How are we to live as Christians in a nonbelieving and sometimes hostile world? The Old Testament prophet Micah says we are to live with the blessing of rain and the courage of a lion.
Micah’s prophecy is preparing God’s people for a time of judgment and trial that will result in them being exiled from the Promised Land. And yet, Micah looks ahead to a time of restoration when a remnant of God’s people will be a blessing to the nations. As with many Old Testament prophecies, we can see both an initial fulfillment in the people of Israel and the foreshadowing of a final fulfillment through Christ and his people. Hear how the role of God’s people is described in Micah 5:
“Then the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many peoples like dew from the LORD, like showers on the grass, which delay not for a man nor wait for the children of man. And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the nations, in the midst of many peoples, like a lion among the beasts of the forest, like a young lion among the flocks of sheep, which, when it goes through, treads down and tears in pieces, and there is none to deliver. Your hand shall be lifted up over your adversaries, and all your enemies shall be cut off.”
Micah gives us two analogies to explain the role of the remnant who survive the period of judgment. They will be gathered back to God as his servants. This remnant will not be isolated from the world around them, but they will be spread out among the nations. Living “in the midst of many peoples” both as rain and as a lion.
Living Like Rain: Verse 7 pictures God’s people as dew covering the ground, like rain showers soaking the grass. Dew and rain only come at the sovereign hand of God and represent God’s common grace, his blessing on all creation. When rain falls down on the grass it soaks it completely. God’s people are called to pour out blessings and bring life to the nations! Like rain on dry ground, the Gospel brings refreshment. Like salt and light, Christians must bring life and hope to a dark world.
Living Like a Lion: Verse 8 gives a shockingly different analogy that pictures the remnant of God’s people as a lion. This lion is living among all the other animals of the forest or among a flock of sheep. The remnant is not just gentle rain, but also a fierce lion that goes out fearlessly, relentlessly to defeat God’s enemies! This is a picture of God’s people fighting against sin, evil, and the enemies of God. Verse 9 is a hopeful cry to God to bring victory, “Your hand will be lifted up and all your enemies will be destroyed!”
It may feel like these two pictures are in tension. How can we live like both of these things – as rain and as a lion? Living as a follower of Christ in a fallen world is challenging. Some people have an instinct to always be like rain showers. Other people have an instinct to always fight like a lion.
As I wrote in the post on Life in Exile, we are called to be Faithful Ambassadors who live in the world, but not like the world. We can’t just integrate into the world and take on ungodly values. But we also can’t withdraw from the world or always be in attack mode. We are called to Engage the World as Faithful Ambassadors of God’s Kingdom living with conviction, connection, compassion, and courage.
The call to follow Christ means bringing God’s love and blessing to the people around you – like life-giving rain watering dry hearts. And it also means standing strong like a lion to pray, speak, and live against the destruction of sin and evil. Live like rain and live like a lion. This is how Jesus lived.
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