“I will gather together those who are lame.”
MICAH 4:6

A Future and a Hope for the Hurting Mic 4:6-7

In these verses Micah painted a beautiful picture of God’s ultimate plan for redemption, referring specifically to relief for people with disabilities. This was in direct contrast to other passages describing their abuse and neglect.

The disobedience of Judah’s leaders resulted in the total destruction of Zion (another name for Jerusalem). Micah’s vivid language throughout his messages allowed his audience to visualize the city’s doom. In a quick change of focus, Micah described the future glory of Zion. The Temple would once again be established as “the most important place on earth” (4:1). Micah recounted the exalted nature of the new Temple and the peace and tranquility that would overtake the scene. In the midst of this beautiful portrayal, the Lord reveals his plan for the neglected population. “‘In that coming day,’ says the LORD, ‘I will gather together those who are lame, those who have been exiles, and those whom I have filled with grief. Those who are weak will survive as a remnant; those who were exiles will become a strong nation’” (4:6-7). The very prophet who preached in the shadows of the renowned prophet Isaiah lays out this grand and glorious vision of the future Zion which has at its center the most marginalized of all people: those with disabilities.

Interestingly, Micah’s description of the future of Zion and the remnant that will inhabit her is much longer than the one found in Isaiah. We might expect that God would communicate this grand vision through the more prominent prophet so that it would gain a wider audience, but that is not how God chose to work. It is fitting that the Lord would first communicate his glorious message of the future to the “least” of the prophets. Be encouraged and give thanks to the Lord who sees the downtrodden.