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The Remnant of Jacob
Micah 5:7–15 describes the remnant of Jacob with two strong comparisons, then records Yahweh’s promise to remove horses, chariots, cities and strongholds, along with occult practices and worship objects, before ending with judgement.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
In these verses, the remnant of Jacob is spoken of in relation to many peoples and the nations. After a short statement about adversaries and enemies, the passage becomes a series of first-person promises from Yahweh about what he will cut off, destroy, uproot and judge.
Micah 5:7–15Main takeaway
This passage teaches that Yahweh describes the remnant among the nations, removes military resources, fortified places, occult practices and worship objects, and executes vengeance on nations that did not listen.
Explore the message
01Like dew from YahwehThe first comparison says the remnant of Jacob will be among many peoples like dew from Yahweh and like showers on the grass.
Explanation
The first comparison says the remnant of Jacob will be among many peoples like dew from Yahweh and like showers on the grass. The verse itself explains the image further: these do not wait for man or for the sons of men. The focus is on something that comes from Yahweh rather than from human action.
02Like a lion among many peoplesThe second comparison is much more forceful. The remnant of Jacob will be among the nations like a lion among the animals of the forest and like a young lion among flocks of sheep.
Explanation
The second comparison is much more forceful. The remnant of Jacob will be among the nations like a lion among the animals of the forest and like a young lion among flocks of sheep. If it goes through, it treads down and tears in pieces, and there is no one to deliver.
03Adversaries and enemiesMicah 5:9 turns the language directly toward opposition: “Let your hand be lifted up above your adversaries, and let all of your enemies be cut off.”
Explanation
Micah 5:9 turns the language directly toward opposition: “Let your hand be lifted up above your adversaries, and let all of your enemies be cut off.” This continues the strong tone of the lion image. The verse clearly speaks of adversaries and enemies being overcome, without adding further explanation.
04What Yahweh will cut off and destroyFrom verse 10 onward, Yahweh repeatedly says, “I will”. He will cut off horses and destroy chariots.
Explanation
From verse 10 onward, Yahweh repeatedly says, “I will”. He will cut off horses and destroy chariots. He will cut off cities and tear down strongholds. He will destroy witchcraft and remove soothsayers. He will also cut off engraved images and pillars, so that they will no more worship the work of their hands. He will uproot Asherah poles and will destroy their cities.
05Vengeance on nations that did not listenThe passage ends with Yahweh’s judgement beyond Jacob itself. He says he will execute vengeance in anger and wrath on the nations that did not listen.
Explanation
The passage ends with Yahweh’s judgement beyond Jacob itself. He says he will execute vengeance in anger and wrath on the nations that did not listen. That closing line gives the final weight of the passage, showing that failure to listen brings Yahweh’s judgement.
Questions to explore
01What words in Micah 5:7 show that the dew image is linked to Yahweh rather than to human control?
Notice the phrases “from Yahweh” and “don’t wait for man”, which explain the comparison inside the verse itself.
02How does the picture in Micah 5:8 differ from the picture in Micah 5:7?
03What exactly does Yahweh say he will remove or destroy in Micah 5:10–14?
List the items and places named in the verses: horses, chariots, cities, strongholds, witchcraft, soothsayers, engraved images, pillars and Asherah poles. Also notice the repeated statement about destroying cities in Micah 5:11 and Micah 5:14.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Micah 5:7–15
7The remnant of Jacob will be among many peoples like dew from Yahweh, like showers on the grass, that don’t wait for man nor wait for the sons of men.
8The remnant of Jacob will be among the nations, among many peoples, like a lion among the animals of the forest, like a young lion among the flocks of sheep; who, if he goes through, treads down and tears in pieces, and there is no one to deliver.
9Let your hand be lifted up above your adversaries, and let all of your enemies be cut off.
10“It will happen in that day”, says Yahweh, “that I will cut off your horses from among you and will destroy your chariots.
11I will cut off the cities of your land and will tear down all your strongholds.
12I will destroy witchcraft from your hand. You shall have no soothsayers.
13I will cut off your engraved images and your pillars from among you; and you shall no more worship the work of your hands.
14I will uproot your Asherah poles from among you; and I will destroy your cities.
15I will execute vengeance in anger and wrath on the nations that didn’t listen.”