The Breaker

Micah 2:12-13

Introduction – Micah certainly is not a prophet like the lying prophets he described in verse 11, prophesying of ‘wine and drink’. He promises no comfort to those who claim to be of the house of Jacob, but live otherwise. Nevertheless, he also has a message of hope and salvation, comfort and victory, to proclaim to those who are faithful to the King; a King who will pass before them and lead them on. He ends the ‘first movement’ of this prophetic symphony with this theme.

The Text -“I will surely assemble all of you, O Jacob, I will surely gather the remnant of Israel; I will put them together like sheep of the fold, like a flock in the midst of their pasture; they shall make a loud noise because of so many people. The one who breaks open will come up before them; they will break out, pass through the gate, and go out by it; their king will pass before them, with the Lord at their head.”

Future Restoration(s) – God warned Israel of a great coming judgment but promises to restore his chosen remnant. God uses this language before Micah (Amos 9:9), and after (Jer 31:10). The first fulfillment of these prophecies occurs when Cyrus conquers Babylon and gives permission for Israel to return to their own land. But these passages considered in their greater context speak of a restoration of Judah that far supercedes the days of Ezra and Nehemiah.

The Breaker – Ultimately, the prophecy is of Christ, “the One who breaks open” and leads His people through all opposition, and brings them to their true resting place. This is the One who breaks down the wall of partition and gathers all His elect, Jew and Gentile. “The promises of the Lord are perennial springs forever overflowing with new fulfillments” – Spurgeon. Here also is the promise of the future repentance and revival of the Jews, the advance of the gospel over the face of the earth, and the glorious consummation of all things at the Last Day.

A Flock Gathered (v12) – Consider the nature and extent of this gathering.

All of Jacob – and yet only a remnant of Israel. The promise is not for all “who are named the house of Jacob” of verse 7. Apparently, ‘not all Israel is Israel’, and something makes you a true Jew other than simply outward circumcision or having Abraham as your ancestor. In the midst of the turmoil of external and internal persecutions, what a grand promise that God Himself will gather all His elect to their pasture. Jesus promised exactly the same thing (John 6:35-40).

Surely, Surely – Twice we are given such assurance. “I will surely assemble”, and “I will surely gather”. And here we are. Now, in the midst of our circumstances, will we stand on the promises?

I Will Put Them Together – The people of God have been dispersed over history in a variety of exiles, inward and outward. There are doctrinal disputes still to be settled. There is a catholic church to be unified in spirit and in faith. And so the work of the CRE and other faithful denominations is not a little thing. God is doing and will do this work – Jesus prayed for it (John 17:21).

A Loud Noise – This is being said in the days of trouble – days when the noise is from Assyria and Sennacherib. But another day is promised. Isaiah was promised a day of a great song (Is 51:11). We are told that we have come to that noisy mountain (Heb 12:22-24, see also Rev 14:2). We should stand on those promises as well while we lisp through our psalms and hymns, praying again for reformation and deliverance.

An Advancing Army (v13) – The previous verse used terms of a flock their Shepherd. But this assembly is also in military formation. Led by their King, they are on the offensive.

Gone Before Us – Christ is our Moses. He has led us out of Egypt. He has brought us out of our bondage to sin. He has brought us through the pass of the Atonement, and now leads us on in our pursuit of practical holiness. He has led us here by assuming our nature and ‘in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin’. He is the One who teaches us how to stand against our adversary, the devil. And so, by faith, in Christ, we stand against the prince of darkness – and he must flee. Standing on these promises, there is not a single sin that you have to be stuck in.

They Will Break Out – Notice that, in following our King, our Head, we imitate Him in breaking out and going forth. The army is following the King. Where is He going? What is He taking? Additional chapters in Micah (i.e. 4:1-3, 5:4, 7:16f) answer this in part, and of course, Jesus tells us straight up – Matt 28:18-20. Our King loves His church, His flock, His army, and so He never leaves it.

Conclusion – If we take seriously the claims of the victory of the Messiah, the gospel is no longer simply wishful thinking, but the proclamation of the salvation of the world. Consider Micah’s day. Consider the days of judgment that were still to come. And yet this victorious strain is louder. Now consider our day. Consider your struggles with sin. Consider the disheveled impotence of the church today. Consider the judgment upon our nation. Now, hear the final melody, and stand on the promises of the Breaker.

Dave Hatcher – October 29, 2000