More than two hundred years separate these two prophets. Micah spoke during the later 700s bc, warning Israel and Judah of future judgments. Zechariah encouraged zeal for the Lord around 518 bc during the rebuilding of the temple. Despite these differences, both prophets foresaw a time of perfect peace when all could sit contentedly under their vines and their fig trees. In a limited sense, these were the conditions under Solomon, when “Judah and Israel dwelt safely, each man under his vine and his fig tree” (1 Ki. 4:25). But the prophets saw an even greater rest: days of prosperity and peace but also of spiritual renewal and righteousness in the Messiah’s coming kingdom.

In Micah’s lifetime, however, someone else made a similar promise. During Hezekiah’s reign, the Assyrians surrounded Jerusalem. One Assyrian official ridiculed the people’s confidence in God, saying: “Make peace with me by a present and come out to me; and every one of you eat from his own vine and every one from his own fig tree … until I come and take you away to a land like your own land … But do not listen to Hezekiah, lest he persuade you, saying, ‘The Lord will deliver us’” (2 Ki. 18:31–32). Here was an offer of peace that sounded like God’s own promises! But it was a counterfeit offer, for it only imitated His blessings while mocking the path of faith.

Counterfeits always have this imitative quality. They use appealing language while compelling us to reject the Lord. But the people of Jerusalem stood firm. God did indeed deliver them, and He will also fulfill His future promises of kingdom peace. We can trust Him just as surely today.