then in the morning went and did what they had planned. Later, these sinful people came to worship God in His house and asked what would best please God. Micah replied that nothing except justice and right living would please God at all. You will recall that this mes sage is similar to the one which Amos brought to God’s people. Both prophets condemn those who live in sin and then try to worship as if they were living godly lives. Both prophets condemn those who treat their fellowmen unjustly, bring false messages and say that God is speaking through them, rule unfairly, and serve in His house for money rather than because they love Him. Micah tells the people what God requires of them; they were to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with their God. These three things sound simple, but it is impossible for anyone to do them in his own strength. Only when the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s Son, lives within one’s heart, can one live such a life as this. Those who are not Christians may attempt to do justly, love mercy, and walk with God, but they will fail fre quently. With Paul, God’s children can joyfully say, “ I can do all things through Christ wh i c h strengthened me” ! May 28, 1950 God has a plan for the universe. He has a plan for His people Israel. He has a plan for the Church. He has a plan for each individual life. We are especial ly called upon to consider God’s plan for the people of Judah in this week’s les son. They had sinned so grievously that the remnant had almost despaired of their salvation. But the Lord, through the prophet Micah, gave them hope and encouragement. He had a plan for their future. There are lessons and encour agements for us who live today in the passages before us. We shall look into the face of the Saviour in these verses, and we all need the same Saviour wheth er Jews or Gentiles. Messiah’s Future Kingdom 4:1-5 It is often the plan of the prophets while speaking of dark and dismal things to occasionally direct attention to coming glorious days when things will be dix- ferent. This was in order to keep hope alive. It was a constant reminder that Messiah shall at last conquer. His king dom will come in the fullness of time. Thus in these five verses the prophet de scribes the glorious Millennial Kingdom. Note several things about this kingdom: it shall be (1) established (v .l). The word “mountain” symbolizes kingdom. The Lord’s kingdom will be fixed upon a firm foundation and will thus endure. This passage and the verses immediately fol lowing are. very similar to Isaiah’s de scription of the same kingdom (Isa. T H E K I N G ' S B U S I N E S S GOD HAS A PLAN Micah 4:1-5; 5:2-4; 7:18-20 Pointers on the Lesson
[ vising” or conceiving ways by which they might oppress the poor. Upon their beds when they ought to have been asleep or communing with God (Psa. 1:2), they were busy Working out plans whereby they might increase their gain at the expense of the under-privileged. What do you think about when you are alone with your thoughts? The Bible says of man, “ As he thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Prov. 23:7). What kind of an individual are you judged by this standard? Particular Objects of the Prophecy 3:5-12 We are given to see in this section that the leaders in Israel are deserving of rebuke. They have led the people astray. In verses 5-8, certain prophets are shown to be prophesying vain things. In verses 9-12, both prophets and princes are presented as being detrimental to the welfare of Israel as a whole. It is in deed a solemn thing when the leaders of God’s people lead in the wrong direc tion. Their responsibility is great and they will have to give an account to God for its discharge. But a responsibil ity also rests upon the so-called laity of the church to check on the leaders in the church to see if their leadership is in accordance with the Word of God. The Bereans were a good example for all of God’s people to follow. They lis tened to preachers of the Word and then went home to check by the Word to see if what they heard was the truth (Acts 17:11). In contrast to the false prophets, Mi- cah shows his own qualification as a true prophet. He was filled with the Spirit of God (8). Thus he was able to show what is the true result of teaching and walk ing the wrong way (12). We must not expect to be able to do God’s work with out God’s Spirit. The Aim of the Prophecy 6 : 6-8 The aim of this brief passage, as of many other passages, is to show that pleasing God is not a matter primarily of outward observances. It is a matter of the heart which expresses itself in godly living (8). When the heart is right with God, other relationships will be right as well. Memory Verse: “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Micah 6:8). Another of the minor prophets was Micah. One day the word of the Lord came to him and brought a message for the sinning Jews in Samaria and Jeru salem. Micah told of God’s punishment that was to come upon those who lay awake at night to plan evil deeds, and Helps ior the Children Micah Answers a Question Micah 1:1; 2:1; 6:6-8
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