The answer is: A rod

Micah 5:1 - There was nothing much more insulting than for a ruler or king to be hit across the face with his own rod (or sceptre - same Hebrew word that is used for shepherd's rod)

In Micah 5:1, we see an intriguing and rich metaphor at work when it talks about the future fate of the ruler of Israel being struck with a rod. This wasn't just any old rod—we’re diving deep into the heart of power and authority. In the ancient Near East, kings often wielded their scepters as symbols of their dominion, akin to how shepherd's rods indicated care and guidance over the flock. So striking a judge or king on the cheek with their own instrument of power is starkly humiliating. It's a direct challenge to authority.

But when we connect this with the surrounding prophecies in Micah, a picture begins to form of humble beginnings to something significant. Micah prophesizes the origin of the Messiah as a destitute little town—Bethlehem—which seems impossibly small when looking at royal aspirations.

Interestingly, the Bible also echoes themes of an absent king in many places, like in Ezekiel's narratives. The striking reflects a common human experience: those in leadership often endure their vulnerability, and sometimes even ministers at faith edges find their power challenged too. It resonates throughout other biblical texts as well—think of Job's entire saga where he grappled with unjust divine strikings.

So, Micah invites us to think about royal power intertwined with deep humility and a transformative future, embodying resilience against oppositions that everyone faces in wanting to lead or shepherd others.