To Learn His Ways

Jesus throughout the Scriptures: Pre-exilic Prophets 4 (2)

Pray Psalm 32.8, 9.
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will guide you with My eye.
Do not be like the horse or like the mule,
Which have no understanding,
Which must be harnessed with bit and bridle,
Else they will not come near you.

Sing Psalm 32.8, 9.
(Hendon: Take My Life and Let It Be)
Teach me, LORD, how I should live; sound instruction ever give.
let me never stubborn be; let Your eye watch over me,
let Your eye watch over me.

Read Micah 4.1-8; meditate on verses 1 and 2.

Preparation
1. What will the “mountain of the LORD’s house” be like in the last days?

2. How will peoples and nations respond to it?

Meditation
Here is a glorious promise of restoration, which includes the incorporation of many nations and peoples into the people of God (1-8). We have seen this prophecy before, in Isaiah 2. Micah was a contemporary of Isaiah. Did they compare notes? We don’t know. All we know for sure is that this prophecy, having come through two prophets at the same time, is of very great importance.

This promise is for the latter days (v. 1), following a time of deportation to Babylon (10, 11). These are the same as the days mentioned by Joel (2.28ff), the days in which the Spirit of God would be poured out on His people. For now Israel is abased and taken captive; but she shall be exalted to the place of exercising judgment over the nations according to the Law of God (v. 2). Because the Law goes forth from the City of the LORD, many will hear, repent, and be drawn to the King and His Kingdom. The Law goes forth in the lives and words of the inhabitants of the LORD’s house, which inhabitants we are by virtue of the work of Christ and His Spirit. 

And though at that time the City of the LORD will be comprised only of the weak and lame (v. 6, 7), yet she shall be a strong remnant to rule the nations (6-9), and she shall devote the wealth of the nations to the service of the Lord (12, 13).

The LORD who reigns over His people in Mount Zion (v. 7) is the Son of God, our Lord Jesus Christ (cf. Ps. 2). His Kingdom has come. His people delight in His Law. His Word goes out to make all the nations disciples as we who know Him live and proclaim the Good News of Jesus and His reign.

Treasure Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
Now it shall come to pass in the latter days…that the Church to honor and proclaim Jesus Christ and His rule and reign will be established and exalted and people from all nations will flow to Him. The Holy Spirit will teach His people His ways; and His people will walk in His paths. And the Church walk in the Name of the LORD our God forever and ever (Mic. 4.1, 2, 5).

“You shall be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD will name. 
You shall also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. 
You shall no longer be termed Forsaken, nor shall your land any more be termed Desolate…” (Is. 62.2-4).
“And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch” (Acts 11.26).

“You shall not take the Name of the LORD your God in vain, 
for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His Name in vain” (Ex. 20.7).
“I will take you as My people, and I will be your God. Then you shall know that I AM the LORD your God
Who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians” (Ex. 6.7); and out from under the terrible and heavy burden of your sins.

When Jesus came to earth to do the work of redemption for us, John the Baptist prepared the way before Him “to make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (Lk. 1.17).

As Jesus made all things new for us and our relationship with God possible, God declared: 
“I will dwell in them and walk among them.
I will be their God, and they shall be My people” (2 Cor. 6.16; Jer. 32.38).

Those in heaven who have preceded us, sing this song to the LORD JESUS.
And we will one day sing it with them:
“You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals; for You were slain, 
and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, 
and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth” (Rev. 5.9, 10).

And one day, “it shall come to pass”, that all God’s children will be together with Him in His new heavens and earth. And there Jesus will say: “Behold, I make all thigs new…I AM the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts. He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son” (Rev. 21.5-7).

“Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Rev. 21.3, 4).

And yet, for now, “His Word goes out to make all the nations disciples as we who know Him live and proclaim the Good News of Jesus and His reign” in our Personal Mission Field.

I love to tell the story of unseen things above,
Of Jesus and His glory, of Jesus and His love.
I love to tell the story because I know ’tis true;
It satisfies my longings as nothing else can do.

I love to tell the story, for those who know it best
Seem hungering and thirsting to hear it like the rest.
And when, in scenes of glory, I sing the new, new song,
’Twill be the old, old story that I have loved so long.

I love to tell the story, ’twill be my theme in glory,
To tell the old, old story of Jesus and His love.
(A. Catherine Hankey, 1866)

Reflection
1. What is our role in making the Good News of Jesus known in the world?

2. Would you say that you “love to tell the story” of Jesus and His love? Explain.

3. How should a local church be guided by the promise of Micah 4.1-8?

The nations have not yet so submitted to the Prince of Peace, as to beat their swords into ploughshares, nor has war ceased. But very precious promises these are, relating to the gospel church, which will be more and more fulfilled, for He is faithful that has promised. Matthew Henry (1662-1714), Commentary on Micah 4.1-8

Pray Psalm 32.1-7.
Pray that God will cleanse you of all sin and that He will protect and strengthen you to serve Him in your Personal Mission Field.

Sing Psalm 32.1-7.
(Hendon: Take My Life and Let It Be)
Blessed are they whose sins the LORD has forgiven by His Word!
Pure their spirits are within; them He charges with no sin;
them He charges with no sin!

When in silence I remained, groaning in my sinful pain,
You Your hand upon me lay; all my strength You drained away,
all my strength You drained away.

I confessed my sin to You; You forgave me, ever true!
Let confession’s pleading sound reach You while You may be found,
reach You while You may be found!

When flood waters threaten me, You my hiding place will be.
O’er them I will rise above, buoyed by Your redeeming love,
buoyed by Your redeeming love.

T. M. and Susie Moore

If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).

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Except as indicated, all Scriptures 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.