Micah 2

December 1, 2024

FBC Baxley

Pm svc

Micah 2

1 Woe to those who devise wickedness

and work evil on their beds!

When the morning dawns, they perform it,

because it is in the power of their hand.

2 They covet fields and seize them,

and houses, and take them away;

they oppress a man and his house,

a man and his inheritance.

3 Therefore thus says the Lord:

behold, against this family I am devising disaster,

from which you cannot remove your necks,

and you shall not walk haughtily,

for it will be a time of disaster.

4 In that day they shall take up a taunt song against you

and moan bitterly,

and say, “We are utterly ruined;

he changes the portion of my people;

how he removes it from me!

To an apostate he allots our fields.”

5 Therefore you will have none to cast the line by lot

in the assembly of the Lord.

6 “Do not preach”—thus they preach—

“one should not preach of such things;

disgrace will not overtake us.”

7 Should this be said, O house of Jacob?

Has the Lord grown impatient?

Are these his deeds?

Do not my words do good

to him who walks uprightly?

8 But lately my people have risen up as an enemy;

you strip the rich robe from those who pass by trustingly

with no thought of war.

9 The women of my people you drive out

from their delightful houses;

from their young children you take away

my splendor forever.

10 Arise and go,

for this is no place to rest,

because of uncleanness that destroys

with a grievous destruction.

11 If a man should go about and utter wind and lies,

saying, “I will preach to you of wine and strong drink,”

he would be the preacher for this people!

12 I will surely assemble all of you, O Jacob;

I will gather the remnant of Israel;

I will set them together

like sheep in a fold,

like a flock in its pasture,

a noisy multitude of men.

13 He who opens the breach goes up before them;

they break through and pass the gate,

going out by it.

Their king passes on before them,

the Lord at their head.

-Pray

Title: "The God Who Judges and Restores"

Text: Micah 2

Theme: God's judgment on sin and His promise of restoration

Introduction: The Tragic Tale of the Bridge Builder

There’s a famous story of a masterful bridge builder who designed a stunning suspension bridge. It was meant to last centuries. But over time, local residents started stealing small bolts and parts, convinced it wouldn’t make a difference. One day, the bridge collapsed, taking lives with it.

Like that bridge, a society’s spiritual foundation can collapse when people justify small sins.

Micah 2 confronts us with the devastating consequences of unchecked greed, oppression, and rebellion against God but also offers hope of restoration for the faithful remnant.

I. The Sin of Greed and Oppression (Micah 2:1-5)

Verse 1: “Woe to those who devise wickedness…”

The Hebrew word for "devise" (חָשַׁב, ḥāšav) carries the idea of intentional, calculated evil.

These people not only sin but plan their sin in the quiet of the night, revealing hearts consumed by corruption.

Verse 2: Their greed knows no bounds—they covet (חָמַד, ḥāmad), take, and oppress.

The Law (Exodus 20:17) forbids coveting, but these individuals go further by seizing what isn’t theirs.

Verses 3-5: God declares judgment:

“I am devising disaster…” (v. 3).

The same word for "devise" is used, showing poetic justice.

The punishment fits the crime—those who steal inheritances will lose their own.

Application: Do we plan our lives around righteousness or self-interest?

Are we guilty of coveting, even subtly, by comparing our lives with others?

II. The Rebellion Against God’s Word (Micah 2:6-11)

Verses 6-7: The people resist God’s prophets, claiming, “Do not preach!”

The Hebrew term for “preach” (נָטַף, nāṭap) implies dripping or flowing speech, yet they shut down the life-giving flow of truth.

Verses 8-9: Instead of heeding the Word, they oppress the vulnerable—the women and children.

Their actions contradict God’s character, who defends the defenseless.

Verses 10-11: Micah warns that their land, defiled by sin, cannot offer rest (מְנוּחָה, mĕnûḥāh).

The promised land was meant to be a place of rest, but sin robs them of this gift.

Application: Are we resistant to God’s Word when it confronts our sin?

Do we defend the vulnerable or exploit them through apathy or selfishness?

III. The Hope of Restoration (Micah 2:12-13)

Verse 12: God’s promise to gather a remnant:

The Hebrew word for “gather” (אָסַף, ʾāsaf) paints the image of a shepherd tenderly gathering sheep.

Even amid judgment, God’s covenant faithfulness shines through.

Verse 13: The “breaker” (possibly a messianic reference) will lead them.

This figure breaks open the gates of captivity and leads the flock to freedom.

Jesus later fulfills this role as the Good Shepherd (John 10:11).

Application: Trust in God’s ultimate restoration, even when surrounded by chaos and judgment.

Are you following the Good Shepherd who leads us to freedom?

Closing Life Applications

-Repent of Sin: Take time this week to examine your life for any areas of calculated sin. Confess and turn back to God.

-Champion Justice: Actively advocate for the oppressed and vulnerable in your community.

-Rest in God's Shepherding Care: In seasons of hardship, trust in the One who gathers His people and leads them to restoration.

Conclusion

God’s judgment is certain, but so is His promise of restoration.

Just as the bridge builder’s vision was tragically undone by selfishness, God’s purposes for His people can be thwarted by sin.

Yet in Christ, the Good Shepherd, we find hope and restoration.

Will you walk in His ways today?

-Pray

-Invitation