In chapter 4 of his book Micah leaves the prophecies warning of the judgment and destruction of Jerusalem to discuss the future days of Jerusalem’s restoration.
“In the last days” is a formula throughout the Bible for the days of the coming and reign of the kingdom of God on earth. (Dt.4:30; Ezek.38:16; Hosea 3:5)
“The mountain of the Lord’s temple” is Mount Moriah in Jerusalem where presently the remains
of the retaining wall, access stairs and entrance gate ways from the New Testament temple
can still be seen.
In the future this site will be physically raised so that it is both geographically and politically unchallenged by any other. This coming topographical change is prophesied and recorded in the Zechariah 14:1-11:
“…the mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half the mountain moving north and half moving south…On that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem…The Lord will be king over the whole earth…The whole land…will become like the Arabah (flat, level). But Jerusalem will be raised up and remain in its place…It will be inhabited; never again will it be destroyed. Jerusalem will be secure….Then the survivors from all the nations that have attacked Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the Lord Almighty.”
Since the Lord will be dwelling in Jerusalem and reigning from Zion people from all nations will
seek his council while saying, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord…He will teach
us his ways." The Lord will advise and teach the nations his ways which are the keys to
success in his kingdom now, then and forever.
Isaiah writes the exact same description and information in Isaiah 2:2-3 as Micah does here:
“In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. Many peoples will come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.’ The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples.”
In the year 573 BC Ezekiel saw this mountain in his vision recorded in Ezekiel 40:2:
“In visions of God he took me to the land of Israel and set me n a very high mountain on whose south side were some buildings that looked like a city….”
The Canaanite god El ruled from his mountain and issued his decrees. Baal also reigned
from a stronghold on a mountain. Their mountain fortresses were inaccessible to mankind.
But, the mountain of the Lord, or Yahweh, will not only be accessible, but “peoples will
stream to it” to receive instruction and teaching from the Lord concerning his ways. |
