Scripture Reading : Micah 1
Theme : Righteous God Over Sinful World
Micah’s ministry is to the southern kingdom of Judah. His ministry spans circa 735-710 B.C. During this time, Judah is very wealthy and powerful militarily, but spiritually corrupt. His message for Judah is to warn them of judgment for their idolatry and to exhort them to return to God for God will abundantly forgive those who return to Him. See 2 kings 15:32-16:20 for more background information.
Divine Justice (1-9). God calls the nations of the world to account for their sins because He will call His people to account for their sins. God threatens to destroy both Israel and Judah for their sins and also judge the sins of the nations around Israel. The political and religious powers of both Israel and Judah have caused God’s people to commit gross spiritual adultery through worship of Baals, cultic prostitution, human sacrifices and civil immorality.
Prophet’s Lamentation (8-16). Because of the coming judgment on Israel and Judah, Micah will not be self-righteous, but will lament for their sins and judgment by being stripped and naked, meaning just wearing loincloth, not totally naked (Is. 20:2). God warns Gath, a gentile city, representing the world, not to gloat over the destruction of God’s people. He also warns various cities in Judah, such as Lachish, to mourn and repent. The names of these cities in Hebrew are intended as word plays. The Jews love word plays.
Praying the Scripture
- God is not a tribal God who has double standards for His own people and the gentiles. He is a righteous, impartial God who will judge the sins of His own people and the sins of the world (1 Cor. 5:13). He is willing to shake the world to judge His people, and He is willing to shake the world to save His people. We can always trust Him and take refuge under our sovereign and faithful God.
- The correct response to sin and judgment is to mourn for sinners and have compassion on them and desire to rescue them by being light and salt to them. May we never have any self-righteous attitude toward non-believers.
经文：弥迦书1
主题：在罪恶世界之上的公义神
弥迦事工的对象是南国的犹大，时间介于公元前735年至710年之间。这时候的犹大非常富裕，军事强大，但灵里是腐败的。他主要的信息是警告犹大犯灵性奸淫的审判，劝诫他们要归向神，因为神必然赦免凡归向祂的人。若要获得更多历史背景，请见列王纪上15:32-16:20。
属天的公义（1-9）。神叫列国要为自己的罪交账，因为祂会叫自己的子民为他们的罪交账。神警告以色列与犹大她们会因自己的罪被销毁；祂同时也会审判以色列邻国的罪。以色列与犹大的政治与宗教权势已导致神的子民犯下重大的灵性奸淫，因为他们不但拜巴力，还行邪教卖淫、献人祭，民间道德极为腐败。
先知的哀号（8-16）。由于以色列与犹大即将面临审判，弥迦不感自义，而是为他们的罪和审判哀号，赤脚露体，身上只有腰间的麻布（赛20:2）。神告诫一个外族城市迦特，即全世界的代表，不要因神子民的毁灭幸灾乐祸。祂也警告犹大的各城（如拉吉）要哀鸣、悔改。各城之名在希伯来文有双关语的作用。犹太人最喜欢双关语了。
用经文祷告
- 神不是一位部落神，对他人与自己的子民有不同的标准。祂是一位公义又不偏待人的神；祂会审判自己的子民及全世界人的罪（林前5:13）。为了审判祂的子民，祂会轰动世界；为搭救祂的子民，神也会如此。我们总可以信靠神，投靠我们那位掌握权柄及信实的神。
- 对罪与审判的正确回应是为罪人哀号，对他们有怜悯，并渴望作他们的光和盐，叫他们能得救。愿我们对非信徒不含自义的心态。
