Micah 2:12Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

If my words sprang from my own desires and not through the Holy Spirit, it would be better for me to perish alone as a false prophet, unless what I utter is indeed true. Oh, how I wish many would place their faith in the Son of God and avoid eternal captivity. Yet, as a prophet speaking through the Spirit of God, and sent forth by the divine truth, I declare the truth: I will deliver my message as an intoxicating wine, so you may be stirred to awareness and even stumble from its effects. As I express these predictions of impending captivity, this nation will experience the outcomes of my declarations, whether willingly or not.

And do not presume that I only foretell these impending disasters. The anticipated culmination is upon us; let it be acknowledged that the word spoken through me, as through all the prophets, now resounds: "I will come and take on human form, being born of a virgin." Because I came in humbled flesh, and you chose not to believe, in the fullness of time I will return in glory, accompanied by angels and divine powers, gathering you all, O Jacob, uniting the remnant of Israel, intertwining them with the flock of the Gentiles. I will fortify you for protection, and the sound of the multitude of believers will resound, far surpassing any numerical count.

And lest you mistakenly interpret My words about establishing a flock in a sheepfold as addressing mere sheep, consider that these sheep represent humankind. It follows that there will be a uproar from the multitude of people, where the term "uproar" denotes the collective sound of many voices, akin to a great multitude cheering in unison for the Good Shepherd, who has leveled obstacles, leading them along the path to the gates of heaven, affirming, "I am the door." Through His companionship and guidance, those who trust with pure hearts will traverse through the doorway. This shepherd is King and Lord, hence the scripture continues: "And the king shall lead them, and the Lord shall be at their forefront."

If we associate this passage with His first coming, seeing Jacob and the remnant of Israel as a reference to the Apostles and the multitudes of Jews saved as recounted in the Acts of the Apostles, this interpretation maintains its validity. For indeed, the Lord gathered them into His fold, brought them into the Church as He walked ahead of them, claiming His position as King before their eyes. The Spirit has silenced falsehood, chastising you for wine and intoxication. It shall come to pass that from this people, Jacob shall be consolidated into one assembly. The text does not state, "The lying Spirit has ceased," as is often misinterpreted. Rather, "The Spirit has silenced the falsehood," affirming the reality that the Spirit of the Lord has halted deceitful voices, enabling the people of God to recognize the genuine calling rather than the misleading words of false prophets.

The terms "spirit" in both the Old and New Testaments carry inherently positive implications, as previously affirmed. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace" (Gal. 5:22), and "If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit" (Gal. 5:25). Additionally, “But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live” (Rom. 8:13). In the Hebrew Scriptures, it says, "He who gives breath to the people upon it, and spirit to those who walk therein" (Isaiah 42:5), indicating that such words signify the earth and those who tread upon it. Those who prioritize earthly matters and disregard them do not deserve to receive an unclean spirit but rather a righteous one. Conversely, the evil spirit is specifically characterized, as in instances such as, “When the unclean spirit goes out from a man” (Matt. 12:43), and likewise in “He commanded the unclean spirit” (Luke 9:42), or “An evil spirit troubled Saul” (1 Sam. 14:14). Thus, the Spirit of God, which has put an end to the falsehoods of the false prophets, beckons you to partake of joy and bliss.

This joy is that which uplifts the heart (Psalms 103:15), and this intoxication parallels what Noah experienced, inviting, “Eat, my friends, and drink freely” (Song of Solomon 5:1). All this joy and exhilaration is but a minute taste compared to the vast wisdom of God, which abundantly nourishes the New Jerusalem. A mere hint of Divine Wisdom is seen in men, especially considering instances like the stone taken from a mountain without human intervention (Dan. 2:34), reminding us that God’s foolishness surpasses human wisdom, and even the Apostles understood only in part (1 Cor. 13:9). It is from this wisdom, drawn from the remnant of the Jewish nation—as Christ came for the lost sheep of Israel—that Jacob was gathered: he who prevailed over Esau, who cherished his birthright and blessing, and even before birth, grasped his brother’s heel.

"I will accept the remnant of Israel, embracing all." When the Gentiles believe and the entire world aligns with My truth, and the fullness of the tribes joins the Church, then the remnant of Israel will be saved. This is not the remnant previously mentioned in Kings, “I have preserved seven thousand men who have not bowed to Baal” (3 Sam. 19:18), or that Paul refers to: “So too at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace” (Rom. 11:5); rather, it concerns those who, once all are gathered, will be accepted anew. Now it is proclaimed, "I will receive the remnant of Israel, embracing all," for, as the scripture says, “God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all” (Rom. 11:32). Their rebellion will be like a flock scattered in disarray. I intend to gather the remnant of Israel after I have gathered the entirety; for now, while they remain estranged from Me, I will place them in trials, depriving them of priestly roles, altars, and prophets, so they might learn through affliction that which they neglected through comfort.

Being likened to a flock within a pen suggests that I will provide for them. Not only will their current rebellion be treated as a scattered flock, but after enduring tribulation and the appointed time for comfort arrives, they shall find rest in their rightful place. Subsequently, they will be distinguished from among men and rise above mundane existence, fulfilling the prophecy that “they shall spring forth from mankind.” In due time, they will not only stand apart but also all who receive God’s word, abandoning worldly vices, mirroring divine conduct, and recognizing the declaration, “I said, you are gods, and sons of the Most High” – they will emerge from among humanity, elevated, as it were, ascending to heaven.

This passage culminates in an invitation for those seeking salvation to traverse through separation, as illustrated in Genesis with the birth of twins through Tamar, when Judah was with her. It describes a situation where one twin extended his hand, prompting the midwife to tie a scarlet thread, signifying he would be first. However, when he drew back, his brother emerged next and was labled Zara, meaning “seed" or "rising." Here, the oldest nation symbolically showcased its initial claim to works, then retracted as instructed by Isaiah with, “For your hands are full of blood” (Isaiah 1:15). In withdrawing from righteousness, the Gentile nation arose, thus causing the division of the barrier; the Lord and Savior, breaking down the separation, unified both nations into one fold, establishing peace and creating a new humanity within Himself. Therefore, the midwife, addressing Phares, the younger nation, prophetically inquires, "Why was the barrier set aside for your sake?”

If this illustration from Genesis resonates, every person desiring salvation must advance, and not through the old lineage that retracted, but through the new, where the path is Christ, who is the gate leading to the Father, having dispelled barriers and darkness originating from the Old Testament, unveiling all mysteries of the law, and removing all obstacles to those who enter. He opens the way freely before all seekers, ensuring no deterrent or darkness stands in their path.

"They opened before their faces and passed through the gate and went out by it; their King led them, and the Lord was their shepherd." Thus I declare to you, arising with Christ, seeking the things that are from above, that I say: "Come through separation," where the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have prepared a way previously perceived as insurmountable and opened the entrance for those who are willing. As they entered this path with ease, they not only crossed the threshold but advanced through it because their King similarly entered, providing a clear passage for them. Indeed, the Lord Himself embodies both King and Shepherd, both the path and the gate, proclaiming, "I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved and will go in and out, finding pasture" (John 10:9).

A prophetic declaration concerning this door is found where it states: "This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it" (Psalm 117:20). Those who enter will not remain unchanged but transcend into the pasture of virtues, where their initial entry signifies the commencement of their spiritual journey, leading to their ultimate fulfillment in the acquisition of divine sustenance. Those entering exist in this world and will come to know the Creator through creation. However, those who exit, surpassing all visible realities, recognizing them as trivial, will discover sustenance far beyond what is seen, nourished by God's Word, affirming, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 22:1). Hence, we can draw meaning from the Gospel’s affirmation, “He shall go in and out, and shall find pasture” (John 10:9), reflecting the prophetic insight that they will go through the gate and emerge from it (Micah 2:13). Yet, such a journey of entering and exiting is only possible through our King Christ, who is both sovereign and guiding presence, as immediately follows: “But the Lord shall be their leader.”

It shall come to pass that from these individuals, Jacob will be gathered with all: I will welcome the remnant of Israel and restore them. This deception, proclaims the Prophet, has led you, through the demons influencing the false prophets, into captivity alongside the ten tribes, as I will bring you all there under a common reproach. When it occurs; like sheep in distress, the flock shall leap from the grasp of man. Just as the still sheep, upon seeing a wolf approach, rise in alarm, so shall you, when confronted by the enemy’s advance, be overcome with confusion and dread. The Prophet then foretells the events that took place during Zedekiah's reign, a prophecy also proclaimed by the blessed Prophet Ezekiel, when God commanded him to take the items from the captivity and signal the king’s departure through recognized actions.