Reflections on Micah 5-7

On By BrianIn OT Reflections1 Comment

Micah shows us God’s response and our proper response to the ungodly world around us.

  • Coming Shepherd-King – A ruler will come from Bethlehem to shepherd the people and bring forth peace (5:2-4). Matthew references these verses in his account of Jesus’ birth.  The Shepherd-King has been born and will return to usher in peace.  Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
  • What the Lord Requires – In the midst of all the injustice, God calls Israel to love justice, to show mercy (or love), and to walk in humility before God (6:8). In what ways are these three expectations true in your life?  In what ways do you fall short?
  • Look to the Lord – In the midst of the oppression, Micah says he will look to the Lord (7:7). God will show compassion and forgive sins (7:18-20).  In what oppressive situations do you need to look to the Lord?  For what sins do you need to look to the Lord for forgiveness?

Reflections on Micah 1-4

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Micah proclaims judgment for Judah and Israel because of their idolatry and oppression, and one day these sins will be no more.

  • Idolatry and Oppression – Israel is condemned for their idolatry (1:6-7), while Judah is condemned for their oppression of the poor (2:1-3, 3:1-3). What idols lurk in your heart?  Are there ways you are oppressing others?
  • Coming Shepherd-King – While judgment is coming for their sin, God will one day raise up a king to gather the people like sheep and lead them (2:12-13). Jesus came to be our Good Shepherd to gather and lead us (John 10) and one day reign as King.
  • End of Oppression and Idolatry – Though there may be these sins today, there is coming a day when they will be no more. God will judge the people and restore those who have been oppressed (4:3-7).  God will cut off idolatry (5:13-14).  Imagine a world free of oppression and idolatry!

Micah 1-7: Judgment, Promise, Expectation

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(1-2, 6) What sins does God confront in 1:7; 2:1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9, 11?

How does God respond to their sin (6:9-16)?  What does this tell you about God?

(3) What groups of people does God condemn, and why (v1-4, v5-7, v9-11)?  What would be the result (v12)?

How is Micah different (v8)?

In what ways is our role today as individual Christians and as a church similar to and different from Micah’s role in v8?

(4) What promises does God make for the future (v1-4, compare Isaiah 2:1-4)?

“All the peoples walk each in the name of its god” (v5a).  How do you see this today in America?

What does it look like for us to walk in the name of the Lord instead (v5b)?

(5) What promise is made in v2?  Who is this (see Matthew 2:6)?

What will he do (v4-5a)?

(6) What three things does God expect of his people (v8)?

Give examples of what each would look like in your daily life?  In your family and neighborhood?  At your job?

(7) Surrounded by ungodliness (v1-6), how does Micah respond (v7)?  How does this complement 3:8?  What other responses might we be tempted to make?

What important confession does Micah make in v9?  How should that affect our response to an ungodly world?

What will God do for his people (v18-20)?  How do you think we should respond?

Sermon Songs: Revelation 18

On By BrianIn Revelation Hymns

MusicNotes

See Babylon the ungodly, Fallen culture, great city
Proud people chasing luxury, Selfish, sinful – vanity!
Come out from her, Live not for her, Live for Christ and Christ alone

Fallen, fallen is Babylon, God will judge her with His power
Sinful pleasure forever done, Hear man mourning in that hour
Come out from her, Live not for her, Live for Christ and Christ alone

Soon will come the Holy City, God’s people – Beloved Bride
Full of glory, full of beauty, God with us always reside
He is our God, We His people, Live for Christ and Christ alone

To the tune of “Lo He Comes With Clouds Descending”

Reflections on Isaiah 63-66

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

Judgment is coming against those who reject God, but a glorious day is coming for God’s people.

  • Humility – God will look to the one who is humble before him (66:2). We have every reason to be humble before God, for even our best righteousness is as filthy rags (64:6).  So part of our humility is to have contrite, repentant spirits.  Humbly we tremble at his Word (66:2).  Are you humble before God?  Are you repentant of your sins?  Do you tremble at his Word?
  • Great Day – Isaiah 65 and 66 speak of a great day coming. It will be a day without weeping, a day without strife.  And all shall come to see the glory of the Lord and worship him together.  What a great hope we have!

Sermon Songs: Revelation 17

On By BrianIn Revelation Hymns

MusicNotes

Behold Babylon the great whore, She seek to entice, allure
With pleasure and greedy for more, Her cup filled with things impure
Beware of her, Slick allurements, Dear Christian stand firm for Christ

Behold the Beast plotting, planning; Striving, making such a din
All his efforts come to nothing, Be encouraged – Christ will win
You are called and, You are chosen, Dear Christian stand firm for Christ

Behold the Beast full of hatred, Destroys Babylon the whore
Fulfills all that our God has said, The Lamb reigns forever more
Trust in His plan, Rest in His rule, Dear Christian stand firm for Christ

To the tune of “Lo He Comes With Clouds Descending”

Reflections on Isaiah 58-62

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

There will be judgment for sin, but a glorious day is coming.

  • Our Sins – Israel sinned against the Lord. They failed to follow the Lord, they rejected justice and righteousness, and they committed many other sins (59:1-15).  Their many sins separated them from the Lord (59:2).  Our sins separate us from God too.  We need a Savior.
  • Our Savior – Isaiah speaks of a Messiah (anointed one) who will have the Spirit of the Lord, bring good news and deliverance to the people, and usher in a glorious new day (chapters 61-62). Years later, Jesus read part of this passage in the synagogue and announced that he was that Messiah (Luke 4:18-19).  Our Savior has come!

Isaiah 58-66: A Glorious Future

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(58) Why was God not pleased with Israel’s fasting (v1-5)?

What did God expect the people to do along with their fasting (v6-7, see also the “If” statements in v9-10, 13)?

What would be the results (Then… in v8-12, 14)?

What application do you find in this chapter for us today?

(59) How does God describe their sin (v1-8, compare with Romans 3:10-18)?

How would you summarize the results (v2, 9-15a)?

How does God respond (v15b-19)?  How else does God respond (v20)?

(61) What will Messiah come to do (v1-3, see also Luke 4:16-21)?

What would be the results (v4-11, see also 62:1-5)?

(60) What words and ideas are frequently repeated in this chapter?

What phrases and ideas are also found in Revelation 21:1-22:5?

What do you learn about God’s promise for the future?

(65) What words and ideas are repeated in v17-25?

What more do we learn about the future?

(66) What words and ideas are repeated in v18-23?

What more do we learn about the future?

From these chapters, how would you summarize God’s future plans for his people?

What kind of people is God looking for (v2b)?  Why do you think this is?  How well does this describe you?

Reflections on Isaiah 52-57

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

God promises the coming of the suffering servant, calling all to come to him.

  • Suffering Servant – God’s chosen servant will suffer and die to pay for our sins, and in the end will be victorious (chapter 53). What a glorious prediction of our Savior!  Have you come to the Savior?  How will you respond?
  • Come to the Lord – God calls Israel to freely come to him, to seek him while he could be found (55:1-6). Even foreigners can come to him (56:3, 6-7).  He will dwell with the contrite and humble (57:15).  Are you walking in humility?  Thank God that you can come to him.

Reflections on Isaiah 49-51

On By BrianIn OT Reflections

God will raise up his servant for Israel and the nations, and in him we must put our trust

  • God’s Servant – God’s servant will raise up Israel, but he will also be a light for the nations (49:6). Simeon recognized that this servant was Jesus (Luke 2:29-32).  Jesus affirmed this by calling himself the light of the world (John 8:12).  God’s chosen servant has come!
  • Trust the Lord – Isaiah uses the picture of one walking in the darkness and calls these people to trust in the Lord (50:10). In what ways are you walking in darkness, unable to see the path ahead, and needing to trust the Lord?