Behind | Do Shepherds Have Swords?

1 Min

Lesson Progress

0% Complete

When the Assyrian comes into our land
and treads in our palaces,
then we will raise against him seven shepherds
and eight princes of men;
they shall shepherd the land of Assyria with the sword,
and the land of Nimrod at its entrances;
and he shall deliver us from the Assyrian
when he comes into our land
and treads within our border.
Micah 5:5-6 ESV

As we have learned in our journey, shepherding involves not only provision and guidance, but also protection. Many ancient kings referred to themselves as mighty shepherds in warfare. Micah speaks of seven shepherds that YHWH will raise to prevent Assyria from destroying them again. These leaders form a coalition, but they need more than allies. To effectively protect them from the Assyrian threat, they need swords.

Through the seven shepherds, YHWH will lead His people in a unique way that recalls the meaning of Micah’s name: “Who is like the LORD?” At the time people may have asked, “Who is this God that will shepherd us in this way?” Assyrian power would have appeared invincible, able to consume any “sheep” they wanted. This prophecy would have sounded laughable. But as we know now, the coalition of shepherds that Micah speaks of, led by Babylon, went on to conquer Assyria and end their reign of terror throughout Mesopotamia.