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Bible Reflections From Scripture Union Volume OneSample

Bible Reflections From Scripture Union Volume One

DAY 40 OF 181

Overview of Micah 1–7 The prophet Micah was called to preach to the southern kingdom, Judah in 8th B.C. He was the contemporary of Isaiah and Hosea and he lived during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah. Micah came from Moresheth Gath, a rural town in the lowlands of Judea and so he prophesied from the viewpoint of one who was accustomed to rural life. There are three (3) important themes in Micah’s preaching namely:- 1. Idolatrous Worship: There was widespread idolatry in the cities. The religious sanctuaries were no longer devoted to the worship of the true God. Corrupt practices and moral degradation in the name of religion thrived. Micah spoke out against Israel’s apostate condition. 2. Inevitable Judgment: As Judah turned her back on God, God’s judgment would be inevitable. The invading Assyrian armies will sweep over the Judean hills and ravage and destroy the towns and villages of Judea. God will use heathen nations to purify His people by chastisement. 3. Iniquitous Rulers: The landowners and merchants were utterly indifferent to the demands of God’s law. The ruling classes were singled out for special condemnation. Many were in charge of administering the judicial system but they accepted bribes and justice was perverted. Prophets and priests were self seeking and greedy and gave good messages to those who paid them well. God’s Mercy: Micah foretells a time when God’s people will forsake idolatry and turn back to God in genuine worship. Those who have been chastised and exiled shall return to the land. Micah looks forward to a time of peace when a perfect Ruler will be born who will usher the glories of the perfect age under the Messiah. God is forgiving and compassionate. He will pardon the sins of the repentant. The message of Micah rouses us from our complacency to check our lives and get our houses in order. May we hear the word of the Lord and respond in repentance. Sins Exposed! Read Micah 1:1-16 Look! The LORD is coming from His dwelling place; He comes down and treads the high places of the earth. Micah 1:3 God is never left without a witness. When the people of God turn their backs on Him, He will raise up His prophets and spokesmen to warn, rebuke and remind them of God’s judgment. God sometimes has to use very harsh measures to chastise His people and wake them up from their complacency and waywardness. Micah, a true prophet of God, speaks boldly and fearlessly against the sins of God’s people. His main desire is to uphold God’s standards. He is not concerned that his message would offend or incur the displeasure of his audience. God is not remote and distant. He sees and observes the affairs of the human race and He will call the nations to account. Because God is holy and righteous, He has to judge idolatry, spiritual unfaithfulness, and moral degradation. God can use the most unlikely methods to chastise and correct His people. What sometimes appears to be a tragedy may be God’s wake up call to us to repent of our sins and get right with Him again. When untoward things happen in our lives, it is good to pause and ask: “God, what are you trying to say to me or teach me here?” Micah laments and grieves over the sins of God’s people. He identifies with them in their transgressions. He does not stand aloof to castigate and condemn. A true prophet of God preaches without fear or favour. His message cannot be compromised for the sake of the hearers. However, rebuke is always tempered with the love and compassion of God. How do we respond when we are convicted of our sins and wrongdoings? Pray for pastors and church leaders that they will boldly and fearlessly warn and speak against sins and wrong doings in the church and in the community.

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Bible Reflections From Scripture Union Volume One

Scripture Union Peninsular Malaysia's Bible reflections are devotional readings from the thoughts and insights of Asian writers. Consisting of 8 volumes, they cover the whole Bible in four years. Each volume contains boo...

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We would like to thank Scripture Union for providing this plan. For more information, please visit: http://www.su.org.my

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