WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.080 Well, good morning, church. Would you turn with me to the Old Testament book of Micah? 00:00:06.860 --> 00:00:16.039 That's page 728 in the Pew Bible. Micah. Micah is one of the 12 what we call minor prophets of the 00:00:16.039 --> 00:00:22.400 Old Testament. And we call them minor not because their message is less important, but simply 00:00:22.400 --> 00:00:27.859 because their books are shorter than the longer prophetic books of Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, 00:00:27.859 --> 00:00:34.039 and Daniel. Now, for the next nine weeks, we're going to be walking through the book of Micah. 00:00:34.539 --> 00:00:41.439 Now, why? Why are we spending two months nearly preaching through this book? Well, on a general 00:00:41.439 --> 00:00:48.260 level, remember what the Apostle Paul says in Romans 15 verse 4? St. Paul says, 00:00:48.519 --> 00:00:53.840 for whatever was written in former days, speaking of the Old Testament, was written for our instruction 00:00:53.840 --> 00:01:01.740 that through endurance and through the encouragement of the scriptures, we might have hope. So as the 00:01:01.740 --> 00:01:08.040 church, we want to be constantly engaging with every part of God's word, both the New Testament 00:01:08.040 --> 00:01:12.460 and the Old Testament, all the different types of genres and types of writings and places in 00:01:12.460 --> 00:01:17.840 scripture so that we might gain the full instruction, encouragement, and hope that God has laid up for 00:01:17.840 --> 00:01:22.659 us in his word. So here's maybe just a general reason to study a book that we haven't studied in a 00:01:22.659 --> 00:01:26.759 long time. I don't think we've ever done at Trinity, at least in my memory, a sermon series on the book 00:01:26.759 --> 00:01:33.379 of Micah. Why? Well, we want to have the fullness of God's word in our life as followers of God. 00:01:34.299 --> 00:01:39.959 But is there a more specific reason for doing this book? Well, if you're familiar with Micah at all, 00:01:40.060 --> 00:01:46.959 you're probably familiar with two passages. One is from Micah 5 that talks about the Messiah coming 00:01:46.959 --> 00:01:52.420 from Bethlehem. It's the one that Matthew quotes in Matthew chapter 2. This is the passage we read at 00:01:52.420 --> 00:01:58.079 Christmas time, and we love it, right? It's comforting and it's warm. And that is a wonderful 00:01:58.079 --> 00:02:02.379 passage, and we'll get to it in due course. The other passage you might be familiar with is from 00:02:02.379 --> 00:02:11.000 Micah 6, though, and it goes like this. Micah 6, 8. He has told you, O man, what is good, and what does 00:02:11.000 --> 00:02:29.340 the Lord require of you? Do justice, love kindness, or mercy, or steadfast love. Walk humbly with your God. 00:02:30.460 --> 00:02:39.159 That's a wonderful picture, isn't it? And it's easy to think of ourselves as doing just that, 00:02:39.159 --> 00:02:50.280 as being that kind of people. But are we? Are we the kind of people who really know the God who requires 00:02:50.280 --> 00:03:00.960 that one multifaceted thing to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly? Do we know that God, 00:03:00.960 --> 00:03:10.420 the holy, righteous, just God, really know Him? Or is the God that we serve more concerned about external 00:03:10.420 --> 00:03:18.360 appearances and religious activity and looking good on the outside? In other words, do we really know 00:03:18.360 --> 00:03:24.140 and worship the true God, the Lord, or are we just serving an idol of our own making? 00:03:24.139 --> 00:03:35.559 And what happens when our pretenses and our illusions are stripped away and we see ourselves before this 00:03:35.559 --> 00:03:45.060 God? What then? How do we respond? How do we respond when we come to see that we haven't been 00:03:45.060 --> 00:03:55.500 this sort of people? The sort of people who do what the holy God requires? Who do religion, but not justice? 00:03:56.780 --> 00:04:06.420 Who love comfort, but not kindness? Who walk pretty self-assured, but not humbly with God? 00:04:06.419 --> 00:04:14.439 What do we do then? Micah is going to have some pretty serious things to say about that. 00:04:15.519 --> 00:04:19.719 Some hard things to say. Yeah, some unpopular things to say. 00:04:21.560 --> 00:04:29.639 But in the end, it will be good news. News of comfort and encouragement, as Paul says in Romans. 00:04:29.639 --> 00:04:39.219 Because in the end, we will see God for who He is. Near the very end, in chapter 7, verse 18, near the 00:04:39.219 --> 00:04:49.860 very end of Micah's book, Micah will say, who is a God like you? Who is a God like you? Pardoning iniquity 00:04:49.860 --> 00:04:59.279 and passing over transgression. In fact, that's literally what Micah's name means. Who is like the Lord? 00:04:59.639 --> 00:05:08.839 In wonder and in worship, Micah leads us to a place where we know God. Not the cheap idols of our own 00:05:08.839 --> 00:05:15.579 making, but the true God, the just God, the incomparable God, who is like you, Lord. 00:05:17.519 --> 00:05:26.000 And then, in knowing God, we'll know who we really are, the people of God. 00:05:26.000 --> 00:05:34.079 So, Micah, let's begin with Micah chapter 1. I'm going to read the whole chapter of Micah 1, 00:05:34.360 --> 00:05:40.379 and then we'll dive in to this magnificent, embracing, and even comforting book. 00:05:41.620 --> 00:05:42.360 Micah 1. 00:05:42.360 --> 00:05:51.000 The word of the Lord that came to Micah of Moresheth in the days of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, 00:05:51.600 --> 00:05:54.660 which he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem. 00:05:56.600 --> 00:06:04.060 Hear, you peoples, all of you. Pay attention, O earth, and all that is in it, and let the Lord God be a witness 00:06:04.060 --> 00:06:11.319 against you, the Lord from His holy temple. For behold, the Lord is coming out of His place, 00:06:11.660 --> 00:06:15.660 and will come down and tread upon the high places of the earth. 00:06:16.300 --> 00:06:23.920 And the mountains will melt under Him, and the valleys will split open like wax before the fire, 00:06:24.519 --> 00:06:27.420 like waters poured down a steep place. 00:06:27.420 --> 00:06:34.720 All this is for the transgression of Jacob, and for the sins of the house of Israel. 00:06:35.759 --> 00:06:39.660 What is the transgression of Jacob? Is it not Samaria? 00:06:40.560 --> 00:06:44.259 And what is the high place of Judah? Is it not Jerusalem? 00:06:45.720 --> 00:06:50.939 Therefore, I will make Samaria a heap in the open country, a place for planting vineyards, 00:06:50.939 --> 00:06:55.959 and I will pour down her stones into the valley and uncover her foundations. 00:06:56.899 --> 00:06:59.540 All her carved images shall be beaten to pieces. 00:07:00.339 --> 00:07:05.120 All her wages shall be burned with fire, and all her idols I will lay waste. 00:07:06.199 --> 00:07:11.819 For from the fee of a prostitute she gathered them, and to the fee of a prostitute they shall return. 00:07:13.180 --> 00:07:17.220 For this I will lament and wail. 00:07:17.220 --> 00:07:19.880 I will go stripped and naked. 00:07:20.260 --> 00:07:23.960 I will make lamentation like the jackals and mourning like the ostriches. 00:07:24.560 --> 00:07:28.820 For her wound is incurable, and it has come to Judah. 00:07:29.640 --> 00:07:33.200 It has reached to the gate of my people, to Jerusalem. 00:07:34.560 --> 00:07:36.820 Tell it not in Gath. Weep not at all. 00:07:37.900 --> 00:07:40.360 In Bethlehem, roll yourselves in the dust. 00:07:41.420 --> 00:07:45.180 Pass on your way, inhabitants of Shaphir, in nakedness and shame. 00:07:45.180 --> 00:07:48.879 The inhabitants of Zanon do not come out. 00:07:49.900 --> 00:07:54.400 The lamentation of Beth-Azel shall take away from you its standing place. 00:07:55.540 --> 00:07:58.540 For the inhabitants of Maroth wait anxiously for good, 00:07:58.840 --> 00:08:04.480 because disaster has come down from the Lord to the gates of Jerusalem. 00:08:06.399 --> 00:08:09.379 Harness the steeds to the chariots, inhabitants of Lachish. 00:08:09.379 --> 00:08:15.259 It was the beginning of sin to the daughter of Zion, for in you were found the transgressions of Israel. 00:08:16.500 --> 00:08:19.360 Therefore you shall give parting gifts to Moresheth Gath. 00:08:20.100 --> 00:08:23.620 The houses of Achzeb shall be a deceitful thing to the kings of Israel. 00:08:24.659 --> 00:08:28.100 I will again bring a conqueror to you, inhabitants of Marashah. 00:08:28.899 --> 00:08:31.300 The glory of Israel shall come to Adullam. 00:08:31.300 --> 00:08:37.560 Make yourselves bald and cut off your hair for the children of your delight. 00:08:37.740 --> 00:08:43.659 Make yourselves as bald as the eagle, for they shall go from you into exile. 00:08:46.060 --> 00:08:49.659 So Micah has two things to say to us in this first chapter. 00:08:49.659 --> 00:08:53.519 First, in verses 1-7, Micah says, 00:08:53.839 --> 00:08:55.740 God is coming to judge. 00:08:56.819 --> 00:08:58.759 And second, in verses 8-16, 00:08:59.399 --> 00:09:03.459 Micah shows us that the right response to that truth is to lament. 00:09:04.879 --> 00:09:07.419 So let's look at the first point together in verses 1-7. 00:09:07.559 --> 00:09:10.139 God is coming to judge. 00:09:10.299 --> 00:09:14.360 Micah begins by calling all people everywhere to pay attention. 00:09:14.899 --> 00:09:17.059 Hear you peoples, all of you. 00:09:17.179 --> 00:09:19.039 Pay attention to worth and all that's in it. 00:09:19.779 --> 00:09:24.039 Now, Micah's ministry was located at a certain place in time in history. 00:09:24.839 --> 00:09:30.000 Verse 1 locates Micah's ministry in the second half of the 8th century B.C. 00:09:30.759 --> 00:09:33.799 in what was known as the southern kingdom of Judah. 00:09:33.899 --> 00:09:36.939 Now, remember at this point in Old Testament history, in Israel's history, 00:09:36.939 --> 00:09:39.159 the kingdom of Israel had split into two. 00:09:39.719 --> 00:09:42.939 The southern half remained under the Davidic line of kings 00:09:42.939 --> 00:09:44.579 with its capital in Jerusalem, 00:09:44.579 --> 00:09:48.360 but the northern half had broken away after the reign of Solomon 00:09:48.360 --> 00:09:52.700 and had set up a new capital in Samaria with a whole string of its own kings. 00:09:53.519 --> 00:09:56.100 And Micah, we learn from verse 1, is from Moresheth, 00:09:56.320 --> 00:09:58.580 which is about 20 miles southwest of Jerusalem. 00:09:58.580 --> 00:10:07.360 This is at a time in Judah's history when there are rumblings on the broader geopolitical stage. 00:10:07.420 --> 00:10:10.220 A time of sort of relative peace and comfort has passed. 00:10:10.220 --> 00:10:17.600 And now, the empire of Assyria to the far north is gaining power with frightening speed. 00:10:18.060 --> 00:10:20.460 And already wars are starting to break out. 00:10:20.460 --> 00:10:27.639 And in the midst of that broad situation, at first, we might think that Micah's announcement of judgment, 00:10:28.019 --> 00:10:30.360 as he calls all nations to pay attention, 00:10:30.360 --> 00:10:36.800 we might think that Micah's giving this warning against them, against the nations. 00:10:37.759 --> 00:10:42.240 You can almost imagine Micah's original listeners finding comfort in these first few verses. 00:10:42.240 --> 00:10:44.759 Oh, yes, that's right, Micah. 00:10:45.200 --> 00:10:45.720 Preach it. 00:10:45.799 --> 00:10:47.159 The Lord is going to come. 00:10:47.720 --> 00:10:49.500 Assyria can't possibly harm us. 00:10:50.060 --> 00:10:51.259 The Lord's on our side. 00:10:51.340 --> 00:10:53.919 Our enemies are going to melt like wax before the fire. 00:10:54.419 --> 00:10:55.539 What have we to be afraid of? 00:10:58.220 --> 00:11:04.019 But quickly, we learn that this judgment is coming much closer to home. 00:11:04.019 --> 00:11:06.860 It's not the empire of Assyria. 00:11:07.860 --> 00:11:12.220 But at first, it's the northern kingdom of Samaria that will melt like wax. 00:11:13.980 --> 00:11:14.659 Verse 6 again, 00:11:14.779 --> 00:11:19.740 Therefore I will make Samaria a heap in the open country, a place for planting vineyards. 00:11:20.120 --> 00:11:24.819 I'll pour her stones down into the valley and uncover her foundations. 00:11:24.960 --> 00:11:30.779 In other words, it's a picture of a city on the top of a hill just crumbling and becoming a field. 00:11:32.059 --> 00:11:33.720 And why will God do this? 00:11:34.019 --> 00:11:36.240 Verse 7 says, 00:11:36.559 --> 00:11:42.439 Because Samaria has been worshiping idols, all her carved images shall be beaten to pieces, 00:11:42.579 --> 00:11:47.860 all her wages shall be burned with fire, and all her idols I will lay waste. 00:11:50.000 --> 00:11:51.460 So what are we to make of this? 00:11:52.879 --> 00:11:57.340 What does this opening paragraph of Micah have to say to us today? 00:11:57.340 --> 00:12:04.100 Well, first, we need to reckon with the reality of God's holiness. 00:12:06.259 --> 00:12:16.460 You know, we must not think of the God of the Bible like the irritable, fickle gods of Greek or Roman or ancient Near Eastern mythology. 00:12:16.460 --> 00:12:20.460 You know, those sorts of gods were unpredictable and petty. 00:12:20.460 --> 00:12:31.800 And, you know, the only thing that sort of mere humans could do was to offer sacrifices and hope that we had done enough to keep the gods on our good side for long enough to win the next battle or harvest the next crop. 00:12:31.799 --> 00:12:35.339 But this isn't the picture that we get from Micah. 00:12:37.339 --> 00:12:43.439 It's not the fickle or petty passion of this God that results in judgment. 00:12:43.440 --> 00:12:48.640 No, it's the Lord's very presence. 00:12:51.760 --> 00:12:56.040 What happens when you hold fire next to wax? 00:12:57.680 --> 00:12:59.080 The wax melts. 00:13:00.300 --> 00:13:00.680 Why? 00:13:02.560 --> 00:13:04.380 Because the fire's having a bad day? 00:13:05.740 --> 00:13:08.860 No, because that's the very nature of fire. 00:13:08.860 --> 00:13:22.980 In the same way, the Lord's nature is so holy that in the very act of the Lord drawing near, what is unholy begins to come undone. 00:13:25.360 --> 00:13:31.180 You see, because of God's holiness, his judgment of an unholy world isn't fickle or mean. 00:13:31.919 --> 00:13:32.779 It's inevitable. 00:13:32.779 --> 00:13:38.899 And this leads us to the second thing we need to see in this first paragraph. 00:13:40.240 --> 00:13:43.799 What is it that has created this unholiness in creation? 00:13:45.179 --> 00:13:50.459 Why is it that we creatures can no longer bear to be in God's holy presence without immediately coming undone? 00:13:52.319 --> 00:13:53.959 Micah says it's our idolatry. 00:13:55.679 --> 00:13:58.559 We put a created thing in God's place. 00:13:58.559 --> 00:14:03.279 We've given the allegiance of our hearts to false gods. 00:14:03.519 --> 00:14:06.879 Our hearts that were meant to love and serve our creator above all else. 00:14:08.059 --> 00:14:13.019 And the tragedy is we end up becoming like what we worship. 00:14:14.719 --> 00:14:19.839 We worship false things and we ourselves become false. 00:14:21.119 --> 00:14:27.619 We might look vibrant and real on the outside, but inside it's like we're made of wax. 00:14:28.559 --> 00:14:34.419 Friends, the truth is that God created you and I in his image. 00:14:35.319 --> 00:14:38.759 God created us in his image with unparalleled dignity and worth. 00:14:39.639 --> 00:14:45.159 And you were meant to love him and serve him and find your deepest delight in him. 00:14:45.859 --> 00:14:54.659 And you and I were made to reflect, actually, the fire of God's glory like a mirror shining back the light of the sun. 00:14:54.659 --> 00:15:10.039 And had we not turned away from God into idolatry, his presence in our midst would mean the unfurling of a glory and a reflection and a refraction of his glory that we could scarcely imagine. 00:15:10.039 --> 00:15:18.319 Like a mirror made of diamonds now reflecting the light, not just of the sun, but the light of a hundred stars. 00:15:19.360 --> 00:15:21.379 This was God's intent for us. 00:15:23.279 --> 00:15:26.199 But look what idolatry has done. 00:15:27.360 --> 00:15:28.819 Look what we've become. 00:15:28.820 --> 00:15:33.040 Of course, we don't worship statues anymore, do we? 00:15:34.660 --> 00:15:40.120 No, we might not have literal graven images, but we still worship power. 00:15:41.820 --> 00:15:43.580 And we still worship fame. 00:15:44.879 --> 00:15:46.760 And we still worship prosperity. 00:15:48.260 --> 00:15:52.360 And we still worship comfort, just like they did back then. 00:15:52.360 --> 00:15:55.019 We think we've evolved. 00:15:56.019 --> 00:15:57.159 But have we? 00:15:58.980 --> 00:16:06.259 The Canaanite gods, the Assyrian gods, they promised power and prosperity and glory and security. 00:16:08.000 --> 00:16:11.000 Is it really any different at the end of the day? 00:16:13.539 --> 00:16:15.320 So what will become of us? 00:16:15.320 --> 00:16:23.760 When the holiness of God descends into the wax museum of our idolatry, what could possibly be left? 00:16:26.580 --> 00:16:28.740 Will earthly power be much good then? 00:16:28.879 --> 00:16:30.160 Or worldly prosperity? 00:16:31.060 --> 00:16:35.020 The things we've spent our lives chasing and coveting and desiring? 00:16:35.560 --> 00:16:37.660 The things that we've sacrificed for? 00:16:38.340 --> 00:16:41.840 The things that we've curved and bent our lives around? 00:16:41.840 --> 00:16:43.160 Will any of it stand? 00:16:45.320 --> 00:16:47.180 And what about us? 00:16:48.640 --> 00:16:57.300 If we've centered our lives around it, what will we do when the center doesn't hold but melts away? 00:17:01.240 --> 00:17:07.779 You know, Jesus himself spoke of final judgment more than anyone else in the Bible. 00:17:07.779 --> 00:17:17.680 For Jesus, the reality that God will come to judge the world in holiness was not some outmoded idea that needed to be gotten rid of. 00:17:18.559 --> 00:17:21.160 But it was a spiritual reality that was inevitable. 00:17:23.359 --> 00:17:26.639 And the image that Jesus himself often used was fire. 00:17:26.640 --> 00:17:32.500 There will come a day when the creator steps into his creation. 00:17:33.640 --> 00:17:36.740 When God's glory covers the earth like the waters cover the sea. 00:17:37.560 --> 00:17:39.400 And when God will judge every sin. 00:17:40.520 --> 00:17:46.480 And those who have refused to worship God but have clung to idols will melt like wax before the fire. 00:17:47.320 --> 00:17:49.160 But the fire will never go out. 00:17:49.600 --> 00:17:51.400 And the undoing will last forever. 00:17:51.400 --> 00:17:56.800 So how do we respond to all this? 00:17:59.240 --> 00:18:03.460 If this is Micah's first point that God's coming to judge sin and idolatry, what do we do? 00:18:03.660 --> 00:18:04.380 How do we respond? 00:18:06.660 --> 00:18:08.800 Well, this brings us to the second half of the chapter. 00:18:10.259 --> 00:18:12.820 Micah says, we must lament. 00:18:14.780 --> 00:18:16.580 Let me read again verses 8 and 9. 00:18:17.580 --> 00:18:20.200 Micah says, for this I will lament and wail. 00:18:20.200 --> 00:18:22.279 I will go stripped and naked. 00:18:22.819 --> 00:18:26.279 I will make lamentation like the jackals and mourning like the ostriches. 00:18:26.940 --> 00:18:29.500 For her wound is incurable and it has come to Judah. 00:18:30.299 --> 00:18:33.380 It has reached the gate of my people to Jerusalem. 00:18:35.480 --> 00:18:39.340 You see, friends, Micah sees what we so often do not see. 00:18:41.000 --> 00:18:44.340 In the opening verses of chapter 1, verses 1 through 7, 00:18:44.759 --> 00:18:48.000 Micah spoke of coming judgment on Samaria, the northern kingdom. 00:18:48.000 --> 00:18:53.160 And how do you think Micah's audience in Judah, in the south, would have responded to that? 00:18:53.220 --> 00:18:56.660 Perhaps they would have thought, oh, of course God's going to judge Samaria. 00:18:57.880 --> 00:18:59.119 Look how wicked they are. 00:18:59.839 --> 00:19:01.380 Look at all their idols and sins. 00:19:01.480 --> 00:19:02.920 Look at all their bad theology. 00:19:06.279 --> 00:19:07.940 Friends, how often are we like that? 00:19:08.859 --> 00:19:10.200 We hear of God's holiness. 00:19:10.200 --> 00:19:14.480 We hear of the terrible judgment to come because of human idolatry. 00:19:14.519 --> 00:19:17.100 And we think, I'm so glad I'm not like those people. 00:19:19.600 --> 00:19:21.420 But it's not just those people. 00:19:23.720 --> 00:19:25.900 Micah's already said as much in verse 5. 00:19:26.960 --> 00:19:28.360 What is the transgression of Jacob? 00:19:28.539 --> 00:19:29.400 Is it not Samaria? 00:19:29.980 --> 00:19:31.539 What's the high place of Judah? 00:19:32.620 --> 00:19:34.240 Is it not Jerusalem? 00:19:34.240 --> 00:19:40.099 He's already pointed to the fact that Judah is guilty as well. 00:19:41.339 --> 00:19:46.920 Do we think we're any better off, Micah says, to his own people in the south? 00:19:47.640 --> 00:19:48.640 We're not. 00:19:49.319 --> 00:19:52.519 The same sins are in our hearts as well. 00:19:53.220 --> 00:19:55.319 Yes, their wound is incurable. 00:19:55.539 --> 00:19:59.500 That is, God's judgment is certainly going to fall on our northern neighbors, Micah says. 00:19:59.519 --> 00:20:00.339 But don't you see? 00:20:00.759 --> 00:20:02.299 It's come to Judah as well. 00:20:02.299 --> 00:20:06.299 It's reached the very gate of my people to Jerusalem. 00:20:07.500 --> 00:20:11.700 We are going to face the same inevitable judgment. 00:20:14.599 --> 00:20:17.099 So Micah says, I'm not going to gloat. 00:20:18.019 --> 00:20:21.259 I'm not going to shake my head in disgust at them. 00:20:22.159 --> 00:20:24.319 I'm not going to somehow think I'm better. 00:20:24.960 --> 00:20:27.619 No, I'm going to lament. 00:20:27.619 --> 00:20:33.539 And that's what Micah does in verses 10 through 16. 00:20:34.339 --> 00:20:40.719 For the rest of the chapter, he starts listing cities in and around the southern kingdom. 00:20:41.379 --> 00:20:45.619 Specifically, he starts listing cities to the west of Jerusalem. 00:20:46.159 --> 00:20:47.299 To the west of Jerusalem. 00:20:47.379 --> 00:20:48.319 Now, why those cities? 00:20:48.319 --> 00:20:55.119 Well, you see, in the ancient Near East, when an army would invade Israel and Judah, 00:20:55.539 --> 00:21:00.639 they would go down the coast, around the mountains, and then east. 00:21:01.919 --> 00:21:05.899 They'd go south and then head towards Jerusalem across the plain. 00:21:06.480 --> 00:21:08.839 And all those cities west of Jerusalem, 00:21:09.279 --> 00:21:13.339 they were the cities that would be taken and destroyed by foreign armies. 00:21:13.339 --> 00:21:16.559 And those are the cities that Micah begins listing. 00:21:18.740 --> 00:21:21.199 And historically, that's exactly what happened. 00:21:22.519 --> 00:21:25.359 When God's judgment came upon his people in the Old Testament, 00:21:25.480 --> 00:21:27.039 because they did not keep his law, 00:21:27.539 --> 00:21:28.980 because they had broken his covenant, 00:21:29.480 --> 00:21:33.480 in 722 BC, he allowed the Assyrians to destroy the northern kingdom, 00:21:33.579 --> 00:21:34.699 just like Micah said, 00:21:34.980 --> 00:21:36.659 and carry the people off in exile. 00:21:37.079 --> 00:21:39.619 And a number of years later, around 701 BC, 00:21:39.619 --> 00:21:42.279 he allowed the Assyrians to keep going south. 00:21:42.279 --> 00:21:44.619 And attack the southern kingdom as well. 00:21:44.740 --> 00:21:47.000 And many of these cities that Micah is listing here, 00:21:47.200 --> 00:21:48.680 would themselves be destroyed. 00:21:50.680 --> 00:21:53.720 And tragically, Micah's prophecy would come true in his own lifetime. 00:21:57.500 --> 00:22:00.619 So here in chapter 1, foreseeing this coming disaster, 00:22:00.819 --> 00:22:01.920 Micah raises a lament. 00:22:04.519 --> 00:22:07.399 And in Hebrew, the name of each city that he lists, 00:22:07.399 --> 00:22:12.019 has sort of a similar sound to the specific lament that Micah gives. 00:22:12.279 --> 00:22:14.480 It's hard to capture in an English translation, 00:22:14.660 --> 00:22:16.240 but it would be sort of like saying, 00:22:16.879 --> 00:22:18.720 Washington will be washed away, 00:22:19.500 --> 00:22:21.899 and Philadelphia will be filled with tears. 00:22:22.559 --> 00:22:23.740 He just lists these cities, 00:22:23.859 --> 00:22:24.879 and with plays on words, 00:22:25.220 --> 00:22:28.720 issues up a call and a cry of sadness and lament and sorrow. 00:22:31.440 --> 00:22:34.279 Now, if you're wondering why Micah's lament begins by saying, 00:22:34.740 --> 00:22:35.940 tell it not in Gath, 00:22:36.079 --> 00:22:37.319 weep not at all. 00:22:38.019 --> 00:22:41.279 Well, that's because Gath was historically a Philistine city, 00:22:41.339 --> 00:22:43.059 an enemy city on the far western border. 00:22:43.179 --> 00:22:45.079 So Micah's basically starting off by saying, 00:22:45.460 --> 00:22:48.019 oh, I hope this terrible news doesn't reach our enemies. 00:22:48.139 --> 00:22:49.339 It's going to be so bad 00:22:49.339 --> 00:22:52.299 that they will just gloat over us and increase our shame. 00:22:52.299 --> 00:22:59.899 So what do we learn from Micah's response here? 00:23:02.599 --> 00:23:06.539 Well, friends, notice that Micah spends two verses 00:23:06.539 --> 00:23:10.480 speaking about the judgment coming on Samaria's sins, 00:23:11.000 --> 00:23:15.079 and nine lamenting the sins of his own people. 00:23:15.079 --> 00:23:22.220 He doesn't shy away or minimize the reality of Samaria's idolatry, 00:23:22.599 --> 00:23:24.879 but where does his emphasis fall? 00:23:28.220 --> 00:23:29.819 How about for the church today? 00:23:31.639 --> 00:23:34.759 Do we spend more time pointing out the sins of others 00:23:34.759 --> 00:23:40.659 or lamenting before the Lord our own idolatry and waywardness 00:23:40.660 --> 00:23:42.680 and crying out for his forgiveness? 00:23:45.180 --> 00:23:47.540 Too often we can fall into this trap. 00:23:48.360 --> 00:23:50.540 We see the speck in our neighbor's eye, 00:23:50.800 --> 00:23:52.880 but fail to see the log in our own. 00:23:54.620 --> 00:23:57.340 We can point out all the theological errors 00:23:57.340 --> 00:23:58.880 in other churches or traditions, 00:23:59.480 --> 00:24:02.460 but we fail to lament the fact that our own denomination 00:24:02.460 --> 00:24:06.000 was founded in racism, 00:24:07.120 --> 00:24:09.160 covered up sexual abuse for decades, 00:24:09.160 --> 00:24:13.019 and has unnecessarily sidelined 00:24:13.019 --> 00:24:14.640 the spiritual gifts of women 00:24:14.640 --> 00:24:16.180 in the name of biblical fidelity. 00:24:18.480 --> 00:24:20.660 When the judgment of God comes, friends, 00:24:20.740 --> 00:24:22.500 who will have the right to stand? 00:24:23.500 --> 00:24:24.660 Surely not us. 00:24:28.720 --> 00:24:31.860 If God were to judge us as our sins deserve, 00:24:31.859 --> 00:24:39.199 we would have no hope. 00:24:49.719 --> 00:24:53.579 And there's a proper place to lament the sins 00:24:53.579 --> 00:24:56.199 and to cry out to God 00:24:56.200 --> 00:24:59.860 with a broken and contrite heart. 00:25:02.299 --> 00:25:04.120 Was it not Jesus himself who said, 00:25:04.220 --> 00:25:05.640 blessed are those who mourn? 00:25:08.980 --> 00:25:10.500 And was it not Jesus himself, 00:25:10.620 --> 00:25:13.039 when looking out over the Jerusalem of his own day, 00:25:13.620 --> 00:25:16.140 he wept because of the sins of his people, 00:25:16.400 --> 00:25:17.700 because of the coming judgment. 00:25:17.700 --> 00:25:21.980 Jesus himself laments the sins of his people. 00:25:25.880 --> 00:25:27.200 And perhaps there, 00:25:28.620 --> 00:25:32.660 at the very end of a very bleak chapter, 00:25:33.759 --> 00:25:35.440 is where the glimmer of hope comes. 00:25:35.440 --> 00:25:38.680 Make no mistake, 00:25:38.779 --> 00:25:41.360 the first chapter of Micah is not a happy one. 00:25:42.980 --> 00:25:44.840 God's certain judgment 00:25:44.840 --> 00:25:47.279 and the call to lament our sins, 00:25:47.380 --> 00:25:48.940 that's the message of chapter one. 00:25:50.440 --> 00:25:52.600 But that's not the whole message of Micah. 00:25:54.279 --> 00:25:56.240 Because Micah will also tell us 00:25:56.240 --> 00:25:57.440 about a shepherd king 00:25:57.440 --> 00:26:01.259 who will one day come to gather those who mourn. 00:26:01.259 --> 00:26:04.920 And he will tell us how this holy God, 00:26:05.220 --> 00:26:08.680 who is like fire to the wax of our idolatry, 00:26:08.980 --> 00:26:11.660 is also a God who forgives. 00:26:13.579 --> 00:26:16.319 A God who does justice, 00:26:16.920 --> 00:26:20.420 but also a God who loves mercy. 00:26:22.700 --> 00:26:25.220 Blessed are those who mourn, Jesus said, 00:26:25.940 --> 00:26:27.759 for they shall be comforted. 00:26:27.759 --> 00:26:32.299 Comforted because the shepherd king has come 00:26:32.299 --> 00:26:34.920 and mourned on our behalf. 00:26:36.299 --> 00:26:37.759 Mourned for our sins 00:26:37.759 --> 00:26:38.500 and more than that, 00:26:38.539 --> 00:26:39.900 even died for our sins. 00:26:42.259 --> 00:26:43.259 On the cross, 00:26:43.379 --> 00:26:44.720 Jesus cried out in lament. 00:26:45.240 --> 00:26:47.119 This is where Tyler started our service. 00:26:47.359 --> 00:26:48.980 My God, my God, 00:26:49.440 --> 00:26:51.099 why have you forsaken me? 00:26:52.420 --> 00:26:53.740 Jesus laments 00:26:53.740 --> 00:26:56.079 and suffers and dies 00:26:56.079 --> 00:26:57.200 on our behalf. 00:26:58.339 --> 00:27:00.039 And because Jesus died on the cross, 00:27:00.119 --> 00:27:01.539 our sins can be forgiven. 00:27:03.160 --> 00:27:05.799 We can face the fire of God's presence 00:27:05.799 --> 00:27:07.339 and not be consumed 00:27:07.339 --> 00:27:11.079 because he has gone into the fire for us, 00:27:11.480 --> 00:27:13.960 bearing the penalty our sins deserve. 00:27:15.980 --> 00:27:17.299 And so as Christians, 00:27:17.460 --> 00:27:19.559 we still lament in this life, 00:27:20.039 --> 00:27:22.059 not because we have no hope, 00:27:22.579 --> 00:27:24.400 but because we see more clearly 00:27:24.400 --> 00:27:25.460 than anyone else 00:27:25.460 --> 00:27:27.460 how much our sins cost. 00:27:27.759 --> 00:27:29.940 The cross shows us 00:27:29.940 --> 00:27:31.640 how terrible our sins 00:27:31.640 --> 00:27:33.799 really and truly are. 00:27:36.140 --> 00:27:38.339 But our lament is not the last word. 00:27:40.180 --> 00:27:42.099 The last word belongs to God. 00:27:42.099 --> 00:27:46.959 And God's last word through Micah is this. 00:27:47.919 --> 00:27:50.219 Micah 7, 18 through 20. 00:27:51.019 --> 00:27:52.379 Who is a God like you? 00:27:53.179 --> 00:27:54.240 Pardoning iniquity 00:27:54.240 --> 00:27:56.599 and passing over transgression 00:27:56.599 --> 00:27:58.779 for the remnant of his inheritance. 00:27:59.519 --> 00:28:01.699 He does not retain his anger forever 00:28:01.699 --> 00:28:04.639 because he delights in steadfast love. 00:28:04.640 --> 00:28:07.759 He will again have compassion on us. 00:28:08.320 --> 00:28:10.460 He will tread our iniquities underfoot. 00:28:11.600 --> 00:28:13.400 You will cast all our sins 00:28:13.400 --> 00:28:15.440 into the depths of the sea. 00:28:16.400 --> 00:28:17.340 Let's pray together. 00:28:17.339 --> 00:28:35.439 Heavenly Father, 00:28:35.439 --> 00:28:35.459 Heavenly Father, 00:28:36.659 --> 00:28:37.599 hallowed be your name. 00:28:39.959 --> 00:28:41.399 We take a moment now 00:28:41.399 --> 00:28:43.419 to just sit in quiet before you 00:28:43.420 --> 00:28:47.800 and in a right way 00:28:47.800 --> 00:28:51.539 to express our sorrow 00:28:51.539 --> 00:28:53.039 over our sins. 00:28:57.360 --> 00:28:59.360 God, we have not loved you 00:28:59.360 --> 00:29:00.640 with all of our heart, 00:29:00.840 --> 00:29:02.220 soul, mind, and strength. 00:29:02.640 --> 00:29:04.420 And we have not loved our neighbor 00:29:04.420 --> 00:29:05.200 as ourself. 00:29:05.200 --> 00:29:08.920 Lord, we have been such a poor 00:29:08.920 --> 00:29:11.000 picture 00:29:11.000 --> 00:29:13.019 of your grace 00:29:13.019 --> 00:29:14.120 and your glory. 00:29:14.799 --> 00:29:15.799 Forgive us, God. 00:29:20.200 --> 00:29:21.980 Lord, make us a people 00:29:21.980 --> 00:29:24.819 who are poor in spirit, 00:29:25.620 --> 00:29:26.819 who mourn, 00:29:28.200 --> 00:29:29.440 and who hunger and thirst 00:29:29.440 --> 00:29:30.480 after righteousness. 00:29:30.480 --> 00:29:36.360 And Lord, 00:29:36.420 --> 00:29:36.920 this morning, 00:29:37.039 --> 00:29:38.960 we again turn to Jesus 00:29:38.960 --> 00:29:41.019 and say, 00:29:41.140 --> 00:29:42.339 if it were not for him, 00:29:43.039 --> 00:29:44.440 how could we stand? 00:29:46.279 --> 00:29:48.000 Thank you for the cross, Lord. 00:29:48.779 --> 00:29:50.180 Thank you for the price 00:29:50.180 --> 00:29:50.980 that you paid. 00:29:52.240 --> 00:29:52.880 Oh, Lord, 00:29:52.980 --> 00:29:54.599 thank you for redeeming us 00:29:54.599 --> 00:29:57.440 and rescuing us 00:29:57.440 --> 00:29:59.940 and making a way 00:29:59.940 --> 00:30:00.840 for us to be 00:30:00.840 --> 00:30:02.059 in the presence 00:30:02.059 --> 00:30:03.660 of the Father. 00:30:05.660 --> 00:30:07.160 Not being consumed, 00:30:08.360 --> 00:30:09.660 but being loved. 00:30:12.779 --> 00:30:13.539 Oh, Lord, 00:30:13.620 --> 00:30:15.400 knowing your forgiving grace, 00:30:16.539 --> 00:30:17.259 help us 00:30:17.259 --> 00:30:19.220 as we study Micah's book 00:30:19.220 --> 00:30:21.279 to become a people 00:30:21.279 --> 00:30:23.440 who in response 00:30:23.440 --> 00:30:24.559 to your great grace 00:30:24.559 --> 00:30:26.279 do justice, 00:30:26.279 --> 00:30:28.839 and love kindness 00:30:28.839 --> 00:30:31.339 and walk humbly with you. 00:30:32.720 --> 00:30:33.599 We pray this 00:30:33.599 --> 00:30:34.440 in your mighty name, 00:30:34.519 --> 00:30:34.759 Jesus, 00:30:35.399 --> 00:30:36.259 our shepherd king. 00:30:37.019 --> 00:30:37.319 Amen.