The Cities and Strongholds Cut Off Micah 5::11

As Micah the prophet continued his prophesy to the “remnant” in Israel, he wrote the LORD's words concerning cutting off their “horses” and destroying their “chariots”. The LORD desired for the people's trust to be in Him rather than their creature comforts which gave the appearance of security. In chapter five and verse eleven, Micah adds “cities” and “strong holds” to the list of items the LORD was to eliminate where we read:

And I will cut off the cities of your land, and throw down all thy strong holds:

The verse begins, “And I will cut off the cities of your land,” Micah said, “And I will cut off” which demonstrates a continuance of Micah's thought and means “to cut, cut down, cut off a body part, cut out, eliminate, kill, or cut a covenant with” “the cities of your land” which refers to “fortified cities against enemies”. The LORD did not want the people to depend upon their fortified cities more than they trusted in Him.

The verse goes on to say, “and throw down all your strong holds:” In addition to the “cities” of their “land” Micah added, “and throw down” or “tear down, break down, overthrow, beat down, break, break through, destroy, pluck down, pull down, ruin, and utterly destroy” “your strong holds” which refers to “fortification, fortress, and fortified cities”. Once again the idea is this “remnant” in Israel was not to depend upon their own mechanisms or places of safety, but they were to depend upon the LORD Himself for their security.

As we think about Micah's words, it may seem a little scary for the LORD to eliminate all the places of safety upon which Israel depended. What if our army and fortified cities were taken away? How vulnerable would we feel? If our physical defenses were suddenly gone, how safe would we be? The interesting challenge from the LORD is to believe that He is more powerful and capable than any physical defense mechanism man can conceive. Since we have a need for security and our safety is to be in the LORD, how much more is He needed in other areas in our lives? We can do no better than to fully trust and rely upon the LORD, and as He teaches the “remnant of Jacob” this lesson, let us align with the idea that He alone is the only One who can keep us safe.

Next time Micah writes concerning the witches and soothsayers in Israel, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at http://www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.