May 22, 2023
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in Micah? Here’s today’s reading:
Micah 1 (NIV)
1 The word of the Lord that came to Micah of Moresheth during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah—the vision he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem.
2 Hear, you peoples, all of you,
listen, earth and all who live in it,
that the Sovereign Lord may bear witness against you,
Lunch break…hard for me to “get a grip” on Micah 1. Seems Lord God is not at all pleased with Israel & Judah. Lot of places named, and I have little background understanding, except for Samaria. But it is interesting to note God’s physical presence will result in serious catastrophe there. The idol worship will be afflicted and destroyed. Bottom line. You cannot eat at the Lord’s table and the table of devils. I Corinthians 10:21.
Micah1
Jonah 3-4. Hard to believe Jonah would rather die than see Nineveh saved. He gives them the message of destruction and they immediately repent of their ways and God shows his mercy. If only Israel !! How many times. So Gods mercy goes beyond Israel. Jonah wants to die. Pride. To think just because of your genealogy God is impressed. Jonah is still only concerned about his own problems. A withered vine. Not about 120’000 people who turned from their wicked ways. So do we want wicked people destroyed or saved. Let all people experience the forgiveness and mercy of God
Micah 1
Micah lived the time of Isaiah and ministered during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. Or at least parts of their reigns. Micah was respected during his time, King Hezekiah responded to his preaching. He lived during a time of religious revival he spoke out against social sins that existed in both Israel and Judah. Such as greedy nobles who defrauded the poor of their land, and were quick to evict widows. He also preached about a coming judgement on God`s people for their sins. He also preached about the Shepherd from Bethlehem. 5; 1-9. His name means [ Who is like Yah/ It is taken from Yahweh which was the name of God that both Israel and Judah called their God. Also Micah was also a contemporary of not only Isaiah but also of Hosea, and possibly Amos. It appears that Jonah was just before this time of Micah or perhaps overlapped. The Assyrian Empire was also during this time. Micah preaches that Samaria and Judah will be judged and Samaria will be as a heap of the fields. The graven images will be destroyed. In verse 8b it reads in the KJV [ I will make a wailing like the dragons, and mourning as the owls.] In the NIV it reads [ I will howl like a jackal and moan like an owl. Is this because dragons were considered mythical for along time and it was changed to jackal. I hope not because dragons did exist throughout the world. Before the word dinosaur was invented in 1841 they were called dragons. Dinosaurs in the dictionary are only land animals but dragons included both land animals and flying ones. It would also include many sea creatures. These are not mythical creatures which we were taught in school but were actually living creatures that mankind fought and described. The evidence is there for anyone to look at. And yes these land creatures were created by God on the sixth day of creation. On the fifth day God created all the living creatures in the waters and the winged creatures. Look it up. I have brought this up before so no detail here. Look up Answers in Genesis on U-tube. Anyways enough of this. The proof is there. Ask me if you wish. This is important because of where sin started with Adam and Eve and not millions of years like we have been lied too. For God always tells the truth and He says that when Adam and Eve sinned this brought the curse. And in many dinosaur bones they are finding cancer, arthritis, etc. God bless you all. I didn`t mean to get into this but I hate it when people lie and teach error to us and our children and grandchildren in the world. Thank God that in our church we hear the Word of God preached and taught. Thank you Pastor, elders, deacons, and anyone that teaches in our church. Praise the Lord.
Great background about Micah, thank you
On my last comments the references were taken from [ Holman Bible Dictionary and The Teachers Commentary by Lawrence O. Richards]. I noticed the difference of dragons or jackal in to two translations because my Bible is the KJV and Melodye`s is the NIV. I like to use both together. The NIV IS easier to read but I am use to the KJV. So I use both. Also Answers in Genesis I listen to alot for information and encouragement. This is a great site. They have the Creation Museum and the Ark Encounter which we hope to attend sometime. They are in Kentuckey.
Micah brings a hard message to the people from God about their impending destruction. There seems to be a strong focus on idol worship and I think we haven’t come all that far from this. We still put so much in front of God in this world. It starts as material things but it embeds into our hearts and our minds and tarnishes our thinking to a point where our behavior and what has become ‘”acceptable” is so corrupt. I know how frustrated I get with the way the world thinks I can only imagine the frustration for God watching His people fall so far from our intended purpose and why His message through Micah would be so harsh!
Bible notes “The people of Lachish had influenced many to follow their evil example. They were ‘the beginning of sin to the daughter of Zion.’ Our sins have a profound influence on others as well. Regardless of whether you consider yourself a leader, other people observe your daily actions and words. They may choose to follow your example or use you as an excuse to justify their behavior, whether you know it or not.”
Reading this gave me pause to reflect on my own words and behavior. In our strong and weak moments we can influence others.
Lord please use my words and deeds as a beacon guiding people to your truth, Amen.
Amen, Jessie!
Dennis, you bring up a good point, as it were, regarding dinosaurs. Was thinking along similar lines this week. Just because the word does not appear in Scripture, does not mean it did/does not exist. Be cautious of being too literal when studying the Word of God. It would be folly to assume only men were at the feeding of the masses by Jesus. The fossil record is as much prima facia evidence of existence, as is the terms “saints” in the book of Revelation, or those who had the mark of God in their foreheads, proves the existence of the Church during the tribulation. Just thinking out loud, excellent commentary, Dennis!
Hm…I have many thoughts about the discourse between Gordon and Dennis.
I homeschooled my kids and I have (had?) a few books about the existence of possible/probable dragons throughout the Bible. Leviathan in Job? Behemoth? and more. I’m not sure if I still have those books or not. There is also early art with dragons/dinosaurs that people disregard today.
Regarding the “proof” of fossils. A colossal flood would result in fossils at varying depths of the geological record, especially if the water was coming up from the deep as well as from the heavens above. It had not rained prior to the flood. The conflicting scientific theories of Uniformitarianism (earth built up over time) vs. catastrophism (cataclysmic effects on the earth) propose two different theories on the age of the earth as presented by geology and the fossil record. There is also the gap theory; I have heard very convincing Biblical arguments for it. I have a book about it if you are interested.
Also, I believe “saints” during the tribulation doesn’t necessarily mean the church is there. There are believing Jews during the tribulation. Those who convert or don’t take the mark. Also, there are the 144,000 marked Jews (clearly not the church as they are from the named tribes of Israel.)
We do have to recognize the issues raised are bones of contention (maybe a little creation pun intended) between believers (some throughout history) that to me have very little substance as to how we live the Christian life….which is the greatest call on us. I think it is great to have vigorous conversation about such things as long as it leads to greater regard for God, His word and our love and appreciation for each other.
Micah 1
We read Micah 1 today!
It is amazing how varied and widespread God’s message of judgement on His people came to them. They were doing wrong and worshipping false gods which defied the very truths God had given them. He warned that He would come against such things, yet before He does, He sends various prophets to warn them. He tells them what they are doing wrong, what He thinks about it and what is going to happen because of it. Another feature of this chapter is seeing described how the primary and greater sin of the Northern Kingdom, Israel, represented by Samaria has worked it’s way into the Southern Kingdom, Judah, represented by Jerusalem. Both were their capitol cities. But various locations of both kingdoms are mentioned to give localized context to the evil that has become more prevalent and the judgment that is coming because of it. All of this should lead to wailing, regret and humility as opposed to the arrogant way that the people of God were sinning. May we allow this to foster greater regard for God and the obedience that He calls us to that benefits us.
Micah 1