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- What attributes of God’s character does this passage reveal?
- How does the passage point to Jesus?
- How should the truth of this passage change me?
- How do the events of today’s reading help you better understand the grand narrative of Scripture?
Mic. 1-2
Micah proclaimed to the world, “Look, the LORD is leaving His place and coming down to trample the heights of the earth.” (Mic. 1:3). People must inherently know that God is above them. That is why they worshipped on every high place they found. It must have made them think they were closer to whatever they thought God was. Funny thing is, we can’t get closer to God without God’s help. Climbing a mountain just doesn’t cut it. So worshipping at any ol’ high spot, whether worshipping the One True God or one of the many no-gods people created in their minds, reeks of man’s own efforts for righteousness. God declared that He was coming to trample that.
I think this is talking about more than just God’s judgment on the rampant corruption of the day. Jesus told the woman at the well, “…an hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem…an hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and in truth.” (Jn. 4:21, 23a). It wasn’t so much corruption God was coming to crush. It was works of the flesh. He was coming to make a way for us to truly come closer to Him. It is Jesus who left His place to come and break open the way to gather His remnant to Him.
Mic. 3
What does it really mean to take the name of the LORD in vain? Many believe it means using His name carelessly and irreverently. That may well be part of it. I tend to believe, more specifically, that it has something to do with taking vows using God’s name and not keeping them. However, I had another thought as to what it might mean when reading this chapter this morning. Micah said the corrupt leaders of God’s people claimed, “Isn’t the LORD among us? No disaster will overtake us.” (Mic. 3:11b). They readily claimed God’s name and all the blessings that go with it but they lived for their own gain. Just like those whom Jesus said He did not know though they called Him Lord, you don’t belong to God simply by taking His name. If you don’t give Him your whole heart, you take His name in vain.
Mic. 4-7
Micah’s prophecies go back and forth between threats of destruction and promises of restoration. He proclaims judgment then declares hope. He condemns corrupt leaders and pronounces the coming of One who rescues and brings peace. I think the intermingled back and forth may be because it is all the same promise. The point is that we are corrupt, unholy, and deserving of death. We are separated from God and there is nothing we can do to change that. Thus, the destruction God speaks of through Micah isn’t so much about the destruction of people. What God intends to destroy is our hopeless situation and our futile, misguided efforts to resolve it. I think Micah’s message is meant to make us aware of where we are. It is Jerusalem, our false pretense of righteousness through our own efforts.
We need to know where we are and be aware of the certain destruction that awaits us there so that we will be motivated to leave that place. Because we cannot come to a new place unless we leave the old. Micah tells the story in verse 4:10. “…for now you will leave the city and camp in the open fields. You will go to Babylon; there you will be rescued; there the LORD will redeem you from the grasp of your enemies!” Our enemies are our own ways, desires, and efforts. We must leave them behind so that God can come to us and take us to a new place. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has passed away and see, the new has come!” (2 Cor. 5:17).