“The Word Of The Lord That Came To Micah”

 

Micah 1:1

 

The prophecy of Micah deals with two subjects. It is a lamentation of the woeful condition of Israel and a celebration of God’s abundant mercy.

 

The people of God were, in Micah’s time, passing through a very painful trial. The nation of Israel was plagued with the incurable wound of empty, meaningless religious ritualism.

 

The leaders of the people were men who devised iniquity and worked evil. The priests were men of hire, and the prophets prophesied for money. Yet, all that they did was done in the name of the Lord.

 

Religious hucksters were in the majority and the people followed them eagerly. With confidence, they said, “Is not the Lord among us? None evil can come upon us” (3:11). The Word of the Lord was precious in those days. There were only a few who truly spoke as prophets of God. And very few heard them. This caused Micah great pain and much sorrow.

 

            But Micah was a man who knew the Lord. He had a vision of God’s majesty and mercy. He had received a word from the Lord. And with confident joy he spoke of the latter day glory of this gospel age, when the majesty of God and the mercy of God would be revealed in Christ the Messiah. Micah spoke plainly by divine inspiration of…

 

·        The Incarnation Of Christ (5:2).

·        Christ’s Humiliation And Suffering (5:1).

·        The Gathering Of God’s Elect From Among The Gentiles And His Mercy In Christ (4:1-2).

·        The Necessity Of True Spiritual Worship (6:6-8).

·        The Majesty Of Christ In His Glorious Exaltation (5:4).

 

            Though the people were turned aside unto vanity, Micah’s heart was fixed upon God’s promised Deliverer. He said, “Therefore I will look unto the Lord: I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me” (7:7).

 

            With the eye of faith fixed upon Christ, believing the promises of God, Micah’s heart began to swell with joy, gratitude, praise, and expectation. Unable to contain himself, the prophet of God raises his voice in exultation. "Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy”.(7:18).

 

            Did you catch that phrase? “He delighteth in mercy!” Clap your hands and rejoice before him, with joy unspeakable and full of glory. This good news is pure gospel truth. It should raise a universal shout of “Hallelujah!”

 

The God of heaven, the God whom we have offended, the God in whose hands we are, is a God who delights in mercy! “Who is a God like unto thee,” O Lord? Not only is our great God merciful, he delights in mercy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grace Baptist Church of Danville - Grace For Today Radio Message #663

2734 Old Stanford Road - Danville, Kentucky 40422-9438

Donald S. Fortner, Pastor -Telephone 606-236-8235 - Email grace@mis.net