“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.”
My Notes
What Does Micah 5:5 Mean?
Micah prophesies a person — "this man" — who will be the peace. Not bring peace. Be peace. When the Assyrian invades, this man is the response. Seven shepherds and eight principal men will be raised against the enemy. But the person who IS the peace is the central figure.
The identification of the Messiah as peace itself (not just a peacemaker) is unique to Micah. Isaiah calls Him the Prince of Peace (9:6). Micah goes further: He IS the peace. His person is the peace. His presence constitutes the peace. When He's there, peace is there — not because He administers it, but because He embodies it.
The Assyrian threat (a specific historical enemy representing all future enemies) is met by this man who IS peace — with seven shepherds and eight principal men (symbolic numbers representing complete leadership). The response to the ultimate threat is a person, supported by comprehensive leadership. The peace isn't a policy. It's a person surrounded by delegated authority.
Reflection Questions
- 1.Does 'this man shall BE the peace' (not bring it, BE it) change your understanding of what Jesus provides?
- 2.How does peace-in-the-context-of-invasion differ from peace-after-the-invasion?
- 3.Does Ephesians 2:14 ('he IS our peace') confirm Micah's prophecy — and does it feel experientially true?
- 4.Where is the 'Assyrian' threatening your land — and is the presence of the peace-person enough to change the atmosphere?
Devotional
This man shall be the peace. Not bring it. Not negotiate it. BE it.
Micah identifies the Messiah with three words that change everything: He IS the peace. Not the prince of peace (though Isaiah says that too). The peace itself. His person is the peace. His presence creates the peace. Wherever He stands, peace exists — not because the circumstances are peaceful, but because the person who IS peace is present.
"When the Assyrian shall come into our land" — the peace-person arrives in the context of invasion. Not in the context of vacation. When the enemy is at the gate. When the land is being tread upon. When the palaces are threatened. THAT'S when this man is the peace. The peace isn't the absence of the Assyrian. It's the presence of the one who IS peace despite the Assyrian.
"Seven shepherds, and eight principal men" — the peace-person doesn't operate alone. He's surrounded by delegated authority: seven (the number of completeness) shepherds and eight (completeness plus one — surplus) principal men. The leadership structure is comprehensive and more than sufficient. The peace that comes from one person is distributed through many leaders.
Jesus fulfills this: He IS our peace (Ephesians 2:14 — "he is our peace, who hath made both one"). Not brought it from a distance. Not negotiated it on our behalf. He IS it. His body is the peace. His presence is the reconciliation. And the shepherds and leaders He raises (apostles, elders, pastors) extend the peace He embodies.
The Assyrian is still coming. The threats are still real. The invasion hasn't stopped. But this man IS the peace. And when He's present, the Assyrian doesn't define the atmosphere. The peace does.
Who's in the room matters more than what's at the gate.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
And this man shall be the peace,.... The word man is not in the text, only this; and refers to the person before spoken…
And this Man shall be the Peace - This, emphatically, that is, “This Same,” as is said of Noah, “This same shall comfort…
And this man shall be the peace - This clause should be joined to the preceding verse, as it finishes the prophecy…
Here, as before, we have,
I. The abasement and distress of Zion, Mic 5:1. The Jewish nation, for many years before the…
Cross References
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