In Today's Email:
Micah 5 Notes
In this chapter we see Christ’s deliverance and restoration of Israel.
vs. 1 – This is a difficult verse that to interpret and there are many opinions on it. I think it being about End Times is more consistent with the passage. The “judge of Israel” is Christ. He was rejected and abused before but will here come as a conqueror.
vs. 2 – This verse is parenthetical and a key prophecy about Christ’s birth. Referenced in the New Testament in Matthew 2:6 and John 7:42.
vs. 3 – Because Christ was rejected, God “gives up” Israel until the establishment of the Millennial Kingdom. The imagery of travailing in giving birth continued from the previous chapter.
vs. 4-6 – A wonderful description of Christ’s victory and reign The “Assyrian” in vs. 5-6 cannot mean the ancient empire of Assyria, conquered over 2,600 years ago. I think this is to be understood geographically and coincides with the King of the North of Daniel 11:36-45. The seven shepherds and eight principal men appear to be military leaders of Israel during this future campaign.
vs. 7-9 – This is the state of the Jews in the Millennial Kingdom. They are numerous, prosperous, and powerful.
vs. 10-14 – These verses are addressed to Israel. They point to God removing all the things that Israel had formerly trusted in besides God.
vs. 15 - The subjugation of the Gentiles, including the judgments of the Tribulation period.
Micah 6 Notes
In this chapter God is vindicated and Israel is condemned.
vs. 1-5 – I picture this chapter as a courtroom debate. Court is called into session, and the audience is the whole earth. This is no secret thing that the Lord is doing. No charge can be made against God in his treatment of His people. The first evidence offered of God’s care for His people is His delivering the from Egypt and providing leadership to them. The second is His protection of them, illustrated by Balaam’s inability to curse them (Numbers 23:8).
vs. 6-7 – These two verses are the response of the people to Micah’s message. They are defending their own actions by saying they have offered sacrifices so God should he happy with them.
vs. 8 – The prophet responds that the people had not done what the Lord commanded them, in that God required more than sacrifices from impure hearts. See Isaiah 1:10-18.
vs. 9-15 – The people are now indicted for their sins. The wealthy had cheated and stolen to enrich themselves, and God would humble them.
vs. 16 – Omri and his son Ahab were two of the most wicked of the kings of Israel. Omri forcefully ended a period of civil war and established a strong government, which unfortunately was not based on God’s Law. Ahab multiplied Baal worship in Israel through his wife Jezebel.
Micah 7 Notes
In this chapter we see the hope of restoration through God’s grace.
vs. 1-6 – Micah complains that the righteous are as few as the fruits in the field after harvest. Society was utterly corrupt. You could not even trust your own family. He compares the people to briers and thorn bushes – a far cry from the ideal of Psalm 1:3!
vs. 7-17 – Here are words from the restored Israel. I think these verses might have a double fulfillment prophetically speaking. First, in the restoration of Israel after the Babylonian captivity. Second, in the establishment of the Millennial Kingdom.
vs. 18-20 – The verses are some of the greatest in Scripture. God deserves such praise for His mercy, grace, and forgiveness.
Closing Thoughts
One of the most common falsehoods about God in the Old Testament is that He is somehow malevolent and vindictive. Yes, we have read many prophecies about judgment. We have gone over historical records of it. But to deny the goodness of God in the Old Testament is to deny the Scripture! It is clear that God was a God of mercy and grace in the Old Testament as He is in the New Testament. The same God that desires that all should come to repentance today, made the same offer numerous times to the children of Israel. The God we serve is the God not only of II Peter 3:9 but also of Micah 7:18-20
Hymn for Today
Our hymn today is “O Little Town of Bethlehem”, written by Phillips Brooks in 1868. It builds on the hope promised through the birth of Christ.
O little town of Bethlehem,
how still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep
the silent stars go by.
Yet in thy dark streets shineth
the everlasting Light;
The hopes and fears of all the years
are met in thee tonight.
For Christ is born of Mary,
and gathered all above,
While mortals sleep, the angels keep
their watch of wondering love.
O morning stars together,
proclaim the holy birth,
And praises sing to God the King,
and peace to men on earth!
How silently, how silently,
the wondrous Gift is giv’n;
So God imparts to human hearts
the blessings of His Heav’n.
No ear may hear His coming,
but in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive Him still,
the dear Christ enters in.
Where children pure and happy
pray to the blessèd Child,
Where misery cries out to Thee,
Son of the mother mild;
Where charity stands watching
and faith holds wide the door,
The dark night wakes, the glory breaks,
and Christmas comes once more.
O holy Child of Bethlehem,
descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin, and enter in,
be born in us today.
We hear the Christmas angels
the great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us,
our Lord Emmanuel!