Today's first reading offers a vision of restoration in Jerusalem. Justice will be restored because God will remove the corrupt leaders and will teach the people how to live better with each other. When this happens, there will be peace and restoration -- those who were scattered (here, specifically the refugees who fled when the northern kingdom of Israel was captured, but later also applied to the exiles in Babylon) will gather again in Jerusalem.
[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]
Reading the Bible in Its Entirety
The second reading suggest how that peace will happen. A leader, with the heritage of King David (and perhaps the faith of Abraham), will arise to lead the people in God's ways -- born in Bethlehem. When this leader emerges, all of God's people will gather, and together they will have enough military strength to withstand all threatening armies. In fact, the ungodly foreign countries who threaten God's people will be punished for their idolatry.
[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]
If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read Micah 4-5 today.
