Micah 7:14-20: A Message Of Hope And Redemption

Introduction

The book of Micah is one of the twelve minor prophets in the Old Testament. Micah was a prophet who lived in Judah during the reigns of Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah. His prophecy is a message of hope and redemption for a people who have strayed away from God. In Micah 7:14-20, the prophet speaks of God’s mercy and compassion towards His people, even in the midst of their sins.

The Context of Micah 7:14-20

Micah was a contemporary of the prophet Isaiah, and his message was similar to Isaiah’s. The people of Judah had turned away from God and were living in sin. Micah’s message was a warning of judgment, but also a message of hope for those who would repent and turn back to God.

Verse 14: God’s Compassion Towards His People

“Shepherd Your people with Your staff, the flock of Your heritage, who dwell alone in a woodland, in the midst of Carmel; let them graze in Bashan and Gilead, as in days of old.”

Micah begins this passage with a prayer to God, asking Him to shepherd His people with His staff. This is a metaphor for God’s guidance and protection of His people. Micah also refers to the people of Judah as the flock of God’s heritage, emphasizing their special relationship with Him. Despite their sins, God still cares for His people and wants to guide them back to Him.

Verse 15: God’s Miracles and Wonders

“As in the days when you came out of the land of Egypt, I will show them wonders.”

In this verse, Micah reminds the people of Judah of God’s miracles and wonders when He delivered them from slavery in Egypt. He promises that God will once again show them wonders, indicating that He will deliver them from their current situation if they turn back to Him.

Verse 16: The Nations Will Be Ashamed

“The nations shall see and be ashamed of all their might; they shall put their hand over their mouth; their ears shall be deaf.”

Micah prophesies that the nations will be ashamed when they see God’s power and might. This is a warning to the surrounding nations who have oppressed and mistreated the people of Judah. They will be silenced and unable to continue their oppression when they witness God’s power.

Verse 17: Waiting on God’s Salvation

“They shall lick the dust like a serpent; they shall crawl from their holes like snakes of the earth. They shall be afraid of the Lord our God and shall fear because of You.”

Micah describes the humiliation of the nations who have oppressed Judah. He emphasizes that the people of Judah should not take revenge, but rather wait on God’s salvation. They should trust in God to deliver them from their enemies.

Verse 18: God’s Compassion and Forgiveness

“Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in mercy.”

Micah emphasizes God’s compassion and forgiveness towards His people. He recognizes that the people of Judah have sinned, but he also knows that God is merciful and forgiving. He praises God for His mercy and acknowledges that there is no other God like Him.

Verse 19: God’s Casting Away of Sin

“He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.”

Micah prophesies that God will have compassion on the people of Judah and subdue their iniquities. He promises that God will cast their sins into the depths of the sea, indicating that He will completely forgive and forget their sins.

Verse 20: God’s Faithfulness to His Promise

“You will give truth to Jacob and mercy to Abraham, which You have sworn to our fathers from days of old.”

Micah ends this passage by acknowledging God’s faithfulness to His promise. He recognizes that God has promised truth to Jacob and mercy to Abraham, and he is confident that God will fulfill His promise. He emphasizes that this promise was made from days of old, indicating that God’s promise is timeless and unchanging.

Conclusion

Micah 7:14-20 is a message of hope and redemption for a people who have strayed away from God. Micah emphasizes God’s compassion and forgiveness towards His people, even in the midst of their sins. He also warns the surrounding nations of God’s power and might, and encourages the people of Judah to wait on God’s salvation. This passage is a reminder that God is faithful to His promise and that He will deliver His people if they turn back to Him.