Micah 5:14 - The Remnant of Jacob

Audio Bible

Context

The Remnant of Jacob
…13I will also cut off the carved images and sacred pillars from among you, so that you will no longer bow down to the work of your own hands. 14I will root out the Asherah poles from your midst and demolish your cities. 15I will take vengeance in anger and wrath upon the nations that have not obeyed Me.”…

Cross References

Isaiah 2:12-18
For the Day of the LORD of Hosts will come against all the proud and lofty, against all that is exalted—it will be humbled— / against all the cedars of Lebanon, lofty and lifted up, against all the oaks of Bashan, / against all the tall mountains, against all the high hills, ...Zechariah 13:2
And on that day, declares the LORD of Hosts, I will erase the names of the idols from the land, and they will no longer be remembered. I will also remove the prophets and the spirit of impurity from the land.Jeremiah 10:11
Thus you are to tell them: “These gods, who have made neither the heavens nor the earth, will perish from this earth and from under these heavens.”Deuteronomy 12:3
Tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, burn up their Asherah poles, cut down the idols of their gods, and wipe out their names from every place.2 Kings 23:4-5
Then the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, the priests second in rank, and the doorkeepers to remove from the temple of the LORD all the articles made for Baal, Asherah, and all the host of heaven. And he burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron and carried their ashes to Bethel. / Josiah also did away with the idolatrous priests ordained by the kings of Judah to burn incense on the high places of the cities of Judah and in the places all around Jerusalem—those who had burned incense to Baal, to the sun and moon, to the constellations, and to all the host of heaven.Hosea 2:17
For I will remove from her lips the names of the Baals; no longer will their names be invoked.Exodus 23:24
You must not bow down to their gods or serve them or follow their practices. Instead, you are to demolish them and smash their sacred stones to pieces.1 Kings 18:40
Then Elijah ordered them, “Seize the prophets of Baal! Do not let a single one escape.” So they seized them, and Elijah brought them down to the Kishon Valley and slaughtered them there.Isaiah 17:7-8
In that day men will look to their Maker and turn their eyes to the Holy One of Israel. / They will not look to the altars they have fashioned with their hands or to the Asherahs and incense altars they have made with their fingers.Ezekiel 6:4-6
Your altars will be demolished and your incense altars will be smashed; and I will cast down your slain before your idols. / I will lay the corpses of the Israelites before their idols and scatter your bones around your altars. / Wherever you live, the cities will be laid waste and the high places will be demolished, so that your altars will be laid waste and desecrated, your idols smashed and obliterated, your incense altars cut down, and your works blotted out.2 Chronicles 34:3-7
In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, Josiah began to seek the God of his father David, and in the twelfth year he began to cleanse Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the Asherah poles, the carved idols, and the cast images. / Then in his presence the altars of the Baals were torn down, and he cut to pieces the incense altars that were above them. He shattered the Asherah poles, the carved idols, and the cast images, crushed them to dust, and scattered them over the graves of those who had sacrificed to them. / Then he burned the bones of the priests on their altars. So he cleansed Judah and Jerusalem. ...Psalm 78:58
They enraged Him with their high places and provoked His jealousy with their idols.Acts 19:19
And a number of those who had practiced magic arts brought their books and burned them in front of everyone. When the value of the books was calculated, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas.Revelation 18:21
Then a mighty angel picked up a stone the size of a great millstone and cast it into the sea, saying: “With such violence the great city of Babylon will be cast down, never to be seen again.1 Corinthians 10:14
Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.

Micah 5:11
And I will cut off the cities of thy land, and throw down all thy strong holds:

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Micah 5

I will root out the Asherah poles from your midst
This phrase refers to the removal of idolatrous practices from among the people. Asherah poles were wooden symbols associated with the Canaanite goddess Asherah, often set up near altars dedicated to Baal. The presence of these poles indicates syncretism, where the Israelites mixed the worship of Yahweh with pagan practices, which was strictly forbidden (Deuteronomy 16:21-22). The rooting out signifies a divine cleansing and a call to return to pure worship. This action reflects God's jealousy for His people's devotion and His intolerance for idolatry (Exodus 34:14). The removal of these poles is a metaphor for spiritual renewal and repentance, aligning with the broader biblical theme of God purifying His people (Ezekiel 36:25-27).

and demolish your cities
The demolition of cities can be understood as a judgment against the people for their unfaithfulness and idolatry. In the ancient Near East, cities were often centers of power, culture, and religious practices, including idolatry. The destruction of these cities symbolizes the dismantling of structures that support and perpetuate sin. Historically, this could refer to the Assyrian and Babylonian invasions, which led to the destruction of many Israelite cities as a consequence of their disobedience (2 Kings 17:5-6). This phrase also serves as a warning of the consequences of turning away from God, emphasizing the seriousness of idolatry and the need for national repentance. Theologically, it points to the ultimate establishment of God's kingdom, where all that opposes His rule will be removed (Revelation 21:27).

Persons / Places / Events

1. Micah
A prophet in the 8th century BC, Micah delivered messages of judgment and hope to the people of Judah and Israel.

2. Asherah Poles
These were wooden symbols associated with the worship of the Canaanite goddess Asherah, often set up near altars dedicated to Yahweh, which God commanded to be destroyed.

3. Cities
In this context, cities represent centers of idolatry and rebellion against God, which He promises to demolish as part of His judgment.

Teaching Points

God's Intolerance of Idolatry
God demands exclusive worship and will not tolerate idolatry among His people. This calls us to examine our lives for anything that takes precedence over God.

The Call to Spiritual Purity
Just as God commanded the removal of Asherah poles, we are called to remove spiritual impurities from our lives, ensuring our worship is pure and undivided.

Judgment and Restoration
God's judgment on idolatry is also a step towards restoration. By removing false worship, He prepares His people for a renewed relationship with Him.

The Importance of Obedience
Obedience to God's commands, like the destruction of idolatrous symbols, is crucial for maintaining a faithful relationship with Him.

The Role of Leadership in Reform
Leaders, like King Josiah, play a vital role in guiding people back to true worship. We are called to be leaders in our communities, promoting faithfulness to God.

(14) I will pluck up thy groves--i.e., either the statues, pillars, or trees connected with the worship of Baal and Astarte. Some such statue was placed by Manasseh even in the house of the Lord, from which it was brought out and burnt by Josiah (2Kings 23:6).

Thy cities--i.e., the pollutions, tumults, &c., of which the cities were the strongholds.

Verse 14. - Thy groves (Asherim); Exodus 34:13; Deuteronomy 7:5, etc. Ashersh was a Canaanitish goddess, whose worship was celebrated with licentious rites. She corresponds to the Ashtoreth of the Phoenicians and Ishtar of the Assyrians, and seems to have been adored as the goddess of the productive power of nature. Her symbol was a tree or a wooden post. So (and) will I destroy thy cities; i.e. those cities which have been the centres of idolatry, or are especially connected with such worship (comp. Amos 5:5). The word rendered "cities" has by some been translated, and by others has been so altered as to be translated, "adversaries;" but there is no variety in the reading, or in the rendering of the ancient versions (except the Targum); and, explained as above, it is no mere repetition of the thought in ver. 11. Parallel Commentaries ...

Hebrew

I will root out
וְנָתַשְׁתִּ֥י (wə·nā·ṯaš·tî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 5428: To pull or pluck up, root out

the Asherah poles
אֲשֵׁירֶ֖יךָ (’ă·šê·re·ḵā)
Noun - feminine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 842: A Phoenician goddess, also an image of the same

from your midst
מִקִּרְבֶּ֑ךָ (miq·qir·be·ḵā)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 7130: The nearest part, the center

and demolish
וְהִשְׁמַדְתִּ֖י (wə·hiš·maḏ·tî)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular
Strong's 8045: To be exterminated or destroyed

your cities.
עָרֶֽיךָ׃ (‘ā·re·ḵā)
Noun - feminine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5892: Excitement

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Micah 5:14 Catholic BibleOT Prophets: Micah 5:14 I will uproot your Asherim out (Mc Mic. Mi)