Micah 5: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Micah 5 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

The siege against Jerusalem is foreshadowed with a call to the 'daughter of troops' as enemies prepare to strike Israel's judge (v. 1). From Bethlehem Ephrathah, a small town in Judah, a ruler will arise whose origins are ancient (vv.

Key verse

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, being small among the clans of Judah, out of you one will come out to me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings out are from of old, from ancient times.”
Micah 5:2 (WEB)

Outline

Micah 5:1 Siege Against Jerusalem
Micah 5:2–3 Promise of a Ruler from Bethlehem
Micah 5:4–5 Divine Shepherding and Peace
Micah 5:6–9 Victory Over Assyria
Micah 5:10–15 Judgment Against Idolatry

Discussion questions

In v2, why is Bethlehem described as 'being small among the clans of Judah'?
What does the phrase 'a rod on the cheek' in v1 convey about the situation of Israel?
In v3, what does it mean that He will 'abandon them until the time that she who is in labor gives birth'?
In v10, why does Yahweh say He will 'cut off your horses' and 'destroy your chariots'?
When have you sought peace in a situation where you felt overwhelmed, like Israel in v5?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Micah 5: Matthew 2, Psalm 23, Jeremiah 29.

Before next time: read Micah 6.