Strength of a Remnant

Micah 2:12, 13

Ever shopped for a remnant? Some women pour through remnants of cloth in order to find material for sewing or making clothing. I have watched homeless people search for remnants of food in trash cans. I have seen the remains of a family after tragedy tears them apart, only a remnant existed in what was left behind.

The Bible speaks often about remnants. Here in Micah we see it: God foretelling of rescuing a remnant of a once great nation. There is such a great expression of Messianic hope existing in these two verses. Let me share a couple of thoughts about it today.

God says in verse 12 that He will gather Jacob, a reference to Israel. He calls them a remnant. To really understand the meaning of this we have to understand the word remnant. Remnant is a leftover, a scrap, what’s left after a great loss. To be a remnant meant that Israel had suffered a great loss (a loss that would soon befall Judah). This remnant would not return to its former glory. It would be like “sheep in a pen” or “flocks in a pasture”. Their territory was smaller, and their inheritance was squandered. Yet, they still would return with a large remnant as seen in the words “throng of people.”

Verse 13 begins by speaking of “one” who goes before and opens the way and frees them. Their king is mentioned as leading them back, and the Lord is at the head of the procession. God leading the procession seems to point to the hand of God in our lives. In the midst of the worst in life (tragedy, hopelessness, depression, hunger, fights, economic downfalls, job loss…) is the hand of God helping us to return to His designed plan for us.

Untying the language of the prophets is one area I do not have expertise. These verses, however, seem straight forward: exile is coming, a remnant will survive, and a Messiah will free the people. Exile did happen. A remnant did return to Israel. Jesus set the world free from their bondage to sin.

• What does remnant mean to you? Is there hope in the word remnant?
• Do you see a Messianic tone in these two verses? Why or why not?
• How has the hand of God guided you through a tough time during your life? So you see it more clearly now or was it very evident while it was happening?