Judgment and Glory: Micah 1 (5)

Opening Prayer: Psalm 91.1-3
He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High
Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
My God, in Him I will trust.”
Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler
And from the perilous pestilence.

Sing Psalm 91.1-3
(Lauda Anima: Praise My Soul the King of Heaven)
All who dwell within God’s shelter in His shadow will reside.
He our Tow’r, our Fortress ever, in Him we our trust confide.
From the trapper’s snares He saves us; safe from sickness we abide.

Read Micah 1.14, 15

Preparation
1. What did God promise to bring to His people?

2. What will come with that “heir”?

Meditation
Some commentators want these verses to continue the judgment motif of the previous sections. But I think Micah, in chapter 1, is outlining the plot of his entire book. In verses 14 and 15 we glimpse the glory of God that will come to Israel in the Person of “the Heir” (v. 15; cf. Mic. 5.2).

Verse 14 looks past the judgment of previous verses to the day of the Heir and Israel’s glory. Then, God’s people will freely “give presents” to Moreshath Gath, and the house of “the lie” (Achzib) will be “a lie” to the kings of Israel. That is, a day of restoration is coming, when the people will be more inclined to give presents to their neighbors – including the Gentiles – and will distance themselves from the lie in all its forms.

That day arrives with the coming of the Heir (the definite article is present in the Hebrew). The Heir is Shiloh (Gen. 49.8-11), Him for Whom the Kingdom has been prepared and to Whom it belongs. He will come to rule over His people, to feed them with truth and to lead them into the majesty of the Lord (5.4). He will extend the greatness and glory of God as a refuge (Adullam) to the ends of the earth, and peace will obtain wherever He rules.

Look up, and see the coming judgment of God, just around the corner. But look ahead, and see His glory, coming as a refuge for His people in the Person of the Heir.

Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
“I will yet bring an heir [The Heir] to you…the glory of Israel shall come…” (Mic. 1.15).
And we all gave a corporate sigh of relief! There is hope on the horizon… “and peace will obtain wherever He rules.”

“Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble” (Ps. 119.165).
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (Jn. 14.27).
“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!”
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your request be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil.4.4,6,7).

Instead of disaster we have peace. And it is a peace that passes all understanding. The Heir has already come and brought us life (Jn. 3.16; 10.10); and for that gift we say, “Thank you”. And He will come again, “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet” (1 Cor. 15.52). And in between then and now, in grateful anticipation of His return, we are to show Jesus how much we love Him (Jn. 14.15; 15.14), and work in the Kingdom: “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Phil. 2.12,13).

Reflection
1. How does Jesus bring us into the glory of God? Why is that such a great thing?

2. Why is the peace we have in Jesus so important? How can we abide in that peace?

3. Jesus is the Heir and we are co-heirs with Him. Of what? What is our inheritance?

All refuges but Christ, must be refuges of lies to those who trust in them; other heirs will succeed to every inheritance but that of heaven; and all glory will be turned into shame, except that honor which cometh from God only. Matthew Henry (1662-1714), Commentary on Micah 1.15
 
Thank You, Lord, for delivering me from darkness and conveying me into Your light! Help me today to…

Closing Prayer: Psalm 91.4-16
Jesus is the Heir of God’s Kingdom, and He has made us heirs of salvation. Give thanks and praise to God, shelter in His saving mercy and grace, and commit your day to living for His glory.

Sing Psalm 91.4-16
(Lauda Anima: Praise My Soul the King of Heaven)
He will shade us with His pinions, ‘neath His wings we safety find.
From night’s terror, from day’s arrow, from the fears that stalk our mind.
When destruction falls at noon time, safe in Him shall we abide.

Thousands at our sides may falter – it will not to us come near!
We instead shall see the end of all who at God’s mercy sneer.
Evil shall no more befall us for we hold the Lord most dear.

He shall give His angels charge to bear us up, lest we should fall;
they will guard and carry all who on the Savior’s mercy call.
Cobra, mighty lion, serpent: We shall tread upon them all!

Save us, Lord! We love You only; set us up secure on high!
You we know, on You we call in trouble: Hear us when we cry!
Show us Your salvation, let long life forever satisfy!

T. M. and Susie Moore

You can listen to last week’s summary of Colossians 4 by clicking here.

Colossians in God’s Covenant
Where does the book of Micah fit in God’s covenant with His people? Our workbook, God’s Covenant, can help you to answer that question and to gain a better understanding of how the grace of God reaches and transforms us in Jesus Christ. Order your free copy by clicking here.

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Except as indicated, all Scripture are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (Williston: Waxed Tablet Publications, 2006), available by clicking here.