WEBVTT 00:00:00.300 --> 00:00:04.200 Well, good evening everyone. Great to have you. It's a privilege to be able to be here 00:00:04.200 --> 00:00:13.259 and to be able to present Micah. So, do you want the good news or the bad news? 00:00:14.900 --> 00:00:19.480 The good news. Anyone? We'll go good news first. I'll be under an hour. 00:00:20.800 --> 00:00:26.320 The bad news is it'll be over 20 minutes. Nah, I'm just having a laugh, but you know, 00:00:26.320 --> 00:00:30.719 that phrase is often given, isn't it? Corey came in the other week. Do you want the good news 00:00:30.719 --> 00:00:35.500 or the bad news? And you know, people give that, don't they? They do it for various reasons. Maybe 00:00:35.500 --> 00:00:40.480 there is genuinely good news and bad, but most often there's bad news and they're just trying to 00:00:40.480 --> 00:00:45.960 appease. But anyway, it's not always that straightforward. Sometimes the good news 00:00:45.960 --> 00:00:53.820 isn't that good and sometimes the bad news could actually be good. Now, this is not just trying to 00:00:53.820 --> 00:01:00.240 confuse you as we start, but you'll see that our theme for the series is hard news and hope. 00:01:01.520 --> 00:01:07.180 Hard news and hope. And hopefully tonight and over the next three weeks, we'll see why that is the case. 00:01:09.060 --> 00:01:14.680 So, I want to give a general intro to Micah. It's one of the minor prophets. It's lesser known, 00:01:14.819 --> 00:01:18.200 lesser studied, so it's good to know where we are and what we're doing. 00:01:18.200 --> 00:01:26.240 So, Micah, it's a minor prophet. There's one of 12, named so because of size rather than, 00:01:26.620 --> 00:01:33.079 you know, what is in it and whether it is useful for us. It is between Jonah and the man who doesn't 00:01:33.079 --> 00:01:40.079 smell, Nahum. If you don't get that, I'll explain it later, but it's the seventh last book in the Old 00:01:40.079 --> 00:01:46.379 Testament. That's where we are. And as I said, it's often less studied, but it's so valuable to study 00:01:46.379 --> 00:01:51.319 these books. If you were with us for Habakkuk and Archie took us through that, it was so valuable 00:01:51.319 --> 00:01:57.019 to see what we could learn there about the faith in the mess. So relevant. And I mentioned this 00:01:57.019 --> 00:02:02.259 morning, if you were here, that Micah also is so relevant to the world that we live in today. 00:02:04.039 --> 00:02:07.739 So, I'm going to read verse one again, as it acts as a great intro for the whole book, 00:02:07.739 --> 00:02:12.900 as well as the two chapters tonight. Verse one, chapter one, verse one, 00:02:12.960 --> 00:02:18.740 the word of the Lord that came to Micah of Moresheth during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, 00:02:18.840 --> 00:02:24.879 and Hezekiah, kings of Judah, the vision he saw concerning Samaria and Jerusalem. 00:02:26.539 --> 00:02:34.060 So, who? Micah. Micah is the man writing, but it's important to see here is the word of the Lord. 00:02:34.060 --> 00:02:38.800 God. All scripture is God inspired. So, this is the word of the Lord. 00:02:40.379 --> 00:02:46.180 And Micah's name actually means, who is like Jehovah? And he plays on this in chapter seven, 00:02:46.280 --> 00:02:53.000 where he asks that very question, who is like Jehovah? Micah, he would have known Isaiah, 00:02:53.539 --> 00:03:00.819 would have been a contemporary, but he was from a much humbler social class. He grew up in Moresheth, 00:03:00.819 --> 00:03:07.099 as it says, which was an agricultural town, would have been a farming village. It was about 25 miles 00:03:07.099 --> 00:03:16.419 southwest from Jerusalem. That's quite small, but that is where we're at, and I'll explain that a 00:03:16.419 --> 00:03:21.719 wee bit more in a minute. The book here, so the kind of literary style, so it is full of puns. 00:03:21.959 --> 00:03:27.939 It is full of puns, but they don't particularly translate well. That would be also something 00:03:27.939 --> 00:03:38.079 I would say. We're looking at this in three parts, and with each part, it repeats in a sort of judgment 00:03:38.079 --> 00:03:42.659 and salvation, this hard news and hope, and we'll see that as we go through. 00:03:42.659 --> 00:03:50.479 So when are we at? Well, we are between these three kings. Now when you see a king, especially in the Old 00:03:50.479 --> 00:03:55.879 Testament, it's worth asking, were they good or were they bad? Now these were kings of Judah. It's worth 00:03:55.879 --> 00:04:01.539 noting that all the kings of the north in Israel were pretty terrible during this time, but Jotham, 00:04:01.620 --> 00:04:06.780 he was a good king. Ahaz, he was a bad king, and Hezekiah, he was a good king. 00:04:06.780 --> 00:04:13.640 As I've said, there was this agricultural system. This is the time that he was at, and it's important 00:04:13.640 --> 00:04:18.180 to know this for the context of what we'll see. There was an agricultural system. There was a lot 00:04:18.180 --> 00:04:24.920 of farming, but you know this was giving way to a greedy materialistic society. These rich landowners, 00:04:25.060 --> 00:04:30.660 they were becoming richer, mainly through extortion, and it meant that these poor farmers who were renting 00:04:30.660 --> 00:04:39.220 this land became poorer and poorer. Somewhat familiar, isn't it? And there was an increased 00:04:39.220 --> 00:04:44.060 trade with other nations, and this increased trade, while it brought wealth, it also brought 00:04:44.060 --> 00:04:53.140 in false religion, it brought in cults, and it brought in lower morals. We're about 740 to 687 BC, 00:04:53.139 --> 00:05:02.180 so about over 2,500 years ago here. And where are we at? Well, we're in, it says, doesn't it, 00:05:02.259 --> 00:05:08.500 the vision concerning Samaria and Jerusalem. So Samaria, it's the capital of Israel in the north, 00:05:08.579 --> 00:05:13.680 which is the one in the pink, and the one in the south, orange is Judah. If you've got really good 00:05:13.680 --> 00:05:20.599 eyes, you can make out Moresheth, which is where Micah was from. Now, it's important that these 00:05:20.600 --> 00:05:27.040 cities are mentioned because these were the centers, these were the capitals. It was where power was, 00:05:27.439 --> 00:05:34.240 it was where political might was, but you know, it was also the centers of sin, and we will go on to see 00:05:34.240 --> 00:05:41.360 that. So some main themes throughout the book, but also through tonight, we have this hard news 00:05:41.360 --> 00:05:48.980 and hope. We see that God, he is judge, and yet he also gives promises that he will keep. 00:05:48.980 --> 00:05:55.140 The Lord scatters his people because of their sins, but he is also the one who gathers, 00:05:55.520 --> 00:06:04.819 he protects, and he forgives. Chapter 6, verse 8, it could be a sort of key for the whole thing. It 00:06:04.819 --> 00:06:11.080 says, he has shown you, O mortal, what is good, and what does the Lord require of you? To act justly, 00:06:11.079 --> 00:06:19.279 to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God. It may be just worth noting that it's quoted in the 00:06:19.279 --> 00:06:26.719 New Testament five times most famously in Matthew 2, where it's the prophecy in chapter 5 of Micah 00:06:26.719 --> 00:06:32.899 that the ruler of Israel will come from Bethlehem, and that he will shepherd his flock, and he will be 00:06:32.899 --> 00:06:40.060 their peace. So that is also found in Micah. So getting on to tonight specifically, we're going 00:06:40.060 --> 00:06:50.659 to look at judgment proclaimed in 2 to 7. Judgment proclaimed. We're going to look at Micah's response 00:06:50.660 --> 00:06:57.320 in verse 8 to 16. And going into chapter 2, we're going to look at the people and their prophets 00:06:57.320 --> 00:07:05.080 in verse 1 to 11. And finally, the last two verses, 12 and 13 of chapter 2, we're going to see hope. 00:07:07.200 --> 00:07:14.240 So let's dive in. First of all, judgment proclaimed. And to start with, it's maybe worth noting that 00:07:14.240 --> 00:07:20.100 these are not chronological per se. And you'll kind of see that as we go out throughout. It's not 00:07:20.100 --> 00:07:28.939 chronological happenings here, but we'll hopefully make sense of it by the end. So judgment proclaimed 00:07:28.939 --> 00:07:38.100 in verses 2 to 7. Well, the very first word of verse 2 is here. And the first word of verse 3 is, 00:07:38.100 --> 00:07:48.920 look. We are called here to attention. Look. Listen. And what are we to listen for? Well, God is coming 00:07:48.920 --> 00:07:58.220 in judgment. God is coming down that he may bear witness against you. He's coming from his holy temple. 00:08:00.720 --> 00:08:05.900 And this warning, it is for you peoples, all of you, listen, earth and all who live in it. 00:08:08.100 --> 00:08:12.020 This warning here is for everyone. It can't be missed. 00:08:14.340 --> 00:08:21.920 We see in verse 4, we see this imagery used. The mountains melt beneath him. The valleys split 00:08:21.920 --> 00:08:31.379 apart like wax before the fire, like water rushing down a slope. These images, they're frightening images. 00:08:31.379 --> 00:08:40.259 I imagine sitting in the IMAX cinema, and when this scene comes on, it would be shaking in your seat. 00:08:40.559 --> 00:08:43.559 And it would be one of those where you're getting sprayed in the face with water. I don't know if you've 00:08:43.559 --> 00:08:47.559 ever been to one of those types of cinemas, but you know, it would be shaking, wouldn't it? 00:08:47.960 --> 00:08:51.919 And that is the image that we're given. God is coming in power and authority. 00:08:51.919 --> 00:09:04.059 We see why in verse 5. We see why God is coming in judgment. All of this is because of Jacob's 00:09:04.059 --> 00:09:10.839 transgression. It's sin, because of sin. God has to come in judgment because of sin. 00:09:13.079 --> 00:09:20.179 We see that it is these cities that are the centers of the sin. They are the centers of idolatry. 00:09:20.179 --> 00:09:27.959 What is Jacob's transgression? Is it not Samaria in verse 5? What is Judah's high place? Is it not Jerusalem? 00:09:30.279 --> 00:09:37.620 This is God's people we're talking about. And yet they have totally lost sight of their God, this almighty God. 00:09:39.039 --> 00:09:44.679 And instead they are throwing themselves into sin. They are throwing themselves into the things of the world. 00:09:44.679 --> 00:09:55.299 So in 6, we have judgment pronounced. Therefore, I will make Samaria a heap of rubble, 00:09:55.819 --> 00:10:01.439 a place for planting vineyards. I will pour her stones out into the valley and lay bare her foundations. 00:10:02.319 --> 00:10:06.199 So Samaria here, the capital of the northern kingdom, is the focus. 00:10:06.200 --> 00:10:10.420 But it's saying that it will be utterly destroyed. 00:10:12.280 --> 00:10:17.580 And we see in 7 that idolatry is picked out specifically as one of the major sins. 00:10:18.780 --> 00:10:22.320 All her idols will be broken to pieces. 00:10:25.180 --> 00:10:30.020 The people here, they turned away from this almighty God who comes in power and authority 00:10:30.019 --> 00:10:32.259 to things that they'd made in workshops. 00:10:36.419 --> 00:10:38.460 Maybe it wasn't just physical idolatry. 00:10:38.559 --> 00:10:40.079 Maybe it was to things of the world. 00:10:40.240 --> 00:10:42.720 Whether it was money or power or fame. 00:10:43.179 --> 00:10:44.399 Things that they'd made, they're idols. 00:10:46.399 --> 00:10:47.879 But you know, it's the same today, isn't it? 00:10:49.860 --> 00:10:51.100 What are we idolizing? 00:10:51.639 --> 00:10:52.740 What are we putting first? 00:10:52.740 --> 00:10:59.480 And we see that the judgment here in verse 7, it matches the sin, doesn't it? 00:10:59.519 --> 00:11:00.399 It's proportionate. 00:11:02.060 --> 00:11:03.139 The idols are destroyed. 00:11:04.019 --> 00:11:05.860 The temple gifts are burned with fire. 00:11:06.100 --> 00:11:07.120 The images are destroyed. 00:11:08.419 --> 00:11:11.019 She gathered her gifts from the wages of prostitutes 00:11:11.019 --> 00:11:13.700 as the wages of prostitutes, they will again be used. 00:11:15.799 --> 00:11:18.659 It leads us to ask, you know, who or what are we worshiping? 00:11:19.620 --> 00:11:22.200 What are we putting in place of this almighty God? 00:11:23.639 --> 00:11:26.779 You know, these images that we see in 4, they should strike fear. 00:11:27.580 --> 00:11:30.440 A healthy, reverent fear of the almighty God. 00:11:32.379 --> 00:11:33.480 God is judge. 00:11:36.019 --> 00:11:39.460 And we will all be held accountable for our actions. 00:11:41.799 --> 00:11:48.159 This takes us to our second section, which is Micah's response in verses 8 to 16. 00:11:48.159 --> 00:11:56.319 So Micah has prophesied of this judgment and we see this response. 00:11:57.120 --> 00:11:59.120 He has extreme mourning here, isn't he? 00:12:00.100 --> 00:12:03.639 He has extreme mourning of this judgment that faces the people. 00:12:04.980 --> 00:12:06.259 And you know, this is his people. 00:12:07.500 --> 00:12:10.480 These were his people, his fellow Israelites. 00:12:10.480 --> 00:12:13.180 He really does care. 00:12:14.100 --> 00:12:17.480 You know, when I was thinking about this, it was the complete opposite of Jonah, isn't it? 00:12:18.220 --> 00:12:21.200 Santa was reading a book the other day of Jonah and, you know, we all know it. 00:12:21.259 --> 00:12:23.440 It's famous, the fish and all that. 00:12:24.139 --> 00:12:28.519 But, you know, Jonah fleed from wanting to go to Nineveh. 00:12:28.519 --> 00:12:29.000 Why? 00:12:30.559 --> 00:12:32.740 Well, he didn't want God to forgive them. 00:12:33.439 --> 00:12:36.019 And in the end, Jonah was angry that God forgave them. 00:12:36.879 --> 00:12:37.579 He was angry. 00:12:37.720 --> 00:12:38.840 He said they don't deserve it. 00:12:38.919 --> 00:12:39.659 He didn't want them. 00:12:40.460 --> 00:12:41.919 But, you know, in a sense, this is the opposite. 00:12:42.779 --> 00:12:44.159 Micah really cared for the people. 00:12:44.699 --> 00:12:46.799 He did not want this judgment to come upon them. 00:12:52.879 --> 00:12:56.699 But, you know, he had righteous indignation at the injustice going on. 00:12:56.700 --> 00:13:01.879 We'll see in chapter 2 that, you know, there was real oppression going on here. 00:13:01.960 --> 00:13:03.800 And he had sympathy with the common people. 00:13:06.440 --> 00:13:10.200 Seeing later on in the book that Micah feels alone in chapter 7. 00:13:10.360 --> 00:13:13.080 But he also trusts in the Lord and his plan. 00:13:16.680 --> 00:13:23.200 In verses 10 to 15, we have this sort of strange section, it's safe to say. 00:13:23.800 --> 00:13:25.500 There's all these cities talked about. 00:13:26.700 --> 00:13:29.900 And this is where the play on words come in. 00:13:30.520 --> 00:13:33.820 So I was wondering what they all mean. 00:13:34.180 --> 00:13:35.240 And you might not be able to read that. 00:13:35.360 --> 00:13:38.600 And I don't think it's hugely important to know what all these things mean. 00:13:38.740 --> 00:13:42.320 But it's basically all play on words. 00:13:42.560 --> 00:13:43.620 So tell it not in gath. 00:13:43.700 --> 00:13:44.440 Weep not at all. 00:13:44.560 --> 00:13:47.759 Well, gath will mean to tell or things like that. 00:13:47.759 --> 00:13:50.600 So the second one, roll in the dust. 00:13:50.740 --> 00:13:53.039 Beth opera means house of dust. 00:13:53.200 --> 00:13:57.519 So that is basically what this big section in 10 to 15, it mentions 12 cities. 00:13:58.460 --> 00:13:59.759 They are all in Judah. 00:14:02.159 --> 00:14:03.379 You might be able to see that there. 00:14:03.500 --> 00:14:05.200 They're all in Judah surrounding Jerusalem. 00:14:05.200 --> 00:14:11.820 So the shift here has kind of gone from Samaria and we've moved into Judah and surrounding Jerusalem. 00:14:13.040 --> 00:14:18.879 But you know, what I took from this, I think what we need to see here is that the all-encompassing sin. 00:14:20.480 --> 00:14:21.920 Now, these are the people in the towns. 00:14:22.040 --> 00:14:23.879 They would have felt stronger together. 00:14:23.879 --> 00:14:27.799 You know, why do people gather in cities and fortified cities? 00:14:27.939 --> 00:14:28.899 Well, it's to feel strong. 00:14:29.679 --> 00:14:32.840 It's to feel better as one. 00:14:34.340 --> 00:14:36.399 But you know, the sin was all-encompassing. 00:14:36.720 --> 00:14:40.200 And therefore, the judgment is all-encompassing as well. 00:14:41.480 --> 00:14:43.439 He's telling them all to mourn. 00:14:46.740 --> 00:14:48.559 And this is summarized in 16. 00:14:48.740 --> 00:14:48.899 It says, 00:14:48.899 --> 00:14:59.740 He's telling them to mourn. 00:15:01.240 --> 00:15:04.159 Telling them to mourn in an extreme way because of what was coming. 00:15:05.879 --> 00:15:07.179 The children taken away. 00:15:09.179 --> 00:15:13.860 You know, in the short term, this is really looking forward to when Assyria is going to come. 00:15:13.860 --> 00:15:19.039 And then Babylon will follow on shortly behind in the near future to where he's writing. 00:15:20.080 --> 00:15:20.980 And you know, they come in. 00:15:21.039 --> 00:15:23.019 They totally destroy the north and kingdom. 00:15:23.539 --> 00:15:27.820 And then they ravage the south and they take them away into exile. 00:15:32.899 --> 00:15:36.720 You know, if we're a Christian, then we know that there's a final judgment coming, don't we? 00:15:38.720 --> 00:15:40.139 There's a final judgment coming. 00:15:40.259 --> 00:15:41.259 And it's not just for some. 00:15:41.259 --> 00:15:42.120 It is for all. 00:15:43.860 --> 00:15:46.300 God is just. 00:15:46.879 --> 00:15:48.759 So therefore, all things will be made right. 00:15:49.980 --> 00:15:51.379 There will be no more injustice. 00:15:55.000 --> 00:15:57.639 And you know, in a sense, this is bad news. 00:15:58.240 --> 00:15:59.039 Judgment is coming. 00:16:00.580 --> 00:16:03.019 But you know, it's also good because there will be no more injustice. 00:16:03.580 --> 00:16:05.300 There will be no more suffering. 00:16:05.299 --> 00:16:12.719 You know, if we are not right with God, then we can't escape the judgment coming. 00:16:16.000 --> 00:16:28.559 No matter who we are or how important we think we are, whether we've gathered with those of like mind, whether we live in fortified cities, no matter our position on earth, no matter the power that we think that we have, it doesn't help. 00:16:28.559 --> 00:16:35.079 Judgment is coming for everyone. 00:16:35.079 --> 00:16:40.479 And you know, if we are sitting here and we are Christians today, do we wail? 00:16:41.039 --> 00:16:43.639 Do we wail for those that are facing judgment? 00:16:44.139 --> 00:16:46.139 Those that we know this is coming for? 00:16:46.679 --> 00:16:53.839 Do we wail and do we mourn for those that we know that face this judgment that have not done anything about it yet? 00:16:53.840 --> 00:16:59.820 Moving into chapter 2. 00:17:01.100 --> 00:17:06.579 Chapter 2, we have our third section, the people and their prophets. 00:17:07.100 --> 00:17:10.480 We're looking at verse 1 to 11 of chapter 2. 00:17:10.960 --> 00:17:13.039 The people and their prophets. 00:17:13.140 --> 00:17:17.420 So we see in here, we see some of this reasons for judgment that has been pronounced. 00:17:18.380 --> 00:17:21.700 In 1 and 2, we see that they plot evil on their beds. 00:17:21.700 --> 00:17:25.100 Why? Because it is in their power to do so. 00:17:25.259 --> 00:17:26.240 They have the power. 00:17:29.380 --> 00:17:33.180 They covet fields and they seize them and houses and take them. 00:17:33.279 --> 00:17:34.840 They defraud people of their homes. 00:17:35.500 --> 00:17:37.720 They rob them of their inheritance. 00:17:38.880 --> 00:17:41.759 This here, well, this is oppression of the poor. 00:17:43.059 --> 00:17:44.680 This is injustice. 00:17:45.880 --> 00:17:50.720 The leaders, the powerful, those that have, are taking from those that have not. 00:17:51.700 --> 00:17:54.640 The covetousness here, the greed that is shown. 00:17:56.580 --> 00:17:58.360 And once again, this was God's people. 00:17:59.160 --> 00:17:59.840 But it didn't matter. 00:18:00.000 --> 00:18:01.440 They had majorly lost their way. 00:18:02.039 --> 00:18:03.779 And this is what they were doing to one another. 00:18:06.580 --> 00:18:10.440 You know, Stuart prayed this morning and he prayed about, you know, you can turn on the news. 00:18:11.480 --> 00:18:13.259 And you can see what happens, don't you? 00:18:13.259 --> 00:18:20.140 You see the terrible things and there is natural disasters, but often the most shocking is the things that man does to fellow man. 00:18:23.279 --> 00:18:25.160 You know, how do we respond to this? 00:18:27.039 --> 00:18:28.319 There's so much injustice. 00:18:28.900 --> 00:18:29.839 There's so much oppression. 00:18:29.839 --> 00:18:32.539 And it's hard. 00:18:32.699 --> 00:18:34.899 I'm not going to stand up here and give you the answer. 00:18:36.099 --> 00:18:38.699 Because I'm still working that out myself, I'll happily admit. 00:18:39.039 --> 00:18:40.259 But what do we do about this? 00:18:41.139 --> 00:18:45.079 But, you know, do we have that deep and passionate care for the oppressed? 00:18:45.079 --> 00:18:54.740 And on the flip side, is our greed, is that causing us to oppress the poor? 00:18:55.980 --> 00:18:58.099 Are we allowing or causing injustice? 00:18:59.720 --> 00:19:01.679 You know, the natural reaction is to go, no, not me. 00:19:02.199 --> 00:19:03.220 I would never do that. 00:19:04.319 --> 00:19:07.559 You know, just the other week, Archie was talking about a similar vein. 00:19:07.639 --> 00:19:09.339 And he was saying, you know, even the clothes you buy. 00:19:09.339 --> 00:19:16.819 I'm not going to name names of shops, but if you can get a t-shirt for three pounds, you think the person that made it was paid fairly. 00:19:18.319 --> 00:19:20.039 I'll let you work that one out. 00:19:22.939 --> 00:19:25.579 Do we have a heart for those that are oppressed? 00:19:25.859 --> 00:19:27.240 Do we have a heart for the poor? 00:19:28.759 --> 00:19:30.319 Those who do not have justice. 00:19:32.799 --> 00:19:36.159 We see once again in verse 3 to 5 that the judgment that is coming. 00:19:36.939 --> 00:19:38.439 So this is the Lord speaking again. 00:19:38.440 --> 00:19:43.840 And I am planning disaster against this people from which you cannot save yourself. 00:19:46.120 --> 00:19:49.700 They have no power to stop the coming judgment. 00:19:51.340 --> 00:19:55.840 And these people that had seized land, had seized fields, had taken away what wasn't theirs. 00:19:55.980 --> 00:19:57.180 Well, what happens to them? 00:19:58.620 --> 00:20:00.220 They'll no longer walk proudly. 00:20:01.039 --> 00:20:02.299 They will be ridiculed. 00:20:03.340 --> 00:20:05.440 And their song that they sang in verse 4, 00:20:05.440 --> 00:20:08.039 For my people's possession is divided up. 00:20:08.680 --> 00:20:09.840 He takes it from me. 00:20:09.840 --> 00:20:12.080 He assigns our fields to traitors. 00:20:12.720 --> 00:20:16.059 The land is taken from them and given to others. 00:20:16.059 --> 00:20:19.819 The judgment is just. 00:20:21.720 --> 00:20:25.980 And we see in verse 6 to 11 that these selfish prophets, 00:20:26.559 --> 00:20:28.759 these leaders, religious wise of the people, 00:20:30.419 --> 00:20:31.419 well, they are selfish, 00:20:31.879 --> 00:20:35.519 but it suits the evil people that they serve. 00:20:36.480 --> 00:20:38.839 Micah is told in verse 6, basically, 00:20:38.839 --> 00:20:39.339 to stop. 00:20:39.480 --> 00:20:40.159 Do not prophesy. 00:20:40.259 --> 00:20:40.939 They don't want to hear it. 00:20:42.319 --> 00:20:43.139 They don't want to hear it. 00:20:46.159 --> 00:20:47.539 Disgrace will not overtake us. 00:20:47.619 --> 00:20:49.399 They say, don't tell us this. 00:20:52.179 --> 00:20:53.740 We see in verse 8 that 00:20:53.740 --> 00:20:57.419 lately my people have risen up like an enemy. 00:20:57.420 --> 00:21:01.539 God's people are like an enemy to him. 00:21:02.660 --> 00:21:03.500 And they commit evil. 00:21:03.860 --> 00:21:05.279 You strip off the rich robe 00:21:05.279 --> 00:21:07.840 from those who pass by without a care, 00:21:08.420 --> 00:21:10.620 like men returning from battle. 00:21:11.380 --> 00:21:13.120 You drive the women of my people 00:21:13.120 --> 00:21:14.200 from their pleasant homes. 00:21:14.340 --> 00:21:15.420 You take away my blessing 00:21:15.420 --> 00:21:16.620 from their children forever. 00:21:18.800 --> 00:21:20.279 They are robbing the peaceful 00:21:20.279 --> 00:21:21.580 and the vulnerable. 00:21:22.560 --> 00:21:23.340 Can you imagine 00:21:23.340 --> 00:21:25.500 somebody coming back from battle 00:21:25.500 --> 00:21:26.880 and stripping the robe 00:21:26.880 --> 00:21:27.859 that they're wearing off them? 00:21:31.539 --> 00:21:32.460 Terrible things. 00:21:33.119 --> 00:21:33.900 Terrible sins. 00:21:35.480 --> 00:21:36.599 But you know the prophets, 00:21:37.220 --> 00:21:38.539 these were people 00:21:38.539 --> 00:21:39.819 who were sent by God. 00:21:39.940 --> 00:21:40.819 They were those 00:21:40.819 --> 00:21:41.859 who should be correcting, 00:21:42.259 --> 00:21:43.339 challenging the people, 00:21:43.519 --> 00:21:45.039 keeping them on the straight and narrow. 00:21:45.359 --> 00:21:45.700 And yet, 00:21:46.200 --> 00:21:47.220 what does it say about them? 00:21:47.900 --> 00:21:49.160 If a liar and a deceiver, 00:21:49.259 --> 00:21:50.259 so these are false prophets, 00:21:50.420 --> 00:21:51.839 these are not genuine prophets, 00:21:51.960 --> 00:21:52.579 it's worth saying. 00:21:53.099 --> 00:21:54.460 If a liar and deceiver comes 00:21:54.460 --> 00:21:54.839 and says, 00:21:54.839 --> 00:21:56.059 I'll prophesy for you, 00:21:56.519 --> 00:21:57.779 plenty of wine and beer, 00:21:58.299 --> 00:21:59.679 that would be just the profit 00:21:59.679 --> 00:22:00.399 for these people. 00:22:02.740 --> 00:22:04.799 It's basically prophets for hire, 00:22:05.000 --> 00:22:06.259 false prophets for hire. 00:22:11.439 --> 00:22:12.819 They were appropriate prophets 00:22:12.819 --> 00:22:15.459 for the sinful and selfish people. 00:22:17.220 --> 00:22:18.339 So that leads us to ask, 00:22:18.439 --> 00:22:19.559 well, do we surround ourselves 00:22:19.559 --> 00:22:21.220 with people who are just going 00:22:21.220 --> 00:22:22.419 to go along with the flow? 00:22:22.420 --> 00:22:25.200 Or do we spend time 00:22:25.200 --> 00:22:26.160 with those who aren't afraid 00:22:26.160 --> 00:22:27.019 to correct us? 00:22:27.519 --> 00:22:28.620 Who aren't afraid, 00:22:28.940 --> 00:22:30.200 even if we don't want to hear it, 00:22:30.539 --> 00:22:31.620 to tell us, 00:22:31.800 --> 00:22:32.700 to challenge us, 00:22:32.840 --> 00:22:33.560 to keep us 00:22:33.560 --> 00:22:34.800 walking the way 00:22:34.800 --> 00:22:35.300 that we should. 00:22:35.299 --> 00:22:41.639 And finally, 00:22:41.759 --> 00:22:43.180 we have the last couple of verses 00:22:43.180 --> 00:22:45.759 which I've titled hope. 00:22:48.639 --> 00:22:50.319 Hope in verses 12 and 13. 00:22:50.980 --> 00:22:52.200 The Lord speaks again, 00:22:52.440 --> 00:22:53.720 we've got the quotation marks, 00:22:53.720 --> 00:22:56.079 and it says, 00:22:56.960 --> 00:22:58.140 that the remnant of Israel, 00:22:58.680 --> 00:22:59.220 so the remnant, 00:22:59.360 --> 00:23:01.339 a promise that is used 00:23:01.339 --> 00:23:02.259 throughout the Old Testament 00:23:02.259 --> 00:23:04.059 that Israel will continue 00:23:04.059 --> 00:23:04.880 to be brought, 00:23:05.339 --> 00:23:06.940 it will continue 00:23:06.940 --> 00:23:08.980 and that they will be brought 00:23:08.980 --> 00:23:11.220 back into the promised land. 00:23:12.660 --> 00:23:14.000 So that is what is promised. 00:23:14.140 --> 00:23:15.279 I will surely bring together 00:23:15.279 --> 00:23:16.660 the remnant of Israel. 00:23:16.880 --> 00:23:17.600 I'll bring them together 00:23:17.600 --> 00:23:18.480 like sheep in a pen, 00:23:18.579 --> 00:23:20.200 like a flock in its pasture. 00:23:20.200 --> 00:23:22.600 The place will throng with people. 00:23:24.080 --> 00:23:25.100 So it's good news. 00:23:25.480 --> 00:23:26.120 Hope is given. 00:23:26.779 --> 00:23:29.360 A remnant is secure. 00:23:31.220 --> 00:23:31.779 But, 00:23:32.500 --> 00:23:33.059 and there's a but, 00:23:33.519 --> 00:23:34.460 it is not everyone. 00:23:35.740 --> 00:23:37.319 It is not everyone. 00:23:37.380 --> 00:23:37.819 Elsewhere, 00:23:37.900 --> 00:23:38.400 it's talked about 00:23:38.400 --> 00:23:39.740 that it is the faithful remnant 00:23:39.740 --> 00:23:41.299 that will return. 00:23:41.860 --> 00:23:43.620 This is not universal salvation. 00:23:44.799 --> 00:23:45.960 It is not that all 00:23:45.960 --> 00:23:47.680 will be saved. 00:23:47.680 --> 00:23:50.700 We've seen 00:23:50.700 --> 00:23:52.000 that all are sinful. 00:23:52.160 --> 00:23:53.580 We had all these 12 cities. 00:23:53.759 --> 00:23:54.680 Everyone was encompassed. 00:23:55.560 --> 00:23:56.380 All are sinful. 00:23:58.259 --> 00:23:59.820 We've seen that God is just 00:23:59.820 --> 00:24:01.299 and that justice will be done 00:24:01.299 --> 00:24:02.519 and that no one can escape. 00:24:03.180 --> 00:24:04.460 Judgment is coming for all. 00:24:06.019 --> 00:24:06.240 You know, 00:24:06.259 --> 00:24:06.840 the people here, 00:24:06.920 --> 00:24:07.940 they were resting on the fact 00:24:07.940 --> 00:24:09.200 that they were part of God's people. 00:24:09.519 --> 00:24:10.480 They were resting on the fact 00:24:10.480 --> 00:24:12.779 that they live in Judah, 00:24:13.580 --> 00:24:14.740 that they live in Israel, 00:24:15.259 --> 00:24:16.880 that they are in God's promised land. 00:24:17.680 --> 00:24:20.340 they were resting on this. 00:24:21.000 --> 00:24:21.240 But, you know, 00:24:21.259 --> 00:24:22.140 it was only the faithful 00:24:22.140 --> 00:24:23.480 that will be saved 00:24:23.480 --> 00:24:24.480 and will be returned. 00:24:27.940 --> 00:24:28.560 For us, 00:24:28.600 --> 00:24:30.100 that means we need to trust in Jesus. 00:24:30.299 --> 00:24:31.360 He is the only way. 00:24:32.720 --> 00:24:33.620 He is the only way. 00:24:33.680 --> 00:24:34.660 We can't rest on 00:24:34.660 --> 00:24:36.140 who we are in this world. 00:24:36.680 --> 00:24:37.759 We can't rest on 00:24:37.759 --> 00:24:39.160 the fact that we attend 00:24:39.160 --> 00:24:40.940 Brunsfield Evangelical. 00:24:41.600 --> 00:24:42.759 We can't rest on 00:24:42.759 --> 00:24:43.700 who our folks are 00:24:43.700 --> 00:24:44.720 or anything like that. 00:24:45.259 --> 00:24:46.560 Jesus is the only way. 00:24:46.559 --> 00:24:48.099 We must be faithful 00:24:48.099 --> 00:24:49.139 to him. 00:24:52.059 --> 00:24:52.839 I know we've seen 00:24:52.839 --> 00:24:53.599 the depravity 00:24:53.599 --> 00:24:54.299 and the sinfulness 00:24:54.299 --> 00:24:54.940 of the people 00:24:54.940 --> 00:24:56.279 and if we're honest, 00:24:56.639 --> 00:24:58.399 we're not far away either. 00:25:00.119 --> 00:25:01.619 Their leaders were terrible 00:25:01.619 --> 00:25:02.599 and their prophets 00:25:02.599 --> 00:25:03.359 were false 00:25:03.359 --> 00:25:03.779 and were 00:25:03.779 --> 00:25:05.500 just saying 00:25:05.500 --> 00:25:06.559 what they wanted to hear. 00:25:08.200 --> 00:25:08.859 But, you know, 00:25:08.919 --> 00:25:09.779 nothing is impossible 00:25:09.779 --> 00:25:10.399 with God. 00:25:11.179 --> 00:25:12.039 God saves. 00:25:12.039 --> 00:25:16.920 Now we see in 13, 00:25:17.359 --> 00:25:18.319 the one who breaks open 00:25:18.319 --> 00:25:18.680 the way 00:25:18.680 --> 00:25:19.839 will go up before them. 00:25:20.319 --> 00:25:21.019 They will break through 00:25:21.019 --> 00:25:21.460 the gate 00:25:21.460 --> 00:25:22.059 and go out. 00:25:22.899 --> 00:25:23.819 Their king will pass 00:25:23.819 --> 00:25:24.759 through before them 00:25:24.759 --> 00:25:25.960 the Lord 00:25:25.960 --> 00:25:27.019 at their head. 00:25:27.980 --> 00:25:29.039 The Lord leads 00:25:29.039 --> 00:25:29.619 his people. 00:25:31.000 --> 00:25:31.339 Hope. 00:25:32.000 --> 00:25:32.759 It's something the world 00:25:32.759 --> 00:25:33.440 cries out for, 00:25:33.500 --> 00:25:33.799 isn't it? 00:25:34.539 --> 00:25:35.000 Hope. 00:25:36.539 --> 00:25:37.359 Just last night, 00:25:37.500 --> 00:25:38.700 I was on street pastors 00:25:38.700 --> 00:25:39.299 and we were chatting 00:25:39.299 --> 00:25:40.799 with two guys 00:25:40.799 --> 00:25:41.700 at 3 a.m. 00:25:41.740 --> 00:25:42.420 at Cowgate 00:25:42.420 --> 00:25:43.220 and, you know, 00:25:43.259 --> 00:25:43.700 what did they want 00:25:43.700 --> 00:25:44.279 to speak about? 00:25:44.960 --> 00:25:45.600 They wanted to speak 00:25:45.600 --> 00:25:46.840 about what we believed 00:25:46.840 --> 00:25:47.279 and why? 00:25:47.500 --> 00:25:48.400 Because they said 00:25:48.400 --> 00:25:49.420 in the words themselves, 00:25:49.960 --> 00:25:51.160 there's something missing. 00:25:52.840 --> 00:25:53.840 There's something missing 00:25:53.840 --> 00:25:55.059 and they wanted 00:25:55.059 --> 00:25:55.940 to know what it was. 00:25:56.220 --> 00:25:57.279 But they knew that. 00:25:58.580 --> 00:25:59.400 They knew that 00:25:59.400 --> 00:25:59.880 there was something 00:25:59.880 --> 00:26:00.940 missing in their lives. 00:26:01.620 --> 00:26:02.299 They just wanted 00:26:02.299 --> 00:26:02.799 to know 00:26:02.799 --> 00:26:03.940 what it was. 00:26:05.200 --> 00:26:06.200 Everyone is searching. 00:26:06.200 --> 00:26:08.360 You know, 00:26:08.420 --> 00:26:09.600 we have an assured hope. 00:26:10.180 --> 00:26:11.360 Do we live in that hope? 00:26:12.640 --> 00:26:13.340 That hope, 00:26:13.440 --> 00:26:14.640 not of earthly success, 00:26:14.799 --> 00:26:15.440 not of wealth, 00:26:15.500 --> 00:26:16.080 of power, 00:26:17.360 --> 00:26:18.220 but of a future 00:26:18.220 --> 00:26:19.180 with the Lord. 00:26:21.180 --> 00:26:21.759 And if so, 00:26:21.840 --> 00:26:23.019 do we trust in God 00:26:23.019 --> 00:26:24.140 to lead us through life? 00:26:26.539 --> 00:26:27.039 You know, 00:26:27.059 --> 00:26:28.100 maybe you're here tonight 00:26:28.100 --> 00:26:28.620 and you're feeling 00:26:28.620 --> 00:26:29.799 that you've been put out 00:26:29.799 --> 00:26:30.900 into exile. 00:26:31.420 --> 00:26:32.180 Maybe you're feeling 00:26:32.180 --> 00:26:33.299 like you've been left alone. 00:26:34.620 --> 00:26:34.880 You know, 00:26:34.920 --> 00:26:36.039 God doesn't leave us. 00:26:37.000 --> 00:26:37.680 We see here 00:26:37.680 --> 00:26:38.779 that he protects us 00:26:38.779 --> 00:26:40.740 and that he leads us. 00:26:42.019 --> 00:26:42.299 And you know, 00:26:42.360 --> 00:26:43.259 just a final thought, 00:26:43.360 --> 00:26:43.920 it talks about 00:26:43.920 --> 00:26:45.460 bringing them together 00:26:45.460 --> 00:26:46.640 like a sheep in a pen, 00:26:46.740 --> 00:26:48.680 like a flock in its pasture. 00:26:49.420 --> 00:26:50.640 The place will throng 00:26:50.640 --> 00:26:51.180 with people. 00:26:52.100 --> 00:26:52.319 You know, 00:26:52.360 --> 00:26:53.120 what do sheep do? 00:26:53.220 --> 00:26:53.299 Well, 00:26:53.319 --> 00:26:54.160 they gather together, 00:26:54.240 --> 00:26:54.580 don't they? 00:26:56.240 --> 00:26:56.779 And that's just 00:26:56.779 --> 00:26:57.799 a wee lesson for us 00:26:57.799 --> 00:26:58.660 to stick together, 00:26:58.960 --> 00:27:00.240 to encourage one another, 00:27:00.960 --> 00:27:02.039 to challenge one another, 00:27:02.799 --> 00:27:03.840 but stick together. 00:27:03.839 --> 00:27:04.619 So, 00:27:04.740 --> 00:27:10.359 just to summarize, 00:27:10.579 --> 00:27:11.699 we've seen the terrible sins 00:27:11.699 --> 00:27:12.319 of the people, 00:27:12.539 --> 00:27:12.959 the leaders, 00:27:13.119 --> 00:27:13.539 the prophets. 00:27:14.319 --> 00:27:15.879 We've seen the just judgment 00:27:15.879 --> 00:27:17.099 that was prophesied. 00:27:18.259 --> 00:27:19.339 We've seen the Lord 00:27:19.339 --> 00:27:21.519 coming in almighty power 00:27:21.519 --> 00:27:22.079 and might, 00:27:22.359 --> 00:27:23.579 but we have also seen hope. 00:27:26.579 --> 00:27:27.699 Do we cling to that 00:27:27.699 --> 00:27:29.319 assured hope of Christ? 00:27:29.319 --> 00:27:29.439 Christ. 00:27:33.980 --> 00:27:34.379 So, 00:27:34.539 --> 00:27:35.200 the good news 00:27:35.200 --> 00:27:36.859 or the bad news? 00:27:37.099 --> 00:27:37.720 Maybe next time 00:27:37.720 --> 00:27:38.879 someone asks you that, 00:27:38.939 --> 00:27:39.879 you can have a wee thought 00:27:39.879 --> 00:27:41.139 of Micah 00:27:41.139 --> 00:27:42.919 and the good news 00:27:42.919 --> 00:27:44.279 that God is just. 00:27:45.240 --> 00:27:46.139 The bad news 00:27:46.139 --> 00:27:47.279 that judgment is for all, 00:27:47.379 --> 00:27:47.939 but the good news 00:27:47.939 --> 00:27:48.700 that there is hope 00:27:48.700 --> 00:27:49.859 in Christ. 00:27:50.859 --> 00:27:52.039 Let me just pray for us 00:27:52.039 --> 00:27:52.519 and then 00:27:52.519 --> 00:27:53.759 Alistair's going to come 00:27:53.759 --> 00:27:55.079 and lead us through 00:27:55.079 --> 00:27:55.720 some questions 00:27:55.720 --> 00:27:56.439 to discuss. 00:27:56.440 --> 00:27:59.039 God, 00:27:59.120 --> 00:27:59.340 Father, 00:27:59.400 --> 00:27:59.900 we thank you 00:27:59.900 --> 00:28:00.420 that you are 00:28:00.420 --> 00:28:01.480 almighty God. 00:28:03.259 --> 00:28:03.960 We thank you 00:28:03.960 --> 00:28:04.820 that you are just. 00:28:07.480 --> 00:28:08.180 We thank you 00:28:08.180 --> 00:28:08.960 that we look forward 00:28:08.960 --> 00:28:09.480 to a day 00:28:09.480 --> 00:28:10.500 when there will be 00:28:10.500 --> 00:28:11.440 no more oppression, 00:28:12.080 --> 00:28:12.360 there will be 00:28:12.360 --> 00:28:13.240 no more injustice, 00:28:13.580 --> 00:28:13.840 there will be 00:28:13.840 --> 00:28:14.600 no more suffering. 00:28:17.279 --> 00:28:17.860 We pray 00:28:17.860 --> 00:28:18.340 that we will have 00:28:18.340 --> 00:28:18.720 a heart 00:28:18.720 --> 00:28:19.380 for the people 00:28:19.380 --> 00:28:21.240 that do not know 00:28:21.240 --> 00:28:21.799 the truth 00:28:21.799 --> 00:28:22.519 of the Lord Jesus 00:28:22.519 --> 00:28:23.299 that are heading 00:28:23.299 --> 00:28:24.400 towards that judgment 00:28:24.400 --> 00:28:26.320 and have not put 00:28:26.320 --> 00:28:26.860 their faith 00:28:26.860 --> 00:28:28.140 in the one 00:28:28.140 --> 00:28:28.940 who can save them. 00:28:30.380 --> 00:28:30.920 So I ask that you 00:28:30.920 --> 00:28:31.440 will be with us 00:28:31.440 --> 00:28:32.000 as we discuss 00:28:32.000 --> 00:28:32.700 these things, 00:28:33.860 --> 00:28:34.840 help these things 00:28:34.840 --> 00:28:35.920 to sink into our minds 00:28:35.920 --> 00:28:36.540 and pray that you will 00:28:36.540 --> 00:28:37.440 continue to speak 00:28:37.440 --> 00:28:38.200 to us 00:28:38.200 --> 00:28:39.080 as we discuss 00:28:39.080 --> 00:28:39.860 these things together. 00:28:40.660 --> 00:28:41.080 I pray this 00:28:41.080 --> 00:28:41.660 in Jesus' name. 00:28:42.240 --> 00:28:42.440 Amen.