ezek 37:22).

This represents unity within a nation, which is important, because Jesus Himself taught that a nation / house divided against itself cannot stand (Matt 12:25).

And so we need to have unity, within our families, and cell communities, and the church.

Please refer to 1 Cor 13:1 article, for how we can exercise “agape” love towards our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Moving on to the second set of oracles in Mic 3-5, Micah addresses the leaders who promote social injustice through their policies and false prophesies (Mic 3:1-11).

And of course judgement is pronounced by Yahweh for Judah (Mic 3:12).

But here we reach our centrepiece verse of hope, also centrepiece in Micah, that in the last days God’s house will be established on top mountains and be exalted.

This has already been accomplished through the coming of the Messianic King: Jesus.

Please refer to Isa 41 article, for Isaiah’s prophecy on coming of the suffering servant Messiah, who will restore His people and through them bring blessings to the rest of the world.

Jesus came and died for our sins, at the cross, 2000 years ago, which is referred to as “the last days”.

Please refer to John 1:1 article, for Jesus and His sacrifice on the cross.

And we are currently still living in “the last days”.

Jesus has already defeated Satan, and didn’t fall into any of his traps / temptations (Matt 4:1-11).

Please refer to Intercessory Prayers Session 3: Spiritual Warfare article, for how Jesus used the written word in Spiritual warfare to defeat Satan.

And after His crucifixion at the cross, Jesus conquered death through His resurrection  (1 Cor 15:54-57).

And now through Jesus from the seed of Abraham, we (gentiles / the nations) are blessed with salvation and direct access to God.

We don’t need a priest anymore, and are able to draw near to Him anytime, through His blood.

Please refer to John 1:1 article, and Intercessory Prayers Pre-Session: Double Anointing article, for how we have privileged access to Him, and how we are in-turn called to be priests / intercessors, respectively.

In fact, Jesus has grafted us into His family tree of chosen tribe Israel, and we believers are the body of Christ (Rom 11:24, 1 Cor 12:27).

However, further down we see there are still prophesies which are unaccomplished yet.

For instance, nation will never learn war anymore (Mic 4:5).

In today’s world, we still see fighting / violence, and increased tension between nations.

And in particular, we still see attacks directed to the nation of Israel, but God promises to “rebuke nations afar off”. 

These refer to enemy nations that oppress Israel back then, and also currently in the world now.

The nations who have oppressed Israel eventually sending them into exile like, Tyre, Zidon, Palestine, and Grecian have already been punished (please refer to Joel 2:31 article).

Hence, this prophecy of peace and no future wars has only been partially fulfilled.

Also, today we see Israel hasn’t fully assembled to their land, as prophesied (Mic 4:6).

This means “that day” has not arrived, although as previously mentioned we are in “the last days”.

And “that day” probably refers to the “third day”, where God will restore Israel, gather them physically, give them a new heart, and pour out His Spirit on them (please refer to Hos 6:2 article, and Joel 2:28-29 article, respectively).

Perhaps when “that day” / “third day” happens it would be near the rapture, and into the seven years tribulation, and even into Jesus thousand years reign.

Please refer to Pretribulation article, for a recap on the eschatological events.

Now back to present reality, Micah prophesied that the Assyrians who have captured northern Israel sending them into exile, will try to invade Judah, but fail (Mic 5:5-6).

This second set of oracles, end with God’s judgment upon nations who oppress Israel.

As discussed above, this prophecy is only partially fulfilled, as there are nations oppressing Israel today.

Micah ends with the third and final set of oracles.

Here Yahweh takes Israel to court, challenging them where He has wrong them, and reminding them how He rescued them from Egypt, and His intention has always been to bless them (Mic 6:1-5).

And thus Israel’s judgment as prophesied, is the result of her own sins.

Israel then responds with religion, that they have already kept his (ceremonial) laws, on giving much offering.

But from their response, we see they took false security in religion (please refer to Amos 9:11-12 article).

And their heart of giving onto God is a mere outward thing, because of their blatant disregard to how He has taught them to uphold justice, show mercy, and walk humbly in God (Mic 6:8).

Because, those attributes of justice, mercy, humility are part of His character / essence (please refer to Exo 3:4 article).

Please refer to Matt 11:28-30 article, for the Pharisees who impose unnecessarily on others in outward behaviour / rites, but inwardly has no regard for God and His laws.

On the contrary, the Israelites have not upheld justice nor showed mercy, but committed social injustice.

And with their pride they have turned away from worshipping God, to worshipping idols.

Micah then laments over Jerusalem’s judgement and fall, but he concludes his prayer confident God will hear him (Mic 7:1-7).

Because, he knew / experienced God as his deliverer, and he is praying with faith to God, reminding Him of His attributes.

Please refer to Intercessory Prayers Session 7: Praying According to God’s Attributes article, for how most Bible characters prayed / plead God according to His attributes reminding Him of who He is.

This final set of oracle close with a word of hope again, now fast-forwarding to Israel returning from exile after their punishment, and God is now on their side.

As discussed above, this prophecy is partially fulfilled as Israel has not been fully assembled.

The word of hope also prophesies Israel’s role in being the light for the rest of the world, reflecting God’s righteousness.

As discussed above, this has partially been fulfilled through Jesus Christ, seed of Abraham coming to the world and being the light.

And it would be fully fulfilled when Israel is fully assembled, God gives them a new heart to follow Him and pours out His Spirit on them, as mentioned above.

Micah then ends with a prayer to God again, highlighting His other attributes; mercy, compassion, covenantal God.

And as Christians / gentile believers today, let’s look forward to the full restoration of Israel and fulfilment of Micah’s prophecy!