7:1-4Micah could not find an honest person anywhere in the land. Even today, fair-mindedness (uprightness, honesty, integtity) is difficult to find. Society rationalizes sin, and even believers sometimes compromise Christian principles in order to do what they want. It is easy to convince ourselves that we deserve a few breaks, especially when “everyone else” is doing it. But the standards for honesty come from God, not society. We are to be honest because Ged is truth, and we are to be like him.
Life Application Study BibleMicahChapter 7
Micah 7
New Living Translation · Life Application Study Bible · Original pages: 1474, 1475
A few verse numbers on this page were hard to read in the scan and are marked with a dotted underline — compare with the original page image if in doubt.
7Micah 7
1can be found to satisfy my hunger.
2The godly people have all disappeared;not one honest person is left on the earth.They are all murderers,setting traps even for their own brothers.
3Both their hands are equally skilled at doing evil!Officials and judges alike demand bribes.The people with influence get what they want,and together they scheme to twist justice.
4Even the best of them is like a brier;the most honest is as dangerous as a hedge of thorns.But your judgment day is coming swiftly now.Your time of punishment is here, a time of confusion.
5Don’t trust anyone—not your best friend or even your wife!
6For the son despises his father.The daughter defies her mother.The daughter-in-law defies her mother-in-law.Your enemies are right in your own household!
7As for me, I look to the LORD for help.I wait confidently for God to save me,and my God will certainly hear me.
8Do not gloat over me, my enemies!For though I fall, I will rise again.Though I sit in darkness,the LORD will be my light.
9Iwill be patient as the LORD punishes me,for I have sinned against him.But after that, he will take up my caseand give me justice for all I have suffered from my enemies.The LORD will bring me into the light,and I will see his righteousness.
10Then my enemies will see that the LORD is on my side.They will be ashamed that they taunted me, saying,
11So where is the LORD—that God of yours?”With my own eyes I will see their downfall;they will be trampled like mud in the streets.
11 In that day, Israel, your cities will be rebuilt,and your borders will be extended.
12People from many lands will come and honor you—from Assyria all the way to the towns of Egypt,from Egypt all the way to the Euphrates River,*and from distant seas and mountains.
13But the land* will become empty and desolatebecause of the wickedness of those who live there.
The LORD’s Compassion on Israel
1444 O Lor, protect your people with your shepherd’s staff;lead your flock, your special possession.Though they live alone in a thicketon the heights of Mount Carmel,*let them graze in the fertile pastures of Bashan and Gileadas they did long ago.
15“Yes,” says the LoRp,“T will do mighty miracles for you,like those I did when I rescued youfrom slavery in Egypt.”
16All the nations of the world will stand amazedat what the LORD will do for you.They will be embarrassedat their feeble power.They will cover their mouths in silent awe,deaf to everything around them.
17Like snakes crawling from their holes,they will come out to meet the LORD our God.They will fear him greatly,trembling in terror at his presence.
18Where is another God like you,who pardons the guilt of the rernnant,overlooking the sins of his special people?You will not stay angry with your people forever,because you delight in showing unfailing love.
19Once again you will have compassion on us.You will trample our sins under your feetand throw them into the depths of the ocean!
20You will show us your faithfulness and unfailing loveas you promised to our ancestors Abraham and Jacob long ago.
Textual footnotes
- 7:12 Hebrew the river.
- 7:13 Or earth.
- 7:14 Or surrounded by a fruitful land.
Life Application Notes 7 notes
7:5,6Sin had affected the government leaders and society in general. Deceit and dishonesty had even ruined the family, the core of society. As a result, the only way left to purify the people was God's judgment. This would draw the nation back to God and restore them from the inside out.
7:7-10Micah showed great faith in God both personally (7:7) and on Israel’s behalf (7:8-10) as he proclaimed that (1) he would wait upon God because God hears and saves when help is needed, (2) God would bring his people through when times were tough, (3) Israel must be patient in punishment because God would bring them out of the darkness, and (4) their enemies would be punished. We, too, can have a relationship with God that can allow us to have confidence like Micah’s. It doesn’t take unusual talent; it simply takes faith in God and a willingness to act on that faith.
7:9Micah understood that if the people would be patient and obedient while they were being punished, God would forgive them and show his goodness again (Lamentations 3:39-41). Punishment does not mean rejection. The people were being punished in order to bring them back to God, not to send them away from him. When you face trials because of your sin, do not be angry with God or afraid that he has rejected you. Instead, turn away from your sin, turn to God, and continue to be patient and obedient.
7:14Bashan and Gilead were fertile areas east of the Jordan, previously the territory of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh.
7:18God delights to show his unfailing love! He does not forgive grudgingly but is glad when we repent, and he offers forgiveness to all who come back to him. Today you can confess your sins and receive his oving forgiveness. Don’t be too proud to accept Gad’s free offer.
7:20In an age when religion was making little difference in people’s lives, Micah said that God expected his people to do what is right, love mercy, and walk humbly with him (6:8). He requires the same of Christians today. In a world that is unjust, we must act justly and do what is right. In a world of tough breaks, we must be merciful. In a world of pride and self-sufficiency, we must walk humbly with God. Only when we live according to God’s way wilt we begin ta affect our homes, our society, and our world.