Micah 5:4Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

"He shall become," as it is said, rather than "shall rule," and He will be the shepherd of His own flock, taking upon Himself the leadership and not delegating it to any other, as the blessed Moses once did. It is the Lord Himself who has rescued us through His might, without requiring any effort or labor from us. He will fight valiantly for our salvation, ensuring that false shepherds do not gain glory through deceit, nor will wild beasts be allowed to threaten His sheep, nor will the forces of darkness prevail over those who have faith, as they once did in the past. Instead, He empowers His followers to overcome their foes, as stated: "to tread on the aspid and the basilisk, to trample ... the lion and the serpent" (Psalm 90:13).

The prophet reveals the location of Christ's birth, declaring, ‘And you, Bethlehem-Ephrathah, are you little among the thousands of Judah? Out of you will come forth to Me One who is to be ruler in Israel, and whose origins are from of old, from the days of eternity. Therefore He will leave them until the time when she who is in labor gives birth; then the remaining brethren will return to the children of Israel. He will stand and shepherd in the power of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord His God; and they will dwell securely, for then He will be great to the ends of the earth’ (Micah 5:2-4).

It will come to pass that salvation will be found in the name of the Lord, representing a time of joy and renewal (Isaiah 61:2). The nations will turn in honor of the name of the Lord their God, meaning that the Gentiles will abandon false worship to instead honor and glorify Him. Furthermore, to the furthest corners of the earth, His name will be exalted, indicating that the few who believe in the gospel will increase, ultimately allowing the message of the gospel to reach every part of the world.

Once the Sun of righteousness has ascended to the highest reaches of the heavens and the one who brings forth life gives birth, the remaining members of His family will return to the Lord, the Son of Israel. He who has walked faithfully and has not ceased His journey alongside those who have been placed in difficult paths will pause to guide them with the might of the Lord. They will then declare, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul" (Psalm 22:1, 2). He guides them not only with divine strength but also in the glory of His name, as He speaks to the Father: "Holy Father, keep them in Thy name, the name which Thou hast given Me, that they may be one, even as We are.

The holy Church of God is exalted through the name of the Lord, and the glory of God is proclaimed throughout the earth and the seas. However, the fulfillment of the prophecy will remain unacknowledged by the Jews until the Lord’s return, the suffering of the Savior, and the calling of the Gentiles. Since these events were destined to unfold over a lengthy period, the prophecy is validated by historical occurrences. "That ye may know," declares God, "that the things which are foretold are true: take this present as a pledge thereof: for I will crush the king of Assyria, who shall make an invasion against you, and give you deep peace."

The Messiah's mission encompasses not only the return of the dispersed Hebrews to their homeland but also the unification of those who believe in Him, including Gentiles, into a single flock. He will lead this flock with the dedication of a true shepherd, never allowing it to be neglected. In His vigilance, akin to that of a diligent shepherd, He will assess the condition of His flock, seeking out any sick or weak members, as well as those who have wandered away (Ezekiel 34:1-8). He will be a stronghold for His flock, defending them against threats from every side—thieves and robbers—ensuring that no one can seize a soul committed to Him.