Hope for the Future

It is so easy to become preoccupied with current events and the negative news that is all around us. If our focus stops at the immediate and we don’t look beyond, a person could become very depressed and discouraged.

The Christian must learn to not spend a lot of time on the past, except to learn from it. Likewise, a Christian looks at today with they eyes of Jesus, considering what needs to be done right now for the glory of God. Most importantly, a follower of Jesus Christ needs to learn from the past, live in the present, while looking forward to the future.

Regardless of the past or the present, in Christ, there is a glorious future.

We’ve seen last time, Micah shared a prophecy of doom and destruction for Jerusalem and Judah. The cause was the horrible, sinful, political and spiritual leadership which dragged the people down into rebellion and ruin.

Today, we have a more positive message. There is a looking forward to that wonderful day where Jerusalem will be restored to its glory.

Micah 4:1–8 (NASB95)

And it will come about in the last days That the mountain of the house of the Lord Will be established as the chief of the mountains. It will be raised above the hills, And the peoples will stream to it. Many nations will come and say, “Come and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord And to the house of the God of Jacob, That He may teach us about His ways And that we may walk in His paths.” For from Zion will go forth the law, Even the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And He will judge between many peoples And render decisions for mighty, distant nations. Then they will hammer their swords into plowshares And their spears into pruning hooks; Nation will not lift up sword against nation, And never again will they train for war. Each of them will sit under his vine And under his fig tree, With no one to make them afraid, For the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken. Though all the peoples walk Each in the name of his god, As for us, we will walk In the name of the Lord our God forever and ever. “In that day,” declares the Lord, “I will assemble the lame And gather the outcasts, Even those whom I have afflicted. “I will make the lame a remnant And the outcasts a strong nation, And the Lord will reign over them in Mount Zion From now on and forever. “As for you, tower of the flock, Hill of the daughter of Zion, To you it will come— Even the former dominion will come, The kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem.

The Future Worship - 4.1-5

. . . in the last days . . ., is a phrase that is splattered throughout the pages of the prophets. Almost always, it refers to the fairly distant future, usually connected to when Christ will return.

The mountain of the house of the Lord, is very strong symbolism regarding the kingdom of God. The intent is not just the physical aspect, but the spiritual aspect. According to verse 1, God’s kingdom will be above all other wannabe kingdoms. And this is going to happen because God will make it happen.

Even though there is a lot of physical imagery here, the idea is that as God’s kingdom, His spiritual kingdom, is seen as elevated higher than any other, causing people from all over the world to stream to it. No other religion offers eternal hope. Every other religion requires something of its followers with no guarantees. No other religion has a risen Savior. No other religion has a leader who willingly gave His life as a sacrifice so that others would live.

So then, the question is raised as to why the peoples will stream to it? This assumes, within the context, that these are Gentiles. There would seem to be a realization that others recognize that everything else which the world offers is meaningless and ultimately useless. Christ’s true church contains the only values which can truly satisfy and fulfill our longing, through Jesus Christ.

Then, Micah adds the fact that the people are requesting that He may teach us about His ways. There is a desire to understand what is necessary to be part of the people of God. How is that possible? This understanding comes from God’s Word as His Holy Spirit brings understanding to us. Another reason that people are so anxious to come is the natural result, that we may walk in His paths. When we learn about what it takes to become part of God’s people, then we develop a desire to live according to God’s ways. We will soon be identified as God’s people. Some translators word this: He will teach us what He wants us to do, and we will do it.

Finally, the circle gets to be completed as we see in the last part of verse 2: For from Zion will go forth the law, even the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. That was God’s desire; that His chosen people would live such lives that the Gentile nations would want to become part of that. Then they would go forth and proclaim the Lord to all of the world. For the believer, coming to Christ means going out for Christ. Becoming a Christian assumes that we will go out and point people to the Savior, spreading the Word of God.

In verse 3, we see that dynamic difference between the results of those who pervert justice and these, who because they are truly followers of God, as they will promote justice as they judge between many peoples. When God’s Word is accepted as it is and then practiced in daily living, it will be obvious to all who are watching. In other words, those following God and not the corrupt political and spiritual leaders, would make God’s Word the standard and guideline for settling differences.

This becomes the criteria for render{ing} decisions for mighty, distant nations. Obviously, this is most likely referring to a distant future, since we don’t see this happening now around the world.

And as a result of all this, nations will no longer try to conquer other nations nor fight for power. There will be no need, since the King of Kings will be in charge. That which was used for war and destruction, will be used instead for peace and production.

As a result of all of this, verses 4-5, tells us that people will experience peace. There is much thought that this can even be seen in the church by the fact that instead of disunity, there will be unity as the members of the body of Christ use their energy to do the work of Jesus.

There is certainly two ways of looking at this section of Scripture. One way is to see this as a picture of the thousand year reign of Jesus Christ, as He rules in Jerusalem. Another perspective is that this is a picture of the true Church, bought by Jesus Christ. I can certainly see the application of this into the church, though I tend to see this as referring to the millennial reign of Christ. Regardless of which perspective one chooses, the reality is that when Christ is in charge, there is no more conflict. Instead, there is peace. Not only will this be worldwide, it will be eternal.

By the way, this is going to happen, as we understand from the last part of verse 4: the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken. Who’s going to argue with God?

Then we see the security found in God’s strength that this is going to happen in verse 5. Micah 4.5 “Though all the peoples walk Each in the name of his god, As for us, we will walk In the name of the Lord our God forever and ever.” Even though people will refuse to follow after God, choosing to follow false gods, who were not alive, God’s people will choose to follow the One true God, Yahweh. It is as the song says, There is strength and power in the Name of the Lord.

Regardless of what others do, there will always be a remnant; individuals who have chosen to follow Jesus; I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back. Regardless of what others, bent on evil (confused as if it’s good), will do to the followers of God, we will stay true to Jesus forever and ever.

The Future Leader - 4.6-7

“In that day,” declares the Lord, lets us know that everyone reading this then and now, that there will be a definite time frame which is guaranteed by God in which all of this will take place.

The picture, in these verses, lends itself to a shepherd; we would suggest, the Good shepherd. This seems to be describing a future time (during the time of the Medes and Persians) when the nation will once again be back in their own land, returning from exile. Assemble . . . gather are presented in the Hebrew to be understood as a continuing process. The subjects are God’s people. They are described as lame which means limping. This implies a weakness after going through something very difficult. But the Good Shepherd is going to gather them together.

God’s people are also described as outcasts, those who’ve been driven away. Sin tends to do that. Evil people can even discourage those who would desire to be part of God’s kingdom, so they can be considered outcasts from society or churches who have compromised God’s Word. Though the world may oppose us, Christ is for us.

Even those whom I have afflicted. Remember the book of Hebrews passage which states that God disciplines those whom He loves. The same Lord who may have to give that spanking which is needed is the only One Who knows how to give the right kind of healing to our souls.

The result of this is found in verse 7. There is a complete change and transformation that takes place. The one who was lame would be changed into a remnant. There is a small number that will survive the punishment that is about to take place. Remember that Jesus also stated that narrow is the road that leads to life and few that find it. The group in Judah that would become the remnant was not because they were stronger and tougher. It was because they were part of God’s ultimate purpose in providing salvation to them.

They are also seen as becoming a strong nation. This has an obvious type or parallel in the fact that God will gather together His chosen from this world through the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Even more good news is seen in the fact that God is in charge; the Lord will reign over them. Jesus is God incarnate. He is the fulfillment of the future Son of David who would rule eternally, from now on and forever. This would include the New Testament Church, as seen in Hebrews 12.22, while speaking to believer: “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels . . .”

We have seen throughout the Old Testament when God had to take His chosen people and remove them, causing them to experience being ruled by another nation. Even though Israel was permitted by God to return and reestablish itself, with every good intention of following God, they would still fail.

However, the Bible tells us that, Jesus, God in the flesh, never sinned. Thus, His kingdom will never be removed. In addition, Jesus is eternal. So, His kingdom must also be eternal. All the language points to the fact that it is forever.

The Future Kingdom - 4.8

This verse is a little challenging to understand. There seems to be a definite promise of restoring Jerusalem to its position as the royal city later on in history. This was seen a couple of times in history after the Babylonians destroyed it and on other occasions. It has been said that God will protect His people as a shepherd protects his sheep.

Whatever or whomever would oppose this, the former dominion will come. This most likely is a reminder that God will set the kingdom in place even better than when the nation was ruled by David and Solomon. Many Jews would suggest that time represented the most glorious years of Israel’s history. Israel has been reestablished several times, only to fall or come under attack. Here we see, in these verses, God will set up His kingdom for eternity.

Conclusion

The nation of Israel, including Judah, had and would be having some incredibly difficult times. God’s judgment for sin had to take place since the people were so bent on doing evil. For many, who may have had to go through those horrible experiences, even though they were following the Lord, there is seen in these verses today, a hope for the future.

God’s desire had always been that His people would impact the world in such a way that other nations and people groups would want to follow after Him. However, His chosen people seemed to follow after the world, instead of God. Yet, the hope would be that the opportunity would once again present itself for God’s glory.

All of this hope was based upon the people following after the Lord God in obedience.

Church, there are many who have been dragged through difficult and painful times. There is hope for your future, as well. Some have rebelled against the Lord or got entrapped by the things of this world. Others may have come under intense pressure or persecution. Others may simply feel that they are at the mercy of this world’s thinking and wondering where is the hope. Yet when listening to the Holy Spirit and His Word, you have discovered that there is forgiveness available for you. You have discovered that our Lord will never leave us or forsake us. We know that Jesus is always with us. There is great hope for your future.

God, our great shepherd, will not abandon His children to the wolves and lions waiting to devour us or silence us. The wondrous truth is that Jesus Christ, the great shepherd, knows His sheep. He calls us by name. We just need to respond in obedience, because of our love for Him, which is a result of His great love for us.