Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Micah+002

 

Micah 2 (ESV)

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.

 

REFLECTION:

  • When people understand the attributes of God and strike a balance between love and righteousness, they will know that God will give people enough time and opportunities to return before He punishes. How can we say that He is impatient (7)? He has endured for a long time, but the people have not repented at all. He must take action.
  • The prophet Micah pointed out a few actual examples to prove the evil deeds of the Judahites: they oppressed their compatriots (8); conspired to take away other people’s houses (9); heeded the prophecies of false prophets (11).
  • The prophet announces the message of judgment and at the same time the promise of comfort (12-13). The purpose is to make a clear comparison between the sins committed by people and the salvation of God, and let them know that God has judged the sins they committed, because He loves them and wants them to be more holy and edified (see Hebrews 12:5-10). Therefore, all those who truly repent, the remnant, are redeemed by God and enter the place He has prepared for them to have rest in peace. For Christians, the final rest in peace is to be able to enter the better country that Christ Jesus has prepared for us (see Hebrews 4:8-11).

 

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, thank you for your patience with me. Although I have sinned and offended you many times, you still give me time and opportunity to return. Please make me have the heart to confess my sins and repent so that I won’t be punished by you. Help me yearn to enter the better country that Christ Jesus has prepared for me.

 

HYMN:

At The Cross – youtu.be/icmHBODALrQ