Micah 1-4

October 1

Micah 1-4

"If a liar and deceiver comes and says, ‘I will prophesy for you plenty of wine and beer,’ he would be just the prophet for this people!" (Micah 2:11, NIV)

 

Israel and Judah wanted God’s blessings, but they did not want to live the lives He called them to live. They listened to prophets who prophesied lies that sounded good instead of listening to prophets who called them to repentance and obedience. They did not really care what God said, they wanted to hear words that made them feel good. But Micah had a different word from God. "Then they will cry out to the Lord, but he will not answer them. At that time he will hide his face from them because of the evil they have done." (Micah 3:4, NIV)

God has grown weary with the games the people are playing. They cry out to the Lord, but they do not turn to Him. They want the benefits of a relationship with God, but they do not want the responsibility. They have fooled themselves into thinking that the Lord will support them even in their sin. But God is bringing discipline and disaster upon them.

But God does not leave them without hope. In the last days, He says; "Many nations will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem." (Micah 4:2, NIV) Though the people have rebelled against God and ignored His word, He will bring a day of restoration, not just for Israel and Judah, but for all nations.

We live in the day when God teaches us His ways through the Holy Spirit, so we can walk in His paths. Like Israel and Judah, we have a choice. We can walk in obedience or we can rebel against God. We can listen to the truth of the Word of God or we can listen to the false teachers that promise prosperity and blessing no matter our relationship with Jesus. When we rebel against God, we will face consequences. We will face discipline from God. He brings His discipline to encourage us to turn to Him and to seek His presence in our lives. He speaks truth to us even if it hurts.