From the Haftarah for 20 July 2024
7 The remnant of Jacob will be among many peoples,
like dew from Yahweh,
like showers on the grass,
that don’t wait for man,
nor wait for the sons of men.8 The remnant of Jacob will be among the nations,
among many peoples,
like a lion among the animals of the forest,
like a young lion among the flocks of sheep;
who, if he goes through, treads down and tears in pieces,
and there is no one to deliver.
9 Let your hand be lifted up above your adversaries,
and let all of your enemies be cut off.
10 “It will happen in that day”, says Yahweh,
“that I will cut off your horses out from among you,
and will destroy your chariots.
11 I will cut off the cities of your land,
and will tear down all your strongholds.
12 I will destroy witchcraft from your hand;
and you shall have no soothsayers.
13 I will cut off your engraved images and your pillars out from among you;
and you shall no more worship the work of your hands. (Micah 5:7-13)
Micah 5:7-13 presents a prophecy of restoration and judgement, concerning both of the remnant of Israel and the purification of the people. The remnant of Israel is depicted as both a blessing and a powerful force among the nations. God promises to lift them above their enemies and purify them by removing their reliance on military power and eliminating idolatry and witchcraft. The verses from the Haftarah show us God’s Will for His people to be wholly dependent on Him and devoted exclusively to His worship.
Verses 7-8: The Remnant Among the Nations
“The remnant of Jacob will be among many peoples, like dew from Yahweh, like showers on the grass, that don’t wait for man, nor wait for the sons of men.”
In these verses, the “remnant of Jacob” refers to the faithful Jews who survive the trials and tribulations faced by Israel. They are depicted as a blessing to the nations, like dew and showers which come from God and not from human effort. (Zechariah 4:6) This imagery signifies that the remnant will bring refreshment and vitality, spreading God’s influence without human intervention. (Read Isaiah 59:20-21; Jeremiah 31:33-34; Romans 11:26-27)
“The remnant of Jacob will be among the nations, among many peoples, like a lion among the animals of the forest, like a young lion among the flocks of sheep; who, if he goes through, treads down and tears in pieces, and there is no one to deliver.”
Here, the remnant is compared to a powerful and fearsome lion, suggesting that while they will be a blessing, they will also be a force to reckon with. This dual imagery indicates that God’s people will have a tremendous impact on the world: both nurturing and asserting God’s justice powerfully.
Verse 9: Divine Victory Over Enemies
“Let your hand be lifted up above your adversaries, and let all of your enemies be cut off.”
This verse is a proclamation of victory. It reassures us that God will empower His people to triumph over Israel’s adversaries. The image of the hand lifted above adversaries symbolises dominance and victory. The cutting off of enemies signifies total and assured defeat.
Verses 10-11: Purging of Military Reliance
“It will happen in that day,” says Yahweh, “that I will cut off your horses out from among you, and will destroy your chariots. I will cut off the cities of your land, and will tear down all your strongholds.”
These verses indicate a future purification where Yahweh will remove the means of military power and defence—horses, chariots, fortified cities, and strongholds. This denotes a shift from reliance on military might to reliance on God alone. The removal of these symbols of strength indicates that true security comes from God, not human defences.
Verses 12-13: Elimination of Idolatry and Witchcraft
“I will destroy witchcraft from your hand; and you shall have no soothsayers. I will cut off your engraved images and your pillars out from among you; and you shall no more worship the work of your hands.”
Finally, these verses promise the eradication of all forms of idolatry and occult practices. Witchcraft, soothsayers, and idols represent false sources of power and guidance that lead people away from God. By removing these, God purifies His people, ensuring their worship is directed to Him alone. This purification is crucial for the remnant to be truly holy, sanctified, and dedicated to God.
May Yahweh bless you.
Mar Chayim bar Ya’aqub
18 July 2024