Warnings, Yes ... Also Hope! Micah 2 (Week 1 - Post 3)

Read Micah 2.

After beginning with the horrific sin of idolatry, Micah, as the prosecutor, continues to build God's case against the people.  I wonder ... could the odious things in this chapter be happening in our own land, our own lives?  Notice:

coveting - taking what does not belong to you (verse 2)
fraud (verse 2)
stealing (verse 8)
abuse of women and children (verse 9)
lying (verse 11)
deception (verse 11)

Oh my!  Spiritual wounds that deeply effect our souls both personally and nationally.  Self examination is the first place to go ... followed by prayer.  National examination comes next ... followed by prayer. 

Look again at verses 6 - 7.  How typical of us!  Just don't talk about it!  If you don't say it - it won't be true.  The people are appalled that God was angry with them.  After all, they were His chosen people, right?  God is love, right?  Their country was prosperous at the time of Micah's message.  That means God was blessing them, right?  So let's not talk about it.  It's not pleasant.  Besides, outsiders might think that our God is not sweet.  After all, isn't God a heavenly grandfather patting the heads of his grandchildren? 

Have you read the classic, "The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe" by C. S. Lewis?  I hope you have!  If not, go get it and read it.  It is a metaphorical picture of our Lord represented by a lion named Aslan.  Four children accidentally discover the magical land of Narnia which is under a curse when they stumble into it.  In their explorations the children meet Mr. and Mrs. Beaver who know very well the curse under which Narnia lies and that Aslan is the only hope for release.  They explain to the children how Aslan, the true King, is on the move.  Listen to the ensuing conversation: 

     "Is  - is he a man?" asked Lucy.
     "Aslan a man!" said Mr. Beaver sternly.  "Certainly not.  I tell you he is the King of the wood and the son of the great Emperor-Beyond-the-Sea.  Don't you know who is the King of Beasts?  Aslan is a lion - the lion, the great Lion."
     "Ooh!" said Susan, "I'd thought he was a man.  Is he - quite safe?  I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion."
     "That you will, dearie, and no mistake," said Mrs. Beaver, "if there's anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they're either braver than most or else just silly."
     "Then he isn't safe?" said Lucy.
     "Safe?" said Mr. Beaver. "Don't you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you?  Who said anything about safe?  'Course he isn't safe.  But he's good.  He's the King."
("The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" by C. S. Lewis, Book 1 in the Chroniclers of Narnia)



We can't leave chapter 2 without resting in verses 12 - 13.  Read them again.  It reminds us all of God's infinite grace and mercy.  Never forget ... God has a remnant!  God promises deliverance.  Micah gives a preview picture of Messiah in verse 13. 

And we fall on our faces in gratitude ... our righteous God of justice provides healing and hope. 

Not "safe" ... but eternally "good"! 

Rest there ... Micah does as he closes his first sermon.