The Future of Zion: As was stated in the introduction (which see), the book of Micah represents Israel’s meditation over a period of at least two centuries about its God-given role in the world of nations. In this passage, that meditation with its theological wrestling centers on the future of Jerusalem and Zion. What is the place of Zion, with its temple mount, in the history of nations?

In 3:12 we saw that God was bringing judgment on the holy city because of the sin of its leaders, and that therefore the mount of Zion would be turned into a plowed field and the city of Jerusalem into nothing but a heap of rubble. Such would be the consequences of the sinful work of human beings. But, says this passage, that will not at all be the final result of the work of God. God has further plans bey…