Micah 1:2-7; 5:1-5; 6:8J
Micah ministered during the time of Isaiah, 750-700 BC, about 700 years before the birth of Christ. It is hard to follow for me, because it is full of gloom and glory prophecy. Gloom when God is justified by showing His wrath, and merciful in showing His glory. Israel brought upon themselves, through sin, a great need to be rescued from the wrath of God. Micah brings messages of warning and hope.
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To Enjoy Christmas, Embrace What We Deserve. Micah 1:2-7
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Psalm 143:2 – Enter not into judgment with your servant, for no one living is righteous before you.
Romans 11:32 – For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all.
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Romans 3:23 – for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
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2 Chronicles 6:36 – “there is no one who does not sin”
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Isaiah 53:6 – All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way
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Micah 7:2-4 – The godly has perished from the earth, and there is no one upright among mankind; they all lie in wait for blood, and each hunts the other with a net. Their hands are on what is evil, to do it well; the prince and the judge ask for a bribe, and the great man utters the evil desire of his soul; thus they weave it together. The best of them is like a brier, the most upright of them a thorn hedge.
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To Enjoy Christmas, Be Eager For Deliverance. Micah 5:1-4
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David tells us in 1 Samuel 17:45–47, just before he slays the giant. He says to Goliath,
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I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand . . . that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all the assembly may know that the Lord saves not with the sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hand.
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From nothing, God is powerful! Even Bethlehem, a small spot on the map, was made into the pass of the Kings birth
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1 Corinthians 1:27–31:
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God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong, God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. . . . Let him who boasts boast in the Lord. God chose a stable so no inn-keeper might boast, “He chose my inn!” God chose a manger so that no woodworker could boast, “He chose the craftsmanship of my bed!” He chose Bethlehem so no one could boast, “The greatness of our city constrained the divine choice!”
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To Enjoy Christmas, Engage In Dependence. Micah 6:8
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You recall from 2 Samuel 7:12–16 how God said to David:
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I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come forth from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever . . . And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me; your throne shall be established forever.