Micah 3-7 What A God!

After the disheartening messages of the first two chapters and what I read in chapter 3 today, there is hope to be found in the last four chapters.  Even though they hear God saying, “Jerusalem will be plowed like a field.  The city will become a pile of rocks, and the hill on which the Temple stands will be covered with bushes,” they soon get to hear how God will rescue and restore them.  There are so many references to God in action for the Israelites, doing what only He can do to rescue them.

God gives us a reference to Jesus here, stating that He will come from Bethlehem and that “He comes from very old times, from days long ago … with the Lord’s strength, and with the power of the name of the Lord His God.”

It’s so sad to hear God lamenting over how we treat Him:  “My people, what did I do to you?  How did I make you tired of Me?  Tell Me.”  He then reminds the Israelites of His many saving acts.

Convinced of their sin, the Israelites worry about what they could possibly bring as a suitable offering.  God says, “The Lord has told you, human, what is good; He has told you what He wants from you:  to do what is right to other people, love being kind to others, and live humbly, obeying your God.”

He describes the futility of a life without Him – a life filled with intentional sin:  “”You will eat, but you won’t become full; you will still be hungry and empty.  You will store up, but save nothing, and what you store up, the sword will destroy.  You will plant, but you won’t harvest.”

Israel will one day be able to testify as we do now:  “I will look to the Lord for help.  I will wait for God to save me; my God will hear me … The Lord will be a light for me … He will defend my case in court.  He will bring about what is right for me.  Then He will bring me out into the light, and I will see Him set things right.”

Micah saw God as we see Him today, and described Him perfectly:  “There is no God like You.  You forgive those who are guilty of sin; You  don’t look at the sins of Your people … You will not stay angry forever, because You enjoy being kind.  You will have mercy on us again; You will conquer our sins.  You will throw away all our sins into the deepest part of the sea.”

Father, how can anyone worship any other god but You?  No other “god” can do what You can.  And Your compassion for us overwhelms me.  Help me to always see You as Micah did!

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford