Bible Chapter: Micah 1 & 2

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
Micah was a prophet from a rural area, the small town of Moresheth Gath in southern Judah, who challenged the ungodly behavior of corrupt leaders, false prophets and dishonest merchants.  They also had ungodly priests and unjust judges.  It was not a good situation for a nation that was supposed to be worshiping and following God.  Micah preached against injustice and oppression.  He spoke against greed, immorality and idol worship.  Micah’s main theme was judgment.  But he also accented God’s mercy. Yes, he gave prophecies of doom, but he also prophesied of salvation and hope to God’s people.  The capital cities of Samaria and Jerusalem were both spiritually rebellious.  They had basically abandoned God.  So, God’s judgement was coming.
Micah cared about the people and the lives they were living.  He wept over their sin.  He grieved over Samaria’s fall.  Their rejection of God caused him to be heartbroken.  They were told that they would shave their heads, which was a sign of sorrow, for great grief was coming.  Rejecting God always brings terrible consequences.
Micah spoke against the false prophets were criticizing him for speaking of coming judgment.  They insisted that God’s people would never suffer shame and disgrace.  They twisted the truth of God’s love and forgiveness to say that He would never judge them, that He was too loving to do that.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
There are some people who are very evil.  We see them in many places.  Micah pronounced doom and woe on those who were using their influence to take advantage of others, those who were planning iniquity.  There were wealthy people who manipulated things that hurt people, and they did not hesitate to cheat and deceive others in order to gain more.  Their greed caused them to not care that others suffered.  God treated them just as they had treated others.  This is a good illustration and warning to be careful not to be greedy and abuse others.

3.  How can I help someone?
When you have excess provision in life, don’t become in love with things to the point where you have to have more and more.  There is an old story where a very wealthy person was asked how much money was enough.  His answer was “one dollar more”.  That is a dangerous situation for a person to find themselves in.