Even In Judgment, Hope

Scripture Passage: Micah 4:1-8, 5:1-4

In our study of the book of Micah, the prophet brings the word of the LORD to the people of Israel during some very difficult days.  They had strayed far from God and continued in idolatry and immorality.  Through Micah, God provided ominous and certain judgments for Israel's rebellion and corruption.  Yet even in passing judgment on His people, God provided Israel with a future hope.  The days ahead would be difficult indeed.  But the future God has planned for Israel would far outweigh the judgment she would experience.

So to understand the prophecies in Micah chapters 4 and 5, we need to get some perspective - the "Big Picture" so to speak.  Looking at the big picture of God's work throughout history will yield some fascinating insights into God's judgment and future plans.

At creation, God made a perfect world with sinless people - Adam and Eve.  At the time of their sin, the fall of Mankind, they experience guilt, shame, and despair.  Before they had unhindered fellowship with their Creator God and now they were separated and afraid. 

God rightly judged them for their sin.  But at the same time He pronounced judgment, God offered them hope for the future:

And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel." (Genesis 3:15, NIV)

The reference to the woman's offspring is understood now to be the 1st reference to Messiah (Christ).  Though the serpent (Satan) would "strike his heel" - meaning a significant blow to Messiah - the Messiah will "crush your head" - meaning a fatal blow to Satan.  Messiah would die for the sins of the world but His resurrection would be the death blow to the work of the devil.  And Adam and Eve and every one of their descendents who trust in God's promise of Messiah to bear their sins will find forgiveness and eternal life.  Now that's hope in the midst of judgment.

In forming the nation of Israel, God gave them the Law of Moses found in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, and Deuteronomy.  The law provided for specific blessings and curses.  It also contained prophecy that Israel would indeed turn away from the LORD even after God brought them into the Promised Land.  In light of the horrible judgment He predicted, God also provided hope for a Redeemer (Deut. 18:18) - pointing to the coming of Messiah.

In proclaiming the fall of Israel because of her persistent rebellion, God promised the nation would fall and her people scattered to the ends of the Earth.  Yet in this awesome judgment, God also gave them hope that one day the nation would be reborn.  There would be a time when Israel would reemerge, her people gathered together, and Messiah would rule from Israel in an unprecedented time of peace and prosperity.  This is a prediction of  the Millennial Kingdom.  You see - even in judgment, God provides hope.

But you have to keep the right perspective.  If you focus only on the judgment, you miss the wonderful plan that God has for you.  And you get mired down in the darkness of today, full of despair.  That is not how God wants you to live.  You may have to suffer in present circumstances - perhaps because of what you brought on yourself.  Yet God still loves you and has great plans for your future.  Keep that perspective and you will be able to experience joy and contentment.

To see the "Big Picture" of biblical history and where you fit in, click here.

God's judgment is overwhelming without hope.  Remember that our all-wise God knows us better than we know ourselves:

11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;

12 as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

13 As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;

14 for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust.
(Psalm 103:11-14, NIV)

So in Micah chapter 4, we find a prophecy from the LORD concerning a future godly ruler for Israel - the Messiah (Christ).

1. Hope of a Godly Ruler

1 Marshal your troops, O city of troops,
for a siege is laid against us.
They will strike Israel's ruler
on the cheek with a rod.

2 "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me
one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
from ancient times."

3 Therefore Israel will be abandoned
until the time when she who is in labor gives birth
and the rest of his brothers return
to join the Israelites.

4 He will stand and shepherd his flock
in the strength of the Lord,
in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they will live securely, for then his greatness
will reach to the ends of the earth.
5 And he will be their peace. (Micah 5:1-5, NIV)

As a dramatic contrast to the ungodly rulers of Micah's time, Israel would one day have a godly ruler.  What will He be like?

Israel was judged for idolatry (rebellion against God) and rampant immorality.  Her rulers were ungodly and her prophets false.  God rightly judged Israel.  Yet in pronouncing judgment, He also provides hope for a future godly ruler.

The point for Israel is this:  never give up on God because God never gives up on Israel.  He has a plan for your life.  Your future is with Him.  Keep looking for the day when a new, godly ruler will come - the Messiah (Christ).

For us today,  we look back at the promise of God and its fulfillment in the birth, life, death, and resurrection of the LORD Jesus - our Messiah (Christ).  The godly ruler was born and conquered the greatest enemies of all:  sin and death.

If you place your faith in the LORD Jesus, He will rule in your heart and life, shepherd you through every circumstance in the strength of the LORD, reveal His majesty, and give you peace.

Our mission as His children:  to shine His light and share His message to the ends of the Earth.

Q: What is the importance of a godly ruler in a family?

Q: When punishing children, how do you also give them hope?

2. Hope of a Godly Kingdom

1 In the last days the mountain of the Lord's temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and peoples will stream to it. 2 Many nations will come and say, "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths." The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 3 He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore. 4 Every man will sit under his own vine and under his own fig tree, and no one will make them afraid, for the Lord Almighty has spoken. 5 All the nations may walk in the name of their gods; we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever. 6 "In that day," declares the Lord, "I will gather the lame; I will assemble the exiles and those I have brought to grief. 7 I will make the lame a remnant, those driven away a strong nation. The Lord will rule over them in Mount Zion from that day and forever. 8 As for you, O watchtower of the flock, O stronghold of the Daughter of Zion, the former dominion will be restored to you; kingship will come to the Daughter of Jerusalem."  (Micah 4:1-8 NIV)

Micah predicts a time when Israel will once again be a nation - but not just a nation like before.  Israel will be the center of the world in a kingdom that extends to the ends of the Earth.  What will the world be like in that time?

Everyone who imagines peace on Earth should take note of this passage of Scripture.  This is what peace on Earth will be like when a godly ruler is in charge.  He will enact perfect justice and promote righteousness throughout the world.  At the same time, He will prosper the whole world.

During the millennial kingdom, the curse on creation will be lifted.  In the fall of mankind, the earth was cursed and brought thorns and thistles into the previously perfect garden.  Childbirth became painful. Relationships between men and women became difficult.  Work became a labor of suffering and sweat.  After the flood, God allowed us to have animals for food but caused the animals to fear man.  But things are different in the millennial kingdom:

 6 The wolf will live with the lamb,
the leopard will lie down with the goat,
the calf and the lion and the yearling [a] together;
and a little child will lead them.

7 The cow will feed with the bear,
their young will lie down together,
and the lion will eat straw like the ox.

8 The infant will play near the hole of the cobra,
and the young child put his hand into the viper's nest.

9 They will neither harm nor destroy
on all my holy mountain,
for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD
as the waters cover the sea. (Isaiah 11:6-9, NIV)
 

People are still people during this time.  There will be believers who enter the millennial kingdom.  But the children of these believers will not all follow the LORD Jesus.  They will obey the laws of the land or be punished with perfect justice.  But in the end, the unbelievers will be exposed and judged.

Q: How would this country be different if the LORD Jesus were the President?

Q: How can you promote a "godly kingdom" in your own family?

Q: How does it impact your life today knowing that we will one day live in a glorious kingdom ruled by the LORD Jesus Himself?

Our great and mighty God has shown that even in His righteous judgments, He gives hope.  Failure is not fatal.  Turn to the LORD Jesus (or return to the LORD Jesus) - He will grant you grace, forgiveness, and eternal hope because God never fails to keep His word.

Copyright 2009, Randy Lariscy.