I will surely gather all of you

I will surely gather all of you

Scripture:

Woe to those who plan iniquity, to those who plot evil on their beds! At morning’s light they carry it out because it is in their power to do it. They covet fields and seize them, and houses, and take them. They defraud people of their homes, they rob them of their inheritance. Micah 2:1-2

If a liar and deceiver comes and says, ‘I will prophesy for you plenty of wine and beer,’ that would be just the prophet for this people! Micah 2:11

“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 One who breaks open the way will go up before them; they will break through the gate and go out.
Their King will pass through before them, the LORD at their head.” Micah 2:13

Observation:

In the second chapter of Micah, the Lord begins by admonishing those who plan iniquity and sin in their beds and carry it out the next day, cheating others of their property. When there is no god, it is a dog-eat-dog world, where anything goes in the name of survival. Competition is high and there are no morals when it comes to gaining an advantage at the expense of others. In other cases, politicians and immoral leaders use their positions to obtain ill-gotten gain, squandering the people's money for their own interest. The word of God proclaims “Woe to such as these”.Judgment will be upon them who plan to do evil and then go ahead and fulfill their evil desires. In total opposite, the teaching of Christ instead exhorts us to do unto others as you would have others do unto you.

Next, the Lord admonishes the false prophets, who are master at telling people what they want to hear. In this day and age, the prosperity gospel is exactly what the lovers of money want to hear. When someone preaches, “When you have Jesus, get ready to be rich, to get gold and prosperity!”, beware! There are those who are masters at manipulating certain parts of Scripture to tell the masses what they like to hear. The more challenging parts of Scripture are instead considered to be addressed at unbelievers. They even claim that the teachings of Jesus on righteous living are the law not applicable under the covenant of grace” Jesus did not promise following Him would be easy, but that He would always be with us. In this life, until Jesus comes, we will never be completely perfect, but as we walk after Him in obedience, we will grow more and more like Him, as the Holy Spirit helps us.

Finally, at the end of the chapter, the Lord encourages Israel,speaking of a time when He will bring together the remnant, and lead them as their King. The return of Israel onto the world scene in 1948 is the beginning of the fulfilment of this promise, and as prophesied, the Lord will come in the near future to become King not only of Israel but all the earth!

Application: In a world of ruthless competition and selfish opportunism, we differentiate ourselves by seeking to do unto others as we would have others do unto us. We need to guard ourselves not to fall into the thinking of the world that seeks primarily after selfishness without consideration of others. As Jesus warned, there would be many false prophets in the last days. Beware of those who preach a different Jesus, who preach a gospel of effortlessness and blessing without the requirement of obedience. We must be on guard. Even the elect can be deceived. Praise God for the restoration of Israel which He prophesied and has begun to bring to fullness. Remember that the Lord will also come to lead us as a Shepherd leads the sheep.

Prayer: Father God, in a world of selfishness and greed, give me a different spirit, that seeks to follow Your righteousness. Teach me to do unto others as I would have others do unto me. Guard my heart and give me wisdom to resist false teachings. Praise You O Lord for the restoration of Israel which You have begun. Continue to bring Israel's destiny in You to fruition, and always be my Lord and Shepherd too. In Jesus name,Amen.