A little Bible study, encouragement, and prayer directive for our nation...
Shepherds and wise men play a big part in the nativity story. This phrase: "7 shepherds and 8 principal men" comes from Micah 5:5 and while the chapter does prophecy the coming birth of Christ, this morning in my devotional reading Holy Spirit took me in a different direction. Micah was prophesying about and to Israel, but Holy Spirit impressed me that this also applies to the church and to our nation today. I have copied and pasted the whole chapter for you. My notes and comments are highlighted. Micah 5:
1 Now gather thyself in troops, O daughter of troops: he hath laid siege against us: they shall smite the judge of Israel with a rod upon the cheek.
"troops, daughter of troops" - church and intercessors.
The enemy has laid siege for our nation
and dares to strike our judge (God).
"cheek" - often points to humility or being humbled2 But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.
Though the church and number of believers are comparatively small, through Christ we have authority and are mighty.3 Therefore will he give them up, until the time that she which travaileth hath brought forth: then the remnant of his brethren shall return unto the children of Israel.
Pray, intercede, travail. Literally this points to the birth of Christ, however we are praying for and giving birth to spiritual renewal and awakening on a national level.4 And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God; and they shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth.
We will see Christ exalted and our prayers answered.5 And this man shall be the peace, when the Assyrian shall come into our land: and when he shall tread in our palaces, then shall we raise against him seven shepherds, and eight principal men.
"this man" refers to the man from verse 4:Jesus, our Prince of Peace. Evil (Assyrian) has come to take over our land and rule in our government (palaces).
We(church, intercessors), by partnering with the Godhead raise up:
7 shepherds - Godly teachers and leaders
8 principal men - anointed, appointed God-fearing judges (Judges 2:16)6 And they shall waste the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod in the entrances thereof: thus shall he deliver us from the Assyrian, when he cometh into our land, and when he treadeth within our borders.
Sword - our weapon of warfare is the Word of the Lord7 And the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many people as a dew from the Lord, as the showers upon the grass, that tarrieth not for man, nor waiteth for the sons of men.
Dew - anointing on many people for this battle8 And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the Gentiles in the midst of many people as a lion among the beasts of the forest, as a young lion among the flocks of sheep: who, if he go through, both treadeth down, and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver.
9 Thine hand shall be lifted up upon thine adversaries, and all thine enemies shall be cut off.
Victory is immenient. 10 And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord, that I will cut off thy horses out of the midst of thee, and I will destroy thy chariots:
11 And I will cut off the cities of thy land, and throw down all thy strong holds:
12 And I will cut off witchcrafts out of thine hand; and thou shalt have no more soothsayers:
13 Thy graven images also will I cut off, and thy standing images out of the midst of thee; and thou shalt no more worship the work of thine hands.
14 And I will pluck up thy groves out of the midst of thee: so will I destroy thy cities.
Spiritual reformation (idolatry, strongholds, witchcraft)15 And I will execute vengeance in anger and fury upon the heathen, such as they have not heard.
Divine vengenceBe encouraged and keep praying.
Pray. Intercede. Travail.
Pray in:
7 shepherds - Godly teachers and leaders
8 principal men - anointed, appointed, God-fearing judges
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