SHEPHERD KING

As we delve into another challenging message from God, let's allow it to impact us deeply. Let it confront and even offend us as we come face to face with the ugliness of sin. Let's see how sin ravages our lives, families, and society and focus on the glory of our Shepherd, Jesus Christ, who triumphs over sin. Rather than just acknowledging the sermon's emphasis on sin, let's walk away celebrating our Savior, Jesus Christ, who conquers sin, death, hell, and the grave. Are you with me?

Let's examine the book of Micah together. First, let's briefly explore how we understand its structure and message today.

Micah's structure is cyclical, not chronological.

It presents the same themes repeatedly rather than following a linear narrative. Scholars suggest that Micah's sermons were compiled over several decades, resulting in a collection of messages rather than a single narrative thread. The book comprises units of prophecy delivered at different times, which may create a disjointed feel but still convey consistent truths.

Lack of precise timelines

Prophets like Micah often don't provide precise timelines for their prophecies. While we may wonder about the timing of events, the essential focus is on the truth conveyed rather than the exact timing. We shouldn't get too caught up in pinpointing when events will occur but rather focus on understanding the communicated truths.

Emphasis on precise truths: While timelines may be vague, the truths conveyed by the prophets are clear and unchanging. These truths often revolve around the greatness of sin and the greatness of our Savior. Rather than seeking specific predictions, we should look for how Micah's message reflects our failures and points us toward Christ.

In essence, Micah's prophecy challenges us to recognize our sinfulness, see ourselves in Israel's failures, and ultimately find hope in the redemption offered through Jesus Christ. Let's keep these truths in mind as we engage with the book of Micah.

While a series on Micah could cover numerous aspects, let's focus on a specific passage. By God's grace, let's examine Israel's historical failures and acknowledge our shortcomings apart from Christ.

As we listen to the Word of God, let's collectively ask Him to reveal our sinfulness. Say, “God, reveal to me how I fall short of your glory and succumb to the same sins we see in Israel.” And having done that, let us then turn our hearts to Christ.

The devastating consequences of sin.

In Israel, we witness the devastating consequences of sin. Following the footsteps of prophets like Amos and Hosea, Micah delivers a potent message to the Northern and Southern kingdoms. Like their predecessors prophesied against idolatry, spiritual adultery, and injustice, Micah confronts a society drowning in similar sins.

Micah 3 becomes our focal point. Instead of exploring various passages, this one encapsulates the essence of their transgressions. As you read with me, notice the vivid depiction of the impact of sin.

Micah 3:2 ESV

you who hate the good and love the evil, who tear the skin from off my people and their flesh from off their bones,

Mark that particular phrase. “You hate the good and love the evil, who tear the skin from off my people and their flesh off their bones…” This is just the gruesome nature of sin.

Micah 3:3–12 ESV

who eat the flesh of my people, and flay their skin from off them, and break their bones in pieces and chop them up like meat in a pot, like flesh in a cauldron. Then they will cry to the Lord, but he will not answer them; he will hide his face from them at that time, because they have made their deeds evil. Thus says the Lord concerning the prophets who lead my people astray, who cry “Peace” when they have something to eat, but declare war against him who puts nothing into their mouths. Therefore it shall be night to you, without vision, and darkness to you, without divination. The sun shall go down on the prophets, and the day shall be black over them; the seers shall be disgraced, and the diviners put to shame; they shall all cover their lips, for there is no answer from God. But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the Lord, and with justice and might, to declare to Jacob his transgression and to Israel his sin. Hear this, you heads of the house of Jacob and rulers of the house of Israel, who detest justice and make crooked all that is straight, who build Zion with blood and Jerusalem with iniquity. Its heads give judgment for a bribe; its priests teach for a price; its prophets practice divination for money; yet they lean on the Lord and say, “Is not the Lord in the midst of us? No disaster shall come upon us.” Therefore because of you Zion shall be plowed as a field; Jerusalem shall become a heap of ruins, and the mountain of the house a wooded height.

The rulers, judges, and prophets are all implicated in heinous acts, culminating in the impending judgment of God.

Sin disorients.

Let's dissect this passage, highlighting three aspects of our sin. First, sin disorients. Verse 2 reveals a profound condemnation of judges who hate the good and love the evil.

They deviate from God's standard, turning their desires into the measure of right and wrong. This disorientation echoes in our culture today, where societal values often contradict biblical principles.

If we examine, for instance, Micah 2, where the question arises, "How did the judges reach such a depraved state?" How did they reach a point where they dismembered people and treated them as mere meat for stew?

In Micah 2, we discover that their intense desire for the fields of the poor and their coveting of their homes led them to justify their behavior gradually. Eventually, what they did remarkably became the standard for determining right and wrong. Their sinful actions, driven by overwhelming desires, caused God's Word to be dismissed and their actions to be deemed right.

One might say, "We are certainly not like that. Surely, we would never fall into the trap of calling good evil and evil good." However, if we reflect broadly on our culture, do we not live in an era where greed is praised as good and contentment is viewed as undesirable?

Do we not live in a time when arrogance, especially in athletic pursuits, is considered a virtue rather than a vice? Is our society not one where lust is glorified rather than condemned, or a society where revenge is esteemed rather than avoided? Some may argue that these are merely attitudes and values without significant consequences.

Yet, do we not also live in a culture where abortion is hailed as the empowerment of choice and the epitome of self-determination rather than recognized as the termination of a child's life?

This is the eventual outcome of sin. It becomes deeply entrenched in our hearts, transforming our desires, wishes, and wants into the standard by which we define good and evil.

Similar to Micah 2, where coveting fields and houses led to the development of sinful thoughts on beds, the same process unfolds for all of us. Sin is conceived in our hearts, esteemed within, and eventually manifests in our lives. Consequently, our lives, families, and society become devastated by sin.

Sin is deceptive.

We also observe in this passage that sin is deceptive. It makes us act as if God will never judge. As indicated in your notes, sin has a deceptive nature. In Micah 3:11, the leaders, judges, priests, and prophets were engaging in corrupt practices. While executing their sacred duties, they claimed reliance on the Lord, asserting, "Is not the Lord in the midst of us? No disaster shall come upon us."

They presumed upon the kindness of God, echoing Paul's words in Romans 2. Micah emphasizes that God's judgment is inevitable, but more importantly, it is meticulous and precise. This precision is illustrated in Micah 2 through several examples. Consider Micah 2:1, where individuals devise wickedness in their hearts and act on it before the morning dawns. Their pride leads to coveting fields and seizing homes, oppressing others.

God responds in verse 3, declaring that He is devising disaster against those who devise evil. The judgment is detailed and specific, addressing the very sins they committed. Spurgeon noted,

"When men invent sins, God will not be slow to invent punishments."

God's judgment is meticulous and precise.

Despite this perspective, the power of sin often clouds our understanding. We may not readily recall passages like Romans 2:16, which emphasizes that God judges the secrets of men by Jesus Christ. Similarly, Romans 14:12 and 2 Corinthians 5:10 remind us that we will individually give an account of our deeds before God's judgment seat.

Brothers and sisters, know that every man and woman will face God's judgment. There will come a day when we stand before God, either in Christ or outside of Him. On that day, we will recognize that God's judgment is meticulous, precise, accurate, and true.

Sin deceives us, leading us to believe we can lean on the Lord without consequences. It is disorienting and misleading.

Sin is destructive

We also discern that sin is profoundly destructive. When unchecked, invites disaster into our lives. It's imperative to note this truth. Let's examine Micah 3:12, where we witness the destructive nature of sin; calamity befalls us when we transgress, as seen in verse 12.

Micah 3:12 ESV

Therefore because of you Zion shall be plowed as a field; Jerusalem shall become a heap of ruins, and the mountain of the house a wooded height.

History corroborates Micah's prophecy: around 586 B.C., the Babylonian army laid siege to Jerusalem, breaching its walls and decimating the nation.

Thousands of Israelites perished, women suffered abuse, children were exiled, walls were demolished, and the temple was razed to the ground. Zion, once vibrant, was reduced to desolation.

Why did this catastrophe occur? The prophet provides a clear answer in verse 12: "Therefore because of you..." It was not the might of the Assyrians or Babylonians that brought ruin upon them, but their sin. Their downfall was not orchestrated by their adversaries' strength but by the enormity of their sin—a lesson applicable to us all.

As we reflect on Micah's message, it's not merely about Israel's transgressions; it's a mirror reflecting our tendency to replace good with evil, to prioritize our desires over God's decrees, and to succumb to deception, relegating God's holiness and justice to the periphery of our minds.

Just like Israel, when we sin, we invite destruction into our lives. Without Christ, this is our reality and the outcome of our actions.

We could share countless testimonies of how sin has ravaged lives, bringing ruin, shame, and chaos. While it's crucial to acknowledge the weight of sin, Micah reminds us that our focus shouldn't linger there.

Yes, we encounter shame, guilt, condemnation, judgment, and chaos, but ultimately, we behold a Savior—Jesus Christ—who intervenes amidst our lives' chaos.

Just as Ecclesiastes reveals the emptiness of worldly pursuits, Micah directs us to the gospel, where our sin finds redemption and restoration in Christ.

Throughout the Bible, including Micah, we discover that the solution to our sin lies not in worldly endeavors like wealth, education, or government intervention but in a gospel—a message from beyond ourselves.

We need a Savior, a Messiah, who can deliver us from the ravages of sin. And that's precisely what Jesus Christ offers: He bore our sin, shame, guilt, wrath, and punishment on the cross, triumphing over them in His resurrection.

Sin's destructive power is undeniable, but we find hope, redemption, and eternal life in Christ.

In Christ, we witness the reign of our Shepherd, the victor over sin, death, hell, and the grave.

While acknowledging the devasting consequences of sin, let us turn our attention to Micah 5, where the promise of our Shepherd's reign shines brightly.

In verse 1, a declaration is made amidst impending judgment,

Micah 5:1 ESV

Now muster your troops, O daughter of troops; siege is laid against us; with a rod they strike the judge of Israel on the cheek.

However, verses 2-5 contain a glorious promise pointing to the ruler who will emerge from Bethlehem Ephrathah, the Shepherd who will stand and shepherd His flock in the strength of the Lord.

Let's delve into four passages highlighting the reign of our Shepherd:

Rescuer of His Sheep

In Micah 4:6–7 and 5:6–7, the Shepherd assembles the lame, gathers the afflicted, and forms a strong nation.

Micah 4:6–7 ESV

In that day, declares the Lord, I will assemble the lame and gather those who have been driven away and those whom I have afflicted; and the lame I will make the remnant, and those who were cast off, a strong nation; and the Lord will reign over them in Mount Zion from this time forth and forevermore.

Micah 5:6–7 ESV

they shall shepherd the land of Assyria with the sword, and the land of Nimrod at its entrances; and he shall deliver us from the Assyrian when he comes into our land and treads within our border. Then the remnant of Jacob shall be in the midst of many peoples like dew from the Lord, like showers on the grass, which delay not for a man nor wait for the children of man.

The term "remnant" emphasizes God's mercy in saving a portion of those who faced judgment. Like Israel, we are saved by God's mercy, not by our faithfulness or usefulness. Our salvation is an act of divine mercy and grace.

Forgiver of His Sheep

Turning to Micah 7:18–20, we encounter a God who pardons iniquity, passes over transgressions, and delights in steadfast love.

Micah 7:18–20 ESV

Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love. He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. You will show faithfulness to Jacob and steadfast love to Abraham, as you have sworn to our fathers from the days of old.

The imagery of casting sins into the depths of the sea reinforces the complete forgiveness and removal of our transgressions. Our assurance lies not in our goodness but in God's steadfast love. There is no condemnation for those in Christ.

Purifier of His Sheep

In Micah 5:10–11, the Shepherd declares His actions with multiple "I wills."

Micah 5:10–11 ESV

And in that day, declares the Lord, I will cut off your horses from among you and will destroy your chariots; and I will cut off the cities of your land and throw down all your strongholds;

The focus is on God's commitment to purifying His people by cutting off sinful practices and images. The promise assures us that we will undergo transformation through the Spirit's power; we will not remain unchanged.

Protector of His Sheep

Micah 5:4 emphasizes that the Shepherd stands and shepherds His flock in the strength of the Lord.

Micah 5:4 ESV

And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth.

The assurance is that His sheep will dwell securely, for He is great to the ends of the earth and is their peace. Despite the scattering effect of sin, the Shepherd's sovereign rule ensures that none of His sheep will be overcome. He lives forever, making intercession for us, backed by His blood.

In summary, the reign of our Shepherd encompasses rescuing, forgiving, purifying, and protecting His sheep. The ravages of sin are acknowledged, but the glory of the Shepherd's reign shines through, offering hope, redemption, and eternal life. Praise God for the Shepherd who gathers and sustains His scattered flock.

As we conclude, I pose three questions for reflection:

Why do we persist in sin despite its destructive nature?

While the world might continue in sin due to ignorance, those touched by God's grace should question why, knowing the ruin sin brings, they still engage in it. Considering the profound impact of sin, especially revealed in the cross of Jesus Christ, believers should introspect and ask why they persist in actions that lead to destruction.

Why do we cling to self-justification when Jesus' blood atones for our sins?

Instead of relying on personal evaluations of righteousness, individuals should be wary of self-justification. Reflecting on Titus 3, which highlights the past folly and disobedience of believers, can redirect focus from self-righteousness to gratitude for the atoning blood of Jesus.

Titus 3:3 ESV

For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.

Luther says, “Let your sins be strong. Feel the weight of them. Feel the depth of your sin.”

Recognizing the depth of sin should lead to continuous praise for the Savior who died for those sins.

Why do we harbor fear when the Shepherd is our protector?

Dispelling the idyllic image of a shepherd, we should acknowledge the Shepherd as portrayed by David, who fought lions and bears to protect the sheep. Understanding that shepherding involves a fight, believers should question why they attempt to combat sin independently.

Instead, we are urged to start each day by appealing to the Great Shepherd for protection, victory, and power over sin. Recognizing our insufficiency, we should express dependence on the Shepherd's guidance and strength. May believers, by God's grace, cling to the Shepherd throughout the week, expressing complete reliance on Him.