PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Micah 1-2
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Their King will pass through before them, the Lord at their head.” (Micah 2:13)
Micah describes how spiritually and morally corrupt and cruel Israel had become.
From the northern tribes to Judah and Jerusalem, the leaders were going their own way.
They used and abused the lowly people, planning and engaging in injustice (2:1-2).
Micah declares God’s justice against the political and religious leaders.
The religious leaders, who are in cahoots with it all, try to silence him (2:6-7).
But Micah will not be silenced, for God’s justice will not be stopped.
In 2:12-13 he gives a vision of hope, that the lowly sheep will be gathered safely.
And at the center of this vision is ‘God with us’, “the Lord at their head” (2:13)
Their King passes through (the judgment) before them, and leads them through it.
Their King breaks through the gate (of sin and misery) so they can break through it.
This is a vision of Jesus, doing what the political and religious leaders failed to do.
As Jesus followers, we are still following the One who broke open the way.
He has shown us the way of goodness and love, and is leading us on that path.
Lowly Jesus followers who choose to follow on his path of goodness and love.
PRAYER
Lord, the world and the church today seems no better than Israel was then. Help me to follow you, a lowly Jesus follower who chooses to follow your way of goodness and love.
Therefore, the Lord says:“I am planning disaster against this people, from which you cannot save yourselves.” But the Lord also says: “I will surely gather all of you, Jacob; I will surely bring together the remnant of Israel. I will bring them together like sheep in a pen, like a flock in its pasture; the place will throng with people.” The disaster, the rejection is necessary to ‘smarten up’ the people – their proud independent ways need to be brought down – like them I too need to admit that without God – without Jesus – I too will fall – and fall badly and I too may have to go through ‘misery’ to smarten me up! Yet, God deliver’s me – he sent Jesus to lead me – to lead the throng through the gates of the new Jerusalem – a picture of hope and new life!
The Lord gathers His own like the shepherd gathering and protecting His sheep. Emmanuel. God with us at all times, in times like these when leaders lead the people astray. Whom go you/I follow. Follow Jesus for He is our head. He always breaks through for He is my answer. He will give His people rest. I am safe and secure in Him.
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
No turning back, no turning back.
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
Though none go with me, still I will follow;
No turning back, no turning back.
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
No turning back, no turning back.