Mon.’s Devo - Micah -

Read: Micah 1:1-4:13; Revelation 6:1-17; Psalm 134:1-3; Proverbs 30:1-4 Micah prophecied during the Judah’s kings: Jotham (good), Ahaz (bad), and Hezekiah (good). He spoke to both Israel and Judah and to the world. *** First he addressed the whole world. He called them to listen because God was bringing accusations against them. The Lord was coming to trample down those who were mighty on the earth. This was happening because of the sins of Israel. He blamed its capital, Samaria for taking the whole nation into sin. God was going to bring Samaria to ruins. God was going to expose all her hidden sins. Her idols would be destroyed. She would no longer become rich on idolatry. He blamed the people of Lachish for being the first city in Judah to follow Israel in her rebellion against God. Lachish was a royal Canaanitish city in the plain of Palestine, mentioned in Josh 10:3 5, and Josh 10:3. It was taken and destroyed by the Israelites. Micah prophesied the leaders of Israel would go to Adullam. This was the place David defeated and killed Goliath. It is a place of caves. *** Next, Micah addressed Judah. He told them to mourn in sorrow for their sins. Their children would be taken from them and exiled to a foreign land. He admonished them for stealing one another’s land by fraud and violence. The same thing will happen to them. Their land will be taken by their enemies who will taunt them. *** The people begged Micah to stop prophesying these things. Micah told them instead, they should be repenting and doing good, then maybe God would forgive them and give them another chance. He told them they would be happy if a prophet taught them the joys of sin instead of the consequences of their sin. *** He did give them some hope. One day, God would gather their remnant and bring them back home. *** Micah rebuked the leaders of Israel who were supposed to know right from wrong. But instead, they were the very ones leading the people into sin. They murdered their people and then when they were in trouble, they would cry out to the Lord to save them. That is not how God works. *** Micah had a word for the false prophets who were leading the people astray. They promised peace if they were given food, but war to those who wouldn’t give them food. They would be put to shame. The rulers took bribes. The priest required money to teach the people. The prophets only prophesied for money. Yet all of them claimed to depend on the Lord. Jerusalem and the Temple would be destroyed. *** In the end, the mountain of the Lord will be the most important place on earth. People from all over the world will go there to worship the Lord. The Lord himself will teach us his ways and his children will walk in his paths. The Lord will be our judge and weapons of war will become instruments of harvest. People will enjoy the fruit of their labors and not fear it being taken from them. God’s people will follow the Lord. The remnant will become strong and Jesus will be their king forever and will rule from Jerusalem. Jerusalem will become a strong city again. They will trample many nations and give their plunder to the Lord. *** In Revelation, John saw the lamb break the first seal on the scroll. A white horse was called forth. Its rider carried a bow and a crown. He rode out to win many battles. He stands for the Anti-christ spirit. With the second seal, came a red horse. Its rider was given a sword and authority to take peace from the earth. War and slaughter was everywhere. We saw this in WW1, WW2 and so many wars since then. *** The breaking of the third seal brought forth a black horse whose rider was holding a pair of scales. This represents famine and lack. The fourth seal was broken to reveal a pale green horse. Its rider was called Death and his companion was the Grave, They were to kill with sword, famine and disease and wild nominals. *** The fifth seal broke and John saw under the altar the should of all who had been martyred for being faithful to Jesus and God. A white robe was given each of them and they were told to rest a little while longer. More martyrs would join them. *** The sixth seal brought a great earthquake and the sun became dark and the moon turned red. The mountains and the islands were moved from their places. Everyone great and small hid in caves and among the rocks. They wanted to die. The day of wrath had come. *** This all happened in 70 A.D.with the fall of Jerusalem. It will happen again with the fall of Babylon. *** Lord, thank you that we are living to see this transfer of wealth and power from the ungodly to the godly. Thank you that we are seeing the fall of Babylon. Open our eyes to see the wonderful things You are doing.