January 18-23 2010

“In that day,” declares the Lord, “I will assemble the lame, and gather the outcasts, even those whom I have afflicted.” Micah 4:6






This week we continue to walk with Micah as he warns the people of the consequence of their actions. Micah openly rebukes the leaders of the people. His picture of wolves coming in and tearing the sheep apart is quite graphic. The bottom line of his illustration clearly demonstrates their heartlessness in respect to the people in order to fill their own selfish hungers. In spite of their overbearing selfishness, they still walk in a form of godliness and call on God to bless them. Micah makes it clear that God’s response to their lack of compassion is to hide His face from them. He will not answer!

It would be interesting to take sit for a spell, take a Biblical survey and check out all the reasons God says He would hid His face from people. I have a feeling it would be a real eye opener. But there are many churches today that would not tolerate that kind of preaching. As in the time of Micah, so it is today. If your message is not comforting and if it doesn’t promise prosperity, your words will not be welcomed.

But just as we saw last week, there is light at the end of the tunnel. In the last days things will be different! The question is, “When are the last days?” These words must be defined by their context. “The end of days,” is not referring to the end of time, but the end of an age. As we continue to listen to Micah, we quickly see that his words are describing the same age that we heard from Isaiah. If you spoke with a knowledgeable Jew, he would tell you without question that Micah’s words are referring to the Messianic Age. What an incredible time it will be when the MANY nations will say, “Come and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord and to the house of the God of Jacob, that He may teach us about His ways and that we may walk in His paths.” (Micah 4:2) Micah’s God-inspired words cause us to long for the day when people are hungry to know God’s Word. So often today, people are satisfied with a few songs and a sermon, but are basically ignorant of the Law of God: His governing Word that teaches us His ways.

It is Micah who gives us the promise of the Messiah’s birth in Bethlehem. It is also Micah’s words that tell us there will be a period of time between His birth and when He arises to the position as the ultimate Shepherd of Israel, the ruling Messiah. Listen carefully to his words and see if you can identify this promise.

On Tuesday we enter God’s courtroom. As Prosecutor, YHWH brings His case against His people. The first thing God does is to call the judges, who are also witnesses. God summons the mountains and hills. “Why the mountains and hills,” you may ask. Because they have witnessed all that God has done from the time of creation. They cannot be fooled by the flattery, bribery or lies of those who are being prosecuted. God proceeds to declare His innocence of any wrongdoing, while pointing out their constant failure to do right. Once God has clearly established their guilt, He gives them their sentence. You may want to make your own list of charges as you stand in the courtroom and hear God’s words. You may also want to identify His sentence upon them.

But what about the innocent in the midst of all this? Micah gives us the response of the righteous.

“But as for me, I will watch expectantly for the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me.” (Micah 7:7)

In the midst of the darkness, Micah can see God’s light of hope. What encouragement Micah’s words bring to the guiltiest of God’s people. His promise is not like the message of New Age laced teachings of today. God is not going to overlook man’s shortcomings and bring great blessing simply because man is in a miserable state. He will pour out His pardon and have compassion when the people desire Him to be in their lives; when the want His ways to be their ways! Only then will He tread our iniquities under foot, and cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.

As we leave Micah, we begin walking with Hezekiah once again. We will watch as Hezekiah is faced with the greatest conflict of his life. We will also see the steadfastness of his faith and the victory that resulted from it. On Friday we end our journey on a mountaintop. What a witness of God’s ability and faithfulness! Enjoy the view while you can. We won’t be staying up there forever!!!