Day 192
Today's Reading:
The “Mighty Mountain Micah” is how I remember the Book of Micah. It reminds me of the mountain melting like wax, and God promising the Ultimate kingdom on the mountain of the Lord. The mountains were a symbol of God’s judgment, restoration, and unchanging witness. Micah prophesied from the hilly countryside of Judah. We read this right after “Famous Amos”.
In Micah 4:9, “Why do you cry like a woman giving birth?” He scorned them because they were putting all their hope in a human king (King Hezekiah) instead of God. Judah felt leaderless and helpless, but God uses the pain on purpose. A woman in labor is in crisis before delivery. In verse 4:13, God told them to rise and thresh, meaning to get up and fight. Go defeat the enemies. He said they would be strong like Iron and bronze, like an ox or war horse that tramples everything in its path. Then they were to take the victory spoils to God, because it all belongs to Him anyway. The intense labor pains of crises and exile would give birth to a restored remnant that God supernaturally turns into a war horse to trample the enemy. Turning suffering into restoration under the Lord of All.
Why do you think a good God would allow His people to feel the intense labor pains of crisis (crying out like a woman in childbirth, Micah 4:9), instead of immediately rescuing them from feeling leaderless?
God called His people, both Israel and Judah, to come back to Him because judgment was coming. Micah was speaking to the general population, whereas Isaiah was focused more on the leaders. This book is put together like three court cases. The kings that were reigning during this period were Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah (S). Micah was a country boy from Judah and addressing the city people of both the capitals, Samaria (Israel) and Jerusalem (Judah) where idolatry was centered.
In verse 1:3-4, there was a theophany, where God appeared as He did at Mount Sinai. The mountains represent stability. God said when He comes in judgment, even the biggest, strongest mountains will melt and flow like hot wax inside of a lava lamp. Nothing on earth will be able to stand before Him.
Judgment on Samaria’s idolatry was actually fulfilled when Assyria destroyed it in 722 BC. The wealth gained from pagan temple practices (called the “wages of prostitutes”) was taken by Assyria and used in their own idol temples. Micah mourned for each town and used their names in his cry as they fell to Assyria under Sennacherib.
In chapter 2, the powerful were taking the land from the poor. This echoes King Ahab and Jezebel stealing Naboth’s vineyard. God said He would plan a disaster against the people because of the sin of Israel due to injustice and theft. (2:3). Right after, the people told Micah to be quiet and stop prophesying. They were tired of hearing bad news. But Micah (and prophets Isaiah and Amos) were true prophets, speaking God’s true words which hit close to home. Rejecting God’s Word would not make the judgment go away. After they told him to keep his mouth shut, he sarcastically pointed out the type of “prophet” they actually
wanted to hear. One who spoke of endless prosperity and a life of party time with no consequences. Society was so corrupt they only wanted prophets that would promise endless prosperity and no consequences. God said He would still save a remnant and be the “Breaker” who breaks down the wall to lead His sheep to deliverance. Yahweh, God Himself, would march in front; you just need to follow Him. Jesus is the “breaker” who shatters the chains of sin, death and hell.
The leaders said, “Eat my people’s flesh and chop them up.” This was a metaphor for the powerful who exploit and devour the poor, widows, and orphans by seizing land, exploiting taxes, and taking bribes. It took away their protection and dignity. The Lord would ignore the powerful people for their sins. The false prophets predict peace because they were paid to do so. But Micah said he was filled with the Spirit and power to declare the truth! Zion would be plowed like a field and turned into rubble in the last days.
The prophecy continued with a promise of hope. The Mount of the Lord would be lifted up, and all nations would come. God will turn weapons of war into farm tools. Swords will become plowshares and bring peace. He will gather the exiles, and the remnant will become strong again. Even though there will be a collapse and exile, God promised to bring them back in restoration.
Today's Discussion question:
Why do you think a good God would allow His people to feel the intense labor pains of crisis (crying out like a woman in childbirth, Micah 4:9), instead of immediately rescuing them from feeling leaderless?
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