4 Verses, 4 Eras

By David Ettinger

Cluttered Communications?
For many Bible readers, the Old Testament – particularly the writings of the prophets of ancient Israel – is a challenge. Imagery is confusing, references are blurry, and chronology is cloudy. The easiest of these three challenges to reel in is the latter – chronology, but it requires study.  

One of the reasons the writings of the prophets is difficult is that these men were not sure what they were writing about. Yes, God gave them their visions and they were faithful to record them accurately, but this does not mean God explained to them what He was communicating. In other words, God told them the “what,” but He often omitted the “when.”

Though much (but not all) of the “when” is explained in the New Testament, the haziness of some Old Testament prophetic messages have carried to the current day. Therefore, without studying a particular passage and filling in the gaps provided by both the New Testament and history, many of the these passages are difficult to decipher, and subsequently 21^st century readers tend to avoid them altogether.

A Perfect Example
A perfect prophetic passage is Micah 5:1-4:

1. Now muster yourselves in troops, daughter of troops; They have laid siege against us; With a rod they will strike the judge of Israel on the cheek. 2. But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will come forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His times of coming forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity. 3. Therefore He will give them up until the time When she who is in labor has given birth. Then the remainder of His kinsmen Will return to the sons of Israel. 4. And He will arise and shepherd His flock In the strength of the Lord, In the majesty of the name of the Lord His God. And they will remain, Because at that time He will be great To the ends of the earth.

I doubt Micah understood what he was writing, and unless God explained it to him, there is no way he could have. However, you and I can figure it out. After all, we have both the New Testament and the advantage of 2,735 years of elapsed history. So, let’s briefly break down the 4 verses, which occur during 4 different eras.

Verse 1: “Now muster yourselves in troops, daughter of troops; They have laid siege against us; With a rod they will strike the judge of Israel on the cheek.”

This is a reference to the coming Babylonian siege, capture, and destruction of Jerusalem – which would occur 150 years later. The “judge” to be struck on the cheek was Judah’s final king, Zedekiah. Era Number 1: The Babylonian assault on Jerusalem (586 B.C.).

Verse 2: “But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will come forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His times of coming forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity.”

This is one of most famous and remarkable Old Testament prophesies, forecasting the actual birthplace of the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ. Why Bethlehem Ephrathah? There was also a Bethlehem in the tribal territory of Zebulun (Joshua 19:15), and God wanted to be precise as to which Bethlehem He was referring. Era Number 2: The birthplace of the Messiah (4 B.C.). 2 consecutive verses, 2 different eras.

Verse 3. “Therefore He will give them up until the time When she who is in labor has given birth. Then the remainder of His kinsmen Will return to the sons of Israel.”

The “them” is Israel, and refers to the Jewish nation’s rejection of their Messiah. (The Old Testament is written from Israel’s perspective). Specifically, the time frame here is the current Church Age which began at Pentecost (Acts Chapter 2). The Church Age will end at Christ’s return. At that time a “remnant” of the Jewish people will accept Christ as their Lord and Savior (Zechariah 12:10; Romans Chapter 11). Era Number 3: The Church Age (current). 3 consecutive verses, 3 different eras.

Verse 4: “And He will arise and shepherd His flock In the strength of the Lord, In the majesty of the name of the Lord His God. And they will remain, Because at that time He will be great To the ends of the earth.”

This references Christ’s reign during the Millennial (1,000-year) Kingdom. In this instance, His “flock” refers specifically to the saved remnant of Israel mentioned above. Era Number 4: The Millennial Kingdom (a future 1,000-year period). 4 consecutive verses, 4 different eras.

How Do I Know This?
I know this because I study the Bible, and one of my primary resources of study is Bible commentaries. And guess what? You can do the same! If this sounds good to you, I offer some suggestions on how to go about it in my blog, “Do You Read Your Bible?”

If you’re finding many portions of the Bible too challenging, check out my blog, learn how you can study on your own, and how you can attain greater understanding of God’s glorious and precious Word!

Learn more about Micah in my teaching video.

Tagged: Ancient Israel, Bible Study Resources, Know Your Bible, Studying the Bible, The Book of Micah, The Prophets of Israel, Understanding Prophecy

Posted in: Ancient Israel, Application, Bible study, Bible teaching, Christianity, Devotional, Editorial/Blog, Jesus in the Old Testament, New Testament, Old Testament, Practical, The Millennial Kingdom, The Return of Christ