The Mountain of the Lord’s House - Micah 4:1-5

Introduction – Poetically lying in ruins, judgments promised and sealed in chapter 3, we turn now to words that, in vibrant contrast, promise revival and victory for the people of God. The barren and ruined temple (the house of the Lord) appears as the highest mountain, and people are flooding in. Zion, being plowed like a field, appears sending forth the law of God to all the nations. Jerusalem, left in a heap of ruins, now appears to have power to turn entire nations by a word. When will this incredible change take place? “Now it shall come to pass in the latter days…”

Last Days – This term (translated either ‘last days’ or ‘latter days’) needs some explanation.

The Jews – In Jesus’ day, first-century Jews refused to believe that Jesus was the Messiah, the fulfillment of these and other prophecies (John 1:11). Jesus continued to point out that He was the focal point of all Scripture (John 5:39, Luke 24:44). Today, unbelieving Jews are still awaiting the Messiah. Why? Because they continue to interpret fulfilled prophecy as unfulfilled prophecy.

Modern Gentiles – We have a similar problem of looking at many of the prophecies, which look forward to the Messianic age of consummation, as though still unfulfilled. But the coming of the Messiah was and is the most important event in history. Christ’s coming, 2000 years ago, was the beginning of the great ‘last days’ of history.

Mark 1:15 – “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”

Gal 4:4 – “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son…”

Heb 1:1f – “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, had in these last days spoken to us by His Son…”

1 Pet 1:20 – “He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you…”

1 John 2:18 – “Little children, it is the last hour…”

Acts 2:16f – “But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God…” When Peter inserts “in the last days”, it is not a glitch. He understands Is 2:2, Mic 4:1 and other passages to be talking about the same days. Those ‘last days’ prophecies were fulfilled in the first century. It was the ‘end times’ for the Old Covenant administrations. It was the time when God would restore His Church by the hand of the Redeemer.

Promises – Micah does not give us the promises of God in the form of a list or legal document. Instead, he paints a picture for us, where we can see the promises in action upon the earth.

“Shall be established on the top of the mountains,” – The mountain of the Lord’s house, that is, its authority and rule, shall be on top of all other rule and authority, “…and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matt 16:18).

“Exalted above the hills” – Zion is not visibly exalted at the coming of Christ. But all that Zion and Jerusalem represent are promised to be more glorious than ever (2 Cor 3:7-11).

“Peoples shall flow to it” – Like a river constantly brings fresh water, so we are promised that there will be a constant flow of converts to this mountain. “And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:47). Not just individuals are promised, but nations shall turn to this mountain. Those that were once enemies of God, now come willingly to be taught in His ways and to walk in His paths (Phil 1:13).

“Out of Zion the law shall go forth” – Having looked at the mountain, next we see the impact of this great mountain going out to all nations, judging many peoples, and rebuking strong nations afar off. This is the promise: the gospel wins, Christ’s kingdom is victorious.

“They shall beat their swords into plowshares…” – “The art of war, instead of being improved (which some reckon the glory of a kingdom), shall be forgotten and laid aside as useless.” – M. Henry. One of the results of the effective spread of the gospel on this earth will be true peace with one another. The firstfruit of this is also recorded in Acts – “(they) were of one heart and one soul” (4:32).

“Everyone shall sit under his vine…” Instead of war and the fear of evil, men and women will enjoy God’s blessing without being disturbed. There will be plenty, and there will be time to sit and enjoy it in great peace.

“…But we will walk in the name of the Lord our God, forever and ever” – There may be so-called faithful followers of other gods, but nothing will surpass the unending faithfulness of God’s people. The church will be constant in her duty, and will make good use of her peace. Her sanctification and perseverance will both be evident.

Conclusion – “But, but, but….”, we are tempted to say. The church seems so stagnant. The church is not pre-eminent to the world, but something to be mocked. The world is full of wars and evil and famine and…. There is little peace in the frantic pace of getting ahead (or catching up).

Consider – what were Micah, and later, the people of the exile, to think of these promises?

Consider – what was Abraham to do with his promises in the midst of a land crawling with wicked kings, and himself without a single heir?

If we have the faith of Abraham, we are the children of God. That faith sees things that are not there – yet – knowing that in fact they are as good as there because “the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken.” (Mic 4:4). Dave Hatcher – November 12, 2000