Micah 1; The Smallest Good Is More Powerful than an Arsenal.

Sunday November 17, 2024

Main idea: Christ is our shield. Do not ever depend on any other fortification. 

“The struggle going on for the world will never be decided by bombs or rockets. By armies or military might. The real crisis we face today is a spiritual one; at root it is a test of moral will and faith.” [Ronald Reagan]

“No arsenal or no weapon in the arsenals of the world is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women.” [Ronald Reagan]

Your courage through faith will indeed move mountains. It will change lives, but faith is confidence in a victory already won by overwhelming power. Hence, the Savior of the world, the One upon whom all hope rested, had confidence to be a newborn in a poor man’s barn, even when His presence and whereabouts would become known to the most powerful man in that land who would seek to kill Him. 

Your courage through faith that does all good to all people will indeed move mountains. 

Power = humility. True power feels no need to flex or even fight. Jesus did good and not war. 

God doesn’t war. He brings judgment. It may look like war, but the conflict is so lopsided in terms of power and goodness that it does not qualify as war.

Live in humility and power. Faith rests in the King who once rested as a newborn in a cave in Bethlehem. 

Humility is the result of a victory already in hand. It is overwhelming power and goodness. 

Exo 34:5-9

Introduction to the construction of the Tanakh. 

Torah, Nevi’im, Ketuvim = theme as a composition made by God. 

Examples of divine composition abound. We will see several in this study. 

The 12 are one book. 

One of the four scrolls containing the Later Prophets in the Nevi’im (Former prophets: Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings): Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and The Twelve. 

From the third century B.C. through Medieval times it was counted as one book. 

Theme of The Twelve: Hos 3:4-5.

Mic 5:2-4 - the reason for the season and for our path to Christmas. 

Mic 1:1: Judgment – your puny, prideful fortifications will not sustain you.

Judgment oracle: Address (Mic 1:2), Accusation (Mic 1:5a), Announcement of Judgment (Mic 1:6) (God’s intervention) with results of intervention (Mic 1:7). 

God punishes Samaria and Judah (Mic 1:2-16) 

Judgment on Samaria (Mic 1:2-7). 

Micah jolts his audience (v. Mic 1:2), all peoples, with the message that Samaria, Israel’s majestic capital, will be leveled to the ground because of her idolatry. 

The world is summoned to a trial.

God’s sovereignty is emphasized (summons all people) calling Him “Lord of all.” 

Envisioned as a victorious conqueror as He rises from His heavenly throne and the earth falls under the heat of His glowing wrath. 

Judgment on Judah (Mic 1:8-16). 

Vv. Mic 1:10-15: Map. Towns around the western approaches to Jerusalem. These towns were seen as a wall of protection to the West. 

Puny man’s proud fortifications crumble under the sovereign wrath of God.

“Humans feel secure as long as the long-suffering God remains in heaven, but when He marches forth in judgment, they are gripped by the stark reality and gravity that they must meet the holy God in person (Amo 4:2).” [Waltke]

Application: Goodness and power = humility and victory (in great joy). 

Overcome evil with good: Rom 12:14-21

Do not be shocked at the evil deeds of greed and the liars who support greed with false claims of good (their prophets). 

Do not let them rob you of your peace, but instead do good. 

Take it with you: do something out of the ordinary that will affect good in your community - could be as simple as go for a walk and smile and say hello to all you meet. Even ask some how they are doing. (We’re often waiting around for “big opportunities” - they are right in front of you and beside you in the people you see and / or think of every day.) Do you know that even small acts of goodness possess more power than all the money, influence, and arsenals of the world? 

Let your deeds of good be your true prophets (Mat 5:16). 

Take it with you: set your face to do good every day. 

Let your faith live in the truth that evil will be judged and your King will reign. It will change lives, but faith in confidence in a victory already won by overwhelming power.