Micah 5:2 and Zechariah 9:9 require a Messiah who rules as a king over a kingdom. The Christian interpretation is absurd!
Question:
The Jewish expectations of the Messiah as described in Micah 5 were not met by Jesus since, although “being the Messiah”, he lacked the traits of a “ruler.” Christians now absurdly believe that Jesus’ kingdom was spiritual, yet this prophecy actually refers to the earthly kingdom. The same is true of Zechariah 9:9–10, which describes a ruler who will speak peace to all nations and whose kingdom will stretch from the sea to the west and from the river to the ends of the earth. However, Jesus had NO opportunity to speak to any other nations outside of the Palestine, and he possessed no land. What is your response?
Answer:
This is not absurd at all!!! Through the gospel, Jesus has “spoken” to more kings and peoples and nations than, literally, any other figure in all human history. His spiritual kingdom has spread, again literally, across the entire earth. So, I would say that your claim that the kingdom of Micah 5 and Zechariah 9 concerns a physical, earthly kingdom has been proved wrong by history. Prophecies are understood best by considering their actual fulfillment–in this case with Jesus of Nazareth. The most powerful force ever leashed on this earth has come from the ministry and teaching of Jesus of Nazareth. This is a fact of history.
Jesus is a ruler of many millions of people, including myself. I acknowledge him as my Lord and my ruler, and my true allegiance is not to any earthly kingdom, but to King Jesus, who rules on his throne in heaven, even today. In fact, I would argue that every single detail of Zechariah 9:9-10 has been fulfilled in detain by Jesus already, but that it will find its final and even more complete fulfillment when Jesus comes back. Not only did Jesus, in fact, ride into Jerusalem on a donkey–on a colt the foal of a donkey, he has also proclaimed peace among the nations, he rules as a king, he is righteous and victorious, and his kingdom extends from sea to sea. This prophecy is about king Jesus, who rules over his kingdom even today.
And truly a ruler did come from Bethlehem Ephrathah. Jesus is a ruler whose origins are from old–from truly ancient times, as is proved, in part, by the fulfillment of Micah 5:2.
John Oakes
