July 14: Micah 1-7

July 14, Micah 1-7

Micah is a prophet during the 8th Century, along with Isaiah & Hosea. The overall theme of Micah is God’s Judgement on sin & Forgiveness for His people. He lived about 22 miles outside of Jerusalem… He wrote this during a time of Israel’s prosperity, which has brought them away from God.

Micah 1 God’s judgment & punishment on Israel & Judah. Micah brings to their attention the Words of the Lord - they are being warned from God because of their sins and idolatry. They have pagan gods in their towns that they are serving and God’s punishment is going to be severe on them. They will be mourning as there will be destruction and bitterness, because of their sins.

Micah 2 Woe to the powerful leaders who love evil and not God. They devise evil, covet things and oppress people. Because of that, God is against their entire community - and there is no escaping it. God’s people have basically became His enemy. They like the lies. Yet, Yahweh will have compassion on them and He will gather His remnant. 

Micah 3 Israel had some very corrupt leaders who have lost their way and pursued sin, hating what was good and loving what was evil. Destruction will come to them. They will cry out to God, but He will not do anything about it. They had false prophets who will no longer be hearing from God either. Micah on the other hand, was strengthened by God and full of His Spirit. They also had wicked priests who took bribes and did not rely on the Lord. Destruction will be coming to them too.

Micah 4 There is hope for God’s people. Like Isaiah, Micah reminds God’s people that there is Hope and they must commit to walking in the Name of the Lord. God will bring the remnant together and restore them. God will reign over them. God is the Rescuer & the Redeemer. Even though nations will rise against them, they do not realize that they are fighting the Lord - the Sovereign Lord.

Micah 5 begins with some Messianic Prophecy. The Messiah is to be born in Bethlehem. Jesus is to come from Bethlehem and from David’s line, as God has promised for a very long time now. Thus, the remnant shall be delivered. But, they must get rid of idolatry. God will be cutting off anything that is against him. They had Asherah poles - these were man made images of the pagan female fertility goddess, that the Prophets were so against. Go to God - not some man made item for help. You can see why this would infuriate God! God’s anger and vengeance will come on them.

Micah 6 God is calling His people to repent and see the error of their ways. What does God require of them? Very simple: “… to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” They are to obey in love and live it out in response to God’s love to them. The wicked will be destroyed, there are no two ways about it. The wicked will be brought down and cursed - they love evil and are against God. This should be no surprise that the wicked will not stand.

Micah 7 Where have all the godly gone? People just loved (and love) to do what is evil and they do it well. Yet Micah stands and says that he will only hope in the Lord and look to Him for Salvation, because God will hear him. Overall, God will redeem and restore His remnant, just like He said He would. He can look over their sins and forgive them because He delights in steadfast love. God will keep His promise of showing His steadfast love.

To sum it all up:

• God will not be fooled. We cannot pretend we are Christians. Give up the show, and really live for God. Or not. Either way, if you are pretending - you are only fooling yourself. 
• Can you say like Micah, “But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.”