Micah 6:1-8

Purpose

: Faithfulness toward God requires both worship and justice.

Introduction

Teaching at FHU has brought some interesting insight into human nature. Undergraduate students are varied in motivation and approach.

Some students want to come to class; they long to learn; they want to do well. These are students who take good notes and do most of the reading required for the course.

Some students feel obligated to come to class. They don’t really want to be in class but they will come. But they may miss if something better comes along. Didn’t sleep well, so they miss an early morning class. Hungry, miss the middle of the day class to get a good meal. But these students will read some; take some notes, and try to pass the course.

Some students see school through the prism of freedom. This prism distorts reality but it is hard to explain that to some students. They are free of parental oversight and spend their time in college enjoying the experience to the fullest. They will go to class some; they will take some notes; they will pass the tests and courses but not by much.

Then there are those special students. The first day of class is for receiving the syllabus outlining the expectations of class and see how little they can do and still pass. They are more motivated by not attending class, not taking notes, and passing only enough of the tests to pass the class. These are students who want to know how many classes they can miss and still pass; the lowest grade which will allow them to get a passing grade. These are the students that object to what are perceived as harsh standards. They plead their earned failing grade through a minimal standard as if the minimum is enough to bring success. “I read from at least 2 books in order to write the term paper.”

Students reveal much about human nature. And our approach to God may be very similar.

Some want to be in God’s presence at worship and they are motivated by how they can honor God. This is what pushes them in this world.

Some come to worship because they have to and do good deeds because it is the right thing to do; unless something better comes along.

Some see their relationship with God through the prism of freedom. They see God’s role as forgiver and thus their job is to enjoy life. Don’t do anything too bad but God will forgive anyway.

Then there are those special folks. They want to know what the minimum requirements are in order to think of themselves as faithful. Attendance at the assembly is sporadic; their good deeds are done but they think more about self than how to honor God.

In our text, God looks at his people once again. What he sees doesn’t please him. But the people are convinced that they can be faithful. They are convinced that they can show how much they love while continuing to live for themselves. Micah’s prophesy rejects such a view. As we shall see faithfulness extends in two directions – towards God and towards others. May God help us to hear his words with clarity.

The Trial

As we have seen before, there are times when God comes to his people as if it were a trial. Such is the case here in Micah 6. God has something to say to his people. His accusations are rather severe. He calls the mountains as witnesses. This may seem strange to us but it makes sense. In Deuteronomy 27:12-13, Israel is told that when they enter into the promised land that part of the group is to stand on Mount Geriaim to bless the people and some are to stand on Mount Ebal to pronounce curses. In this way, the mountains have heard what God expected. How he would bless for Israel’s faithfulness and how he would curse for their lack of faithfulness. Moreover, the mountains are said to be “everlasting foundations.” They last; they endure. Their presence will stand long after the trial is over and they will stand from generation to generation.

So it makes sense to call the mountains as witnesses for this trial. But there is something a bit different from this trial. Verse 2 clearly specifies that God has something to say. But notices verses 1 & 3. In both of these verses God gives the people the opportunity to speak first. It isn’t though to justify their case, it is an opportunity to speak against God. In fact, the phrase “answer me” literally means “testify against me.” God wants the people to explain what he has done wrong. Testify how God has wronged them.

God takes up his defense in verses 4-5. He points to his faithfulness to his people in bringing them out of Egyptian bondage. He points to providing leadership with Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. He points to an incident in Numbers 22 in which Balak was looking to curse God’s people and Balaam instead blessed them. He points to their journey into the promised land. All of this would have demonstrated God’s faithfulness. He provided leadership, food and water without end, clothes and shoes that never wore out, finally bringing them into the promised land. The point – Testify how I have wronged you?

The people’s response in verses 6-7 demonstrate their perception of relationship with God. They are willing to show how dedicated they are to God; how firm their faith. They will bring burnt offerings; these which required the entire animal to be burned up. It would have cost them greatly to bring such offerings. They will bring year old calves. At great cost they would bring the best of their herds. They will bring thousands of rams. More and more sacrifice if needed will be brought. Or they will bring rivers of oil. Exaggeration to demonstrate how committed they are to connection to God.

God responds in verse 8. Let me show what is good. Justice and mercy must come from you towards others and to walk carefully with God.

Justice sums up the social requirement in regards to others. To practice justice is to avoid oppression, gossip, or bribery. It is to pursue helping those who are weak; insisting that others be treated with care in the same way we are.

Mercy or loyalty is a word used to describe the character of God. When God revealed his loyalty to Israel the expectation was that Israel would express that same type of loyalty or mercy to others. As God was faithful with Israel, Israel was expected to be faithful toward God and toward others.

This idea of a careful or humble walk with God means that God wants his people to be guided by Him rather than our own selfish motives. It is to dedicate ourselves to hearing only his voice and his words.

Lessons

There are times when we testify against God. We accuse him of being unfaithful. And we fail to remember his faithfulness. When was the last time that you rehearsed the faithfulness of God? When was the last time you remembered the faithfulness of God and refused to allow current negative events to be perceived as unfaithfulness? When was the last time you took stock of the times of your unfaithfulness and saw God’s faithfulness even in the midst of your sin? Or better yet, when was the last time that you saw the faithfulness of God in helping you be the person you are.

In 1964, Victor and Mildred Goertzel published a revealing study of 413 “famous and exceptionally gifted people” called Cradles of Eminence. They spent years attempting to understand what produced such greatness, what common thread might run through all of these outstanding people’s lives. Surprisingly, the most outstanding fact was that virtually all of them, 392, had to overcome very difficult obstacles in order to become who they were. This book has now been updated with a second edition in 2003.

Some come to this text in Micah and use verse 8 as a way of demonstrating that God is only interested in a proper ethical response from his people. But this is to misuse the text. Israel’s response stressed worship. They saw their response as doing what was right in worship and that would be sufficient to show their faithfulness to God. If he wanted more, then more would be given. It was the failure to translate their worship into how they treated people that upsets God. There is no attempt here to set aside worship for social ethics. It isn’t an either/or situation but a both/and. Worship is important. God gave detailed descriptions about worship to his people, but his intent was always that worship would lead to treating others in the way God had treated them.

In the same way, our worship is to realign ourselves with the faithful God. The God who has been just toward us. He sought that which was best for us and the God who has been loyal or merciful. When we see that then we are to treat others the way God has treated us.

But it isn’t simply worship God and treat others right, but on a deeper level it is to love God and love others. We love God and we love others but the example that we follow is the example of God. He, who gave his son for us; he who raised him from the dead, this God has shown us what is good.

Some come wanting to know what is the minimum I can do and still get a passing mark. Such an approach to worship means that there will be no transition to living life to honor God. We have received from God far more than we deserve. His faithfulness convicts us to be faithful toward him and toward others.

Our vision calls us to help the weak. This is justice. Even as God has helped us in our weakness, so we turn our attention to those who are disregarded. Our vision calls us to be merciful to those who have not been shown mercy. This is to be loyal based upon the character of God. These things we will do because God has shown us what is good.

Micah 4:1-13

Purpose

: God’s plan is to win and those who trust in Him will share in that victory

Introduction

Are you a planner or a person who likes spontaneity? There are advantages and disadvantages to both. The planners tend to accomplish something. They tend to be analytical in their approach to problems. They also tend to have bouts of intense frustration when plans do not go as planned. The planners like to think of being in control only to discover that so many uncontrollable factors can ruin a properly conceived plan. On the other hand, the spontaneity folks enjoy life. Surprises are welcomed and enjoyed. Spontaneity doesn’t eliminate planning but the preference is to be more flexible. The downside to spontaneity is that less gets accomplished. Frustration comes when enjoyment must give way to responsibility and not enough thought has been given to provide a good outcome.

Our God is a combination of the two. We see from creation that he planned our world with great care. But we also see from creation the great spontaneity of color which brings enjoyment for his carefully planned creatures. We see times in which he carefully plans for an event only to express a desire to quickly change his mind about how to accomplish his will. For instance, God’s intent to bring Israel into the Promised Land is never derailed. But when Israel sins so intensely against the deliverer then God changes his mind about how the process will take place. Instead soon; it will be later.

When we look at God’s ability to plan, he is perfect but he has the flexibility to alter the means by which those plans will be carried out. This should bring us great hope and confidence. Hope because our God is never surprised by the events of life. His plans are not frustrated by man’s sin. Confidence because God is the great planner. He knows exactly where things are going to end up while allowing for variety of experience in life. Whether your preference is for planning or spontaneity, our God understands both perfectly.

As we will see in our lesson today, Micah presents a prophesy in which God is seen as the great planner. The people have been told in chapter 3 that Jerusalem will become a heap of rubble, but God isn’t finished. What he plans to do with and for Jerusalem is far greater than anyone could imagine. The people are encouraged to trust the perfect Planner. For he has plans that they nor the nations understand. This is our God as well. May we learn to trust the Great Planner.

The Text

This leads to the second point. Learn to trust God. So easy to say but so very difficult to do. Through Micah, God was saying that he could do for them what they truly wanted. They wanted peace. Only God could bring it. They wanted victory. Only God could give it. Instead the people had placed their trust in their wealth, their abilities, their comfort. Notice verse 9. Have you no king? Has your counselor perished? This is where people put their faith and trust.

Much like we tend to do with a political system. Every four years we think the next person will make us better; will restore order; will bring peace and prosperity. And every four years we are foolish to believe that politics can save us.

Or we seek out those who can help us thinking that with the right insight we will become better people. We seek for answers but do not find them. Because our faith is misplaced.

We want to trust our own planning instead of trusting the Great Planner. We want victory, but we want it to be predictable. The true King and Counselor seeks us. And God’s words to us are the same as they were to ancient Israel – Trust me. I will bring peace and victory. I will bring greater things than you ever imagined.

Have you ever watched a child learn to trust a parent. The parent says to the child – “Get in the car. Let’s go for a ride.” And the child says, “Where are we going?” And the parent says, “Some place special. You will enjoy it. Let’s go.” And the child struggles with not knowing, “But where are we going?” And the parent says with love “Trust me.”

God says trust me. I have great plans for you. I will do something for you you cannot imagine. And we say “But what are you going to do? Tell me.” And God patiently says, “Trust me.” It isn’t easy to trust. But it is tiring to try to figure out every turn and twist in life and try to be in control.

Micah 2:6-13

Purpose

: Speaking God’s truth even in love is not always easy. But warning others of what is to come demonstrates our love for them.

Introduction

The death of celebrities brings an interesting bit of commentary from the media. To say that our priorities are off in our culture would be an understatement. With the death of Michael Jackson, the media has spent much time talking about his death, his will, and his life. I listened to a new program the other day with great amazement. A soldier had been kidnapped in Afghanistan. The news spoke about his capture for about 30-45 seconds and then turned to the Michael Jackson story for the next 5 minutes. Our sense of what is important is lost. But that really isn’t the point. The amount of time spent on Jackson’s death is overshadowed by what is said about him. Media and fans alike worship at his musical genius and speak of him in almost reverential ways.

Recently a former NFL quarterback was murdered. Steve McNair played the game of football well. McNair tragically was shot. While details are not certain, he was shot in the apartment of a 20 year old girlfriend. McNair was married and had four children. And yet the media continues to talk about his greatness as a player. I understand the old adage “do not speak ill of the dead” but I wonder in both cases if anyone spoke to these two men about their lives before their deaths. I wonder if anyone had the courage to speak candidly to either of them about truth and what is right and what it means to be a man in this world.

This is not to condemn neither Jackson or McNair. It is to say that to speak the truth in this world is not highly valued. People want to hear things that make them feel good. They don’t want to hear things that leave them with negative feelings. When we turn to Micah we find that while cultures change, people do not. Even in Micah’s day, they did not want to hear the truth. They wanted reassurance that everything was going to be okay. In our text today, Micah is going to deal with the perceptions of the people and he is going to speak the truth. He speaks directly, honestly, and frankly. Will the people listen? Will we? Let’s open our hearts.

The Text

Lessons

Second, looking at verse 12-13, God promises a real Israel. To those in Jerusalem the promise meant that when God drove the people out of the land, he would not give up on his covenant. He was going to bring a remnant together to be his people. They will be like sheep with God as their shepherd. But notice verse 13, not only will they be sheep but they will be led by a king.

Contextually, when Assyria came and surrounded Jerusalem, they hemmed up the city so that no one could leave. These prophetic words would have been recalled when Assyria came. God was going to deliver a remnant. There would be a break out from the gate. The Lord would lead them out of the bottled up city.

For us, the application is very similar. The emphasis of these two verses is on what God is going to do. He is going to shepherd his people and he will lead his people. This is not about the might of the people but the might of God. This is not about the determination of the people but the willingness to follow.

It is to acknowledge that God is the one with the strength to lead and break out. Our vision calls for us to follow the leadership of Jesus in helping others see the power of God. The power of God to forgive, heal, and love. The message of the text is that we are weak and God must lead. We follow. Are we listening to the truth?

We are not okay. To sit on the sidelines while others are exploited and deprived makes us no different than the ones who intentionally do the exploiting. To see life as about our achievements and comfort is to miss the point that we are sheep being led by a powerful God who calls us to serve others. May we listen.

Micah 1:1-16

Purpose

: God’s pronouncement of judgment brings sadness that others will suffer.

Introduction

We begin today a study through Micah. Micah and Amos have similar themes but Micah’s ministry has some significant differences. Micah prophesies from the mid 700 to early 600 B.C. He is contemporary with Isaiah and his work is primarily directed toward Jerusalem and the Southern Kingdom. As we will notice this morning, part of this initial prophesy is against the Northern Kingdom, the focus of Amos’ prophesying, but the bulk of Micah’s pronouncements are for the Southern Kingdom. Assyria is the world power. It is this kingdom which destroys the Northern Kingdom and surges into the Southern Kingdom bringing much suffering to this area as well.

Micah’s name means “Who is like Yahweh?” and interestingly enough the writing begins with Micah’s name in the first sentence and as you will notice the writing ends in 7:18 with the question “Who is a God like you…?” This writing is wrapped in the same question in order to get the reader to consider if the desire of the reader’s heart is focused on the what God wants. Micah knows that he is God’s prophet. In 3:8, Micah reminds us that he has been filled with power in order to declare Israel’s sin.

Another interesting tidbit is that Micah’s words are being quoted about 100 years later. In Jeremiah 26:18, Jeremiah is trying to get the king of Judah to pay attention to his prophesy. He reminds Jehoiakim that Micah prophesied during the reign of Hezekiah and no one tried to kill Micah. Instead they listened to him when he prophesied. Jeremiah then quotes Micah 3:12 and demonstrates that previous prophets had spoken harshly against God’s people in order to bring repentance.

While there are a number of themes in the writing, there are two themes which I want to highlight. The first is the Sovereignty of God. God is in control and in charge of what is going to take place both in Samaria and in Judah. He uses other nations to punish his people. But the Sovereign God will also bring about restoration when repentance is seen. The other theme has to do with the sin of the people. The people abuse power to inflict harm on others and the people do not trust God. They go through the motions but their allegiance is found elsewhere.

In our text, Micah begins with a prophesy directed toward both Samaria and Jerusalem. Soon after the prophesy about Samaria, the Northern Kingdom will fall. The rest of Micah’s prophesy is directed toward Jerusalem. The point is that what happens to your neighbors to the North can and will happen to you unless changes are made. Let’s continue to listen to the call of God to live in faithfulness to him.

The Prophesies

The prophesy begins in the courtroom. God calls not just for Samaria and Judah to listen but for all who occupy the earth to listen to his words. From the beginning we have not only in verse 2 the word “Sovereign” used to describe God but his words are meant for all inhabitants of the earth. But it isn’t enough to call on all the people to hear his words. He also adds that as Sovereign he will speak from his holy temple. God is going to pronounce the charges to the people from his lofty position. But when he does come to earth, that which he created cannot stand against him. The highest mountains crumble. The lowest places split and become lower. His presence melts the land like wax before a fire or water rushing down the mountain slope. God is coming in his power and his might and none will be able to stand.

While verse 5 mentions Jerusalem, most of verses 5-7 has to do with the judgment against Samaria. Samaria is going to be destroyed. Completely. Verse 6 says that the city walls will be thrown into the valley and when Assyria came and destroyed Samaria, this is what was done. Then Micah turns his attention to Jerusalem and the surrounding area. What is interesting about this text are the number of wordplays that take place. Each city name has a meaning and that meaning is used to signify the judgment that is to come.

Gath resembles the word for weep. In weep town, do not weep.

In dust town roll yourself in the dust.

In beauty town, you will leave in nakedness and shame.

In come out town, you will never come out.

In foundation house, there is no protection.

In bitter town, pain or bitterness will be yours as you wait for relief.

In team of horses town, hitch up the horses and try to escape.

In engaged town, your parting gifts will go with you into captivity.

In deceit town, no one will be able to rely on you.

In conquering town, one will conquer you.

Adullam (1 Samuel 22:1) was known for its caves. The nobles will retreat there in order to escape.

Not a pretty picture. The wordplays are not intended to be funny but to demonstrate that what people rely upon will not last. It would be like saying in “Sea Isle” the sea will overwhelm you. Not funny. So what are we to learn from this text?

Application

Two lessons. First, notice who the suffer most in this judgment according to verse 16. Children. When Assyria and eventually the Babylonians came, they took the youth away. By taking the youth, the nation would fall apart. There would be no energy for rebuilding. The young would be taught new ways and previous lessons would be lost. This warning was to the adults not the children.

Our job as parents is to give our kids a chance to know the values and principles of God. Our job is to make sure our kids are exposed, encouraged, and even at times strongly pushed to engage in spiritual events and activities. Our job is to pray with our kids; to talk with our kids; to serve as examples to our kids; to think ahead and plan for our kids to be on their own. If we do our job there is a greater likelihood that they will hear the voice of God when they become of age.

Our job is to do what parents are supposed to do. We cannot control what our children will choose when the time comes for them to choose but we do our jobs as parents.

Second, notice Micah’s response to his prophesy in verses 8-9. These are all signs of distress. Weeping, wailing, mourning with a loud voice. Notice in verse 9 that he calls the people “my” people. Micah is connected to these people. He isn’t a Jonah hoping that everyone will perish. It is emotionally hard on him to deliver this message. These are people he cares about. These are his friends, neighbors, and relatives.

Are we like Micah? When was the last time you mourned for those who are lost? When was the last time that you were emotionally hurt because you knew someone was going down the wrong path? Do we look at our neighbor and think, “I don’t want this person to come under the judgment of God.”?

Do we love our friends, neighbors and relatives so little that we cannot speak to them about coming judgment? Or do we just value our own comfort that much?

If someone were trying to break into your house and your neighbor saw it, wouldn’t you hope that they would warn you? We have bought into our culture’s view that everyone is okay and that we are to allow everyone to go their own way. We cannot change anyone, but we can warn. We cannot force a choice, but we can encourage other perspectives.

Our God didn’t remain silent and didn’t remain in comfort. Philippians 2:5-11 reminds us that we are to think like Jesus. Seize the opportunity to speak just as God did.