This page is a daily devotion. It will study a chapter of the Bible for 5 days one section at a time. Then it will move on to another chapter for 5 days. Included is a verse to memorize.
Micah chapter 7
Memory verse: Micah 7:8
Micah prophesied around 700 B.C., the same time as Isaiah. The book is similar to other prophetic books of the old testament in that it contains warnings of coming punishment for sin as well as promises of mercy, and hope of restoration. Chapter 7 is an example of this. The justice of God demands punishment for sin, but He delights in mercy (Micah 7:18).
Day 1 – there is none righteous
Verses 1-4
The sinful soul is described as a harvest time of fruit and grapes that gave no fruit. It’s time to eat, but there is nothing to eat. The book of Ecclesiastes is about how the pursuit of everything without God leaves one empty. It uses the word vanity, which means emptiness, 33 times. One of the curses for sin in the law of Moses was doing all the work for a harvest, but not enjoying the benefit of it (Leviticus 26:26, Deuteronomy 28:31-33). This is what was occurring in the days of Gideon (Judges 6:1-7). The Midianites would let the Israelites do all the work, and then come at harvest time and take it all away. There was nobody doing right, like in Sodom (Genesis 18:20-33). God could not find anyone doing good, so He came and made it right Himself (Psalm 14, Isaiah 59:1-17, Romans 3:10-25, Romans 11:32).
Day 2 – trust ye not in a friend
Verses 5-8
Our relationship with God must take precedence over every other relationship. When we put God first, our other relationships will be based on His word, and will therefore be built on the right foundation. We will also have understanding about who we do not need to be involved with (2Corinthians 6:13-18). Micah said to not trust your wife, your best friend, or you children above God, because unless they support your relationship with God, they can be a danger. Jesus quoted Micah 7:6 in Matthew 10:34-42. He stated that our relationship with Him can cause division in the family. We must choose Him above all others, or we are not worthy of Him. The Lord is not out to break up families, but when a house becomes divided over Jesus, we must choose who we will serve (Joshua 24:15). God is not the author of strife, but peace (1Corinthians 7:12-16). However, we cannot control the choices of others. We can only control our own.
Day 3 – I will bear the indignation
Verses 9-12
Micah understood that we have to take our chastisement from God for our errors, and trust that it is only for a time (Psalm 103:8-18, Proverbs 3:11-12, Hebrews 12:5-13). It is a sign that He loves us, not that He hates us. He that is without chastisement is not a legitimate son. A parent that loves their child will discipline them (Proverbs 13:24). A parent that does not keep an eye on their child, and does not teach them about the dangers around them is not a loving parent. God is our heavenly Father. He does it for our benefit, not His selfish pleasure. Apparently Micah’s wife did not understand the ways of God and turned against Him and her husband, like Job’s wife (Job 2:9-10) and David’s wife (2Samuel 6:16-23). Micah knew God would handle his business.
Day 4 – the nations shall see
Verses 13-17
Although Israel was to be judged, it was also to be restored afterward. They would be as in the days of old when God’s favor was upon them. They would see God’s power on their behalf like when He brought them out of Egypt. The other nations would be ashamed, and brought low like a snake or worm. They would fear God and them. God will bear witness as to who His children are, and will raise them up out of suffering to be glorified in Him (Romans 8:15-23). In fact, the whole creation is waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God. The time will come when the church will be exalted, and the nations will bow down (Daniel 2:44-45, Daniel 7:18-27, Revelation 2:26, Revelation 3:9).
Day 5 – He will subdue our iniquities
Verses 18-20
God pardons, delights in mercy, has compassion, casts our sins in to the sea. He subdues or sins. The Hebrew word translated subdue here means to bring into bondage or to tread under feet. He will bring into captivity that which held us captive (Judges 5:12, Psalm 68:18, Ephesians 4:8). He will bruise Satan under our feet (Genesis 3:15, Psalm 47:3, Psalm 91:13, 2Samuel 22:39, 1Kings 5:3, Malachi 4:3, Luke 10:19, Romans 16:20, 1Corinthians 15:25-27, Ephesians 1:18-23, Hebrews 2:8). God gave man an exalted position in Him, and subjected the creation to him (Psalm 8:3-8, Hebrews 2:6-18). Man fell in sin, but in the church all is restored. Man’s greatest enemy is sin and death, and that too will be subdued (1Corinthians 15:25-27 & 54-57, Hebrews 2:14). Since God can defeat these and bring them under our feet, how much more the smaller things that pertain to this life?