The Coming of the Kingdom: Micah 4 (2)

Opening Prayer: Psalm 48.1-3
Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised
In the city of our God,
In His holy mountain.
Beautiful in elevation,
The joy of the whole earth,
Is Mount Zion on the sides of the north,
The city of the great King.
God is in her palaces;
He is known as her refuge.

Sing Psalm 48.1-3
(Cwm Rhondda: Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah)
Great is God, now greatly praise Him in the city of the Lord.
Holy she, His lovely mountain, great and glorious by His Word!
God her King is great within her, He, her Stronghold ever sure!
He, her Stronghold ever sure!

Read Micah 4.2-5

Preparation
1. Who is coming to the mountain of the Lord’s house? Why are they coming?

2. What is drawing them to come? What results from their coming?

Meditation
The message of Micah 4.1-5 was so important in his day that God put it also in the mouth of his contemporary, Isaiah (Is. 2.1-4). It is a message of such breathtaking scope and promise that it should bring tears to our eyes and joy to our hearts to remember that Micah is preaching about the times in which we live.

The image is clear and compelling: The Law and Word of God are going out from the Lord’s house into the surrounding nations and peoples. Upon hearing the Word of the Lord, many nations resolve to go to the house of the Lord to learn His ways and to walk in His paths. The result is the judgment and justice of God are released among the peoples of the earth (v. 3) and peace and prosperity begin to flourish (vv. 4, 5).

In the last days, when the people who know their God live out His Word and proclaim it to the nations, people will respond and come to the Temple of the Lord – to Jesus. The peace and justice of God take root and bear fruit in all the earth. And while still many nations and peoples pursue their own false religions and beliefs, the people of God will walk faithfully with Him forever and ever (v. 5).

What Micah and Isaiah saw is the coming of the Kingdom of God (cf. Ps. 22.21-31; Ps. 72), the Kingdom that Jesus gained and that He has given to us, His people (Dan. 7.13-18).

Is this what we expect? What we pray for and live each day to realize? Do we believe the Word and promise of God for these last days? Or have we settled for some smaller, shriveled vision of what it means to be a Christian?

Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
“…He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths” (Mic. 4.2).

“And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. When He had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him” (Matt. 7.28-8.1).

“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” (Mic.4.4).
“Nathanael said to Him, ‘How do You know me?’ Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.’ Nathanael answered and said to Him, ‘Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!’” (Jn. 1.48, 49)

“…but we will walk in the name of the LORD our God forever and ever” (Mic. 4.5).
“Then Jesus said to them, ‘A little while longer the light is with you. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you…” (Jn. 12.35).
“…just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness
of life” (Rom. 6.4).
“For we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor. 5.7).
“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Gal. 5.16).
“And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma” (Eph. 5.2).
“…walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God…” (Col. 1.10).
“You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy” (Rev. 3.5)

“Come and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD …” (Mic. 4.2)

Reflection
1. Why were the nations in Micah’s vision attracted to the Lord’s house? Are we supposed to attract people this way?

2. What makes Jesus so eminently attractive? How can we become more consistent in talking about His great attractiveness?

3. What can you do to help Micah’s “last days” vision be more your own?

Micah has hitherto directed his discourse to the wicked despisers of God, who yet put on the cloak of religion; but now he turns his address to the true and pious worshipers of God. And he further so addresses the faithful of his age, that his doctrine especially belongs to us now; for how has it been, that the kingdom of God has been propagated through all parts of the earth? How has it been, that the truth of the gospel has come to us, and that we are made partakers with the ancient people of the same adoption, except that this prophecy has been fulfilled? Then the calling of the Gentiles, and consequently our salvation, is included in this prophecy. John Calvin (1509-1564), Commentary on Micah 4.1, 2

Closing Prayer: Psalm 48.9-14
Praise God for His lovingkindness to His Church. Pray for a worldwide revival in churches and a great awakening to the Gospel.

Sing Psalm 48.9-14
(Cwm Rhondda: Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah)
For Your grace and lovingkindness we proclaim Your matchless worth!
As Your Name is, great and boundless, let Your praise fill all the earth.
Let Your people sing rejoicing for the judgment of Your truth;
for the judgment of Your truth.

Walk about the blessèd city, see her beauty, see her power.
Count her ramparts, filled with glory, look on ev’ry mighty tower.
Tell her glory to the nations: God will guide her evermore;
God will guide her evermore!

T. M. and Susie Moore

You can listen to our summary of last week’s study by clicking here.

Micah 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.

Don’t forget to listen to this month’s Personal Mission Field Workshop. It’ll make you a little spongier (click 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.