“He Will Subdue Our Iniquities” (Micah 7)

Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever,because He delights in mercy. He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. You will give truth to Jacob and mercy to Abraham, which You have sworn to our fathers from days of old. (vs18-20)

Confidently trust in Jesus the Lord. We deserve wrath, it is true, but He is MERCIFUL, delighting Himself in His love to sinners who deserve to be punished. “He delights in mercy. He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities” (vs19). He chastens us in love and brings about a change, using painful terrors to awaken us. But, He has a people promised life eternal, and though we DESERVE wrath, He'll save!

What is your hope? It cannot be that you haven't sinned and all is well. “The best of them is like a brier; the most upright is sharper than a thorn hedge; the day of your watchman and your punishment comes; now shall be their perplexity” (vs1-4). It must be that God is gracious.

First, don't let go of this hope for any reason (vs5-7). “Do not trust in a friend; do not put your confidence in a companion; guard the doors of your mouth from her who lies in your bosom. For son dishonors father, druthers rises against her mother, daughters-in-law against her mother-in-law; a man's enemies are the men of his own household. Therefore I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; My God will hear me”. People are wicked, but you hold to Christ, trusting Him with everything. It doesn't matter what others say. They can't give the joy of Christ, and anything they give, God WILL remove. He says, “And hoe who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me” (Matt 10:38). Trust Him though people turn from you, because God will reward you.

Trust Him, secondly, when times are tough, when sin has got you, and when you're bearing the shame of your behavior (vs8-13). “ Do not rejoice over me, my enemy; when I fall, I will arise; when I sit in darkness, the LORD will be a light to me. I will bear the indignation of the LORD, because I have sinned against Him, until He pleads my case and executes justice for me. He will bring me forth to the light; I will see His righteousness. 10 Then she who is my enemy will see, and shame will cover her who said to me, "Where is the LORD your God?" My eyes will see her; now she will be trampled down like mud in the streets.” Don't think this is a “good time” only gospel, but pull yourself up. Trust His love, when you deserve to be banished. Trust the blood to cleanse, trust the Spirit by the blood, and trust the promises and patience of God. “For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith” (Gal 5:5). The change will be done by Him, faithfully.

Thirdly, trust the fact He delights in mercy (vs14-20). “He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in mercy”. When things look the worst with us, when we've been chastened and lowered because of sin, we are not cast off, but we are in the position to be used, because He saves sinners, and He uses people who have ruined things, by chastening us, destroying our idolatry, and coming back to us, revealing the GRACIOUSNESS of Himself. “In the day when your walls are to be built, in that day the decree shall go far and wide. In that day they shall come to you from Assyria and the fortified cities, from the fortress to the River, from sea to sea, and mountain to mountain. Yet the land shall be desolate because of those who dwell in it, and for the fruit of their deeds” (vs11-13). He isn't so far away, unwilling, or in any way dealing with us by what we deserve. He is gracious and mighty. Not only is He willing, but just like you love refreshment when weary, love your wife or your own soul, infinitely more, God delights to show mercy to all who believe on Him, and He will show it to all that He's chosen and predetermined. “You will give truth to Jacob (God's elect) and mercy to Abraham (the children of faith), which You have sworn to our fathers from days of old” (vs20). Don't be a downcast person trusting your merits, but have REAL hope before God based on who He is.

“What Does the Lord Require of You” (Micah 6:1-8)?

He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? (vs8)

Instructions are simple, regarding walking with God. Do justice, love mercy (being kind to others), and walk humbly with your Master. If we do these things, we shall not fail.

First, do justice! The righteousness of God in saving your soul has taught you that justice and uprightness are essential to Him, “even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference” (Rom 3:22). He won't save apart from justice honored, and He makes all who believe the gospel, not only righteous before Him in Christ but also upright in our dealings with His word, “because it is written, 'Be holy, for I am holy” (1 Pet 1:16). We walk obedient to Him, doing what He says, examining ourselves, and giving all diligence to improve our character. We are NOT people who say, “Christ died for me, so I can live in sin”, but we use Christ's death to get the power of the Spirit, whereby we do His will, making our own election sure and bringing fruit that proves that we know God. Those who talk about Jesus, but do not walk uprightly according to the scriptures, are false and in need of repentance (1 Tim 6:5). All who believe unto obedience and holiness are the real followers of Christ: truth plus love.

Secondly, love mercy! As you walk uprightly, you know how hard it is and how many failures you have (Matt 7:1-5). The reason that we're kept isn't because of our strength or perfection in us, but it is in spite of the sins within, in spite of what we do, by the patient, forbearing kindness of God. He is MERCIFUL to you, pardons you repeatedly, gives repentance continually, and has compassion on you that you wouldn't even show yourself. He forgives, delights in mercy, and we're to put this love on in dealing with others. “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you”. Let us never go to Christ for mercy, and then arise from our knees, and show hard bondage, unforgiveness, and severity to our fellow man (Matt 18:21-35). Let us know that all are sinners, and others are as bad as us, and while we don't say, “Sinners will sin, so let them be”, but we always deal with ourselves first, so that we may have the proper PITY and compassion in helping others fight against their sins. Jesus says, “Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye”. Love demands us to be merciful to wrong doers, and obtaining mercy day by day makes us able to show it continually as well.

Thirdly, walk humbly with your God! Don't be proud about your achievements, your obedience, or look to yourself for strength. At all times, we are walking by faith, in the power of the Spirit, and in the Name or merit of King Jesus (1 Cor 6:11). We don't get our obedience from human will power; it is God's gift, as we continually look to Him who draws us (1 Cor 1:24). We have nothing to brag about, except grace which has transformed us for real. And, we continually walk in open confession of our need of Christ's grace, or we cannot stand a moment. This humble needy soul, this soul that says, “Thank you” for grace, is the soul that God loves to help. “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time” (1 Pet 5:5-6). He will help the sinner who admits their sins, the saint who admits his need, and He will give grace to all who need Him to do everything.

Don't burden yourself in hypocrisy. Walk the Lord's way, prove that you know Christ, and enjoy the benefits of a saving relationship with Christ.

The Sufferings and Triumph of God's People (Micah 4:9—13)

 Homiletical Commentary 

on the Minor prophets

Israel's history, like human life, has its dark and its bright side. Before the glory promised is ever gained, sorrow and trial must be endured. This is—1. A constant rule; and—2. A necessary order in God's discipline. But the scene of trial was to be the place of deliverance. The sufferings shall be over-ruled for the salvation of his people and the destruction of their enemies. Notice :—

1. The bitterness of the affliction. "Pangs have taken thee," &c. Pangs without remedy, and painful as a woman in travail. 1. The loss of kings."Is there no king in thee?" A visible king was a protection, and a symbol of God's presence to them. The loss was most serious and irreparable. It was a condition of helplessness and shame. 2. The loss of counselors."Is thy counselor perished?" Kings and judges were their counselors and guides; but they were bereft of wisdom to direct, left in the hands of the enemy, and governed by captive nations. 3. The loss of liberties."Now shalt thou go forth out of the city," which shall be captured; "dwell in the field " exposed to danger; and be carried "even to Babylon" into long captivity. This was a sad exchange of liberty and luxury for bondage and misery. But it is the picture of many a soul reduced to slavery, bereft of God and writhing in agony.
2. II. The comforts under the affliction. All is not lost, though they have neither king nor counselor. God will make up for everything. 1. Affliction will end in good. "Jerusalem's pangs are not as dying agonies, but as travailing throes, which after a while will be forgotten for joy that a child is born into the world." Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning (Ps. 30:6; 73:24: Jer. 10:24). 2. Deliverance will be granted. "There shalt thou be delivered." There, where sorrow is greatest and hope is faintest—even in Babylon, the most unlikely place, "the Lord shall redeem thee." The utmost degree of affliction is often the nearest to the end, and help is not in the holy city, but in the stronghold of the foe. "Man's extremity is God's opportunity." The Red Sea must be the scene of triumph to Israel, and the prison the place of deliverance to Joseph and Peter. This magnifies God's grace and power. "When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream." 3. Enemies will be subdued. "Thou shalt beat in pieces many people." In their weakness, God will be their strength, and make them victorious over confederate nations. Their horns shall be iron, to push their enemies; and their hoofs brass, to tread them down. The destruction is universal and complete. All enemies shall be put under their feet, as conquered foes, or willing subjects. "Fear not, thou worm Jacob. Behold, I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument, having teeth: thou shalt thresh tho mountains and beat them small, and shalt make the hills as chaff" (Is. 41:13—15).
3. III. The spirit in which they should bear the affliction. If such be their prospects in the trial, how should they demean themselves? 1. They should cherish a patient spirit. "Why dost thou cry out aloud?" Calm fear and hush grief; though affliction be grievous at present, it shall afterward yield the fruits of joy and peace. Patience defeats the menace of the foe, but passion takes his part

"Patience doth conquer by out-suffering all" [Peel].

2. They should cherish a submissive spirit. "Be in pain," &c. Grieve, but remember excessive grief, fretfulness, and rebellion, are unreasonable. Resistance is folly, submission is triumph.

"By not opposing, thou dost ills destroy,

And wear thy conquered sorrows into joy" [Young'].

3. They should cherish a spirit of hope. What a bright prospect opens up before them! Why doubt or despair? God will accomplish his word. Hope will sweeten trial, and, like the sun, paint the rainbow on the clouds. "Black though our side of tho canvas be," said Sir Harry Vane, in going to be executed, "the Divine hand paints a beautiful picture on the unseen side."

“The Kingdom of the Daughter of Jerusalem” (Micah 4:4-8)

But everyone shall sit under his vine and under his fig tree, And no one shall make them afraid; For the mouth of the LORD of hosts has spoken. For all people walk each in the name of his god, But we will walk in the name of the LORD our God Forever and ever. "In that day," says the LORD, "I will assemble the lame, I will gather the outcast And those whom I have afflicted; I will make the lame a remnant, And the outcast a strong nation; So the LORD will reign over them in Mount Zion From now on, even forever. And you, O tower of the flock, The stronghold of the daughter of Zion, To you shall it come, Even the former dominion shall come, The kingdom of the daughter of Jerusalem."

God is going to restore sinners who've lost their way, and this is our hope in Christ, that we've ruined ourselves and brought judgment against us, but He has purposed to save. He recovers us from our falls, and He establishes us graciously, securely, and forever. He says, “But we will walk in the name of the Lord our God forever”: (vs5). I may have been chastened, but I'm the remnant He plans to save. I'm going to endure unto the end and receive the power promised to me, even the kingdom that I've squandered!

Like the Prodigal, we come home to the Father by grace and see Him gracious and kind. We read, “And the son said to him,Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son. But the father said to his servants, Bring out the best robe and put on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet” (Luke 15:21-22). We expect slavery and the poor house, but He gives us riches undeserved, enjoyable things, and eternal security. I'm not judged by what I've done, but I'm judged favorably by faith in Christ, the Son who died for me, redeemed me, and by a renewed faith I'm given everlasting promises and boldness. We don't have to live in the past! God doesn't. He says, “I'll lower you, because you won't bow, and then I'll raise you up for My glory and your good”. He says, “Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (1 Pet 5:5). This is our relationship with Christ: sin lowers us, we're humbled by God's power, and then He elevates the miserable who see nothing in ourselves to look to. He says, "In that day," says the LORD, "I will assemble the lame, I will gather the outcast And those whom I have afflicted; I will make the lame a remnant, And the outcast a strong nation; So the LORD will reign over them in Mount Zion From now on, even forever” (vs6-7). He is GRACIOUS to sinners, and being a sinner doesn't mean that hope is lost; it is the DOOR of hope that we need.

I'm never to be doubtful of the future because of the past, not when I take the promises of God.

“Neither Shall They Learn War Anymore” (Micah 2:6-4:3)

Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and peoples shall flow to it. Many nations shall come and say, "Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths." For out of Zion the law shall go forth, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He shall judge between many peoples, and rebuke strong nations afar off; They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. (Micah 4:1-3)

GRACE CHANGES US:

God's salvation makes us behave the way that we should! He says, “Neither shall they learn war any more”. We are not bound by cruelty, as if we can't repent. He intervenes by grace, helps us see the light, and we know that His way is BEST: we practice what He preaches.

He doesn't save by changing the rules or lowering the standard, but He bows us to the Lord Jesus on His terms, willingly! He says, “Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and peoples shall flow to it.” This isn't something that we do for ourselves, but it is GRACE in action, so that I love my soul and thereby the Savior, valuing Christ and His way above everything in the world.

I got engaged yesterday at the age of 41, and I'm very happy that she willingly said, “Yes”, to subjecting herself to me in marriage, even as we WILLINGLY follow the doctrine of Christ. He says, “Many nations shall come and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths. For out of Zion the law shall go forth, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.” He turns on the light of knowledge so we see Him glorious, and we see Him so beautiful that EVERYTHING else in the world takes a distant second place - so far in the background that it doesn't compete with the Son for our affection!

I've been single a long time and I love the thought of marriage, but my wife and children (if God gives them) will bear no competition to Christ. I willingly love Him more than anything else, and I can only say, “Thanks” for what He gives by honoring Him with it. He says, “giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Eph 5:20). This thankful obedience is God's gift. It isn't against my will obedience; it is obedience with my full consent. I say, “Teach me, Lord. Change me. Make me to walk in your way, and teach me to behave, Oh merciful God”, and He DOES it freely and continually, ““For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age” (Titus 2:11-12). You and I are sinners, today, tomorrow, and every day, and yet He will not condemn us for Christ's sake, and He DELIGHTS to give us more grace in our need. This is the fruit of Christ - not that we continue in sin and say, “Saved by grace”, but that grace teaches us to honor the Lord in godliness.

What do you believe about Christ? Is He worthy of your absolute devotion? If you're taught by Him, then He is!

“You Will Have No One to Determine Boundaries” (Micah 1:1-2:5)

Therefore thus says the LORD: "Behold, against this family I am devising disaster, from which you cannot remove your necks; nor shall you walk haughtily, for this is an evil time. In that day one shall take up a proverb against you, and lament with a bitter lamentation, saying: ‘We are utterly destroyed! He has changed the heritage of my people; how He has removed it from me! To a turncoat He has divided our fields.’" Therefore you will have no one to determine boundaries by lot in the assembly of the LORD. (vs3-5)

If we don't do what God says do, then we'll be chastened or destroyed, and it is our fault. He says, “All this for the transgression of Jacob and for the sins of the house of Israel”, and, “Therefore you will have no one to determine boundaries by lot in the assembly of the Lord”. Your land will no longer be in your control, and the promises will be gone.

This curse doesn't come without cause, and God only punishes because it is right. He says, “Like a fluttering sparrow, like a flying swallow, so a curse without cause shall not come” (Prov 26:2). We can be obedient like Job and trouble happens, but this doesn't change the fact that God deals with us as a Father, according to our deeds (1 Pet 1:17; Ps 99:8). He doesn't punish the elect twice, having paid for our sins in His own blood, but He does chastens us to make us repent, and He will punish all who won't hear. This eye for an eye action is the basis of God's judgment, and this JUST recompense is His dealings with us in chastening love. Do not think, “I can do what I want, and God won't care. I'm saved by grace”, or, “God is LOVE, so it really doesn't matter if I sin”. The curse might not come immediately, and you may die a sinner with smiles on your face, but He WILL return and pay you back, and it will be all your fault, if you're punished for sin.

Sin is the cause of all evil and pain. Satan sinned, was cast down, and he is now reserved in chains of darkness until he is punished (Jude 1:6). Adam sinned and the whole human race was plunged into death, so that babies die, and in the all the world, there is none good, no not one. He says, “God looks down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there are any who understand, who seek God. Every one of them has turned aside; they have together become corrupt; there is none who does good, no, not one” (Ps 53:2-3). This curse isn't because God is the sinner who made us sin; it is because WE sought out wickedness, and MISERY is the result. Jesus Christ endured the cross and all the difficulties of obedience that we brought into this world, and He conquered, but the struggle is the result of the curse and God's displeasure with us because of sin.

If we confess and forsake our sins, then we're assured of mercy. He says, “He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy” (Prov 28:13). Just as Job repented, and it was well with him, just as sinners from every nation are brought to bow to Christ, it shall be well with you, if you believe on Him to forgive and cleanse you from unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Many want to feel sad, but they won't repent. They don't mind misery, but they refuse to change. We read, “And the king Herod was exceedingly sorry; yet, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to refuse her. Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded John the Baptist's head to be brought. And he went and beheaded him in prison” (Mark 6:26-27). They talk about being new creations, but they refuse to behave as such. Yet, God actually turns His people by the power of Christ, and our fruit is different. He says, “For observe this very thing, that you sorrowed in a godly manner: what diligence it produced in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what vehement desire, what zeal, what vindication! In all things you proved yourselves to be clear in this matter” (2 Cor 7:11).

God relieves the pain of sin by removing the sin that caused it. He reconciles us by fixing our conduct, as well as our standing. He says, “Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation” (2 Cor 5:18). Our behavior is the most important thing in the world to us. We are never chastened for being poor; it is only for being wicked.