Sermon Tone Analysis
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Intro: Gene Roddenberry, Star Trek, utopia
What in all the history of mankind would make you think that we are capable of producing something like that for ourselves?
The first oracle had two chapters of judgment and two verses of hope.
This oracle has one chapter of judgment and two chapters of hope.
Judgment of Jacob - Judgment
Civil Leaders (3:1-4)
“Hear now” - introduces a new section
“Is it not for you to know justice” - what they should have been
Justice should be a government’s chief concern.
Micah calls them out because justice not a concern at all unless it is for their own benefit.
If you steal from a thief does he feel wronged?
“You hate good and love evil” - What they actually were
Graphic depiction of their sin
these leaders showed about as much consideration for the people as a butcher does for a carcass.
Micah probably has cannibalism in view.
They are eating their own.
They will be judged: They will cry out to God but he will not hear them.
Spiritual Leaders (3:5-12)
They give messages of peace to the ones who fill their bellies, but messages of war to those refuse to bribe them.
Leading the people astray - shepherding metaphor which also contrasts with 2:12, 13
Twist that which is straight (3:9 NASB)
Violent injustice
Bribery - (3:11) forbidden in Exodus 23 and Deut.
16
Rebellion
Destruction
They will be judged:
Darkness
Shame
Embarrassment
They will cry to God but he will not answer them
Calamity - The temple and Jerusalem's destruction (3:12)
Micah contrasts them with himself (3:8)
Contrast with 2:12-13
Peace for the People - Hope
If we are not capable of producing peace for ourselves then to where can turn if we are to ever find peace?
- God must intercede for us.
The Lord will rule in Zion
Jerusalem - A future rebuilt Jerusalem and temple.
(4:1, 2)
The mountain of the house of Yaweh = the temple
From here the Lord will reign.
The world will flock to him there
When God is King we will have peace
His judgments will bring peace
Swords to plowshare
Spears to pruning hooks
War will be but a memory
Community
What will happen in the meantime?
- 4:9-13
The Babylonian Exile: These verses refer to the Babylonian captivity and later return to Palestine under Cyrus.
In Micah’s time Babylon was only a vassal of powerful Assyria, making this an even more startling prophecy.
This period will be painful like a woman in childbirth.
But those nations who have oppressed Israel will be judged one day.
Birth in Bethlehem - Hope
His First Coming
The Way Breaker - 2:12, 13
The Peace Bringer - chap 4
The Messiah King will be born in Bethlehem.
It is these verses quoted in Matthew to reveal to Herod where the Messiah would be born.
Based on this verse (5:2) should Israel have known that their Messiah would be divine?
His Second Coming
He will reunite Israel
He will care for Israel
He will keep Israel (safe) - from Assyrian types 5:5
He will give Israel peace
He will judge Israel’s enemies
Theology of Judgment
Wrath is defined as “the emotional response to perceived wrong and injustice,” often translated as “anger,” “indignation,” “vexation,” or “irritation.”
Both humans and God express wrath.
But there is vast difference between the wrath of God and the wrath of man.
God’s wrath is holy and always justified; man’s is never holy and rarely justified.
In the Old Testament, the wrath of God is a divine response to human sin and disobedience.
Idolatry was most often the occasion for divine wrath.
Psalm 78:56-66 describes Israel’s idolatry.
56 Yet they vtested and wrebelled against the Most High God
and did not keep his testimonies,
57 but turned away and acted treacherously like their fathers;
they twisted like xa deceitful bow.
58 For they yprovoked him to anger with their zhigh places;
they amoved him to jealousy with their bidols.
59 When God heard, he was full of cwrath,
and he utterly rejected Israel.
60 He dforsook his dwelling at eShiloh,
the tent where he dwelt among mankind,
61 and delivered his fpower to captivity,
his gglory to the hand of the foe.
62 He hgave his people over to the sword
and ivented his wrath on his heritage.
63 jFire devoured their young men,
and their young women had no kmarriage song.
64 Their lpriests fell by the sword,
and their mwidows made no lamentation.
65 Then the Lord nawoke as from sleep,
like a strong man shouting because of wine.
66 And he oput his adversaries to rout;
he put them to everlasting shame.
The wrath of God is consistently directed towards those who do not follow His will (Deuteronomy 1:26-46; Joshua 7:1; Psalm 2:1-6).
The Old Testament prophets often wrote of a day in the future, the "day of wrath" (Zephaniah 1:14-15).
God’s wrath against sin and disobedience is perfectly justified because His plan for mankind is holy and perfect, just as God Himself is holy and perfect.
God provided a way to gain divine favor—repentance—which turns God’s wrath away from the sinner.
To reject that perfect plan is to reject God’s love, mercy, grace and favor and incur His righteous wrath.
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