Bible Pathway - September 25
Read Micah 1 – 7
Highlights:
God's astonishing power and might (1:3-4), worthy of praise and worship (7:7-20). Father sheds tears (1:8). Jesus foreshadowed (2:13; 5:2,4). Persecution (4:11-12). Check out the bottom line (6:8).
Therefore night shall be unto you, that ye shall not have a vision; and it shall be dark unto you, that ye shall not divine; and the sun shall go down over the prophets, and the day shall be dark over them. Then shall the seers be ashamed, and the diviners confounded: yea, they shall all cover their lips; for there is no answer of God. But truly I am full of power by the spirit of the LORD, and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin (Jonah 1:1-3).
The history of Israel is clearly outlined in the Bible. For generation after generation, they repeatedly fell prey to being drawn away from the Lord to serve false gods. This did not only happen to the common people, but to their kings, priests and prophets, as well. And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables (2 Tim. 4:4).
The sin of idolatry, or worshiping other gods, is in violation of the Law of God. As a matter of fact, it breaks the first two of the Ten Commandments. It is important to remember that disobedience is the original sin and therefore encompasses all sin. I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before Me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth (Ex. 20:2-4).
The Lord always responded in the same way to the disobedience of the nation of Israel. His actions were always fashioned to produce the same outcome. The Lord would send some sort of correction that would cause them to turn their worship back to Him.
In these verses, the Lord is speaking to the prophets who have no faith in Him. He explains the judgment that is coming to them. Their ability to receive prophecy from the Lord was gone. This was a just punishment that should have moved them to realize how much they needed God. We all have the ultimate need for the Lord in our lives. These prophets needed God because, without Him, they would be powerless people.
It is interesting to note that Micah is given the full range of abilities from the Lord just as the others are stripped of theirs. This demonstrates that Micah was a true prophet of God who followed and worshiped only Him.
We must be careful never to stray from God. We may never understand the loss that comes with betraying the Lord and turning to idolatry. There are many gifts that God has given us to use that are never given to those not following the Lord. When we follow God, we open ourselves up to receive spiritual gifts which enable us to better fulfill His will and plan for our life.
Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy (1 Cor. 14:1).
Thought for Today:
When the path ahead looks uncertain, remember God promises to direct us as we trust in Him.
Christ Revealed:
As the Ruler in Israel (Mic. 5:2). Jesus will rule not only Israel but the world. She brought forth a man Child, who was to rule all nations (Rev. 12:5).
Word Study:
1:16 Make thee bald, and poll thee for thy delicate children, Shave your head as a sign of sorrow for your children, who shall be taken from you into exile; 2:5 none that shall cast a cord by lot, no one who shall divide inheritances (because there shall be no inheritance to divide – see vs. 4); 2:7 straitened, limited; do not My words do good to him that walketh uprightly, this speaks of our Creator, the Spirit of the Lord, and His Word, His perfect Guide to life; 2:13 The Breaker refers here to Messiah; 6:9 hear ye the rod, obey the rod, the instrument of the coming judgment of God.
Prayer Suggestion: Lift up your prayers to God with your whole heart (Ps. 119:58,145).
Memory Verse for the Week: Psalms 145:14
