מיכה, פרק ד׳, פסוק ז׳

The ultimate vision of redemption promises the complete restoration of the Israelites from their fragile, scattered state in exile. God guarantees that a damaged and rejected people will be transformed into a massive power, governed forever by divine rule without the interference of foreign forces. During the long exile, the nation will not be completely destroyed. Instead, a surviving remnant will endure among the nations, eventually rising again to return to its homeland [רד"ק, מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Historically, this surviving but injured group represents the ten tribes of the Kingdom of Israel. Even though they were lost among the nations and appeared to have entirely vanished, God will preserve them as a remnant, and they will be revealed once more in the future [מלבי"ם, אברבנאל].

There are different ways to understand the condition of the rest of the exiled people. One perspective views them as those who were simply pushed away and distanced, constantly driven from place to place [רד"ק, אבן עזרא, מלבי"ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. In fact, this condition is seen purely as a state of physical distance rather than physical exhaustion [אבן עזרא]. A contrasting approach suggests that the people were deeply exhausted and weakened by the severe hardships and persecutions of their exile [מצודת דוד, מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. A third, unique viewpoint reads their condition as a sign of strength, comparing them to a healthy, well-fed sheep leading the flock. According to this idea, God will not only heal the weak but will take those who are already strong and empower them even further [רד"ק בשם אביו]. Historically, this second exiled group is identified with the tribe of Judah. Despite their wandering, weakness, and scattered state, they are destined to become a mighty nation, ultimately growing even stronger than the other tribes [מלבי"ם, אברבנאל].

The final stage of this redemption brings the divided nation back together. God will unite the kingdoms of Israel and Judah under His direct rule [אברבנאל]. This divine authority will completely replace any foreign empire or government that previously controlled them, and all forms of idol worship will be entirely removed from the land [מצודת דוד, אברבנאל]. God's presence and careful guidance will remain on Mount Zion constantly. The promise that this rule will last forever carries a profound historical guarantee: from the moment of this future redemption, the Israelites will never suffer another exile [מצודת דוד, מלבי"ם, אברבנאל].