As I thought about the next book of study, I had Micah on the mind. The book has prophesies of carnage and destruction lined with hope and restoration for the people of Israel. In this time of uncertainty and with the looming first State of the Union Address by President Obama, I believe it is time to get into this book.
Micah wrote prophecy against Israel during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah of Judah. The word from God was a pronouncement of judgment on both Israel and Judah.
Verse two gives us an insight to how involved God is with His creation. He speaks to the people of earth but mostly to those who choose to listen. He is a witness to all our sin and to the things we do that are good whether individually or nationally. As a witness, He rules judicially among individuals and nations which means He does differentiate between the two. He holds people accountable for their actions and reactions to life's situations.
The tricky part here is to understand the national sins of Israel apart from the national sins of the United States, for example. Israel and Judah were a people directly chosen to be separated unto God - which means they were chosen to show the world what can happen to a people who chose to faithfully follow God (only they did not do so well). He chose them and commissioned them to spread His glory and name into all the world. Israel as a nation and in its smugness failed to keep this commitment.
Our inability to remain committed is a large reason for our need of a Savior. Israel had all the working parts in Jerusalem as mentioned in verse 5 but it thrived on the wrong passions as this verse attributes to "Jacob's transgressions." Jacob had many flaws; most of which stemmed from a false belief that he was entitled to God's favor over other people and without regard to how he tried to gain it. Israel suffered this same pseudo belief in arrogance. They lacked humility and wisdom.
Verse seven speaks of the "wages of prostitutes." Israel was so corrupt that they settled for any belief that sustained their lust for worldly pleasures (things that bring temporary pleasure and never last but are always alluring). Their arrogance and lack of remorse for their sin caused God to move against them. Their utter failure to believe that God would not tear apart their lands led to God's punishment as harsh as it was. Sin has consequences! Unrepentant sin does lead to disaster.
Just looking at the language used to describe God's approaching judgement should have been signal enough that His slow to anger demeanor had reached a boiling point: mountains melt, valleys split like wax, water rushing, a heap of rubble, pour stones in the valley, lay bare the foundations broken idols, prostitutes...
Reading this afresh, I see the power and the swift judgement of God. I also see a tender and loving God who gives a warning to impending judgement. I see the heart of God who had to personally come down to earth in order to seek repentance from the heart of man.
National corruption is a sign of weak and impotent leaders who lack the moral courage to stand on God's law or to rule with conviction. Israel's national punishment came because they separated themselves from God instead of the sins of the world. The United States will answer to God in the same way not because it was a Christian nation but because all governments are subject to God.
Government is a creation of God to establish justice among people. When a government loses touch with God's design for it, that government begins a slippery slope towards upheaval and destruction. Government that demonizes God's authority will implement laws which allow sin to permeate society and implement laws that blur absolute truth.
There is still hope! God sent His Son to become a beacon to all people. God is still bearing witness. He is still very much involved with all who call upon His name to be saved. God will complete the good works that He starts. We are the ones that have to respond. Israel failed to heed God's warnings. We still have an open door. What will you choose - God's way or your own? What will be the consequences?
- God will not accept sin as a way of life for His creation. What areas do you think our nation needs to improve upon?
- Are there areas in your life that you need to correct in order to live a more God fearing lifestyle?
- What would this nation look like without God's involvement?
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