Please forgive this rough draft format, as these are my raw study notes on the book of Micah, although they are a bit better formatted than former efforts. I felt a great sense of urgency to publish them rather than waiting until I had the time to pretty them up. Thank you and I pray that God blesses and encourages you through this material. I’m not sure of the condition of the world at the time of this publication. But at the time of its writing, spring 2009, things are looking pretty bleak with the economy and unemployment, natural disasters, and godly principles of living being disregarded. Are these the first stages of birth pains? The last? God only knows. And He is very busy these days. Stay strong. Encourage each other. Pray. Jesus is coming to deliver His people and judge the wicked…
Stacey
Take a few minutes to pray and savor chapter 6 of the Old Testament book of Micah. Then return here and ponder the thoughts, answer the questions, and be sure to leave comments about your own revelations…
6:1 – Why would the Lord tell Israel to plead her case? Perhaps so she knows that she has no case! She cannot defend herself!
Has the Lord ever allowed you this privilege with Him?
6:2 – The earth itself will hear the charges against Israel. All of God’s creation will be witness.
6:3 – The Lord asks Israel what He has done to her. Is this to make her reflect on her relationship with the Lord and His provision?
6:4 – God reminds Israel that He rescued her from bondage and gave her good leadership. Does the Lord need to constantly remind you of the things He’s done for you?
6:5 – He reminds Israel of Balak’s desire to destroy her and Balaam’s actions against her. See Numbers 22-24 for this story.
God also reminds Israel of her journey from Shittim to Gilgal, which was Joshua’s leading Israel to take Jericho, the first installment of the promised land. See Joshua 1-5.
6:6 – How should we approach God? Do you have a method or process by which you approach your Heavenly Father? There is no correct “method”, by the way.
6:7 – probably spoken during Passover.
What should we give to God? Can we bargain with Him to get right with Him? To get what we want from Him?
6:8 – The Lord requires that we act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with Him. Are you doing that? I don’t do this as consistently as I’d like. I struggle with each of these at times. Do you struggle with one of these requirements in particular? How would you advise someone who admitted to struggling in one of these areas?
This would be a great verse to memorize!
6:9 – Does the rod of God comfort you? See Psalm 23. Do you respect Him so much that you welcome His discipline? If not, and we all struggle with this at times, you may need to re-examine the word “discipline” to understand the privilege we’ve been given. Look at the word “discipline”, again. Do you see another word tucked in there? How about “disciple”? Proverbs 3:12 tells us that God disciplines those He loves. God’s discipline leads to repentance and a deepening of relationship with Him. It doesn’t lead to guilt and depression. Those feelings are from the enemy. To be disciplined by the Lord is an honor. Relish it!
6:10 – wicked house – Israel
What do you suppose the ill gotten treasures were?
Short ephah which is accused – see 6:11. apparently, they were cheating each other.
6:11 – dishonest scales..false weights – ways to cheat each other in the marketplace.
6:12 – rich men are violent – why? Because they don’t have more?
People are deceitful liars.
6:13 – God will ruin Israel because of her sins.
6:14 – eat but not be satisfied…stomachs still empty – not full. Might this be a reminder of the manna that the people rejected in the desert?
They will save, but what is saved will be plundered by their enemies.
6:15 – plant but not harvest – will someone else harvest?
press olives but not use the oil for themselves – implies that they will use it, but on others.
Crush grapes but not drink wine – they will make the wine, but not enjoy it.
6:16 – statutes of Omri? According to 1 Kings 16:23-28, Omri did evil in the eyes of the Lord.
Practices of Ahab’s house? According to 1 Kings 16:29-34, Omri’s son Ahab did more evil than those before him.
Because Israel followed Omri’s statutes and Ahab’s practices, God will allow ruin to come to them.
• The book of Micah teaches us that there is forgiveness and deliverance for those who belong to the Lord. What have you learned and applied to your life from today’s reading that will help you persevere in your relationship with Christ?
• What attributes of God do you see in this book?
• What verse of scripture seemed to be God speaking directly to you? What is He teaching you in these verses? How does He want you to respond?
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