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HAFTARAH DEVARIM דברים "This is the vision of Yesha`yahu the son of Amotz"

8/9/2022

שׁמעו שׁמים והאזיני ארץ כי יהוה דבר בנים גדלתי ורוממתי והם פשׁעו בי׃
"Hear, heaven! Listen, earth! For Adonai is speaking. I raised and brought up children, but they rebelled against me." (Isaiah 1:2)

WHO WAS ISAIAH?
Isaiah's Hebrew name, Yesha'yahu, means "Salvation of the LORD." He was of royal blood; kinsman to the king; a member of the royal household. He was a descendant from King David of the tribe of Judah. Isaiah's ministry spans four, maybe even five kings, from Uzziah to possibly, Manasseh.

THE SHABBAT OF VISION
This coming Sunday is Tisha b'Av, the 9th of Av, a catastrophic date in the Jewish Calendar. See below for a list of events that are related to that date on the Jewish calendar.

The Book of Isaiah opens with the words:

This is the vision of Yesha`yahu the son of Amotz, which he saw concerning Y'hudah and Yerushalayim during the days of `Uziyahu, Yotam, Achaz and Y'chizkiyahu, kings of Y'hudah: (Isaiah 1:1)

For that reason, synagogues refer to the Shabbat preceding Tisha B'Av the "Shabbat of Vision."

Most of the text of the haftarah consists of a lawsuit HaShem lodges against Israel in general and Judah in particular.

WITNESSES
HaShem starts by invoking heaven and earth as his witnesses of Israel's misdeeds.

"Hear, heaven! Listen, earth! For Adonai is speaking. "I raised and brought up children, but they rebelled against me. (Isaiah 1:2)

THE CASE
As would be done in the courtroom, the case is expounded. It states that whereas a dumb animal may know his master, Israel does not even know his owner.

An ox knows its owner and a donkey its master's stall,
but Isra'el does not know, my people do not reflect.
"Oh, sinful nation, a people weighed down by iniquity, descendants of evildoers, immoral children!
They have abandoned Adonai,
spurned the Holy One of Isra'el,
turned their backs on him!
(Isaiah 1:3-4)

THE SICK BRUISED MAN
Israel, devastated by to its own sin of idolatry, is compared to a man sick and bruised due to his own sinful foolishness.

"Where should I strike you next, as you persist in rebelling?
The whole head is sick, the whole heart diseased.
From the sole of the foot to the head there is nothing healthy, only wounds, bruises and festering sores that haven't been dressed or bandaged or softened up with oil. "Your land is desolate, your cities are burned to the ground; foreigners devour your land in your presence; it's as desolate as if overwhelmed by floods.
(Isaiah 1:5-7)

The conveyed idea is of the "My head is bloody, but unbowed!" passage in the famous poem, "Invictus." Sadly, in our generation, this attitude is portrayed as a sense of virtue. When it comes to our attitude toward yieldedness to HaShem, it is the epitome of sinful arrogance.

The prophet will later reverse the concept giving it the messianic meaning of

But he was wounded because of our crimes, crushed because of our sins; the disciplining that makes us whole fell on him, and by his bruises [Or: and in fellowship with him] we are healed.
(Isaiah 53:5)

But he was wounded because of our crimes, crushed because of our sins; the disciplining that makes us whole fell on him, and by his bruises [Or: and in fellowship with him] we are healed.
(Isaiah 53:5)

METAPHORS OF THE FUTURE OF JERUSALEM
As the poet and skillful scribe, Isaiah uses every metaphor in the book to describe the state of Jerusalem, the city of the great King.

The daughter of Tziyon is left
like a shack in a vineyard,
like a shed in a cucumber field,
like a city under siege."
(Isaiah 1:8)

Shacks in vineyards (Israel had been called HaShem's vineyard) and sheds in cucumber fields were flimsy, temporary shelters abandoned once the harvest season was over. HaShem compares the glorious city to an abandoned hut, a prophecy certainly fulfilled more than once in the history of Jerusalem.

Isaiah also foresees the siege of King Sennacherib.

THE REMNANT
As in the story of Abraham trying to redeem Sodom, redemption is contingent on a small, righteous remnant.

If Adonai-Tzva'ot had not left us a tiny, \tiny remnant,
we would have become like S'dom,
we would have resembled `Amora.
Hear what Adonai says, you rulers of S'dom! Listen to God's Torah, you people of `Amora!
(Isaiah 1:9-10)

CONCERNING RELIGIOUS HYPOCRISY
Offerings and ritual observances are worthless when not done out of a heart of love for HaShem and our fellow man. Yeshua concurred with that as He promoted reconciliation before even making an offering.

So if you are offering your gift at the Temple altar and you remember there that your brother has something against you, leave your gift where it is by the altar, and go, make peace with your brother. Then come back and offer your gift.
(Matthew 5:23-24)

The people in the days of Isaiah were like the people in the days of Yeshua. They were deeply religious, very zealous, but in error. The way Paul puts it, "Having a form of godliness while denying the power thereof." (2 Tim 3:5)

It is quite easy to rely on one's own righteousness through correct doctrinal and ritual minutia. The fact is that correct doctrines and theologies are less important in HaShem's eyes than ethics, love, and respect for our fellowmen.

"Why are all those sacrifices offered to me?" asks Adonai. "I'm fed up with burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fattened animals! I get no pleasure from the blood of bulls, lambs and goats! Yes, you come to appear in my presence; but who asked you to do this, to trample through my courtyards? Stop bringing worthless grain offerings! They are like disgusting incense to me! Rosh-Hodesh, Shabbat, calling convocations -- I can't stand evil together with your assemblies! Everything in me hates your Rosh-Hodesh and your festivals; they are a burden to me -- I'm tired of putting up with them! "When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; no matter how much you pray, I won't be listening; because your hands are covered with blood.
(Isaiah 1:11-15)

THE WAY TO REPENTANCE
Repentance means a total washing away of the old ways.

"Wash yourselves clean!"

What does this "washing" look like?

"Get your evil deeds out of my sight!"

And what does this look like?

Stop doing evil,
learn to do good!
Seek justice,
relieve the oppressed,
defend orphans,
plead for the widow.
(Isaiah 1:16-17)

Compassionate justice for the poor and the disadvantaged is as much a part of Torah observance as eating kosher and observing Shabbat. In fact, one who thinks himself as religious because he observes the rituals of the Torah, but omits its compassionate aspects, deceives himself. Speaking on those issues Yeshua commented to the religious leaders of His days,,

"Woe to you hypocritical Torah-teachers and P'rushim! You pay your tithes of mint, dill and cumin; but you have neglected the weightier matters of the Torah -- justice, mercy, trust. These are the things you should have attended to -- without neglecting the others!
(Matthew 23:23)

We must remember that whether Jew or Gentile, we were all orphans and widows to whom HaShem showed compassion.

CALL FOR A SETTLEMENT OF THE CASE
Having stated His case, HaShem calls for a settlement of the case; he calls for a reasonable conversation and admission of guilt.

"Come now," says Adonai, "let's talk this over together."

Instead of imposing a penalty on the people, HaShem proposes complete absolution as the result of true repentance.

Even if your sins are like scarlet,
they will be white as snow;
even if they are red as crimson,
they will be like wool.
(Isaiah 1:18)

The metaphor uses wool dyed red. Once wool is dyed red, it is impossible to render it white again. It requires a miracle.

If you are willing and obedient,
you will eat the good of the land;
but if you refuse and rebel,
you will be eaten by the sword";
for the mouth of Adonai has spoken.
(Isaiah 1:18-20)

A LAMENT ...

How the faithful city has become a whore!
Once she was filled with justice,
righteousness lodged in her;
but now murderers!
Your silver is no longer pure,
your wine is watered down.
Your leaders are rebels, friends of thieves.
They all love bribes and run after gifts.
They give no justice to orphans,
the widow's complaint doesn't catch their attention.
(Isaiah 1:21-24)

... A RESOLVE ...

"Therefore," says the Lord,
Adonai-Tzva'ot, the Mighty One of Isra'el,
"I will free myself of my adversaries,
I will take vengeance on my enemies.
But I will also turn my hand against you! I will cleanse your impurities as with lye and remove all your alloyed base metal. (Isaiah 1:25)

... AND A RESTORATION!

I will restore your judges as at first
and your advisers as at the beginning.
After that, you will be called
the City of Righteousness,
Faithful City.
Tziyon will be redeemed by justice;
and those in her who repent,
by righteousness.
(Isaiah 1:26-27)

THE JUST, RIGHTEOUS ONE REDEEMS ZION.

MAY IT BE SOON HASHEM, EVEN IN OUR DAYS.

We started this with remembering Tisha b'Av, a day of mourning.

Here is a prophecy of Jeremiah proclaiming that He will turn our mourning into joy.

Nations, hear the word of Adonai!
Proclaim it in the coastlands far away.
Say: "He who scattered Isra'el is gathering him, guarding him like a shepherd his flock."

For Adonai has ransomed Ya`akov,
redeemed him from hands too strong for him.
They will come and sing on the heights of Tziyon,
streaming to the goodness of Adonai,
to the grain, the wine, the olive oil,
and the young of the flock and the herd.
They themselves will be like a well-watered garden,
never to languish again.
"Then the virgin will dance for joy,
young men and old men together;
for I will turn their mourning into joy,
comfort and gladden them after their sorrow.
(Jer 31:10-13)

SHABBAT SHALOM

R' GABRIEL LUMBROSO

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HAFTARAH PINCHAS פינחס "Go and shout in the ears of Yerushalayim"

8/9/2022

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הלך וקראת באזני ירושׁלם לאמר כה אמר יהוה זכרתי לך חסד נעוריך אהבת כלולתיך לכתך אחרי במדבר בארץ לא

"Go and shout in the ears of Yerushalayim that this is what Adonai says: 'I remember your devotion when you were young; how, as a bride, you loved me; how you followed me through the desert, through a land not sown"
(Jeremiah 2:2).

WHO IS JEREMIAH?
Jeremiah ben Chilkiyahu was a son of the priesthood. He was raised in broad knowledge, practice, and understanding of all the Levitical requirements and rituals of the Temple priesthood. His father Hilkiyahu served as a high priest during the days of King Josiah's reforms and Temple renovation projects when he rediscovered the Torah.

Jeremiah was a resident of Anatoth, a small town in Benjamin near Jerusalem. The Arab village of Anata, just three miles Northeast of Jerusalem, still preserves the name. He prophesied during the reign of the last kings of Judah and continued to prophesy, even after the fall of Jerusalem in 586 BCE.

These are the words of Yirmeyahu the son of Hilkiyahu, one of the cohanim living in `Anatot, in the territory of Binyamin.
The word of Adonai came to him during the days of Yoshiyahu the son of Amon, king of Y'hudah, in the thirteenth year of his reign. It also came during the days of Y'hoyakim the son of Yoshiyahu, king of Y'hudah, continuing until the eleventh year of Tzidkiyahu the son of Yoshiyahu, king of Y'hudah, right up until the time Yerushalayim was carried away captive, in the fifth month. Here is the word of Adonai that came to me:
(Jeremiah 1:1-4)

PRE-EXISTENCE, PRE-ORDINATION, AND PREDESTINATION
Jeremiah 1:5 is used in Jewish mysticism to make a case for pre-existence. King David professes the same pre-existence in Psalm 139:13-15. Isaiah the prophet speaks of the pre-existence of Yeshua in the same terms.

Pre-ordination and predestination are often mentioned in the Tanach. As Jeremiah's life and ministry were pre-ordained, so were those of John the Immerser (Luk 1:13-17), of Yeshua (Luk 1:28-33), as well as all those chosen by HaShem (Eph 1:4).

"Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you; before you were born, I separated you for myself. I have appointed you to be a prophet to the nations."
(Jeremiah 1:5)

Some people may ask, "How do pre-ordination and pre-destination work with the free-will HaShem has given us?"
This is a question as old as Moshe's pharaoh of whom it is written that HaShem hardened his heart. Did Pharaoh really have a choice or was he pre-ordained to rebel? HaShem chose Israel despite themselves. Did they really have a choice? The cosmic persecutions due to this "choosing" has caused many to wish that maybe HaShem could sometime choose someone else.

Another case is the case of Jacob and Esau, who both were pre-ordained to a certain destiny from the time they were in the womb. Paul uses this interesting concept of pre-ordination and pre-destination to explain a very fundamental principle of our faith:

And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad--in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls-- she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God's part? By no means! For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.
(Romans 9:10-18)

This interesting conversation continues in the ninth chapter of Romans.

JEREMIAH AND MESSIAH
Peter explained that while the prophets of old prophesied of their own contemporary situation, their prophecies had a cosmic reality to them, which included messianic prophecies through the spirit of Messiah within them.

Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.
(1 Peter 1:10-12)

As such, Jeremiah and Yeshua really parallel each other in message and ministry.

Both prophesied:

The destruction of the Jerusalem Temple
Within the generation of their audience
Appointed over Israel and the nations (1:11)

JEREMIAH AND MOSHE
Both Jeremiah and Moshe complained about their lack of rhetorical skills. In both cases, HaShem says to not worry about it.

I said, "Oh, Adonai Elohim, I don't even know how to speak! I'm just a child!" But Adonai said to me, "Don't say, 'I'm just a child.' "For you will go to whomever I send you, and you will speak whatever I order you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you, says Adonai, to rescue you."
(Jeremiah 1:6-8)

THE BUCCAL COMMISSIONS

Then Adonai put out his hand and touched my mouth,
and Adonai said to me,
"There! I have put my words in your mouth."
(Jeremiah 1:9)

HaShem used similar imagery to impart their prophetic message to Isaiah, Ezekiel, and John the disciple (Is: 6:6; Ez: 2:8-3:2; Rev 10:9-11).

Today I have placed you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and to tear down, to destroy and to demolish, to build and to plant." (Jeremiah 1:10)

Jeremiah's ministry was never about the violent destruction of property nor landscaping. This whole notion of "uproot and to tear down, to destroy and to demolish, to build and to plant" was semantical imagery about the annihilation of Israel's idolatry of the heart. Jeremiah knew that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places (Eph 6:12). His work was to solely be done through the spoken word of prophecy. Words can be powerful! Indeed, "The pen is mightier than the sword" Novelist and playwright Edward Bulwer-Lytton in 1839, in his historical play Cardinal Richelieu.

PICTURES (or GIFs?) WORTH 1,000 WORDS
HaShem taught his message to Jeremiah through pictures. Today, we could call these short, animated pictures, "gifs."

First an almond tree:

The word of Adonai came to me, asking,
"Yirmeyahu, what do you see?"
I answered,
"I see a branch from an almond tree
Then Adonai said to me,
"You have seen well,
because I am watching
to fulfill my word."
(Jeremiah 1: 11-12)

Any Hebrew Bible reader notices that Biblical texts contain much poetry, chiastic constructions, as well as puns and plays on words.

This first "gif" is given with a pun/play on word. Hebrew readers will hear the play on words HaShem is using to make a point.

"I see a branch from an "almond tree"
מַקֵּל "שָׁקֵד" אֲנִי רֹאֶה׃ Almond tree: [Hebrew: shaked].

I am watching to fulfill my word."
כִּי־"שֹׁקֵד" אֲנִי עַל־דְּבָרִי Watching: [Hebrew: shoked]

"I see a branch from an almond tree [Hebrew: shaked].

I am watching [Hebrew: shoked]

Now to a second prophetic "gif," this time with a less expected interpretation.

A second time the word of Adonai came to me, asking, "What do you see?" I answered, "I see a caldron tilted away from the north,
over a fire fanned by the wind." Then Adonai said to me, "From the north calamity will boil over onto everyone living in the land,
because I will summon all the families in the kingdoms of the north," says Adonai, "and they will come and sit, each one, on his throne at the entrance to the gates of Yerushalayim, opposite its walls, all the way around, and opposite all the cities of Y'hudah. I will pronounce my judgments against them for all their wickedness in abandoning me, offering incense to other gods and worshipping what their own hands made.
(Jeremiah 1:14-16)

In those days, Israel was more concerned about Assyria. But now, a threat was coming from Babylon.

JEREMIAH'S PREDESTINATION
As Paul told the Ephesians to put on the whole spiritual armor of God (Eph 6: 14-17), Jeremiah is being vested with the inner moral and spiritual strength that he will need to challenge the spiritual evil authorities which have taken over the people of the Land.

"But you, dress for action; stand up and tell them everything I order you to say. When you confront them, don't break down; or I will break you down in front of them! For today, you see, I have made you into a fortified city, a pillar of iron, a wall of bronze against the whole land -- against the kings of Y'hudah, against its princes, against its cohanim and the people of the land.
They will fight against you, but they will not overcome you, for I am with you," says Adonai, "to rescue you." (Jeremiah 1:17-19)

DOWN MEMORY LANE
HaShem doesn't want the fierce punishing to fall on Israel, so as a nostalgic but jilted husband, He speaks to the people of Jerusalem. He reminds them of their tender times together. He reminds them of their agreement, hoping they'll come back; that they'll remember and return to Him.

The word of Adonai came to me:
"Go and shout in the ears of Yerushalayim that this is what Adonai says: 'I remember your devotion when you were young; how, as a bride, you loved me; how you followed me through the desert, through a land not sown. " 'Isra'el is set aside for Adonai, the firstfruits of his harvest; all who devour him will incur guilt; evil will befall them," says Adonai.
(Jeremiah 2: 1-3)

Ezekiel in Shushan was given the same message to share with the firsts Jerusalem exiles:

As for your birth -- on the day you were born nobody cut your umbilical cord, washed you in water to clean you off, rubbed salt on you or wrapped you in cloth. No one seeing you had enough pity on you to do any of these things for you -- no one had any compassion on you. Instead, you were thrown into an open field in your own filth on the day you were born. " 'I passed by and saw you there, wallowing in your own blood; and as you lay in your blood I said to you, "Live!" Yes, I said to you, as you lay in your blood, "Live! I will increase your numbers just like plants growing in the field." And you did increase, you developed, you reached puberty, your breasts appeared, and your hair grew long; but you were naked and exposed. " 'Again I passed by you, looked at you and saw that your time had come, the time for love. So I spread my cloak over you to cover your private parts and entered into a covenant with you,' says Adonai Elohim, 'and you became mine. Then I bathed you in water, washed the blood off you, and anointed you with oil. I also clothed you with an embroidered gown, gave you fine leather sandals to wear, put a fine linen headband on your head and covered you with silk. I gave you jewelry to wear, bracelets for your hands, a necklace for your neck, a ring for your nose, earrings for your ears and a beautiful crown for your head. Thus you were decked out in gold and silver; your clothing was of fine linen, silk and richly embroidered cloth; you ate the finest flour, honey and olive oil. You grew increasingly beautiful -- you were fit to be queen. Your fame spread among the nations because of your beauty, because it was perfect, due to my having bestowed my own splendor on you' says Adonai Elohim.
(Ezekiel 16:4-14)

MAY WE ALSO NEVER GET SO FAMILIAR WITH HIS LOVE AND GOODNESS THAT WE FORGET OUR EARLY TENDER ESPOUSALS WITH HIM.

AS A TEMPORARY SUBSTITUTE FOR THE TEMPLE MENORAH,
MAY THE FLAME OF OUR LOVE AND DEDICATION TO HIM PERPETUALLY SHINE BRIGHT AND CLEAN BEFORE HIM.

SHABBAT SHALOM

R' GABRIEL LUMBROSO

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HAFTARAH BALAK בלק "The remnant of Ya`akov will be like dew from Adonai!"

8/9/2022

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ואתה בית־לחם אפרתה צעיר להיות באלפי יהודה ממך לי יצא להיות מושׁל בישׂראל ומוצאתיו מקדם מימי עולם׃

But you, Beit-Lechem near Efrat, so small among the clans of Y'hudah, out of you will come forth to me the future ruler of Isra'el, whose origins are far in the past, back in ancient times.
(Micah 5:2)

WHO IS MICAH?
The prophet Micah came from Moresheth Gath, a small Judean town in the Shephelah [lowlands]. He prophesied during the reign of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah: a span of half a century, which made him Isaiah's older colleague and a contemporary with Hosea. Micah and Isaiah share common material and must have known of each other's ministries. Micah's references to Samaria and the Northern Kingdom indicate that some of his oracles belong to a period prior to the Fall of Samaria (722 BCE), but his allusions to an Assyrian siege of Judah might point to a continuing ministry during Hezekiah's watch. More than a century later, Jeremiah referred to Micah as a prophet instrumental in bringing about Hezekiah's reforms and Judah's repentance in the days of Hezekiah:

"Back in the time of Hizkiyahu king of Y'hudah, Mikhah from Moreshet was a prophet. He told all the people of Y'hudah, 'Adonai-Tzva'ot says, "Tziyon will be plowed under like a field, Yerushalayim will become heaps of ruins, and the mountain of the house like a forested height." ' "Did Hizkiyahu king of Y'hudah and all Y'hudah put him to death? Not at all. Rather, he feared Adonai, and prayed for Adonai's favor; and Adonai relented from the disaster he had pronounced against them. So [if we put Yirmeyahu to death,] we might bring great disaster on ourselves."
(Jeremiah 26:18-19)

(Above historical information can be found in Torah Club 3, p 895, by D. T. Lancaster.)

CONCERNING THE FUTURE OF ISRAEL
Micah understands that the judgment of the nation is not only imminent but has already started. He sees the signs everywhere. His frustration may be that the very audience that he is to reach thinks that they are the "godly ones", when in fact they are at the end of time:

Having the appearance of godliness,
but denying its power.
(2 Timothy 3:5 ESV)

In the post-Solomonic history of Israel, the type of people the prophets had the most trouble with were the religious ones. People who claim to be religious can be so sure of themselves that they don't perceive the "writing on the wall," or if they do, they are sure that it is for the "other guy" who, in their eyes, is the sinner who deserves to receive the wrath of God. This principle has been true from the post-Solomonic era until the days of Yeshua. Like King Solomon himself prophesied:

What has been is what will be,
what has been done is what will be done.
(Ecclesiastes 1:9)

Micah sees the "handwriting on the wall." While people do not know it, the judgment has already begun, and as always, it starts with the "House of God!" But Micah was not just a prophet of doom. He was blessed to see and prophecy concerning the coming of the Messiah who establishes peace and stability of earth. Micah predicts an era of restoration and peace in which God will restore the remnants of Israel, along with the Davidic King and the Jerusalem Temple. In that day, all the nations of the earth will be subject to Israel, and out of Jerusalem the Torah will go forth as the Law for the whole world.

THE MESSIAH OF ISRAEL
Micah sees the coming invasion.

Now gather yourself in troops, you who are accustomed to being in troops; they have laid siege to us. They are striking the judge of Isra'el on the cheek with a stick.
(Micah 5:1)

Technically speaking, a cursory look at the History of Israel proper, as an independent nation under its own rule and government, shows us that it has ceased to exist from Babylon until the expulsion by the Romans in the second century CE. By Israel proper, I mean Israel under its own Davidic King and Levitical religious worship. Here is how it works.

The Babylonian Exile: Israel was under a governor under the authority of the Babylonian Emperor.
The Return: People were allowed to return and rebuild the Temple and the walls of the city, but Israel remained under the governorship of Babylon.
The Seleucid Kings and the Maccabean era. At that time, Israel was under the Greek Seleucid Kings, first of Egypt, then of Syria. When the Maccabees took over from Antiochus Epiphanes, they established an illegitimate dynasty that was not Davidic. Their father, Mattathias Maccabee the priest, meant their family was from the tribe of Levy. To resolve their civil wars, the Maccabee kings called on Roman Pompéi who was glad to oblige. Israel then slowly fell under the rulership of the Roman empire.
The Great Exile: Until 1948CE, Israel was in dispersion mode. In 1967 CE, it resumed as an independent nation. In 1967, it recaptured Jerusalem.

In his prophecy, Micah jumps from warning the people about the Babylonian exile to their spiritual, and eventually physical return, initiated by the birth of the Messiah. He predicts it in Bethlehem, the region where Rachel, the wife of Jacob, is buried.
Micah identifies this Messiah by reminding the people of its pre-Creation origins ("far in the past, back in ancient times").

But you, Beit-Lechem near Efrat, so small among the clans of Y'hudah, out of you will come forth to me the future ruler of Isra'el, whose origins are far in the past, back in ancient times. (Micah 5:2)

Indeed, in accordance with, "Adonai made me as the beginning of his way, the first of his ancient works. I was appointed before the world, before the start, before the earth's beginnings" (Prov 8:22-23), Yochanan the disciple pre-dates Messiah's existence from before creation:

He was with God in the beginning. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing made had being. In him was life, and the life was the light of mankind. . . . The Word became a human being and lived with us, and we saw his Sh'khinah, the Sh'khinah of the Father's only Son, full of grace and truth.
(John 1:2-14)

Micah alludes to the difficult "Birth pangs of Messiah", the troubling times preceding the establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth, by mentioning the city of Ephrat. Ephrat is the city where Rachel who died in childbirth with Benjamin, is buried. Now he dates the return, or its initiation, to the time of the birth.
In Matthew 24, we get a list of things that we should see happening in these troubling times. The list of earthquakes, pestilences, famines, and wars have been going on for 2,000 years. Concerning these, Yeshua taught us, saying, Such things must happen, but the end is yet to come. . . . all this is but the beginning of the 'birth-pains.' (Mat 24:6-8) (Any veteran Mom that has done natural childbirth knows how to recognize "false-labour" from the real thing!) Yeshua gave us one sign to look for as the tale-tell sign of the "real thing". He said:

"So when you see the abomination that causes desolation spoken about through the prophet Dani'el standing in the Holy Place" (let the reader understand the allusion), "that will be the time for those in Y'hudah to escape to the hills.
(Matthew 24:15-16)

The "real thing" here is defined as the time when there is an abomination in the Temple. Until 1948, there was not even a country of Israel, much less a Jewish Jerusalem, and therefore, no altar or Holy Place where an "Abomination of Desolation" could stand. A few years ago, at Chanukah, an altar was dedicated. We are getting closer...

Therefore he will give up [Isra'el] only until she who is in labor gives birth. Then the rest of his kinsmen will return to the people of Isra'el. (Micah 5:3)

MESSIAH, THE GOOD SHEPHERD
Micah contrasts the money-greedy, self-righteous, divisive, and elitist mercenary-like shepherds of his days with the Messiah who is the Good Shepherd of Israel.

During times of war and trouble, the bad shepherd flees to protect his own life, but the good shepherd stays to strengthen the flock. In the spirit of Ezekiel 34, Yeshua describes the bad shepherds of His day:

The thief comes only in order to steal, kill and destroy; I have come so that they may have life, life in its fullest measure. "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, since he isn't a shepherd and the sheep aren't his own, sees the wolf coming, abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf drags them off and scatters them. The hired worker behaves like this because that's all he is, a hired worker; so it doesn't matter to him what happens to the sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know my own, and my own know me --
(John 10:10-14)

Yeshua is the Good Shepherd!

He will stand and feed his flock in the strength of Adonai, in the majesty of the name of Adonai his God; and they will stay put, as he grows great to the very ends of the earth; (Micah 5:4)

THE SEVEN SHEPHERDS AND EIGHT LEADERS OF AMEN.

And this will be peace. If Ashur invades our land, if he overruns our fortresses, we will raise seven shepherds against him, eight leaders of men. They will shepherd the land of Ashur with the sword, the land of Nimrod at its gates; and he will rescue us from Ashur when he invades our land, when he overruns our borders. (Micah 5:5-6)

Who are these "seven shepherds," and "eight leaders of men" who will shepherd the Land of Ashur with the sword and rescue Israel?
Of course, since the text doesn't give us anything further, we are in the realm of speculation and the answer can vary with which rabbi you listen to.

As far as this rabbi is concerned, whereas there might be an identity to these 7 and 8, I would like to point out that that sort of syntax is also a Hebrew poetic philosophical tool often found in the Proverbs to be understood as meaning "more than enough."
Thus, this text could be understood as the promise that HaShem will bring more than enough help to punish Ashur and rescue Israel. Indeed, Messiah IS more than enough!

THE REMNANT OF JACOB
Micah then offers a brief prophecy about the "Remnant of Jacob" among the nations.

Through its propagation of monotheism and the knowledge of the one God who made Heaven and earth, to its being the cradle of the Messiah that would bring the Gentile world to the Father; including its scientific innovation and progress in medicine and technological fields, the Jewish people have certainly been a "dew" among the people of the world.

I recently read a great article about this in an Israeli Messianic magazine called Israel Today. You can find this article titled, Unexplained Success, or the Hand of God? below this midrash.

Then the remnant of Ya`akov, surrounded by many peoples, will be like dew from Adonai, like showers on the grass, which doesn't wait for a man or expect anything from mortals.
(Micah 5:7)

In the imagery of the valiant ragtag armies that miraculously won victories over their enemies, Micah speaks of the deliverance of Israel from its oppressors:

The remnant of Ya`akov among the nations, surrounded by many peoples, will be like a lion among forest animals, like a young lion among flocks of sheep -- if it passes through, tramples and tears to pieces, there is no one to rescue them. Your hand will be raised over your enemies; all your adversaries will be destroyed.
(Micah 5:8-9)

A PROPHECY AGAINST THE NATIONS (Change of Subject!)
The subject of the prophecy seems to change. The last few statements were about the redemption of the remnant of Jacob, but now it is all about punishment. Targum Jonathan sees the change of philosophical subject as being due to a change of grammatical subject, which this time is the nations, as seen in the last statement of that oracle.

"When that day comes," says Adonai, "I will cut off your horses from among you and destroy your chariots. I will cut off the cities of your land and lay waste your strongholds. I will cut off sorceries from your land; you will no longer have soothsayers. I will cut off your carved images and standing-stones from among you; no longer will you worship what your own hands have made. I will pull up your sacred poles from among you and destroy your enemies. I will wreak vengeance in anger and fury on the nations, because they would not listen."
(Micah 5:10-15)

THE CASE AGAINST ISRAEL
HaShem pleads with Israel in a legal judicial style. Mountains and hills are brought as witnesses.

So listen now to what Adonai says: "Stand up and state your case to the mountains, let the hills hear what you have to say." Listen, mountains, to Adonai's case; also you enduring rocks that support the earth! Adonai has a case against his people; he wants to argue it out with Isra'el: (Micah 6:1-2)

As a father making his case with his children reminding them, of his faithfulness to them, HaShem asks:

"My people, what have I done to you?
How have I wearied you?
Answer me!
I brought you up from the land of Egypt.
I redeemed you from a life of slavery.
I sent Moshe, Aharon and Miryam to lead you.
(Micah 6:4)

HaShem specifically reminds the people of their episode with Balak the King of Moab when their fathers were still in the desert.

My people, just remember what Balak the king of Mo'av had planned, what Bil`am the son of B`or answered him, [and what happened] between Sheetim and Gilgal -- so that you will understand the saving deeds of Adonai." (Micah 6:5)

Cynical Israel accuses HaShem of being unpleasable and unreasonable. That no matter what they would bring to Him, He would still not be satisfied.

"With what can I come before Adonai to bow down before God on high?
Should I come before him with burnt offerings? with calves in their first year?
Would Adonai take delight in thousands of rams with ten thousand rivers of olive oil?
Could I give my firstborn to pay for my crimes, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?"
(Micah 6:6-7)

To which HaShem answers the cosmic response, which is ours to cherish until this day:

Human being, you have already been told what is good, what Adonai demands of you -- no more than to act justly, love grace and walk in purity with your God. (Micah 6:7-8)

MAY WE CHERISH THAT ANSWER AND UNDERSTAND THAT THE GREATEST OFFERINGS WE CAN GIVE TO HASHEM IS
TO ACT JUSTLY IN LOVE AND GRACE;
TO WALK IN PURITY BEFORE OUR GOD!

SHABBAT SHALOM

R' GABRIEL LUMBROSO

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HAFTARAH DEVARIM דברים "This is the vision of Yesha`yahu the son of Amotz"

HAFTARAH PINCHAS פינחס "Go and shout in the ears of Yerushalayim"

HAFTARAH BALAK בלק "The remnant of Ya`akov will be like dew from Adonai!"

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