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 4 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…
4:1 – In the last days – at the end of the world, judgment and restoration for Israel.
See Hebrews 12:22-24 for a beautiful picture of the church coming together.
4:2 – mountain of the Lord – Zion.
House of the God of Jacob – Why Jacob? Why not Israel? Usually when a person’s name (not given by the Lord) is used, it is reminding us of our sinful nature. So, is this saying that the Lord is a God of sinners? What would that say about God? He is gracious and faithful and forgiving… What else does it tell you about the Lord?
How will the Lord teach His ways if these are the last days…the time of judgment? Israel will come back to the Lord during the tribulation!
4:3 – judgment
no more war – weapons are forged into farming tools. The tools are needed to reap the abundant crops mentioned in verse 4.
There is mention in Revelation, I believe, about a harvest with a sickle…
4:4 – every man will sit under his own vine…his own fig tree – agricultural wealth, plentiful produce, no starvation. What a blessing from God!
This picture depicts rest and peace and solitude for a time of worship.
4:5 – Israel will return to the Lord and walk in His ways.
4:6 – At this time, the Lord will gather His people together.
4:7 – The Lord will rule over the remnant and the exiles forever.
4:8 – watchtower of the flock – Jerusalem, city of David, the shepherd-king.
Stronghold of the Daughter of Zion – stronghold is an impenetrable structure, daughter is a humanizing picture of a city, Zion is the city.
Former dominion – the promised land? The kingdom of Israel.
Kingship will come – Jesus!
Daughter of Jerusalem – another humanizing picture. This time of the city of Jerusalem.
4:9 – Now?
Like a woman in labor – intense, but temporary pain.
4:10 – writhe…like a woman in labor – horrible, temporary pain.
Leave the city – exile? Assyrian? Assyria attacked the Northern Kingdom.
Camp in the open field?
Go to Babylon – Babylonian exile (took place 150 years after the Assyrians attacked the Northern kingdom.)
There you will be rescued – in Babylon? How did that happen? When, after 70 years of exile, the Israelites were permitted to leave?
4:11 – Israel’s enemies?
4:12 – Israel’s enemies don’t understand God’s plan.
How can we understand God’s plan? Read the Word, study it, pray.
4:13 – Israel will thresh her enemies. She will break them. I wonder if this is what the weapons that were forged into tools (see v. 3) are used for.
• 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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