In our study of Micah chapter seven, we look at the fact that, even though man is totally corrupt, God still promises a pardon for our sins. In chapter 6, we saw the example of a divine courtroom where the outcome of the trial of Israel was a conviction of their sin and a sentence of judgment. Now, we see the promise of a pardon from God for the people of Israel and we are reminded of the fact that Israel was meant to be an example to the world of God's greatness.
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Woe to me! for I have become like the leavings of summer fruit, like the gleanings when the vintage is finished â there isnât a cluster worth eating, no early-ripened fig that appeals to me. The godly have been destroyed from the land, there is no one upright among humankind. They all lie in wait for blood, each hunts his brother with a net.
Micah now speaks of the failures of Israel and compares it to the poor gleaning in the vineyards. To understand this, we must understand the principle of gleaning as given by God (see Leviticus 19:9 & 10). When Israel harvested the bounty that God provided for them, they were to only go over the crop once and pick what was ready. Anything that was left after that was to be left for the poor who were free to pick and eat as they desired. He describes how Israel had become like a vineyard that had been picked clean and the fact that it was because the rich landowners had been out to get everything for themselves with no consideration or compassion for the needy. Micah mourns over the state of God's people as he remembers the fact that they were called to be a nation that was set apart by God to be an example to the rest of the nations. Instead of living up to their calling, the nation had adopted the practices of the pagans through idolatry. Ultimately, this idolatry leads to everyone choosing a "god" of their own design and the "every man for themselves" attitude. As the saying goes: 'the rich get richer while the poor get poorer" which was exactly what had happened in Israel during Micah's time. It is even more widespread today as our world has been described as a "dog eat dog" world where everyone takes as much as they can before someone else gets it. This is the exact opposite of the biblical principle of gleaning.
Their hands do evil well. The prince makes his request, the judge grants it for a price, and the great man expresses his evil desires â thus they weave it together. The best of them is a briar, the most upright worse than a thorn hedge.
Micah continues to describe the way things worked in Jerusalem at the time but, if you didn't know better, you would think that he was describing our world today. He speaks of the fact that corruption is widespread and the rich, the politicians, and the judicial system worked together to impose their will upon everyone else. In the previous passage, he spoke of the grape vine and we are reminded that grape vines do not have briers or thorns. Here, he describes the national leaders as a brier and a thorn hedge instead of a grape vine.
The time of your watchmen â of your punishment â has come; now they will be confused. Donât trust in your neighbor; donât put confidence in a close friend; shut the gates of your mouth even from [your wife], lying there with you in bed. For a son insults his father, a daughter rises against her mother, daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law â a personâs enemies are the members of his own household.
Micah tells the people that God has sent prophets (watchmen) to sound the alarm about the dangers of idolatry and the fact that God's judgment is coming. He goes on to describe the fact that the "every man for himself" attitude has even broken up the family and friendships. His description is much like that of the prophet Jeremiah (see Jeremiah 9:4). Once again, you can see how the words of the prophet could easily be describing our world today.
But as for me, I will look to Adonai, I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me.
The prophet has described a very dark world without hope but, now, he contrasts his hope in the Lord to the darkness of the world. We see that his hope is set squarely on God providing a Savior and and he is actively waiting for Him. We, as Christians, should ask ourselves whether we have that same attitude or not. If you knew that Jesus was coming back tomorrow, would you be glad or would you wish for a delay? Your answer to that question can tell you a lot about where you stand in your faith.
Enemies of mine, donât gloat over me! Although I have fallen, I will rise; though I live in the dark, Adonai is my light.
Micah continues to speak and now identifies himself with the city of Jerusalem. He looks to the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC and reminds the people, as well as the rest of the nations, that God will restore the city. This is a reminder that God disciplines those that He loves but that discipline is meant to draw His people closer to Him. He reminds the people as well as their enemies that the hope of Jerusalem is God Himself. Today, there are many who want to put the hope of Israel and Jerusalem in some kind of "peace plan" but we must remember that true peace will only arrive with the return of Jesus.
I will endure Adonaiâs rage, because I sinned against him; until he pleads my cause and judges in my favor. Then he will bring me out to the light, and I will see his justice.
The prophet goes on to say that God was right in punishing the nation as they had sinned by turning their backs on Him. Even so, he looks to the time of their restoration and to the coming of Jesus Christ ("his righteousness"). Micah points out the fact that it will be a work of God that brings them into a right relationship and not their religious rituals.
My enemies will see it too, and shame will cover those who said to me, âWhere is Adonai your God?â I will gloat over them, as they are trampled underfoot like mud in the streets. That will be the day for rebuilding your walls, a day for expanding your territory,
Micah goes on to explain that, though Jerusalem would be destroyed, there is a day coming where the city will be restored and the territory will be extended. He speaks of the time when the nations will come against the city but Jesus Christ will intervene on its behalf. This is speaking of the Millennial Reign and the fact that the nations will see that Jerusalem is the chosen city of God. We are also reminded of the fact that, during this time, the reign of Christ and His people will be extended to cover the entire earth.
a day when [your] people will come [back] to you from Ashur and from the cities of Egypt, from Egypt and from as far as the Euphrates River, and from sea to sea, and from mountain to mountain. The earth will be desolate for those living in it, as a result of their deeds.
Micah tells of the fact that, during this Millennial Reign, people from all over the earth will go to Jerusalem to worship and honor the King. He also speaks of the fact that the earth will be a much different place than what we see today as, just before and after the Millennial Reign, will be a time of Great Tribulation where God's wrath is poured out on the land.
Shepherd your people with your staff, the flock that belongs to you, who live alone, like a forest in the middle of a fertile pasture. Let them feed in Bashan and Gilâad, as they did in days of old.
Micah offers up a prayer to God for the return of His rule and His provision. He expresses the desire that God's people will once again be abundantly blessed as he speaks of the fertile areas of Bashan and Gilead.
âAs in the days when you came out of Egypt, I will show them wonders.â The nations will see and be put to shame, in spite of all their power. They will cover their mouths with their hands, and their ears will be deafened. They will lick the dust like snakes; they will emerge from their fortresses trembling like reptiles that crawl about on the earth; they will come with fear to Adonai our God, afraid because of you.
God answered Micah's prayer with a promise of signs as miraculous as the parting of the Red Sea when Israel came out of Egypt. The prophet goes on to describe the fact that these signs have a purpose which is to demonstrate the power of God and the fact that He is with His people. The nations will be humbled and even afraid of God's people because of the power that is displayed on their behalf. We see that those who have humbled themselves and accepted Jesus Christ are exalted while those who reject Him are humbled and even terrified.
Who is a God like you, pardoning the sin and overlooking the crimes of the remnant of his heritage? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in grace.
Micah begins to sum up his message with the fact that salvation is only available through a pardon. He compares God to the pagan gods by describing the fact that God likes to show mercy because it is a part of who he is. The pagan gods required constant work to make them happy but God is happy when we rest in His finished work. Although this was well before the time of Jesus' earthly ministry, the prophet looks to a time when Jesus' work on our behalf would be finished.
He will again have compassion on us, he will subdue our iniquities. You will throw all their sins into the depths of the sea.
Micah continues to describe the work of God on behalf of His people and this is a big contrast to the religion that they had been practicing in Jerusalem. It is because of His love for us that He took the action (showed compassion) of sending His Son to provide for our salvation.
You will show truth to Yaâakov and grace to Avraham, as you have sworn to our ancestors since days of long ago.
Micah's final words remind us of the fact that God keeps His promises as he refers to the promises that God made to Abraham concerning his descendants. As believers in Jesus Christ, we are included as a part of God's promise to the patriarchs.
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