The tone of Micah’s message suddenly shifts from judgement to salvation: verses 1-4 picture the elevation of Zion/Jerusalem and the submission of the nations to the sovereign rule of the Lord. It will be a time of peace and prosperity for Israel, with the major city, Jerusalem, serving as the centre of the Lord’s worldwide rule. The language used indicates prestige and honour for Zion/Jerusalem.
Nations which had been hostile to Jerusalem would stream towards the city to receive instructions from the Lord in order to live according to God’s principles for human society. Micah pictured the Lord as a universal king whose laws and decrees are binding upon all people.
With the Lord in control, the nations would no longer go to war to settle differences; there would be universal peace and disarmament. There would be peace, prosperity and security.
In verses 6-7, the Lord announced salvation for the remnant of Judah. Although God had caused them grief, He would personally intervene on behalf of HIs people. He would regather the exiles and make them into a remnant who would form the nucleus of the Lord’s mighty restored nation. The Lord affirmed that the the royal fortified city of David would have her former glory restored.
In verse 9, Micah returned to the current crisis facing Zion. Zion was in distress and panic because the exile of the city was imminent. The language pictures the loss of security, protection and the deportation of the people to a foreign country. Although the crisis would end in exile and humiliation, the Lord would not forget His people. Micah promised that the Lord would rescue HIs people and pictured the future deliverance of Jerusalem from enemy armies. He saw the present crisis as foreshadowing a final eschatological attack upon Jerusalem and God’s deliverance of the city and the destruction of nations gathered against His people and city. The restoration of God’s people would be accomplished.