Prophets of Doom: Micah
Part 3 of the “Prophets of Doom” message series
And it will come about in the last days that the mountain of the house of the Lord will be established as the chief of the mountains. It will be raised above the hills, and the peoples will stream to it. 2 Many nations will come and say, “Come and let’s go up to the mountain of the Lord and to the house of the God of Jacob, so that He may teach us about His ways, and that we may walk in His paths.” For from Zion will go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 3 And He will judge between many peoples and render decisions for mighty, distant nations. Then they will beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation will not lift a sword against nation, and never again will they train for war. 4 Instead, each of them will sit under his vine and under his fig tree, with no one to make them afraid, Because the mouth of the Lord of armies has spoken. 5 Though all the peoples walk, each in the name of his god, as for us, we will walk in the name of the Lord our God forever and ever. – Micah 4:1-5 (NASB 1995)
The BIG Idea:
The prophet Micah addresses the abuses and difficulties that the Hebrew people faced under various oppressors but reminds the people that God will vindicate Israel and create an eternal hope for all the world. God will be their warrior and their King. Even in the darkest times, God promises that God will show up! While the world around us may appear to be falling apart, God assures us that in God’s time God will set all things right.
Micah = “Who is like God?” (God is incomparable)
Micah was born in Moresheth, near the old Philistine city of Gath, which is about 25 miles west of Bethlehem.
Micah shares this prophecy about 700 years before the birth of Jesus.
Micah’s prophesy may be viewed with a simple formula: The Problem, the Practice, and the Promise.
The people had some major issues, in both the Northern Kingdom (Israel) and the Southern Kingdom (Judah) with three different kings – Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah.
People do not always listen to what God commands.
He has told you, mortal one, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? – Micah 6:8 (NASB)
Much of what Micah prophesies is a fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham.
Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country, and from your relatives and from your father’s house, to the land which I will show you; 2 And I will make you into a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing; 3 And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse, And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” – Genesis 12:1-3 (NASB)
At times we need to be reminded that peace is possible among people who make Jesus the Lord of their lives.
God’s true peace will last forever.
The promise of Micah is both for Israel’s correction in that season and for the fulfillment of hope yet to come for both Israel and all of creation.
The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus points to the establishment of God’s eternal Kingdom with an eternal King – Jesus!
ILLUSTRATION: Tashlich (TAHS-likh) which means “Cast Away” for Rosh Hashanah (New Year)
18 Who is a God like You, who pardons wrongdoing and passes over a rebellious act of the remnant of His possession? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in mercy. 19 He will again take pity on us; He will trample on our wrongdoings. Yes, You will cast all their sins Into the depths of the sea. – Micah 7:18-19 (NASB)
He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. – Psalm 103:12 (NLT)
I, even I, am the One who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake, and I will not remember your sins. – Isaiah 43:25 (NASB)
He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. – II Corinthians 5:21 (NASB)
Let the wicked abandon his way, and the unrighteous person his thoughts; and let him return to the Lord, and He will have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. – Isaiah 55:7 (NASB)
NOTE: Everything Micah conveyed from the Holy Spirit took place and was TRUE!
*Key questions to ask about Micah’s hope-filled message in your life.
Questions for Reflection
Based on the book of Micah, why would God’s promise to establish God’s Kingdom be so important to the original hearers? Do people feel today the same way about God establishing the eternal Kingdom of God?
When you travel, do you still take part in a Worship Experience? Why or why not? How much does it mean to you to know that one day we will not have to choose a fellowship to worship with?
What do you do to prepare for worship? Do you ever consider what it means to know that your time of worship is accepted as a form of sacrifice? (See Romans 12:1-2)
How real has God been this week to your heart and soul?
Have you been finding Scripture to be alive and active in your life?
Are you finding God is calling you or challenging you to something through God’s Word? If so, in what ways?
How clear and vivid is your assurance and certainty of God’s forgiveness and unconditional love? To what degree is that real to you right now?
Are you having any seasons of sweet delight in God’s forgiveness and unconditional love in your life? Do you really sense God’s presence in your life? Do you really sense God granting God’s love to you?
How can God’s promises shared with Micah strengthen us in dark times?
Are you finding God’s grace and salvation more glorious and moving now than you have in the past?
The BIG Idea:
The prophet Micah addresses the abuses and difficulties that the Hebrew people faced under various oppressors but reminds the people that God will vindicate Israel and create an eternal hope for all the world. God will be their warrior and their King. Even in the darkest times, God promises that God will show up! While the world around us may appear to be falling apart, God assures us that in God’s time God will set all things right.
Micah = “Who is like God?” (God is incomparable)
Micah was born in Moresheth, near the old Philistine city of Gath, which is about 25 miles west of Bethlehem.
Micah shares this prophecy about 700 years before the birth of Jesus.
Micah’s prophesy may be viewed with a simple formula: The Problem, the Practice, and the Promise.
The people had some major issues, in both the Northern Kingdom (Israel) and the Southern Kingdom (Judah) with three different kings – Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah.
- Idolatry
- Injustice
- Deception (by religious leaders)
- Corruption (among civil and spiritual leaders)
- Division (within families and communities)
People do not always listen to what God commands.
He has told you, mortal one, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? – Micah 6:8 (NASB)
Much of what Micah prophesies is a fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham.
Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country, and from your relatives and from your father’s house, to the land which I will show you; 2 And I will make you into a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing; 3 And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse, And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” – Genesis 12:1-3 (NASB)
At times we need to be reminded that peace is possible among people who make Jesus the Lord of their lives.
God’s true peace will last forever.
The promise of Micah is both for Israel’s correction in that season and for the fulfillment of hope yet to come for both Israel and all of creation.
The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus points to the establishment of God’s eternal Kingdom with an eternal King – Jesus!
ILLUSTRATION: Tashlich (TAHS-likh) which means “Cast Away” for Rosh Hashanah (New Year)
18 Who is a God like You, who pardons wrongdoing and passes over a rebellious act of the remnant of His possession? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in mercy. 19 He will again take pity on us; He will trample on our wrongdoings. Yes, You will cast all their sins Into the depths of the sea. – Micah 7:18-19 (NASB)
He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west. – Psalm 103:12 (NLT)
I, even I, am the One who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake, and I will not remember your sins. – Isaiah 43:25 (NASB)
He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. – II Corinthians 5:21 (NASB)
Let the wicked abandon his way, and the unrighteous person his thoughts; and let him return to the Lord, and He will have compassion on him, and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. – Isaiah 55:7 (NASB)
NOTE: Everything Micah conveyed from the Holy Spirit took place and was TRUE!
*Key questions to ask about Micah’s hope-filled message in your life.
- How real has God been this week to your heart and soul?
- How clear and vivid is your assurance and certainty of God’s forgiveness and unconditional love? To what degree is that real to you right now?
- Are you having any seasons of sweet delight in God’s forgiveness and unconditional love in your life? Do you really sense God’s presence in your life? Do you really sense God granting God’s love to you?
Questions for Reflection
Based on the book of Micah, why would God’s promise to establish God’s Kingdom be so important to the original hearers? Do people feel today the same way about God establishing the eternal Kingdom of God?
When you travel, do you still take part in a Worship Experience? Why or why not? How much does it mean to you to know that one day we will not have to choose a fellowship to worship with?
What do you do to prepare for worship? Do you ever consider what it means to know that your time of worship is accepted as a form of sacrifice? (See Romans 12:1-2)
How real has God been this week to your heart and soul?
Have you been finding Scripture to be alive and active in your life?
Are you finding God is calling you or challenging you to something through God’s Word? If so, in what ways?
How clear and vivid is your assurance and certainty of God’s forgiveness and unconditional love? To what degree is that real to you right now?
Are you having any seasons of sweet delight in God’s forgiveness and unconditional love in your life? Do you really sense God’s presence in your life? Do you really sense God granting God’s love to you?
How can God’s promises shared with Micah strengthen us in dark times?
Are you finding God’s grace and salvation more glorious and moving now than you have in the past?