Micah pt7

Sometimes it is going to get worse, before it gets better. And sometimes the righteous suffer along with the wicked.

American prosperity “gosepl” has snuck in to a lot of places- and sometimes we do not even recognize it. We hear about people suffering, who are seemingly innocent, and we doubt the goodness of God rather than celebrate that He sustains His people through trial.

Micah 7- the end of the prophecy- shows us that God is not absent, even in judgment and hadship and that He sustains His people, for His purpose and glory.

Verses 1-6 make clear that God’s judgment has arrived and it is as devastating as promised.

Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah (3) A Lament over a Decadent Society (7:1–7)

The soon-coming judgment is further pictured as a time of their (=the people’s, with special reference to the officials of v. 3) confusion (or chaos or disorder or panic) because of siege and battle. (There is assonance between “thorn hedge” [mĕsûkâ] and “confusion” [mĕbûkâ].) “Has come” and “Now” may indicate that the prophesied punishment is not just imminent but had already begun

But is in verse 7-10 that we also see the Hand of God- but in a very different way.

Sometimes the righteous suffer along with the innocent

BUT- suffering does not mean there is guilt-

AND- suffering well can be an example to the wicked who need to repent

How do we suffer well?

we Wait for God- v7

Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah (3) A Lament over a Decadent Society (7:1–7)

In Hebrew terminology words like “hope” and “wait” belong to the semantic category of verbs like “trust,” “believe,” and “put one’s faith in” (see comments on 5:7). “I wait” translates a Hebrew verb form (cohortative of resolve) meaning “I am resolved to wait for God my Savior to act.”

We call out to God- v7 “God will hear”

Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah (3) A Lament over a Decadent Society (7:1–7)

God will hear me” includes the sense of “God will respond to me by helping me and saving/ delivering me”

We strive to be content in the midst of the trial- v8

We trust His justice- v9

Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah (1) A Psalm of Trust (7:8–10)

Jerusalem’s people are also willing to bear God’s punishment because they know it is only temporary (“until”). The Lord will plead their case, that is, he will defend their cause (cf. 6:1 and comments there). He will also establish their right or, better, execute justice for them, that is, he will make things right for them

We have confidence in His faithfulness- v10

And what see in verses 11-17 bears that out

Restoration

Those who accept hardship as God’s correction (the unrighteous) God does not bring them to destruction, but to restoration.

Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah (3) A Prayer, the Lord’s Answer, and the Response (7:14–17)

Undoubtedly speaking for the godly remnant in Jerusalem and Judah, Micah prays for the fulfillment of the promised salvation and restoration of vv. 11–13 (v. 14), and the Lord assures his people that his faithful covenant love will not fail

This is misunderstood so often- even in our own correctional process- the goal of correction is redemption not punishment.

Yes, we answer for our sins in temporal ways, but God’s judgement is meant for our good- to redeem us and guide away from destruction.

Think about what happens if the nation of Israel continues down the path they are on when Micah is prophesying- there is no Jesus.

That’s heavy. Ponder that- no salvation for anyone.

Our stakes may not be that high, but God is still concerned for our souls and our spiritual development. He is not going to let us go wandering off without seeking to bring us back.

And that is because that is His nature. Micah ends with verses 18-20.

Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah (4) A Hymn of Praise to God (7:18–20)

Carlson suggests this outline of the subunit: Yahweh is the God of (1) forgiving love (v. 18), (2) redeeming power (v. 19), and (3) perpetual faithfulness

God seeks to restore

He forgives- v18

He does not stay angry- v18

He has compassion- v19

He destroys our sins, NOT US- v19

He keeps His promises- v20

God is not seeking to be appeased- He is seeking to be obeyed. He is going to restore.