Micah

Generally, for me to really understand much of the Old Testament books of the prophets, I need a good concordance, one or more solid commentaries, and a strong cup of coffee. However, tucked inside the book of Micah there is a beautifully simple verse; yet it is fundamental for us as believers to apply.

He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God. Micah 6:8

Israel was divided into the Northern and Southern Kingdoms when Micah addresses them, and they had abandoned true and acceptable worship. It was a time in Israel's history that the country was crumbling inwardly due to their weight of sin, which outwardly made them weak against their enemies: the Assyrians and Babylonians. Injustice, idolatry, and corruption were a plague on the nation. Micah denounces the behavior of both the leaders and the people of the kingdoms of Judah and Israel.

As I contemplated the nature of sins that Micah specifically addresses, I worried for our nation. I love our country and I'm deeply thankful that I was born and raised here. However, it seems that we are participating in the same sins that Micah rebuked Israel for:

Oppression of the poor by wealthy and powerful, unjust business practices, lying, robbery, illegally taking others' property, mistreating the vulnerable, corrupt leaders taking bribes and making decisions based on personal gain rather than the overall well- being of the people, violence and bloodshed, lying, treachery, betrayal,

Turning away from God, idolatry, spiritual leaders and prophets being hypocrites, and an overall decline of faithfulness and decency among the people.

As I considered the message of Micah, I reflected on two men who are very special to my husband and me. Both men grew up in Godly homes, were raised to know and respect the Word, and served the Lord through His church as adults. Both men had respectable, professional careers and served as leaders in their communities. Yet when both men were faced with challenges in their life, they made devastating choices instead of clinging to their Savior. (I write this with trepidation, because... "but for the grace of God go I.") Somehow our society has brainwashed us more than the Word of God has, such that good men, men who love the Lord, feel a greater pressure to conform to the world than to sacrifice all for God. And if this is the overall state of our nation, we should heed the warnings given to Israel and repent quickly.

At this time, the spiritual leadership of Israel had gone off the rails when it comes to following the precepts given in the Torah. Micah proclaims judgement on the nations' princes and their prophets "that make my people err" (3:5). In Chapter 6, the Lord is pleading with the people and tells them to remember the response He required Balaam to give to Israel's enemies... in order that they "may know the righteousness of the Lord." (6:5)

Balaam and his talking donkey are a fun story to teach the kids; however, its message should never be taken lightly. Balaam was a greedy prophet who was open for hire; a supposed servant of God, willing to tickle the ears of men in return for money and power. The New Testament warns first century believers and present-day Christians against Balaam's actions and doctrines. (II Peter 2:15, Jude 1:11, Revelation 2:14) Let us hold dear the righteousness of the Lord and not allow ourselves to be swayed by the appealing words of corrupt servants of God!

Micah is not only a book that declares judgement for sins, but one that beautifully prophesies the coming Redeemer and His kingdom. (Chapters 4-5) We are told that the future "ruler of Israel" will deal with all corruption and injustice on the earth.

And it shall come to pass in that day, saith the Lord, that I will cut off thy horses out of the midst of thee, and I will destroy thy chariots: and I will cut off the cities of thy land and throw down all thy strong holds: and I will cut off witchcrafts out of thine hand; and thou shalt have no more soothsayers: Thy graven images also will I cut off, and thy standing images out of the midst of thee; and thou shalt no more worship the work of thine hands. And I will execute vengeance in anger and fury upon the heathen, such as they have not heard. (5:10-13, 15)

I love Micah's response to God's words of rebuke and judgement...

Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? (6:6-7)

In light of the all-mighty power, righteousness, and majesty of our Lord, is there any religious practice of man that would suffice in provide appropriate worship? No, no number of good works will remove the wages of sin from our lives. What is required of us to rest in peace with the Lord is...

to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with (our) God. (6:8)

The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give the peace. Numbers 6:24-26