Reading through the book of Micah makes me to think about the righteousness of God. Before I give my reflection on this book I want give the outline and overview of the book. Many have been given the outline and there are different outlines. For me I will divide it into three part which is 1) Promotes Confession (Micah 1-2), 2) Fosters Responsibility (Micah 3-5), and 3) Demands Commitment (6-7). In the first section it is about Micah convincingly points out the connection between the pain Israel suffer with their sinful and wayward ways because they broke the covenant (disobey the Torah). In the second section is about Micah persuades the Israelites to accept responsibility for their difficult situation and to understand where it will lead to if they do not change. He encourages them to adopt God’s ways to find hope. He asked them to come back to the Lord through the Torah. And the last section is about Micah puts a clear assignment before them which helps them to evaluate how they are doing. He summarizes the terrible consequences of continuing in their evil behavior and again paints the hope of those who find compassion with God. He asked them of their final answer which is to obey the Lord or to continue disobey him.
As a Christ follower so many lessons I got from the whole book. Among them are these: Our need to understand Godliness. Godliness put simply is for us daily to be overflowing with spiritual fruit. Micah 6: 8 declares,
“He has showed you O man what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
As Christ followers we are to adopt these four defining virtues of Christian living: justice; mercy, humility and faithfulness. We are take faithful steps to Holiness. Holiness is depending on God ways and resources while turning from our own. Chapter 5: 10-15 says,
“In that day, declares the LORD, I will dectroy your horses from among you and demolish your chariots. I will destroy the cities of your land and tear down all your strongholds. I will destroy your witchcraft and you will no longer cast spells. I will destroy your carved images and your sacred stones from among you; you will no longer bow down to the work of your hands. I will uproot from among you your Asherah poles and demolish your cities. I will take vengeance in anger and wrath upon the nations that have not obeyed me.”
God will root out any dependence we show upon things that He has not reestablished or ways that He has not directed. The Book of Micah teaches us the key lessons in faith. Faith is a choice not ability. Many of God's promises have been so astounding that we have not been able to understand and even to believe them. We can always choose to fully believe and commit to His Word. Micah 2:7 says,
“Should it be said, O house of Jaceb: IS the Spirit of the LORD angry? Does he do such things? Do not my words do good to him whose ways are upright?”
God's Word always accomplishes what it says it will be. The Book of Micah gives us the ‘Keys to Wise Living’. Wisdom teaches all Christ followers to accept the Lord's assessment of mankind. Chapter 2:11 declares,
If a liar and decevier comes and says, I will prophesy for you plenty of wine and beer, he would be just the prophet for this people!”
This Scripture warns us that only listening to what we want to hear breeds disobedience and ungodliness. The Book of Micah teaches some powerful lessons regarding spiritual leadership. In chapter 3:5-7 says,
“This is what the LORD says: As for the prophets who lead my people astray, if one feeds them, they proclaim ‘peace’; if he does not, they prepare to wage war against him. Therefore night will come over you without visions, and darkness, without divination. The sun will set for the prophets, and the day will go dark for them. The seers will be ashamed and the diviners disgraced. They will all cover their faces because there is no answer from God.”
Truly this book has much to say to us as Christ followers in these days. The book has much to contribute to our ongoing relationship with the LORD. We are encouraged to seek to be like Him. Truly may we turn our eyes upon Jesus and find that the things of the earth are growing strangely dim in the night of His glory and grace.
