“And you, O tower of the flock, hill of the daughter of Zion, to you shall it come, the former dominion shall come, kingship for the daughter of Jerusalem” (Micah 4:8 ESV).
The prophet Micah wrote to the people of Judah during a time of moral decline and looming judgment, yet he spoke with hope about God’s future restoration. After warning of coming discipline, Micah turned the people’s eyes toward a Messianic promise. He addressed the “tower of the flock” and the “hill of the daughter of Zion,” language that evoked both a real place and a powerful image. The Hebrew for “tower of the flock” is “Migdal-eder,” a shepherd’s watchtower near Bethlehem on the road to Jerusalem (cf. Gen.35:19-21). It most likely would have been a two-story stone watchtower that the shepherds used to keep watch over their flocks. The tower would have been on a hill to enlarge the shepherd’s view from the top story. The bottom story would have been used as a stable for newborn lambs.
The shepherds of Bethlehem were known for raising sacrificial lambs to sell to the Temple in Jerusalem. They would wrap the newborn lambs in swaddling clothes to make sure they were kept without blemish. It was to these shepherds at “Migdal Eder” that Micah prophesied that One representing the “former dominion,” which was the throne of David, would come. And so He did.
Centuries later, an angel of the Lord announced to the shepherds outside Bethlehem, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; You shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger” (Luke 2:11-12). Thus the birth of the restored “kingship” of the line of David, was announced not to a sovereign in a palace, but to shepherds keeping watch over their flock by night.
PRAYER: Dear Father, You have given Your Son, Christ Jesus, to us just as Your prophets were inspired to write. We give You praise and worship for Your fulfilled Word. Now strengthen us to live for You as we await Your Son’s soon return just as You have said. In Jesus’ name, amen.