HelpFinder Bible - Flipbook - Page 1193
M ICAH 6
page 823
6
When the Assyrians invade our land
and break through our defenses,
we will appoint seven rulers to watch
over us,
eight princes to lead us.
They will rule Assyria with drawn swords
and enter the gates of the land of Nimrod.
He will rescue us from the Assyrians
when they pour over the borders to
invade our land.
The Remnant Purified
7 Then the remnant left in Israel*
will take their place among the nations.
They will be like dew sent by the Lord
or like rain falling on the grass,
which no one can hold back
and no one can restrain.
8 The remnant left in Israel
will take their place among the nations.
They will be like a lion among the animals
of the forest,
like a strong young lion among flocks
of sheep and goats,
pouncing and tearing as they go
with no rescuer in sight.
9 The people of Israel will stand up to
their foes,
and all their enemies will be wiped out.
10
11
12
13
14
15
“In that day,” says the Lord,
“I will slaughter your horses
and destroy your chariots.
I will tear down your walls
and demolish your defenses.
I will put an end to all witchcraft,
and there will be no more fortune-tellers.
I will destroy all your idols and sacred
pillars,
so you will never again worship the work
of your own hands.
I will abolish your idol shrines with their
Asherah poles
and destroy your pagan cities.
I will pour out my vengeance
on all the nations that refuse to obey me.”
The LORD’s Case against Israel
Listen to what the Lord is saying:
6
2
3
“Stand up and state your case against me.
Let the mountains and hills be called to
witness your complaints.
And now, O mountains,
listen to the Lord’s complaint!
He has a case against his people.
He will bring charges against Israel.
“O my people, what have I done to you?
What have I done to make you tired of me?
Answer me!
5:7 Hebrew in Jacob; also in 5:8. See note on 1:5a.
Shittim.
6:5 Hebrew
4
5
6
7
8
For I brought you out of Egypt
and redeemed you from slavery.
I sent Moses, Aaron, and Miriam to
help you.
Don’t you remember, my people,
how King Balak of Moab tried to have
you cursed
and how Balaam son of Beor blessed
you instead?
And remember your journey from Acacia
Grove* to Gilgal,
when I, the Lord, did everything I could
to teach you about my faithfulness.”
What can we bring to the Lord?
Should we bring him burnt offerings?
Should we bow before God Most High
with offerings of yearling calves?
Should we offer him thousands of rams
and ten thousand rivers of olive oil?
Should we sacrifice our firstborn children
to pay for our sins?
No, O people, the Lord has told you what
is good,
and this is what he requires of you:
to do what is right, to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with your God.
• Bitterness
M I C A H 6:15
The prophet Micah is describing a very
frustrating situation. The people’s hard
work has come to nothing. When two
opposing forces pull against each other,
frustration results. A lot of work with little
return. Too many hours at the office and
too few at home with the family. Trying to
live a godly life and a life of sin at the same
time. This was the situation referred to
here: God’s people were living in sin while
trying to keep up a righteous front. The
result was a lot of frustration.
Ongoing frustration over a sense of
futility in our lives can lead to bitterness
and even despair. To avoid going down
this path, we need to look at the opposing
forces behind our frustration. If we work
too hard and earn too little, we may be
in the wrong career. If we are frustrated
by too little time with our family, we may
need to overhaul our schedule. And if
we are being pulled apart by the desire
to live a good life and a life that indulges
in sin, we must make a choice. A major
decision to follow God’s ways consistently
will automatically remove many of the
smaller frustrations in our lives.