Jesus is Knocking, What is Your Answer?

Micah 6:1–8 ESV

Hear what the Lord says: Arise, plead your case before the mountains, and let the hills hear your voice. Hear, you mountains, the indictment of the Lord, and you enduring foundations of the earth, for the Lord has an indictment against his people, and he will contend with Israel. “O my people, what have I done to you? How have I wearied you? Answer me! For I brought you up from the land of Egypt and redeemed you from the house of slavery, and I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. O my people, remember what Balak king of Moab devised, and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him, and what happened from Shittim to Gilgal, that you may know the righteous acts of the Lord.” “With what shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before God on high? Shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?” He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

God is pleading with His people to repent and come back to Him.

The prophet brings up history of God’s greatness and protection in verse 5. King Balak of Moab.

There is history between Moab and Israel going back to Abraham. Remember how Abraham beseech-ed God for the rescue of Lot from Sodom and Gomorrah. The wife turns to a pillar of salt because she could not follow God’s directions. Lot and his two daughters run to the caves. There is an incest relationship and Ammon and Moab are born. These two boys will be the father of their own nations. They will be nothing but a thorn in the side of Israel. But a jewel will one day come out of Moab named Ruth and she is in the linage of our Lord.

This king, King Balak sees the growth of Israel. He has heard the stories of what happened to Egypt. He has seen what has happened to Jericho. He now wants Balaam to curse Israel. Balaam eventually blesses Israel. King Balak says, maybe this is not the right place. I know a better place. This time the blessing is only better. King Balak says I have a better place. They go there and the blessing is even better for Israel. The king is angry and Balaam goes on to issue a curse on Moab detailing their destruction and a prophecy of Jesus Christ.

Numbers 24:17 ESV

I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel; it shall crush the forehead of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth.

God intervenes. He steps in and they still do not listen. This must be so frustrating to God, I can only imagine. He shows up in a powerful way to Balaam. And what is Israel doing during this time? If you look at Numbers 25, they are sinning against God. Some of them have turned their back on God and started worshipping these false gods.

Sounds a lot like today. Israel is not the only stiff-necked and rebellious people. We live in the wealthiest nation on earth. We have sat back and allowed Satan to play right in our faces. We have agreed to detente with the devil. This is a term from the Cold War which means to agree to disagree.

No more!!!

There is only one God, three in one. There is no salvation in the stars. There is no salvation in knowledge outside of God. There is no salvation in political figures or governments.

Isaiah 44:6–8 ESV

Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: “I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god. Who is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and set it before me, since I appointed an ancient people. Let them declare what is to come, and what will happen. Fear not, nor be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? And you are my witnesses! Is there a God besides me? There is no Rock; I know not any.”

There is only one God. What shall we give Him in return?

Micah 6:7 ESV

Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, with ten thousands of rivers of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”

God does not ask you to give up your firstborn, but He did for us. Not for His sin but for ours.

Romans 8:32 ESV

He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

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What does He ask for in return for this gracious gift?

Micah 6:8 ESV

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

There have been many over the centuries wearing the banner of Christianity and committing atrocities. This is not what it is to be a Christian.

Do Justice

Love Kindness

Walk humbly before your God

Conclusion:

A - Acknowledge

Romans 3:23 ESV

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

B - Believe

Acts 16:31 ESV

And they said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

C - Confess

Romans 10:9–10 ESV

because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.