Micah
Introduction: The casual use of such words as "love" and "hate" has emptied them of their meaning. We no longer understand statements that describe a loving God who hates sin. So we picture God as gentle and kind - a cosmic "pushover" and our concept of what He hates is tempered by our misconceptiosn and wishful thinking.
God's hatred is real - burning, consuming and destroying. He hates sin and He stands as the righteous judge.
God's love is also real. So real that He sent His Son, the Messiah, to save and accept judgment in the sinners place.
Love and hate are together - both unending, irresistible, and unfathomable.
Micah presents this true picture of God - the almighty Lord who hates sin and loves the sinner. Much of the book is devoted to describing God's judgement on Israel (the northern kingdom), on Judah (the southern kingdom) and on all the earth. This judgment will come "because of Jacob's transgression, because of the sins of the house of Israel" (1:5). These sins include: fraud (2:2), theft (2:8), greed (2:9), debauchery (2:11), oppression (3:3), hypocrisy (3:4), heresy (3:5), injustice (3:9), extortion and lying (6:12), murder (7:2)
In the midst of this overwhelming prediction of destruction, Micah gives hope and consolation because he also describes God's love. The truth is that judgment comes only after countless opportunities to repent, to turn back to true worship and obedience - "to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God" (6:8).
But even in the midst of judgment, God promises to deliver the small minority who have continued to follow Him.
References:
Life Application
StudyLight.org
First5.org
God's hatred is real - burning, consuming and destroying. He hates sin and He stands as the righteous judge.
God's love is also real. So real that He sent His Son, the Messiah, to save and accept judgment in the sinners place.
Love and hate are together - both unending, irresistible, and unfathomable.
Micah presents this true picture of God - the almighty Lord who hates sin and loves the sinner. Much of the book is devoted to describing God's judgement on Israel (the northern kingdom), on Judah (the southern kingdom) and on all the earth. This judgment will come "because of Jacob's transgression, because of the sins of the house of Israel" (1:5). These sins include: fraud (2:2), theft (2:8), greed (2:9), debauchery (2:11), oppression (3:3), hypocrisy (3:4), heresy (3:5), injustice (3:9), extortion and lying (6:12), murder (7:2)
In the midst of this overwhelming prediction of destruction, Micah gives hope and consolation because he also describes God's love. The truth is that judgment comes only after countless opportunities to repent, to turn back to true worship and obedience - "to act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God" (6:8).
But even in the midst of judgment, God promises to deliver the small minority who have continued to follow Him.
References:
Life Application
StudyLight.org
First5.org
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Chapter 5
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Chapter 6
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Chapter 7
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Prayer taken from the following commentary on Micah: https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/smith_chuck/c2000_Mic/Mic_001.cfm
Father, we thank You for such a God that we have that You delight in mercy. That You are not willing, Lord, that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. Thus You have dealt with us with such patience and with such long suffering and such gentleness as You, Lord, with cords of love have drawn us to Yourself that we might know fellowship with Thee; that beautiful sweet communion with God. Oh Lord, how we have benefited from our relationship with You. What blessings and glory it has brought into our lives to walk with You. God, help us through the power of Your Holy Spirit, through the indwelling presence of Christ. Help us, Lord, to be all that You want us to be and to do that which is pleasing in Your sight. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
May the Lord be with you and give you a beautiful week. May He watch over you, and protect and shield you from the evil that is so prevalent in this world in which we live. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and just that beautiful sweet communion of the Holy Spirit rest and abide upon your heart and your life all week long as you live with Him and for Him.
Father, we thank You for such a God that we have that You delight in mercy. That You are not willing, Lord, that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. Thus You have dealt with us with such patience and with such long suffering and such gentleness as You, Lord, with cords of love have drawn us to Yourself that we might know fellowship with Thee; that beautiful sweet communion with God. Oh Lord, how we have benefited from our relationship with You. What blessings and glory it has brought into our lives to walk with You. God, help us through the power of Your Holy Spirit, through the indwelling presence of Christ. Help us, Lord, to be all that You want us to be and to do that which is pleasing in Your sight. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
May the Lord be with you and give you a beautiful week. May He watch over you, and protect and shield you from the evil that is so prevalent in this world in which we live. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and just that beautiful sweet communion of the Holy Spirit rest and abide upon your heart and your life all week long as you live with Him and for Him.