Micah 7:1-13 - Homiletics

The good in degenerate times.

We are not to understand these verses as referring specially to the prophet himself. In Micah 1:8 , Micah 1:9 we have his own lamentation in view of the prevailing ungodliness; here "the speaker is not the prophet, but the true Israel, i.e. Israel within Israel, personified" (Cheyne). God has never left himself without witnesses. Even in the most corrupt and degenerate times he has had a people to show forth his praise. It was so in the age to which this book of Scripture refers. Widespread though the depravity was, "a remnant" continued faithful, true, loyal to God and obedient to his will; and Micah here speaks simply as the mouthpiece of these, setting forth their sadness in view of the abounding wickedness, yet withal their unshaken confidence in the triumph of truth and righteousness; whilst then, as the prophet of the Lord, he declared that this confidence should not be disappointed, but the victory anticipated be most surely won. Notice here, concerning the Church of God—

I. HER BITTER DISAPPOINTMENT . (Verses 1-6.)

1 . The desire for spiritual excellence was ardently cherished . This aspiration of the good is here expressed figuratively. "My soul desired the first ripe figs" (verse 1). These were accounted the choicest and sweetest, and were very refreshing and very welcome to the weary traveller, and hence were chosen as the symbol of spiritual excellence. So elsewhere in the prophetical writings ( Hosea 9:10 ; Jeremiah 24:1-10 .). The meaning, then, is that the good longed for the prevalence of piety in the nation, and to see the people bringing forth the fruits of righteousness. This is the aspiration of the good in every age. As the sculptor ardently desires to see the rough block transformed into the perfect statue, or the artist to see the bare canvas before him covered with the creations of his genius, or the horticulturist to see the waste field transformed into a garden of delight, and bearing, in infinite variety, the flowers and fruits; so all good men yearn to see the spiritual transformation of the world. "My soul desired the first ripe figs" (verse 1).

2 . This ardently cherished desire was unrealized. (Verse 1.) The verse brings vividly before us the sense of disappointment arising from the spiritual barrenness and unproductiveness that prevailed in the land. The scene presented was not that of an abundant harvest, but of a land bare and barren, whose best days were of yore, in which so little good remained as to be but like gleanings when the vintage is over, not even a cluster remaining. "I am as when they have gathered," etc. (verse 1). And as further illustrating this disappointment, a graphic description is given of the prevailing spiritual desolation.

3 . This non-realization occasioned bitter disappointment. "Woe is me!" (verse 1). A life of piety is marked by the experience of true joy ( Psalms 1:1-3 ; Proverbs 3:17 ). Yet it is not always sunshine even with the good. "If we listen to David's harp, we shall hear as many hearse-like harmonies as carols" (Bacon). And a very large ingredient in the cup of sorrow to the good is occasioned by the contemplation of the blighting effects of sin. As looking around them, and despite their endeavours to disseminate truth and righteousness, they see multitudes walking according to the world's maxims, cherishing its spirit and reaping its sad harvest, sorrow fills their hearts, and they become desponding and sad. And hence the lament of the Church in view of her small numbers and the general corruption, as here expressed, "Woe is me!" etc. (verse 1).

II. HER UNSWERVING CONFIDENCE . (Verses 7-10.)

1 . This confidence rested in God . "Therefore I will look unto the Lord" (verse 7). In times of seeming non success in holy service we should cherish unswerving trust in the God of truth, and having faithfully discharged our duty, should commit the rest unto him.

2 . This confidence as expressed in patient waiting for God. He had "spoken good concerning Israel," and had declared "glorious things" respecting Zion, the city of God. And in the dark days his servants were prepared patiently to wait for the fulfilment of these, even as she mariner waits for fair winds and favourable tide, or as the watchman waits through the long night for the coming of the day. "I will walt for the God of my salvation" (verse 7).

3 . This confidence was sustained by inspiring hope. "My God will hear me." So did hope cast her bow of promise across the stormy cloud and kindle the bright star in the dark sky.

4 . This confidence triumphed even in the midst of adversity. The worm was very evil, and the good in the land were few. Iniquity, appeared to be victorious, and might to triumph over right. The hearts of the pious, full of patriotism and of the love of God, were sad; yet their reliance was unshaken and unswerving. Dark days were before them, severe chastisement must be experienced, and they would soon feel the rod of the oppressor and be exposed to the taunts of the heathen, who would mockingly ask, "Where is the Lord thy God?" But they could rest in the assurance that the Lord would be their Light in darkness; that he would interpose on their behalf, bringing them forth out of the gloom into the light covering their foes with shame, and vindicating his own righteousness. "Rejoice not against me," etc. (verses 8-10).

III. HER ASSURED VICTORY . (Verses 11-13.) In these verses, speaking, not as the mouthpiece of the good but prophetically as the seer, Micah delivers the assurance he was inspired by God to utter, and bearing upon the time to come. His words, as rendered in the Authorized Version, are somewhat obscure, but we gather from them that a brighter future should dawn upon the world sin had darkened and defiled, and of that glorious era he here speaks. And as his people, in the days when they "sat by the rivers of Babylon, and wept as they remembered Zion," and thought of the desolation sin had wrought, turned to these and similar assurances of the golden age yet to come, who can tell to what an extent they became nerved afresh and inspired with renewed courage and hope! Even so let those today who grieve, with the good through all ages, over the blighting effects of sin, rejoice in the prospect of the ultimate victory. "Lift up your heads redemption draweth nigh." Now death reigns and sin triumphs; but ere long grace shall reign through righteousness untoeternal life. Every throe of sorrow is bringing us nearer to the time of the world's full deliverance from the power of evil. The triumph is sure. "The Lord God Omnipotent reigneth." This suggestive paragraph closes with a note of warning. "Notwithstanding," etc. (verse 13). There is a glorious future awaiting the Church of God, but meanwhile the work of judgment must be perfected. Notwithstanding the bright prospect here unfolded, sin will assuredly work its dire effects. The triumph of righteousness carries with it the defeat of unrighteousness. One of the poets sings of a bell suspended on the Inchcape rock, that the sound might warn the sailors of their nearness to danger; and tells how pirates cut the bell so as to silence the sound; and how that subsequently these same pirates struck upon the very rock which they had deprived of its means of warning them. Let us not thus treat this note of warning, but be constrained to "break off sin by righteousness," as it reminds us that "God is not mocked," and that "whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."