Micah 2:1-13

Micah warns the nation that their sinful lifestyle has brought down God’s wrath upon them.  God does not tolerate sinfulness without consequence.  The people thought that because of their status before the Lord they could simply live however they wanted and that nothing would happen.  They ignored the instructions of God, they ignored the prophets of God, they ignored the warnings of God but they would not be able to ignore the judgment of God.  The same could be said of the world today.  Our society has become ignorant of God’s Word, scoffed at those who teach it and have not fear of God’s wrath.  The only way that man will recognize God and life in fear of Him is through judgment.

A LEADER’S LUST: Israel had been led by leaders who were only motivated by their own lusts.  They constantly wanted more land and more riches and more power.  When they could not achieve what they wanted through legitimate means; they would simply go and take what they wanted by violence.  God would send them messengers to warn them of the consequences of these actions but the leaders and the people refused to hear.  They preferred the messages of the false prophets who assured them that all was well.  God will not tolerate this injustice, so He promises that they too will feel the sting of injustice as they see their lands and houses destroyed by the violence of lustful nations.  God’s stands ready to punish sin with and consequences necessary to convince us to turn from our own lusts.


A LEADER’S LOVE: God has a much different plan for the nation.  He plans to provide a Leader in the person of Jesus who is the Messiah for the nation.  A Leader who will love the people; not exploit them.  Jesus will gather the nation like a flock of sheep and lead them into safety.  He will provide for all of their needs and will give Himself for their salvation.  The contrast between the two leadership styles is very clear.  God’s love for His people is demonstrated by His judgment of them so they will repent and turn to Him.  God will not allow His people to continue to live in rebellion against Him.  He will judge them and bring them back to Himself so they might have the joy of worshiping the Lord who loves them and gave Himself for them.  This same invitation goes out to all of mankind. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Isaiah 54:1-17

Hope is a wonderful blessing from God, without which we would be vulnerable to all kinds of destructive tendencies in our lives.  Today’s society is marked by depression, anger, fear, anxiety and self-righteousness, in large part, because of the sense of hopelessness that prevails in our culture.  Isaiah writes to a people who are about to be taken into captivity because of their sin.  God knows that they will feel rejected, threatened and hopeless so He reveals His future plans for the nation in order to give them hope in the midst of the coming trial.  Hope is the expectation of good based upon the promises of God.  Many times when our lives are marked by the sins mentioned above it is because we have forgotten or failed to focus upon the promises of God’s Word. THE PROMISE OF GOD: From the very first day that God revealed His plan for the nation of Israel, He promised numerous descendants.  God chose Abraham, not because he was more righteous than a...
Read more

2 Timothy 1:3-7

I thank God   whom I serve, as did my ancestors,   with a clear conscience, as I remember you   constantly in my prayers night and day.    As I remember your tears,   I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy.    I am reminded of   your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and   your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.    For this reason I remind you   to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us   a spirit not of fear but   of power and love and self-control. It is easy for us to forget many important things especially in the face of difficulty or danger.  Paul is in prison and Timothy is facing difficult times in ministry so there are important reminders that Paul wants to make sure that Timothy understands.  God has given us everything we need to face the difficulties He allows i...
Read more

2 Timothy 1:8-14

Therefore   do not be ashamed of   the testimony about our Lord, nor of   me his prisoner, but   share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God,   who saved us and   called us to a holy calling,   not because of our works but because of   his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus   before the ages began, and which now has   been manifested through   the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus,   who abolished death and   brought life and   immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But   I am not ashamed, for   I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until   that day   what has been entrusted to me.  Follow   the pattern of   the sound words   that you have heard from me, in   the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. ...
Read more