Micah 2

Introduction

Sin corrupts. Micah talked to us about the severity of sin and how it infects every part of our lives in ch. 1. We saw how idol worship from Samaria made its way down to Judah and she abandoned God in her worship and morality. Therefore, judgment was falling on her and Samaria. The northern kingdom of Israel was facing punishment which would end their existence as a nation, whereas, Judah was facing discipline as a son to be corrected (which happens under Hezekiah, the third king Micah preaches under).

That focuses on national punishment. That’s what happens when a group of people choose to rebel and let sin creep in and corrupt everything about it. What happens to people when we let sin fester in us?

I. Woe of Evil Schemers (v. 1-5)

A. Woe to the planners of evil (v. 1-2).

1. These people did not happen to stumble and fall into sin unbeknownst to them. They sat and plotted how they might cheat, hurt, and devour their neighbors

2. They had the means and the power, so, when morning came (after a night of devising) they executed their evil schemes: robbing men of what is rightfully theirs

B. They learned very quickly that God also makes plans, plans of bringing calamity on the wicked (v. 3-5)

1. He brings justice when all else seems lost

a. He repays evil with evil, the same intensity or more, according to justice.

b. God humbles the proud evildoer. Their calamity would bring about bitter weeping and sad songs of mourning. The evildoer would lose it all

2. The schemer would lose his portion of the inheritance (v. 5). Israel would be taken over and never reform. No one would remeasure their plot to be part of God’s assembly. They would be removed forever (as it was in 722 BC for the northern kingdom of Israel)

C. What do we think about in our quiet moments?

1. Illus. I can remember sleepless nights for a few different things:

a. When the first girl I ever liked and I mutually decided we shouldn’t pursue a deeper relationship after talking for 2 years. I had a heartache that wouldn’t go away for months

b. I also had a heartache of missing Grace when we were dating. She lived 10 minutes from me, but I would spend hours thinking about her when I should have been sleeping

c. I also couldn’t sleep with certain exams. Late night study sessions, cramming information, nerves about forgetting what I’d studied, etc.

2. In a moment of silence, when you’re laying in bed, when you have a moment to yourself, what do you spend your time thinking about?

a. Do you let that person who irritates you at work ruin a perfectly good day? Do you think of tragic things that could happen to them?

b. Do you spend the night scrolling on Amazon, looking at that new thing you’ve been wanting for what seems like years!

c. Do you look at people’s pictures on Facebook or Instagram and wish your life was like that?

3. It can be easy to let our minds wander and think about things the lead us down a bad path

a. When sin is fun to think about then we spend a lot more time on it

b. Don’t scheme evil which only results in corruption and pain. Instead, plan good on God’s behalf

c. Psalm 46:10 ““Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!””

d. Retrain your thinking so that you don’t dwell on evil which results in sinful actions

1. When those bad thoughts enter your head, pray

2. Memorize a verse of Scripture that can help switch gears

3. Make an intentional effort to think about something good that happened (something you can be thankful for)

II. Results of Evil Scheming (v. 6-11)

A. People who are bent on doing what they want will find a way to justify their actions (v. 6-7)

1. Micah was preaching against them, but the prophets in favor of their evil ways, tried to reject Micah and his message, “Do not speak out!”

a. Sound like anything that happens today? Illus. Recently, at a Kamala Harris rally regarding abortion, someone in the crowd yelled out, “Jesus is Lord!” and she instantly responded, “Oh, you guys are at the wrong rally. I think you meant to go to the smaller one down the street.”

b. People who try to take a stand for what is right, their faith in Christ and protection of innocent life are instantly scolded and rejected by those who are bent on doing evil

2. The prophets in Micah’s day were saying, “Don’t speak out” (v. 6) “Doesn’t my message speak good about people? Isn’t God patient?” (v. 7)

B. Micah makes it plain, “My words do good to the one who does what is right” (v. 7b)

1. But at that time, God’s people acted as enemies: stealing, beating, cheating, evicting, etc. (v. 8-9). The person who is morally corrupt and loves evil becomes the leader and spokesman for the entire people (v. 11).

2. When the wrong person becomes famous and an influencer then many can be led astray, even preachers. Illus.

a. In the mid to late 1980s Jim Bakker (a televangelist) was caught in sexual sins and fraud, using hush money for his physical escapades

b. Jimmy Swaggart was exposed for hiring prostitutes for pornographic purposes

c. In 2018, Jesse Duplantis claimed that God told him that he needs a private jet, “Now, some people believe that preachers shouldn’t have jets. I really believe that preachers ought to have every available outlet to get this gospel preached to the world.” Note: he owns 3 private jets that have the phrase “It’s not about possessions, it’s about priorities” painted on it

d. I’m sure these men didn’t start their ministries with an ideal of greed or sexualizing people. Temptation crept in and they started following the wrong path. As a result, their sphere of influence was severely impacted.

3. Granted, no one is perfect. However, what are our actions serving: our God or our egos?

a. Are we seeking to justify our personal passions or genuinely glorify God?

b. Who are we letting influence us and our kids in this generation? People may say things that sound good and really pull us in, but what is the result?

c. What road is it taking us down? One of pride or humility? Pleasures or holiness? Selfishness or sacrifice? Be careful to judge everything by the Word to ensure our influences are from good sources

III. Hope for the Faithful (v. 12-13)

A. God doesn’t leave His people high and dry

1. There isn’t just blanket judgment where each and every person is left to destruction. God’s punishment falls upon those who scheme and practice evil. But His faithful and righteous people are gathered and protected (v. 12-13)

2. God gathers His remnant, He assembles His sheep. Those who stand in the midst of evil and are unmoved by it, those who desire to do right, they are ushered into God’s gate.

a. Many who practice evil go forth to break up the flock, but the flock is led by their King, Jesus. God is at our head!

b. John 10:14–16 “I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.”

B. God’s final purpose is not judgment, but redemption. He wants to unite those who turn from evil.

1. Don’t plan evil, plan out how to do good: what you can give, how you can help, the compliments you can say, the prayers you can pray

2. Don’t be deceived by false messages and bad influencers, know and follow the truth: listen to the Bible regularly, dedicate time to memorizing verses, read the Bible and take a moment to think about what you read

3. Don’t follow the massive groups in their evil, assemble with God’s flock: gather with His church for challenges and encouragement, listen to the voice of your Shepherd, Jesus. He is your King and is at the Head.

Conclusion

Sin corrupts, that is certain. It demoralizes nations and sends people into their own destruction. God gives us hope. He calls us with the Gospel and beckons us to be part of His remnant, assembled together in the safety of His leadership. Follow His example and let’s grow in Jesus together.