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 7 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…
7:1 – gathers summer fruit at the gleaning of the vineyard – was the vineyard picked clean? Spiritual food is not plentiful.
7:2 – the godly have been swept from the land…lie in wait to shed blood…hunts his brother with a net – after the rapture? I believe that, during the tribulation, those who become godly will be captured and taken away to prevent the spread of godliness. Godly people provide nourishment to those around them.
7:3 – corrupt society – bribes for rulers and judges and powerful people (those with money and influence) getting what they want. Society at this time was rotting. The government and religious leaders were corrupt. Sound familiar? There was no security, no peace, no comfort, no support. The situation was utterly hopeless. Imagine what it will be like when the Spirit of God no longer dwells on the earth.
7:4 – the best person at this time is like a thorny hedge.
The day of your watchmen has come, the day God visits you – when Christ came…when He comes again.
Time of their confusion – Israel didn’t recognize the Messiah. Do you?
7:5 – Don’t underestimate anyone or assume you know anyone, no matter how close. Is this a tribulation warning? Certainly, but it is also a warning from now until that time.
7:6 – Even family will betray each other. It’s tough not to be able to trust ANYONE! How can you get through? Trust God. Talk to God. Share your deepest secrets with God. This is not difficult for me, as I have experienced family betrayal. I have a difficult time trusting people. But I can tell you from experience that GOD IS TRUSTWORTHY! And He is a wonderful listener! He will never repeat what you say to anyone else. He will not gossip. He won’t laugh at you and make you feel foolish. JESUS LOVES YOU!
7:7 – Keep focused on God, not people! Resolve to wait on God. You must CHOOSE to do this. It’s not easy.
GOD WILL HEAR YOU! Do you know that in your heart?
7:8 – Israel will rise again.
7:9 – Israel will suffer the consequences of sin, but God will restore her to Him.
7:10 – Her enemies will see her restoration and be shamed. Israel will see her enemies’ downfall.
7:11 – Israel will expand. Because the tribes come together? Or because more gentiles are grafted in? Or both?
7:12 – People will come to Israel from everywhere. This happens now. Believers make pilgrimages to Israel to see where it all began, This will continue and accelerate as Israel rejoins herself.
7:13 – How will the earth become desolate because of the deeds of her inhabitants?
7:14 – Christ will lead Israel. They are His inheritance.
The flock lives by itself in a forest, in fertile pasture lands. Are they hiding? Self-sufficient? Lonely? Without leadership until Christ comes?
Feed in Bashan and Gilead? These were fertile areas with rich pasture.
7:15 – The Lord will show wonders as He did when He liberated Israel from Egypt. The wonders being referred to here are the plagues God poured out upon Egypt when He liberated Israel under Moses. See Exodus 3:20, and chapters 7-11.
7:16 – The nations that witness these wonders will be ashamed and wowed! Why ashamed? Because the Bible recorded these happenings before and they should have known better?
7:17 – lick dust like a snake? Cursed to slither the ground? So ashamed they cannot stand?
They will seek God out of fear of Him and Israel.
7:18-19 – God delights in pardoning the repentant. He wants to do this! He doesn’t want a single soul to perish!
7:18 – God pardons, forgives and shows mercy. Do you?
7:19 – God will be compassionate to Israel and cast their sins far away from them.
7:20 – God will honor His covenant with Abraham and Jacob (Israel).
• 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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