The name Micah means “who is like God”. Micah was from Morasthite; a small town of Judah but there is little is known about Micah. He prophesied in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, which means that he preached with Isaiah in Judah and was also contemporary of Hosea for a time (though Hosea in the Northern Kingdom). He was a bold preacher fearing God rather than man and was known for his bold preaching as we learn from Jeremiah 26:18-19. Micah preached concerning Samaria and Jerusalem, speaking to both kingdoms, but to Judah in particular. The message of the book speaks of Israel as the people of God, not restricted to the ten tribes. For example in Micah 7:20 God speaks to Jacob and Abraham, thus not a divided kingdom, but children of promise.
The book can be divided up into three sections. The division can be seen in the chapters 1-3; 4-5; and 6-7. The prophesy shows the terrible consequences for sin, yet clearly shows that Christ is the only hope for Israel, the only hope for the nations, the only hope for the world.
The first section deals with the DISEASE OF IDOLATRY (CHAPTERS 1-3). Chapter one begins with the sins of Israel and their sin of spiritual harlotry (Micah 1:6-7). Israel had gotten wealthy by her false gods and idolatry and they became powerful and prosperous. Israel will be consumed by the very nations and religions by nations whom they copied and took their gods.
Micah 1:9 For her wound is incurable; for it is come unto Judah; he is come unto the gate of my people, even to Jerusalem.
Here we see the disease of spiritual adultery. We come back to the golden calves. The disease of idolatry had now spread like gangrene. The wound of idolatry had infected the Northern kingdom; the judgment likewise that will come to Israel will come to Judah. The people of God had become infected with spiritual harlotry and what began in Samaria will continue on into Judah. Practically, we can see in our own lives what happens when we do not mortify the flesh and when we allow sin to dwell in us, our house.
In Micah 1:10-16, deals with the coming judgment on Judah. These cities mentioned are found in the region of Judah. There is some word play in this section concerning some of the cities; for example: Micah 1:10 Declare ye it not at Gath, weep ye not at all: in the house of Aphrah roll thyself in the dust. Aphrah which means “house to (i.e. of) dust”. Micah 1:14 Therefore shalt thou give presents to Moreshethgath: the houses of Achzib shall be a lie to the kings of Israel. Achzib means “deceit”.
There are two primary sins that are mentioned, sins of covetous idolatry and not heading God’s Word. The sin of covetous idolatry is first detailed in Micah 2:1-2. This sounds a lot like the words of Amos to Israel. The Sin of oppression, greed and love of money had spread to Judah. God had blessed in the land of milk and honey and the people took the blessings of God and turned the blessings into a god. Micah 3:1-3 speaks figuratively in describing how the rich and powerful were oppressing the poor. A love of sin, love of money and overruling greed birthed a lack of compassion, lack of love, and a lack of mercy. The love of money had brought a hatred of men. Money is a cruel god with a cruel and hateful religion.
Secondly, there was the sin of false gods, false prophets and denial of the truth. Just like in Amos, the people didn’t want to hear the preaching of God’s Word Micah 2:6-7. They would not hear the convicting preaching of the Word. When you are confronted with the Word of God and are convicted of your sins, you have two options; you can hear the word and repent and obey or ignore the word or seek to silence the word. Judah chose the latter.
The people wanted to hear a preacher that preached what they wanted to hear.
Micah 2:11 If a man walking in the spirit and falsehood do lie, saying, I will prophesy unto thee of wine and of strong drink; he shall even be the prophet of this people.
Isn’t this the way? People will find a preacher that preaches what they want to hear and find a church that does what they want the church to do instead of hearing a preacher that faithfully expounds the Bible and a church that does what the Bible says to do, not what we want to do. Many will look and find a church that bends to their whims and fancies. That is why there are so many false churches, false doctrines and so many church splits. Micah said that the people would look for a man that would justify their sins. What’s your sin? Want to drink? Find a preacher who will preach you can drink. Want to hear a man centered lie of a gospel? Find a preacher who will lift you up and lower God.
Well, with little surprise, these men that they found were prophets for profit.
Micah 3:5 Thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and he that putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him.
They preached for money, gain and prophet. The sad reality is the prophets that they found themselves preachers that would preach lies to them and tell them what they wanted to hear; but these men didn’t care for them. A man that will preach a lie will have no problem leading to destruction. I was visiting family recently and I had to get after my son and nephew because they were doing something that was either going to end in something breaking or someone getting hurt. My nephew said that I was being mean to him because I didn’t let him do what he wanted. Yes, he didn’t like what I said, but I had to get after him, not because I was mean, but because I love him and didn’t want to see harm come to him. The people didn’t like Micah because he spoke hard truths, they did not like Amos for the same reason. The people of Galatia did not like Paul for the same reason.
Gal 4:16 Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?
Hard truths to be sure; yet it was out of love that hard truths were spoken.
The consequences for both sins are found in Micah 3:9-12. The leaders and the preachers continued in lying, fleecing and sinful spiritual adultery. They got what they asked for. They wanted religion like the world and they got it and more; they inherited the consequences of false gods and false religion.
Judah will feel the hand of God in judgment for turning from God and trusting in false gods. Yet God will not leave the faithful without hope. God gives wonderful promises to that remnant that loves Him, and shows that the coming Christ was the only hope. As the captivity now looms over their head, God points to Jesus Christ and HIS Kingdom Come, which we will look at, Lord willing, next time.
______________________________________________________________________
Douglas Newell IV
No comments:
Post a Comment