Take Two in the Morning: Micah 5, Proverbs 28

Micah 5 is one of the great Messianic prophesies. You may not hear of it much...and then only a verse or two at Christmas time; but, like chapter 4, it is a picture of the Messianic Kingdom. (In case you are not into the Bible talk...Messianic simply means that of the Savior...so the Kingdom of the Savior/Messiah refers to His rule in the "latter day" the "Day of the Lord".)

In v.1 you see a call to action of sorts. It speaks of the impending judgment (for all the reasons we discussed in previous chapters). The seige could refer to the Assyrian captivity but may also speak of the Babylonian event some 100 years future of this time. Most commentators argue convincingly that this refers to the Babylonian period and involves King Zedekiah (see 2 Kings 25:1-7, Jeremiah 39:6-7, 52:10-11).

V.2-5, is a prophesy concerning the Davidic roots of the Messiah and the place of His birth. He will be born in Bethlehem but His "goings forth" are from long ago, even from eternity. (v.2). V.3 and 4 says that there will be a time after He emerges that He will "give them up" but that He will come back to shepherd them in power...and they will remain, because (at that time) He will be recognized as great, not just in Israel but to the ends of the earth.

vv.6-9 are a picture of the coming oppositions for the people and their victory. It is a promise of sorts. Whenever opposition occurs- men will be raised up to overcome them. The remnant among the nations will not walk in defeat, but as a lions among sheep. Without "overcooking" the symbolism, the point is that God will not allow the people to be perpetually oppressed...but will always provide a way out. It is not clear how that will occur everytime...only that it will occur.

(A good NT parallel to this concept and promise in my mind is the promise in 1 Cor 10:13...where God promises to always provide a way of escape that we would not be ultimately overpowered by temptation. We are not promised to be delivered from the temptation, just that we will not be overpowered by it.)

vv.10-15 is a statement from God to the people. "In that day" is a reference to the judgment of God at the end of times. To this point, God through the prophet has been addressing His people, it seems to me that He is advising the people that the same God who will execute judgment against their oppressors in that day, will also judge them. God will destroy all that they have trusted in over Him (chariots and horses, etc). God will purify His people from the influence of false worship (sorcery, fortune-telling, idolatry, Asherim, etc.).

Judgment has far-reaching implications. God does not give His people a "pass" because they prayed a prayer. When God brings His Kingdom to bear, His followers will be "pure" followers. The implication is that, since no one wants to experience this type of judgment, they are to judge themselves and eliminate such evil from their midst right now.

Proverbs 28:9 is the takeaway for me today. "He who turns away his ear from listening to the law, even his prayer is an abomination." The thrust of this proverb hit me this morning because I know of many circumstances when people (including myself) are walking in rebellion...yet they pray to God as though they are presuming a relationship. As a child, when I knew I was disobedient to my dad, I did not run up to him to ask for something from him. To do so, meant opening myself up to his act of judgment against my rebellion (spanking); or, it spoke of pure brazen defiance...to know that I was wrong and yet asking for blessing as though his rules meant nothing.

The writer here reminds us that we have no expectation of answered prayers (which are relationally based) when we are in rebellion against God (in broken relationship). We should not try to fool ourselves; rather, we should seek to restore the relationship and then pray...otherwise our prayers are an abomination.

Blessings,