Daily Bread for Sep 25, Mic 1-7

Today's readings are Mic 1-7.

Micah prophesies in Judah between 747 BC and 698 BC. He speaks against both kingdoms, calling Israel “Samaria” and the combined kingdoms either “Israel” or “Jacob,” describing the fall of Israel (Samaria) in 722, in Mic 1.

He distinguishes Jerusalem from Judah, recognizing that there was an elite and arrogant privileged class that lived in the city (Jerusalem) while most of the common people lived in the countryside (Judah).

During Micah's time, Judah was marked by tremendous economic prosperity. Judah had a robust export business and managed, by God's intervention (2 Kgs 19:35-37), to hold off the Assyrians when they attacked Israel. Things seemed to be going well. The Judites were feeling confident and, maybe just a little superior to the Northern kingdom.

Micah's theme is "Return to the Lord your God," a sobering message to a people that seemed to be doing so well. Once again, we see a prophecy of defeat and captivity, then one of redemption but only after we hear that there are some hard lessons to be learned.

Incidentally, "Micah" means "Who is like the Lord," foreshadowing the crucial question we see in Mic 7:18.  The assumed answer is, "No one. Not even you, Judah."

Micah is rich with symbolism and is graphic in its portrayal of how far God’s people have drifted from Him. When looking at their overall history, what is most astounding is the incomparable grace of God in putting up with these people who are incessantly calling out to Him in hard times and forgetting Him when times are good. What they fail to see is that the hard times come because they forget Him when times are good. Let this be an encouragement to us, as believers, to always keep Him foremost in our thoughts and in our hearts.