Another abrupt transition from threat to promise takes place between the end of the third chapter and the beginning of the fourth. An oracle of severe judgment (3:9–12) is followed by a contrastingly glorious picture of salvation.

Micah looks beyond the immediate future of Zion’s punishment (as described in the preceding oracles) to the more distant future, in which Zion will be exalted (4:1–5). Isaiah (2:2) and Micah both speak of the day when Zion will be raised above all other mountains in preeminence. Zion’s greatness has nothing to do with its present physical features (it is a relatively small mountain) but everything to do with God’s choice of it as his place of earthly dwelling. When Zion is so exalted, it will be like a magnet for the nations. There will be a constant flow of pe…