The response to God's judicial Indictments

 Read Micah 6.

As the third message begins, the courtroom metaphor returns.  The LORD delivered His indictments and challenges the people to "plead your case."

Next, God presented three pieces of historic evidence.
1. He redeemed them. (v.4a)
The nation lived in slavery and by blood, both of the Passover lamb and the death of Egypt's firstborn, God bought them and brought them out.

2. He sent them godly leaders. (v.4b)
The LORD called Moses, along with Aaron and Miriam, to provide His word and His worship.

3. He provided for them. (v.5)
He protected them from those who wanted to curse His people.  They saw miracle after miracle as they traveled to the Promised Land.

How should the accused respond?  (vv.6-8)

The nation had focused on outward rituals of religiosity both at the Temple and in worshiping false gods for life-guidance.  Micah offered several exaggerated statements of hypothetical sacrifices to pay for their sin.  True, without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness (Hebrews 9:22).    Those outward sacrifices only had value when they came from a heart that was personally in right relationship with the LORD.  But none of these is what God had already told them to do (v.8a). 

Micah 6:8 is, perhaps, the second most quoted verse in the book, after 5:21.  It refers back to God's previous instructions in the Law, such as Deuteronomy 10:12-"And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways and to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul."

Here is the corollary from Jesus: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the great and first commandment.  And a second is like it; You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 22:37-40). 

Our personal relationship with Jesus will determine how we treat people.

As Bill Gaither wrote, "It's not that complicated."

 

6 prophetic statements identifying the Messiah

Read Micah 5.

The southern kingdom of Judah faced enormous stress from the impending invasion of the Assyrians.  However, Micah 4:10 added to their misery by prophesying that, when the Assyrians are through, the Babylonians will take Judah into exile. 

Is there any hope?  What about God's promises to Abraham and his descendants?

To finish his second message, Micah returned to the theme of the coming Messiah.  As in many of the prophecies in the Old Testament, their vision was one.  They did not see the first coming separate from the events of Messiah's second coming.  The New Testament carefully and completely affirms the identity of the promised Messiah is no one else but Jesus.

1. He will be born in Bethlehem Ephrathah. (v.2a)
This is where King David had been born some five hundred years previously.  Now, another leader of Israel will be born in this city, just a few miles from Jerusalem.  The angel announced to the shepherds, "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:11)

2. He will be born of a clan of Judah. (v.2b)
The royal lineage must come through the family of David, of the tribe of Judah.
"The book of genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham." (Matthew 1:1)

3. He will "come forth" from God, the Father. (v.2c)
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." (John 1:1)  "For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me." (John 6:38)

4. He will be ruler in Israel. (v.2d)
There is no way to spiritualize this statement.  A literal rule was what the Jews expected of Messiah in Jesus' day and what the disciples asked about just before the Ascension (Acts 1:6).  Indeed, when Jesus returns, He will rule the world from the throne of His father David and "the government shall be upon his shoulders." (Isaiah 9:6)

5. He is the eternal God. (v.2e)
The Apostle John quoted Jesus: "'I am the Alpha and the Omega,' says the Lord God, 'who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.'" (Revelation 1:8)

6. He will shepherd His people. (v.4)
"I am the good shepherd.  I know my own and my own know me." (John 10:14)

The results for the regathered Jews (v.3) will be personal security and international peace (v.4).  There will be a cleansing of all forms of demonic and man-made faith systems (vv.12-15).

"Jesus shall reign where'er the sun
Does his successive journey's run;
His kingdom spread from shore to shore,
Till moons shall wax and wane no more."
-Isaac Watts

 

9 prophecies for the latter day Saints

 Read Micah 4.

In the midst of all the bad news about coming judgment, the LORD provided a message of hope for the future.  Though the nation lived in sinful rebellion during Micah's day, all God's promises to the Jews will ultimately be fulfilled.  When?  "In the latter days."  Reading the descriptions of what those "latter days" will look like, it becomes immediately obvious that such a time has not happened yet.  These prophecies are still ahead.  So many statements in Micah replicate the prophecies of Isaiah.

1. There will be a Temple. (v.1a)
The historic site for the Temple and the only location for the new one is where the Dome of the Rock stands today.

2. Gentiles will be coming to it also. (v.2)
"and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." (Genesis 12:3)

3. They will come for instruction. (v.2)
There is no substitute for learning the word of God.  During this day and age we have a Bible to study in order know exactly what God has said.  But then there will be the added feature of instruction from Jesus Himself.

4. They will come for application. (v.2)
Knowing God's word is not enough.  What pleases Him is when people put His word into practice.

5. The location will be in Jerusalem. (vv.2 and 8)
There can be no spiritualizing this when the Scriptures provide exact geographical information.  No longer despised among the nations, this will be a place of international prominence and oversight of the world.

6. The LORD will make international decisions. (v.3)
"and the government shall be upon his shoulder..." (Isaiah 9:6)

7. The result of His decisions will bring a time of international peace. (v.3)
The "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace". (Isaiah 9:6)  Note the fulfillment of beating swords into plows and the end of war is not the result of negotiations between nations.  World peace will come when Jesus reigns from Jerusalem.

8. People will live securely. (v.4)
With no wars, there will be no fear.

9. The Jews will live for Jesus. (v.5)
Finally, Paul's comment of Isaiah will come true.  "And in this way all Israel will be saved." (Romans 11:26)

 

3 indicators of those who speak for God

 Read Micah 3.

The bottleneck is always at the top.  As Micah begins to deliver the second message from God, he names three specific types of national leaders that have caused the problems.

Corrupt Rulers.  (vv.1-4)
Their charge was to protect and serve the people in government and judicial decisions.  The lawbreaker should experience the consequences and the victims receive just reparations.  Instead, rulings were made according to bribes (vv.9-11a).  This robbed the people who could not afford the pay-off and left victims worse off.  In short, the national leaders treated the people as their prey.  When finished, there was nothing left.

The predicted result was a time of accountability for their sins.  Babylon would conquer Jerusalem and carry the Jews into captivity.  Then, they would pray and plead with God, but it will be too late.  God's judgment is based upon His unchanging truth, not on a bribe.

False Prophets. (vv.5-7)
While God's prophets tried to call the nation to repent of their sin and coming judgment, the phonies preached counter messages of "you are okay," "God is not going to punish us," and "peace".  The false prophets never heard from God.  They made up their messages, preaching what people wanted to hear, and said what they were paid to say (v.11c).

They spoke out of their own spiritual darkness.  God provided no spiritual wisdom or His truth to them.  As a result, their prayers also would not be heard.  In the day when their false messages proved untrue, there would be nothing for them but disgrace and shame.

Ungodly Priests. (v.11b)
In this brief mention, it is clear that these men loved the robes, the rituals, and religious trappings of the Temple.  But they lacked a heart for God.  Instead of serving the people in their worship and sacrifices, they were only there for themselves and taking from the people.

Here is the result of the sins of all three of these national leaders: "Therefore because of you Zion shall be plowed as a field; Jerusalem shall become a heap of ruins." (v.12)

But there is a fourth type of leader in the nation doing the work of God with a whole-heart.
God's Prophets (v.8)
Micah was not alone.  The LORD had many others speaking on His behalf.  What characterized the type of people who genuinely served God?
1. "filled with power, with the Spirit of the LORD"
No one can be effective for God without the empowering of the Holy Spirit.
"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth." (Acts 1:8)

2. "and justice and might"
The message was not his but God's word.  It was not his judgment but the consequences of their sin against God.  And, Almighty God is more than capable of delivering on what He says.  Therefore, the true preacher's ministry is not personality driven but always points people to the LORD. 

3. "to declare to Jacob his transgression and to Israel his sin."
One indicator of a false teacher is that they do not preach against specific sins.  Not so with God's preachers.  They are willing to stand on the unchanging truth of what God has said and offer hope through repentance and faith in the LORD.

 

5 statements of Jesus regarding the use of Authority

 Read Micah 2.

A disgraced leader finally was forced to admit his immorality, cover up, and lying.  When he spoke to the nation, he said he did it for "the worst possible motives--because I could." 

The LORD takes very seriously those who abuse their power and influence over others.  Leaders in Judah used their God-given wealth and position to greedily oppress and take advantage of the people.  Their sins included seizing property (v.2) and separating parents from their children (v.9).  At the root was their sin of pride (v.3).  They foolishly thought that they could do whatever they wanted and get away with it.

Second to the rich and powerful were the abusive influences of ungodly religious leaders.  While the prophets of God preached repentance of sin, the false teachers responded with "do not preach" (v.6).  They countered by saying that God would not punish His people and He would not take them from the land He promised to them.  They tried to dupe the people with their messages of peace, prosperity, and partying.  "I will preach to you of wine and strong drink" (v.11).  The people surrounded themselves with those who spoke what they wanted to hear rather than the truth. 

Meanwhile, God's judgment was coming upon a people who were unprepared.  "It will be a time of disaster" (v.3b).

Jesus had much to say about authority and the proper use of power.
1. Jesus is the source of all power.
"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me." (Matthew 28:18)
2. Jesus is the example of how to use authority.
"...even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many."(Matthew 20:28)
3. Jesus forbids the abuse of power.
"You know that the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.  It shall not be so among you.  But whoever would be great among you must be your servant." (Matthew 20:25-27)
4. Jesus gives authority for opportunities to serve and protect others.
"Let every person be subject to the governing authorities.  For there is no authority except from God." (Romans 13:1)
5. Jesus will hold each individual accountable for what He gave them.
"Everyone to whom much is given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more." (Luke 12:48)

 

 

Crying in Court

 Read Micah 1.

The prophet Micah lived in Judah and wrote at about the same time as Isaiah.  His book is comprised of three messages of a legal case against God's people.  Though the impact caused him to deeply grieve over the judgment to come, the content did not originate from him.  This is "the word of the LORD" (v.1).  Micah only delivered what God said.

As the courtroom assembles, all people of the earth are called to listen to the case.  God is not only the judge, but He rises in verse two to be the witness against the accused.  In verses three and four, the All-powerful, Almighty God steps forward.  There will be no rebuttal witnesses and no defense.  The basis for the complaint against the defendants is based upon the Mosaic Covenant found in Deuteronomy 27-28.  If the people obeyed the LORD, they would be allowed to enjoy the benefits of God's promises to Abraham, including the Promised Land.  If they disobeyed, those blessings would be withheld, and the nation would experience God's punishment.

First on trial was the northern kingdom of Israel.  Their ungodly leadership and rebellion against the LORD are well documented.  The capital of Samaria would be crushed, along with all the structures and symbols of their false worship.  The land will be cleansed of their idols and temples used to practice religious prostitution.  God used the Assyrian army to fulfill this prophecy in 722 B.C.

Second to face prosecution was the southern kingdom of Judah.  While Jerusalem maintained worship of God at the Temple, their leadership and national obedience proved to be hit and miss.  Judah is accused of acting like its rebellious neighbor.  Again, the Assyrians will carry-out God's initial punishment against Judah.  The "conqueror" in verse 15 refers to the Assyrian king Sennacherib.

Such a message greatly affected Micah emotionally.  "For this I will lament and wail; I will go stripped and naked.  For her wound is incurable, and it has come to Judah." (vv.8-9). Centuries later, the Apostle Paul expressed similar grief over the spiritual condition of the Jews.  "...I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart.  For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh." (Romans 9:2-3)

Who are those people for whom we weep and pray for because they do not know the Savior?

 

5 reasons to be mad at God

 Read Jonah 4.

Jonah became exceedingly angry.  He submitted to God's assignment.  He preached a message of eight words.  The entire city of Nineveh repented and put their faith in the LORD God.  After one of the greatest times of ministry results in history, Jonah was so distraught he wanted to curl up and die.

Why?  The Assyrians were Israel's enemies.  He wanted God to wipe them out.  Jonah knew all along that if he went to Nineveh and warned them, they would respond and God would be gracious to them (4:2).  The LORD did not do what Jonah wanted done, so he sat pouting, mad at God.

In verse 2, Jonah gave five reasons for his anger.  Each of them relates to the LORD's character.
1. God is gracious.
Grace is getting what we do not deserve.  The Assyrians were so evil.  Jonah was correct.  They deserved to be destroyed.  But when they heard God's message, they turned to Him in hope of deliverance from His judgment.  Jonah expected God to be gracious to him but not to those sinners over there.

2. God is merciful.
Mercy is not getting what we do deserve.  When the Assyrians fasted, prayed, and turned from their sin, God showed compassion toward them.  Jonah lacked any pity for these people (v.11).

3. God is slow to anger.
If it were not for the patience of God, we would all be gone at our first sin.  "The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance." (2 Peter 3:9)

4. God is loving.
He abounds in love.  His love is steadfast or faithful all the time.  This is difficult to hold on to when things do not go the way one expected or wanted.  It is easy to bask in the love of God when life goes well.  But can we bask in that same love if life does not turn out the way we planned?  His love is over all His works.

5. God is tenderhearted.
God is not relentless in meting out punishment for sin.  His grace, mercy, patience, and love are shown in His willingness to relent and demonstrate compassion on those who respond to His offer of forgiveness.

Jonah cared more about himself, his reputation and his comfort, than he did about the eternal destiny of these people.  The question everyone must answer before God is, "How much do I care about the eternal future of the people around me in my city?"