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Okay, I know it’s been two weeks since I started Micah… I’ve no excuse other than busyness. Today we’ll be looking at Micah 2.
Looking At Scripture – the problem
Micah starts off this chapter speaking out against those who devise wickedness, planning it while they lay abed.
Woe to those who devise wickedness and work evil on their beds!
Then in the morning, they put their evil plans to work.
why? because it is in the power of their hand.
So basically these are people in positions of power
If they want a field or a house, they take it. Oppression of others happens because they feel like it.
Looking at scripture – the answer
The Lord God has an answer to this problem. He tells these oppressors that he is planning disaster for them. A disaster they won’t be able to walk away from.
3 Therefore thus says the Lord:
behold, against this family I am devising disaster,
from which you cannot remove your necks,
and you shall not walk haughtily,
for it will be a time of disaster.
If fact, the disaster God has planned for them will lead other people to mock these evil doers. They shall be utterly ruined, to the extent that “they will have none to cast the line by lots”.
4 In that day they shall take up a taunt song against you
and moan bitterly,
and say, “We are utterly ruined;
he changes the portion of my people;
how he removes it from me!
To an apostate he allots our fields.”
5 Therefore you will have none to cast the line by lot
in the assembly of the Lord.
Looking at Scripture – arguments
I think this section has the evil folks arguing with Micah. Don’t tell us such things, we won’t be disgraced!
6 “Do not preach”—thus they preach—
“one should not preach of such things;
disgrace will not overtake us.”
Micah’s response is simple… He challenges them (or at least that’s how it reads to me and I might be wrong). The upright have nothing to fear.
7 Should this be said, O house of Jacob?
Has the Lord grown impatient?
Are these his deeds?
Do not my words do good
to him who walks uprightly?
BUT the people are acting like God’s enemy. People who should be trusted are being thieves. Women driven out of their homes. Children being removed.
8 But lately my people have risen up as an enemy;
you strip the rich robe from those who pass by trustingly
with no thought of war.
9 The women of my people you drive out
from their delightful houses;
from their young children you take away
my splendor forever.
Looking at Scripture – then go!
Micah talks to the people telling them to GO. This is not a place for rest, there is too much uncleanness, too much evil here. Men who lie, too many people willing to listen to those lies.
10 Arise and go,
for this is no place to rest,
because of uncleanness that destroys
with a grievous destruction.
11 If a man should go about and utter wind and lies,
saying, “I will preach to you of wine and strong drink,”
he would be the preacher for this people!
Micah tells the people that God will assemble this remnant of Israel. Just like a group of sheep is gathered into a fold is this group of noisy people. He will go on before them. Their Lord will lead them.
12 I will surely assemble all of you, O Jacob;
I will gather the remnant of Israel;
I will set them together
like sheep in a fold,
like a flock in its pasture,
a noisy multitude of men.
13 He who opens the breach goes up before them;
they break through and pass the gate,
going out by it.
Their king passes on before them,
the Lord at their head.
Questions
What does it mean to say : they will have none to cast the line by lots? Looking at alternative translations here gave me an idea about what is being said here. They will be so ruined that no one will be left to be able to draw lots, which is a regulated by the temple.
Ponderings
I read about God’s anger at the people’s sin, their willful planning of evil. I can understand his anger. I read about what they were doing and I feel angry. God’s wrath therefore doesn’t really surprise me.
I was, … oh, I’m not sure of the right word. surprised at the destroying them so completely that they can no longer take part in lot draws (so out of the temple). I don’t completely understand that section, but not even a remnant left of that evilness.
but oh..those last few verses eh? God so often preserves for himself a remnant, a group of people he gathers unto himself. He often calls this remnant his sheep and like a shepherd he leads them, like a king he’s the head of the group.
I think you summed it all up well. God preserves for Himself a remnant but He also shows Himself to be a God of wrath when idolatry and disobedience crop up in His people. Micah is an interesting prophet to read and ponder on what he had to share with God’s people.
i find myself taking my time with this book and thinking about that passage I read all week. Means slow progression, but more thought.