Modern Applications of the Book of Micah
Most of Micah’s charges against Israel and Judah involve injustices against civilians in those countries — unfair business dealings, looting, abuse of women and children, and a government that takes advantage of the hard work of its own people to live a life of luxury.
Where is the injustice in your own life? Who is the humblest person in your life? Do you need to repent like the Israelites and Judah did? Micah’s impassioned plea to God’s elect to repent will bring many of us to accusation. Most of us don’t decide to lay off workers or find ways to commit injustice every day. Instead, we do it out of habit. Let’s let Micah’s words break our indifference to justice and kindness to others and move toward a world more like the coming millennial kingdom. Let us resolve to live according to God’s will. Live like Christ – “do righteousness, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God” (Micah 6:8).
The Book of Micah makes it clear to the modern world:
7:1 “Alas. I [or Israel – (God’s chosen people – the church)] are as if the fruit of summer has been gathered up, and as what is left after the grapes have been plucked. There is nothing to eat. I envy the first-ripening figs.
7:2 The godly are destroyed on earth, and there is no upright man in the world. Everyone lies in ambush to kill and shed blood. They all hunt their brethren with snares.
7:3 Their hands do evil. Kings show affection, and judges want bribes. The big one spit out malice. They are all connected to each other to do evil.
7:4 The best of them is thistles. The most upright is but a hedge of thorns. (America’s newest Supreme Judge can’t/dare not tell the difference between men and women) Your watchman says the day has come. They will be disturbed.
7:5 Do not depend on your neighbor. Don’t trust close friends. Keep your mouth shut and don’t tell your wife in your arms.
7:6 For sons despise their fathers, daughters against their mothers, and daughters-in-law against their mother-in-law. A man’s enemy is his own family.
7:7 As for me, I will look to the LORD, and I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will answer me.
7:8 Do not boast to me, O my enemies. Although I fall, I will get up. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD is my light.
Matthew quoted this verse (7:6)
Matthew 10:36 A man’s enemy is his own family.
People in the family (who live together) face each other day and night, and all their shortcomings can be clearly seen. As the saying goes, “It’s good to meet each other, but it’s difficult to live together.”
What is the difference between believers and unbelievers in this area o concern?
Believers dedicate themselves to God, not to the church. Unbelievers dedicate themselves to their Godless ideology.
Romans 12:1 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, by the mercy of God, to present your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God. It is right that you serve in this way.”
What God gives us through faith is eternal life, not a career, not a way of life, not a philosophy, not a script.
This eternal life is spontaneous, God (not the church) is the Father, Jesus is the brother, the Holy Spirit is the indwelling Spirit of understanding that dwells within us forever, and the Bible is the revelation of God. Indwelling of the Holy Spirit:
John 14:16,17 “I ask the Father, and the Father shall give you another Comforter, [or as a comforter] to be with you forever, the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot accept. Because they don’t see him, they don’t know him. but you know him. For he is with you always, and he will be in you.”
Because it is a new life within, we want to often read the Bible alone, commune and pray with the Holy Spirit in our hearts, confess our sins to God often, and be reconciled and communicated with God.
Psalm 66:18 “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear.”
We need to separate God from the church, offer our bodies as a living sacrifice to God, not to the church. If we offer it to the church, we will be disappointed. If we offer it to God, we will have the power of eternal life in Christ. Believers are dedicated to God, they do not devote to the church. Does that make us lonely? Never. With the indwelling, guidance, of the Holy Spirit, if we communicate and reconcile with the Holy Spirit and let Him take the first place, we will be more than conquerors. Not only that, but believers also live like Christ within and outside of the church and use their lives to lead people to the Lord:
1 Peter 3:15 “But sanctify Christ the Lord in your heart. Always be prepared to answer anyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and reverence.”
The church leads few people to the Lord. The church should be a team of believers who support and care for each other and are of one mind. If there is no unity, the testimony will be lost. (Frequently happens) Many believers lead people to the Lord with their lives. Therefore, believers should live more and speak less. They should always be prepared. Live a day like Christ, is better than listening to many sermons. The church should be a team of believers who support each other and are of one mind. If there is no unity and mutual support, the testimony will be lost. Lead people to the Lord by the leadership of the Holy Spirit. It is extremely difficult to bring people to the church because the church has lost a great deal of its testimony.