GRACE BIBLE FELLOWSHIP | 恩道堂

Scripture Reading   : Micah 7

Theme                    : Sadness and Joy

Sadness in Fallen World (1-7). Micah laments about his life in this fallen world. There is no godly people in Judah. The strongest, the most intelligent, the most powerful and the most godly people in Judah are good as harmful thorns. Even the family, the most basic unit of society, is broken. They are all filthy. This is the result of a world without God or any influence of believers. In such corrupt world, the only hope is to wait on God.

Joy in Heavenly World (8-20). Even the godly in such corrupt society is not blameless and deserves the discipline of God. The godly agrees with God’s discipline and waits for His loving hand of healing. Joy can only be found in God’s present and future grace. His present grace will sustain Micah and His future grace will deliver Micah. Micah will have to endure the suffering of this corrupt society as God sustains him, but Micah will experience unspeakable joy when God’s future grace will restore Jerusalem and Micah will be in this glorious new Jerusalem.

Praying the Scripture

1. The corruption of Judah is not a historical anomaly. This sad tragedy happens constantly throughout history especially in atheistic communist Russia, China and Cambodia, where children treated parents with contempt and persecuted their elderlies. This is a grim foretaste of hell for all who rejects God. Hell is the crystallization of a life of sin and hell is the active judgment of God. May nonbelievers see their terrifying end and repent.

2. True, lasting, holy joy can only come from the knowledge that we will be with our glorious savior in a glorious new world. It is this joy that will sustain us through all the troubles of the world (2 Cor. 4:17). It is this joy that will give us strength to battle and live for Him each day (Neh. 8:10). May God continue to replenish this joy in our heart each day.

Scripture Reading   : Micah 6

Theme                    : Walking Humbly with God

Divine Lawsuit (1-8). God is pictured as a lawyer who sues Judah for violating their covenantal relationship. Mountains act symbolically as jurors or judges. The Lord asks Judah, “Did I wearied you?” Is that why you have rebelled against me? Judah has become a treacherous and unthankful nation after all that God has done for it. The Jews thought outward ceremonial acts are the core of their relationship with God. But God rebukes them and shows them that the heart of their relationship is to walk humbly with Him, i.e. to have a humble heart that is committed to have a relationship with Him. As a result of that humble commitment, they should be just and kind like Him. Outward ceremonial acts should naturally be the results of this commitment, but are not the essence of that relationship.  

Divine Wrath (9-16). Because Judah rejects the righteous God, they also rejects righteousness. They are engaged in deceitful acts to enrich themselves. They are full of violence and lies. They are just like Omri and his son, Ahab, who encouraged the northern kingdom, Israel, to engage in gross idolatry. So God will destroy Judah just as He destroyed Israel for its idolatry.

Praying the Scripture

1. God is a kind God who does not weary His children (Matt. 11:28). His laws are meant to lead us to spiritual safety and blessings. May we have a right view of God and draw close to Him. He has high standards but is also a gracious God. His standards are designed for our spiritual good, not to weary us. We weary because of our sins and sinful priorities. We exhaust ourselves to chase after earthly temporal goods or sinful things, instead of eternal, glorious ones, which is good for us and make our souls more like Christ. May we have a right view of God and seek the good of our eternal soul.

2. May we never think God is pleased with our outward behaviour when our internal heart does not find joy in Him. When we do not find joy in Him, pray that God will change our heart (Eph. 3:18-19) and correct any misconception of God that is hindering our relationship with Him. God is the most glorious being in the universe, to be with Him is to be complete. May God grow our soul to praise Him and live for Him.

Scripture Reading   : Micah 5

Theme                    : The Coming Reign of the Messiah

Jesus’ First and Second Coming (1-6). This is one of the most detailed prophecies about Jesus’ first and second coming sewn into one passage. God calls Jerusalem to muster its troops for the coming attack in the end times, but God will raise the Messiah from Bethlehem to defend Jerusalem (Matt. 2:6). But His first coming is thousands of years before these end times events. In v. 3, the Messiah will not be with Israel until she, Israel, gives birth to Jesus, then during His second coming He will gather His brothers, i.e. Israel from the end time exile (Rev. 12:5-6). During the end times, the Assyrian (singular person not plural, see v. 6 he comes into our land) will lead the nations to attack Israel. We believe this Assyrian is not representing the nations in general, but is the antichrist (Rev. 13:1-18). But Jesus will destroy this Assyrian antichrist during his second coming. Those who trust in God do not need to fear, but those who do not trust God must fear God and then take refuge in Him.

Victory and Defeat (7-15). Here God reverses His typical order of defeat and victory. Usually, prophecies will first depict the sins of Israel and God’s judgment, then depict the salvation of Israel and their victory, but the order is reversed here. Victory of the remnants is depicted in vv. 7-9, defeat is depicted in vv. 10-15. Both defeat and victory will occur in the end times.

Praying the Scripture

1. Just as God faithfully and sovereignly fulfill His promise about the first coming of Christ, so He will faithfully fulfill His promise about the second coming of Christ. May we long for His glorious return and all the glorious things that the Messiah will bring. He will cast off all civil evil. There will be no more human trafficking, no gangsters, no theft, no murder. It will be a paradise, not wrought by human hands, but by divine hands. All who trust in Him will receive this paradise and heaven forever. May we look forward to it and make our lives count for this eternal glory.

2. God’s word is amazing and can be fully trusted. All the fulfilled prophecies in the Bible testifies to the divine quality of the Bible. Let us forsake all evil so that we do not deceive ourselves and wander into unbelief. Immorality always lead to heresy and unbelief, just as the Jews’ immorality led them to heresy and unbelief and are destroyed. May we be always be alert to our spiritual health.

Scripture Reading   : Micah 4

Theme                    : The Glory of God’s Rule

Glory of Jerusalem (1-5). When Christ comes back, Jerusalem will be physically the tallest mountain and the most prominent (Zech. 14:10). All the nations of the world will go there to hear Jesus and there will be true world peace. No more wars or preparation of defense (Is. 2:4). This is referring to the millennial kingdom, which is a foretaste of heaven. However, these wicked leaders will miss the glorious rule of Jesus in the future from Jerusalem and New Jerusalem, i.e. heaven (Rev. 21:10). All nonbelievers, evil doers and idol worshippers will miss the opportunity to be in heaven with Jesus.

Restoration of the Remnant (6-8). In that day (6), generally equivalent to the last days, God will bring back a weak, afflicted and humbled remnant to Israel. Miraculously Jerusalem will be the seat of power, where the Messiah will reign. Tower of the flock and daughter of Zion and Jerusalem are all referring to Jerusalem and Israel.

Distress to Deliverance (9-10). In the meantime, God will exile Judah to Babylon because of their sins. But He will eventually deliver them and bring them back to Israel, but it will not be a permanent restoration until Christ comes back. For the Jews will be exiled again for piercing the Messiah (Luke 23:28-31).

Siege to Victory (11-13). Micah returns to the end times when many nations will gather to destroy Israel but God will defeat them. Israel will go through a very hard time because of its sins (Jer. 30:7, Zech. 11:16, Zech. 14:2).

Praying the Scripture

1. Can you imagine a world completely free of war? This is what some people seek and sing about like John Lennon, but in vain they seek it through human effort and without Jesus. Such paradise is only available when the prince of peace returns to earth. Let us thank God for this marvelous inheritance for believing Jews and gentiles. Praise God for His wonderful work! Let us make our lives count for this glorious new world.

2. Let us also be thankful that God will deliver us from the chaos and destruction of the end time. He will rapture the church to be with Christ before the seven years of tribulation begins for non-believing Israel and the world (1 Thes. 4:15-17). Let us seek to deliver others from God’s wrath. Do not be afraid as you share the gospel to deliver people, for God is with us (Matt. 28:20).

Scripture Reading   : Micah 3

Theme                    : A Society Built On Iniquity

Civil Leaders (1-4). The civil leaders have turned society upside down by hating good and loving evil. Instead of shepherding and caring for the people, they oppress and take advantage of people. So God will bring disaster upon them and when they cry out for God, He will not answer them because their cry will be the cry of Cain (Gen. 4:13), not a desire to have a relationship with God.

False Prophets and Micah (5-8). The prophets, like the prosperity gospel teachers, are prophets for hire. They will say anything that people like and get pay for it. God will shame them in the end as He will shame prosperity gospel preachers. But as for Micah, he is filled with the Spirit of God and declares the sins of the people (8).

Fall of Zion (9-12). Zion, another name for Jerusalem, will be destroyed because it is built upon blood and sin. Everyone is driven by money, from leaders to priests to prophets. Yet they think God is with them.

Praying the Scripture

1. When we declare the truth about people’s sins and God’s judgment and love, people will reject us just as the Jews rejected Micah. Let us not be discouraged, knowing that God is with us, not with nonbelievers or prosperity gospel believers. Let us be filled with power, i.e. boldness, and a sense of justice and love to proclaim the glorious gospel of Jesus (Eph. 6:19).

2. Let us pray for our national leaders that they may carry out their divine role by restraining evil (Gen. 9:6), so that we can have a conducive environment to spread the gospel (1 Tim. 2:1-4). If the whole society becomes morally corrupt, chaos will ensue, wars may happen just like many countries around the world.

Scripture Reading   : Micah 2

Theme                    : What Goes Around Comes Around

Humbling the Proud (1-5). The Lord indicts those who commit evil to obtain financial gains. His fitting punishment is to bring disaster upon them, just as they brought disaster upon those whom they cheated (See Judges 1:7). God will humble them (James 4:6). God will give the land to the Assyrians, apostate (4), and the Assyrians will ridicule and mock these oppressors.

Disputation of the Proud (6-11). The proud oppressors command Micah not to preach such judgmental sermons. But God rebukes them and points out the obvious that He punishes evil and rewards righteousness. These oppressors rob sojourners and violently seize the houses of widows and fatherless children (8-9). So God warns them to be prepared to go to exile (10), because they refuse to heed to His word but love false prophets (11).

Final Conclusion (12-13). Though God will exile the nation, He is faithful and will call the remnant back to Israel. He will open the gate of exile and return them to Israel again. He will pass before them, protect them, like He did during the exodus (Ex. 13:21). This is another reference to the future, final exile and exodus of Israel (see Hosea 2:14-15; Zech. 14:2). All of this will be completely fulfilled during the second coming of Jesus.

Praying the Scripture

1. The Lord God is the vindicator of all evil. It is in this truth that we find meaning in life for all the injustices in the world and in our lives. Without a God who judges righteously, life is meaningless. The preacher in Ecclesiastes solves the problem of meaninglessness through the righteous judgment of God (Eccl. 12:14). If you are oppressed unjustly, take comfort and know that God will vindicate.

2. It is common for evil doers to give false reasons for spurning God’s truth. We pray they will stop justifying themselves and humble themselves and forsake their idols of pleasure and money in order to commit themselves to our righteous and gracious God who is mighty to forgive and restore, just as He will restore the nation of Israel and anyone who repents.

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

1. 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.

2. 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.