Reflections On Micah for a young person

We’re going to try and take a big bird’s eye view of the story of scripture, and then focus in on a small part.

Trace the Biblical Story

Adam Creation is perfect. Sin enters the world through one man. Covenant

Noah Sinful humanity reaches a point of such utter depravity that God sends a flood. Covenant

Abraham “Blessed to be a blessing” Gen 12:12 Covenant

Genesis 12:12 LEB

12 and it shall happen that, if the Egyptians see you, then they will say, ‘This is his wife,’ then they will kill me but let you live.

Isaac

Jacob

Moses

Kings

Why was Israel guilty?

Prophets

Priests

Israel is continually failing to live out their side of the covenant equation.

Jesus Luke 4

The Bible Project video

Set the scene. Idolatry, oppression, false prophecy.

Why was Israel guilty?

Why was God disciplining/judging Israel? (Abrahamic mission) (God disciplines those He loves) The prophets, the priests, and the kings were failing.

Micah 6:6–8 LEB

6 With what shall I approach Yahweh, and bow down to God on high? Shall I approach him with burnt offerings, with bull calves a year old? 7 Will Yahweh be pleased with thousands of rams, with myriads of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? 8 He has told you, O mortal, what is good, and what does Yahweh ask from you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

God’s law that was given through Moses showed this to the people.

Talk about the distinctives of God’s law compared to other ANE law codes.

Punishment is coming, but God is still caring for His remnant.

Israel had flipped God’s Law upside down and acted like sacrifice of animals and oil was the ultimate end of the law.

When in fact that intended goal of the law was to form Israel into a people that could fulfill

Promise to deal with sin and hurl it into the sea.

Micah offers a beautiful prayer at the end of this book full of judgement.

A ray of hope that is emanating from Jesus back in time to Israel.

Micah 7:14–15 NIV

14 Shepherd your people with your staff, the flock of your inheritance, which lives by itself in a forest, in fertile pasturelands. Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead as in days long ago. 15 “As in the days when you came out of Egypt, I will show them my wonders.”

A call to God to shepherd His people followed by

Micah 7:18–20 ESV

18 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. 19 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. 20 You will show faithfulness to Jacob and steadfast love to Abraham, as you have sworn to our fathers from the days of old.

Close your eyes and ask God this question. Put yourself in the shoes of Micah the prophet who is reflecting on the nature of God in the wake of sinful Israel. Who is a God like you?

This word for steadfast love is hesed. I believe it’s the Hebrew word Ryan has tattooed on his forearm.

It is a word that expresses the nature of God’s covenant love.

What does it mean that God’s love is covenant love?

It means that God fulfills everything necessary for His covenant to be fulfilled including removing hindrances from humans side of the equation AND equipping them to be able to fulfill their side.

How does this apply to us?

We are God’s people.

Experiencing discipline is not a sign that God does not love us, but rather a sign that God is drawing us nearer to Him.

We see in the book of Micah that for those who are in Christ, God will pardon sin, throw in the the ocean and provide a way forward.

What would it mean for you if you knew that God was extending covenant love to you?

What does God do when humans are not fulfilling their side of the covenant?

He makes a way.

This type of God is completely different from any other god that mankind has bowed down to.

Story of Muslim man who thought the prodigal son would be killed.

God is abounding in grace and mercy and ready to wash us and form us into His people over and over again for the sake of world and the glory of His name.

Why benediction?

Hebrews 13:20–21 NIV

20 Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 21 equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.